Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-22
CHAPTER /.
Revolutionary Neutral Ground.

way through one of the numerous little
valleys of Westchester The easterly wind,
with its chilling dampness and increasing VIC
lence, gave notice of the approach of a storm
which might be expected to continue for sew
eral days. and the experienced eye of the trav-
eler was turned in vain, through the darkness
to which it would be safe and polite to trust
himself
The County of Westchester, after the Brit
ish had obtained possession of the island of
New York, became common ground, in which
both parties continued to act for the remainder
Of the War of the Revolution. A large pro
portion of its inhabitants, either restrained by
their attachments or influenced by their fears.
affected neutrality they did not feel. The
lower towns were, OF course. more particularly
under the dominion Of the Grown, while the
upper, finding a security from the vicinity Of
the continental troops, were bold in asserting
their revolutionary opinions and their right
to govern themselves.
Great numbers, however, wore masks, which
even to this day have not been thrown aside;
and many an individual has gone down to the
tomb, stigmatiZed as a foe to the rights of his
countrymen, while, in secret he has been the
useful agent of the leaders Of the Revolution
and, on the other hand could the hidden re-
positors of divers flaming patriots have been
would have been discovered concealed under
piles of British gold.
Tired with the exercise of day of unusual
fatigue and anxious to obtain speedy shelter
from the increasing violence of the storm, the
traveller determined as a matter of necessity,
to make an application for admission to the
next dwelling that offered. An opportunity was
not long wanting and, riding through a pair
of neglected bars, he knocked loudly at the
outer door of building of very humble eX
of
middle age, with outward bearing but little
more prepossessing than that of her dwelling
appeared to answer the summons, Although the
door was too nearly closed to admit of minute
scrutiny of the accommodations within, enough
had been seen to cause the horseman to en-
deavOr, once more, to penetrate the gloom, with
longing eyes, in search of a more promising
roof before, with an illconcealed reluctance,
he stated his necessities and wishes His re-
quest was listened to with evident unwilling
ness, and, while yet unfinished, 1t was eagerly
interrupted by the reply:
Il can't say l like to give lodgings to a
stranger in these. tickish times said the
female in a pert sharp key. I'm nothing but
fOrlOrn lone body; or what's the same thing,
there's nobody but the old gentleman at home;
but a half mile further up the road is house
where you can get entertainment, and that for
nothing. | am sure twill be much cOnVenienter
to them and more agreeable to me-because,
as I said before, Harvey is away; l wish he'd
take advice and leave off wandering; he's we'll
to do in the world by this time, and he ought
to leave off his uncertain courses, and settle
himself handsomely, in life like other men of
his years and property. But Harvey Birch will
have his own way and die vagabond after ALI"
rs this then, the dwelling of Harvey
Birch?" inquired the horseman in an involun-
tary manner, apparently checking himself as
he was about to utter more.
why, one can hardly say 1t is his dwelling"
replied the other drawing a hurried breath,
like one eager to answer. He is never in it,
oil ,Ez- III
when he does think it worth his while to show
it to his poor old father and me. But it matters
little to me, I'm sure, if he ever comes back
again or nOt-turn in the first gate your left
no, I care but little, for my part whether
Harvey ever shows his face again or not
not T'-and she closed the door abruptly on
the horseman, who gladly extended his ride a
half mile farther, to obtain lodgings which
promised both more comfort and greater secur-
ity.
CHAPTER
The Mysterious "Mr. Harper"
Sufficient light yet remained to enable the
traveller to distinguish the improvements
which had been made in the cultivation and in
the general appearance of the grounds around
the building to which he was approaching
The house was of stone long, low and with
a small wing at each extremity. A piazza, ex-
tending along the front, with neatly turned
pillars of wood, together with the good order
and preservation of the fences and outbuid-
ings, gave the place an air altogether superior
to the common farm houses of the country
After leading his horse behind an angle of the
wall, where it was in some degree protected
from the wind and rain, the traveller threw
his yalise over his arm, and knocked loudly at
the entrance of the building for admission.
An aged black soon appeared; and without
seeming to think it necessary under the cir
cUmstances, to consult his superiors-first TAX
ing one pTying look at the applicant, by the
light of the candle in his hand--he acceded to
the request for accommodations. The traveller
was shown into an extremely neat parlor,
where fire had been lighted to cheer the dull
ness of an Easterly storm and an October
evening. After giving the valise into the keep
ing of his civil attendant, and politely repeat
ing his request to the old gentleman, who
arose to receive him, and paying his compli-
ments to the three ladies who were seated at
work with their needles, the stranger com
menced laying aside some of the outer gar
ments which he had worn in his ride.
His whole appearance was so impressive
and so decidedly that of a gentleman, that as
he finished laying aside the garments the la
dies arose from their seats and, together with
the master of the house, they received anew
and returned the complimentary greetings
which We're again offered
The host was by several years the senior
of the traveller, and by his manner, dress and
everything around him, showed he had seen
W., Of f. +l,, mi.