The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-06-20

A hundred years ago there was a
Connecticut farmer named John
Clough living on tho shores bordering
On Long island sound His wife
Katherine dearly loved her husband,
and their union was blessed with ten
children.
one evening when Katherine had
prepared Johns supper and was wait.
ing for him to come home aud eat It
small boy With eyes a-stare came
running to the house crying:
Mistress Ciough, your mans car
ried on"
what dye meanT asked the
frightened woman
Some men came along while be
was q seedin' and took him by the
arms and run him down to boat
They put him 10 and are rowin' him
out 70 a warship."
"Oh. my gracious. the press gangin
She ran out Of the house and on to
an emiRence IN time to see the boat
pulling for ship at anchor bearing
the British ensign from her peak
John Clough had been pressed into
the British service. Katherine was 50
fond Of MIN that she could not bear
the idea of waiting FOR him to come
home after a long term Of service and
resolved to join hlm Il possible The
ship remained at anchor that night
and the next morning. leaving her
children in the care of her sister. Mrs
Clough cut off her hair. put on a suit
OF Johns and. taking boat. rowed
out to the man-of-war. There che Of
fered herself for enlistment She was
gladly accepted without a physical ex-
animation and donned a sailors uni
form. She was soon recognized By her
husband. but she gave him a look Of
warning and he DID not betray her
The Britisher sailed about for some
time IN American waters. her captain
here and there impresalng man into
his service. desiring 10 all up his
crew. which was incomplete.
As soon As possible John and Kath-
crime concerted to make their escape
Katherlne's plan was to assist John
10 get away, after which she might
declare her sex aud get discharged.
But they both knew that 50 long as
the ship remained on the American
coast very sharp watch would be
kept On those Americans that had been
impressed, 20 thia task would not be
easy Of accomplishment And II they
made an attempt and failed one or
both would be put IN Irons.
They kept sharp watch for an Oh
portunity, but SO strict was the watch
that none occurred. Finally prepare
tons making for q voyage warned
them that the ship would soon sail
away and IL they were to put any
scheme into execution they must do
90 without further delay.
One day Katherine left the collar OF
her sailor Jacket open Just low enough
to betray her sex petty officer was
the first to discover the fact and re-
ported 1t to the officer Of the deck
Katherine was summoned before the
and acknowledged her de-
ception The officer would have put
her ashore at once. but she begged to
be allowed to remain. for Il time at
least. as cook. Her request was grant
ed, and she was transferred to the
galley. But as there was not a w0-
mans garment Of any kind aboard /
she must needs retain her sailor toys.
One evening when the ship was a
anchor of New London John told bis
wife that he could swim ashore II he F
could only get away from the ship
But this was Impossible, for marines /
were on watch. aud any one jumping F
overheard would be shot. If be were (
net shot a boat would be lowered, and +
be would be captured before he had +
swum 4 hundred yards The sailors
had got wind Of the intention OF the (
captain to san the next morning for
and the Englishmen Of the
crew were much delighted at the pros
pect Of going home
Though the night was not dark. the
Coughs determined to make an at
tempt. About eight bells a great dare
Of light appeared in the galley. and /
who had secretly collected
IS much inhummable stur as she
could conceal ana had touched a burn
ing brand 70 it raised the cry Of
"Firem
A fire on shipbosrd, especially on
Wooden man-of-war. where there are