The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-11-18

would likely attempt to repossess the
woman, shut her up in the fort and
prepared to hold her against all COM
ers. 1t did not matter to them that
she wished to return to her husband.
She had not been applied for in prop
er way, her parents had not been con
suited and even II all the forms usual
on such occasions had been observed
she would not have been given up to
the hated French beyond the border
In due time news came that a res
cue party was being formed, and the
Dutchmen began to make preparations
TO meet 1t. The fort was stocked with
provisions. and arms and ammunition
and regular garrison were put in.
The object OF contention being In the
fort, the French marched straight
against it. and since they bad no means
of taking it by assault they formed a
Gordon about 1t for the purpose OF be-
sieging it by starvation.
Meanwhile the Dutch farmers who
were not engaged in the quarrel con
tinued to make cheeses and do their
other accustomed work. They were
shut Off from the fort. and the fort was
shut OF from them. The garrison, hay
ing a goodly store OF provisions for
their maintenance. laughed at the
Frenchmen who were besieging them.
Come on with your picks and your
STATS and your scythes." they shouted
IN Dutch. land take the fort II you
cam" But the Frenchmen didn't un.
derstand word that was said. They
simply sat around and smoked and
drank wine and played games. waiting
for the besieged to eat up all their
provender
A long while passed, but the Dutch
men showed no sign OF surrender.
The Frenchmen knew that by this
time, though they might still have food,
Il must be stale. But since they would
not give up the fight their position
must be taken by stratagem. After
much chattering and gesticulating the
Frenchmen at last hit upon a plan
which they proposed 10 put into execu-
ton, but they preferred to wait lit
tie longer till their enemies had &C
quired a special relish for fresh eat
ables through prolonged course Of
priyation.
One morning when the Dutchmen
awoke and were preparing their break
fast Of stale yictuals they heard clat-
ter Of tongues and, looking over the
ramparts. saw a number OF women
coming with baskets on their arms.
They were TOO far off for the Dutchmen
to hear what they said or in what
language they spoke. When they came
near the fort its commander hailed
them and asked them where they were
going One of the women replied that
they were taking butter and eggs and
Vegetables to the market to sell. When
they came directly beneath the fort
they displayed their produce to the
hungry Dutchmen. who said they
would gladly take their whole supply,
but they must act quickly. for If the
French enemies saw them they would
prevent the sale.
So the women were introduced into
lhe fort, and the Dutchmen started to
shut the gates. but the women pulled
weapons from under their skirts and
drove them back. AS soon as the fight
commenced the Frenchmen. who were
hidden behind a barn near by, rushed
out. effected an entrance into the fort
and captured 1t.
Thus as hollow horse Oiled with
armed men was introduced into Troy
so did a number Of Frenchmen dis
guised as women enter the Dutchmen's
fort. Helen was restored to her hus-
band. and together they began to raise
children and country produce. produc-
Ing an abundant supply Of both every
year.