The Washington times., 1913-06-30
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
BESS AND THE BELFRY.


l. gate is open; run shut 1t.
Bess put down her pan of peas,
shut the gate and in a moment was
back at work again, for she was little
New England maid, and had been rear
ed not to be idle minute. Her home
was a small farm on the outskirts Of
a village In Revolutionary days. and
the whole land was full of English
soldiers. All about the town were
the white tents Of the redcoats. and
many was the fight that took place IN
the streets between the Americans and
the British. Bess often swung on the
gate whole hour watching the troops
parade on the green with their red
coats and flashing guns.
I'VE have stored a ship load of pow
der In the old mill said Mr.. Burton
that evening at supper. 1T Is to be
sent on to the army as soon as 1t Is
safe to do So We men have arranged
to sound a signal by ringing the old bel
fry bell IL the English try to get 1t.
But they do not know it is there. Should
they find out We all have our guns at
home, and il the bell rings. We will
flock there and defend it," ass-
You mean the old ruined belfry on
the Concord pike?" asked Bess.
Yes" replied her father. I'VE have
considered that the old bell would mean
danger, SO arranged for It to be used
a church bell might be taken as call
to meeting-every one knows the loud,
mellow. tone Of the old belfry.''
That night Bess lay awake about the
bell, wondering IL it would ever have
occasion to be rung. Then she heard
the slam, bang of the barnyard gate.
That calf is out and gone again" she
exclaimed as she sprang out of bed. 1t
was IL by the clock and her father was
sound asleep by then, so she slipped on
her shoes and dress and went out into
the road. It was bright moonlight and
just ahead Of her was the calf. But
when she tried to put her hand on the
brown neck, the spoilt animal trotted
away. Up the road they went. the calf
at a fast walk and Bess on the run.
The girl had gone at least half mile,
when she saw an English sentinel slow
ly coming toward her. but his face was
upturned to the moon, and he did not
catch a glimpse of her. She crouched
down in the bushes and the man solemn
ly paced by, then stopped a few steps
off, In a moment another sentry ap-
peared around the corner and spoke to
the waiting guard, whom he had been
sent to relieve.
I'VE are going down to the old mill to-
night and get that rebel powder" said
the new soldier to the sentinel. so II
YOU are to be ordered into the party,
better be quick in getting back to
camp"
THE men are to leave camp at mid
night and will get to the mill in half
an hour" continued the soldier. Won't
those rebels feel foolish when we blow
up their ammunition
Then the old sentry walked away
toward his camp and the new one took
up the march, but his back was now to
the girl. She stole out of the bushes
and sped after the calf. catching 1t in a
corner of the fence.
1T is now at least half-past H." Bess
muttered to herself. breathlessly. 1T
will take me half an hour to get home
and tell father-that is not enough time.
l must go right on to the belfry and
ring the bell myself"
Bess and the calf were on top of a
long hill, and a mile away on top of
another on the other side of the town
was the ruined belfry. Bess felt fright
cned at the idea of going alone at night
into the ruin. Then an idea came into
her bright, little curly head. Often she
had ridden the calf around the yard
she could ride it now, for the road was
straight on ahead to the belfry ruin.
With a jump Bess sprung astride the
calf and that frightened animal set out
at a made run as II the witches were at
mis- heels.
Out of the village the calf swept, then
started up the hill. but it was growing
tired now, and by the time they were
at the ruins the animal stopped from
exhaustion. so Bess jumped off and
dashed up the old steps 1t was dark
and damp. but she kept on. and as she
felt the rope in her hands gave it a
wild jerk.
Clang. Clang, Clang! 1t rang out
on the still air, over the town and echo
Ing hills. Clang! Clang. Clang! again
1t roared. and in the windows of the
village lights began to appear. In half
an hour the men had gathered at the
mill where the powder was stored.
Racing along to the mill which stood
not far from the ruined belfry. Bsss
stood there waiting for the men as they