Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-07-14
DOROTHY, THE PATRIOT.

|
sunshine, that fateful morning OF the 18th
of April, ITS. Paul Revere had passed
her house at dawn, calling upon the i'm
mates to arise, as the British were COM
J ing in force 10 seize the arms and stores
OF the village OF Concord, and every man,
woman and child was deeply stirred.
The home OF the Dents was on the di-
rect road from the hill over which the
British would march into the village, and
a large store of guns lay piled upon the
broad back porch-awaiting the return OF
the men to convey them to aplace OF safe
ty.
"Do you see them, mother ?" asked
Dorothy Dent anxiously. "What shall
we do if they come before father and my
brothers return ?"
"No, they are not yet in sight, child.
| wish they were not here-the arms, !
mean. They are so sorely needed, and
they would fall but an easy prey to the
British, with none but women to defend
them"
"If they were only some safe hiding
place." sighed Dorothy, 81 would carry
every gun out of their reach myself y
Grandmother Dent hobbled out to the
sunny porch, tall, keen-eyed old lady,
with strain OF Quaker blood in her
veins, leaning heavily on her cane. She
had not yet heard the alarming news OF
the morning and she looked Searchingly
at the anxious faces as she asked, "Wha'
is thee talking about SO earnestly ?"
"The British are coming, grandmother,
to seize the stores, and we are trying to
think of some place in which to conceal
the guns" Dorothy replied in her clear
young voice, which her grandmother
could hear better than any other in the
family.
Grandmother Dent did not believe in
wars and fighting; no, no, but there was
a principle within her which rebelled
strongly against armed men taking by
force from private premises what did not
belong to them, and her eyes flashed as
she pondered the situation.
elias thee sorted the feathers in the
south room feather-bed of late, daugh-
ter?" she said at length, looking at her
daughter-in-law with twinkling smile
in her dark eyes. at is sunny and still
on the porch it Seemeth proper day
for such task"
"The very thing, mother !" Dorothy
clapped her hands ioyfully. "The guns
will never be the worse for bit OF down."
II was very peaceful scene which
greeted the eyes OF the Soldiery which an
hour later marched down the hill.
Grandmother Dent and her daughter,
their heads tied up in pillow cases, were
busily sorting a great pile OF feathers
heaped up on the porch while the empty
feather tick and several sacks lay on the
floor. They were in full view OF the
company which, under the command o.
Captain Parsons, swept around the house
to the front door, where they were met
by Dorothy, who had put up her hair in
its most bewitching fashion, and pinned
on a kerchief which became her dimped
beauty admirably.
1--WE have orders to search this house,
maiden, for concealed arms" said the
captain, with a bow. 81 trow we shall
be allowed to go with Our task peaceably
and with expedition"
Certainly, sir" Dorothy courtesied
with perfect grace, though her heart was
beating violently with excitement. at
would be pity to disappointSuch courte-
Gus gentlemen of such harmless amuSe-
ment."
"And while your men explore the Sc
crets of ladies' chambers, perhaps
you will accept some refreShment," sug-
geSted Dorothy, with sarcasm veiled be-
meath the most bewitching smile, as the
men were about to 60 upstairs. "Hul-
dah, set out the fresh doughnuts and the
last baking OF bread, with apples for the
gentlemen"
Thanks, maiden, but we shall have no
time for feaSting," replied Captain Par
sons, with some reluctance, for American
cookery had always proven toothsome to
his British palate, and they had had long
march. 1--WE have more serious work
before US this day, and it i'll behooves us
to spend the time in partaking OF even
such charming hospitality as yours. By
the way, who are those danes on the rear
porch ?"
"My mother and my grandmother, sir,
who bade me crave your pardon that they
were not at liberty TO receive you. The
day was fine, and the feathers have long
needed sorting. 1t is very important
part ofhousewifey. Would it please you
to observe how it is done ?" and Doro-
thy made as if she would open the door
which opened on the porch. eve keep
the doors shut fast, that the feathers may
not fly inside" "
The gayly-clad officer stepped back in
alarm. His uniform was new, and he had
no mind to expose it to flying cloud OF
down.
"Ihave no interest in your feather pick
ingp' he exclaimed hastily.
Meanwhile, Grandmother and Mistress
Dent were not idle, though they sat with
anxious hearts listening to the tramp OF
soldiers inside, and TO Dorothy's clear
young voice. which she purposely raised
so that her mother could hear her.
She was not afraid, now that the first
thrill of fear was past, only that her father
or her brothers might return and meet
with violence at the hands of the soldiers.
Old Huldah was close at hand, and these