Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-05-19

l An. UuH&fSuEs win NxfS &AN ~
are lucky to escape with our lives"
Come / said: "you all doubtless
need food and to breathe the fresh sir. :
They left the subceilar IN which they
had been perfectly safe from bursting
shells. While passing through the
rooms that had contained their now
vanished wealth the older ones groan-
| ed: when they ascended TO the main
| door and saw the ruins Of thelr build
| ines they locked at each other In de-
spair The young girl did what she
could to keep up their spirits, saying
that all would soon be recovered. but
her words had no effect upon them.
From the south came distant
booming OF cannon. though night hAv-
ing come on there was inli In the
lighting. There were 10 men on the
premises. except the old man who had
hidden in the celler. for the men were
all in the army. The women therefore
cherished my presence with them and
looked TO me for guidance. told the
young girl. whom they called CIochetfe.
that We had better 70 to the house
where the proprietor had lived. and she
led the way thither.
We found 1t much upset. but not
ruin. The officers had occupied II. and.
though they had left the furniture
topsy turvy. the house itself except for
being perforated by few cannon balls
was not injured We lighted candles
and set to work to make the house
habitable. Fortunately II was summer.
and we did not suffer from the pas
sage OF air through the holes in the
wallis.
Clochette and I. being the only young
persons present other than the chill
dren, did most OF the work and got the
premises in tolerabIe shape. except for
cleanliness. which would require more
time and effort. Then Ciochefte took
me to one Of the buildings. beneath
which provisions had been concealed.
and selecting what was needed we re
turned to the others. and Clochetfe got
up supper which was seasoned with
hunger, and all ate ravenously.
Being the only man on the premises
At for service. and these people relying
upon me alone for aid and comfort.
did not go to bed with the others. but
securing fowling piece for defense
stationed myself on the porch to
watch. fer grim visaged war was
about us. and did not know at what
moment might be called upon TO pro
tect my charges. The firing grew less
toward midnight. but here and there
in every direction the heavens were III
with light that Indicated some house
was being destroyed. and heaven only
knew what dreadful calamities were
being visited upon those who dwelt
therein.
Now and again I heard voices Of
those who were probably stragglers
and likely marauders who We're out
for pillage Coming upon the build
ings which were In ruins. they passed
on. The house In which my dock was
sleeping. being as dark as the rest. was
fortunately not visited. was sitting
in n chair. with my gun resting on the
porch, nodding. when / felt a light
touch on my shoulder.
you are very kind" said q voice
which l knew to he Clochetfe's Il
wifi relieve you for a time. Go In and
get some sleep. You Americans are
the finest people in the world"
l told her that preferred to watch.
When l asked her II there were any
more arms on the place she replied
that she knew Of none excepting
revolver which she drew from under
the skirt Of her dress, and which she
told me she had kept there from the
time the tide OF battle began to roll
over the vineyard. She would not so
to bed. 50 drew chair for her. and
we sat together on guard.
Ciochette was the daughter OF the
superintendent Of the vineyard. Among
the women was her mother. and the
others were mostly her relatives She
had evidently been the dependence OF
the party before my arrival. and even
now was unable to throw Oh the re-
sponsibility resting upon her. And yet
she was especially feminine. Sitting
there together. whenever yell. curse
or shrek rang out In the night she
drew near me ard shuddered. while /.
though ! dreaded what might at any
moment happen. spoke In tones OF as
snrance that might so far az possible
keep up her courage.
During the night we met with vari-
Gus causes for especial terror. One
remember for the narrow escape we
made, Half dozen stragglers. all evi.
IDENTITY drunk. came through the vife-
yard Ny companion and ! Withdrew
behind some latfieework. where we
were well concealed The men passed
the house and stopped before 1t.
heard them discussing whether or not
| there was any loot within, and for
some time we were In doubt whether
or not they would come up on to the
| porch where we were preparatory to
1 l.. 49, u a