The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-04-15
With the Aid of the Sergeant.


lBy Ethel +. Jackson, 10, Northfeld,
Mass.)
The sun was just rising over the misty
hills as Lieutenant Richard Gray had
set out upon his return to Fort Clayton,
one of the minor fortified places on the
Hudson during the Revolutionary war.
But now the sun was sinking behind the
blue hills beyond the Hudson as Dick,
upon his black pony, slowly climbed the
long steep hill about a quarter of mile
from his stopping place, the Van Dyke
homestead.
The Lieutenant was an adventurous and
fearless Young fellow, who, by his bold
ness and daring in his short service in
the army, had soon received the rank OF
lieutenant
Many thoughts were whirling through
Dicks mind as he toiled up the weari-
some hill He was rejoicing in his sue
cessful delivery of his secret dispatches,
as there had been late reports that Jim
Varney, shrewd British spy. was again
in the neighboring country. Many I'M
successful plans had been tried to capture
this troublesome spy, but as many times
as the attempt had been made just so
many times it had failed Then his
thoughts ran to black-eyed Bess. Van
Dykes only daughter, a lively girl OF
eighteen. BesS was always ready for
lively adventures with the young Ameri-
can messengers that so often stopped at
her home, hut, singularly, she greatly
disliked the numerous British messengers
who also made Van Dykes their stop
ping place and upon whom she often
PLAYED many discomfting pranks.
"Come, Billy boy" said Dick to his
horse when they had gained the top Of
the HILL "a good supper awaits us
yonder."
As if the intelligent animal understood
his master, he broke into a gallop and in
short time reached the Van Dyke home
stead.
This spacious farm was situated upon
gentle slope about two miles from the
little village Of Stanley. This town was
located on high bluff and the frowning
guns from its fort kept many British
ships from entering New York.
Just as Dick was dismounting at the
gate, he saw Bess coming down the walk.
Good evening, Miss Bcss," he called
out to her.
"Good evening, Lieutenant Dick" she
cried as she extended her hand; "how
glad am to see you!"
Turning, she said: Some and put your
horse in the barn. | was just going out
to feed Dandy
As they moved towards the stable she
broke out:
"That horrid man is here again. | can't
bear the sight of him"
Dick stopped short in surprise.
'Who?" he demanded.
"Varney, of course" she returned; Il
wish he was shut up in prison He's been
here for an hour at least. He keeps
Boosting how he has outwitted our men
who have tried to capture him. Every
once in while he taps his boot with such
satisfied air that really believe he has
some messages for the British"
BY this time they had reached the
barn. Dick was strangely silent while
he was putting up his horse. Then ne
turned to Bess with flashing eyes and
exclaimed: "Bess, I've desperate plan
to capture that man Narney. Are you
ready to help me?" Her only answer
was to clasp his hand.
A few minutes later, Don, Bessie's
oungest brother, passed through the barn
with his trimming milk pals and over
heard few words of their low, excited
conversation.
"Death to all these American dogsl"
cried Varney excitedly. as Don burst into