Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-15
Ethyel Frances Davis ~ In
cident of the Revolu-
tionary War

cident of the RevOlu-
tionary War
Dear Juniors:
As have never written before will
revolution. This story was told to
grandpa by one Of his old relatives
whom he calls Aunt Rosa Glasgow"
During the revolutionary war in one
Of the colonies there was man by the
| name of Griswold who was very, in
fluential with his people and whom the
British soldiers wished to kill. He was
running away from accompany Of SOL
| diers one day when he came by a lit
tie girl who was bleaching flax linen
web in the orchard.
This little girls name was Hetty
Marvin and she was a cousin to Girls
void. GKtswold was running toward tho
river and said he was trying to get
away from the British soldiers who
would probably kill him should they
catch him. AS the soldiers came in
can 80 so the, soldiers cannot sec me.
They will kill II they get me. am go
Ing to the river but you tell them
went the other way.
Hetty said Il must not say that as it
would be a lie and cannot tell lie"
Griswold said "Hetty would you be-
tray me and let the British soldiers put
went to meet the mail and then they
cannot find me- But bark! they are
coming closer. 1t is now too late to run.
Where can hide MYSELF"
Hetty said BE quick cousin, get
down and lie under this cloth and I
will go on sprinkling It." Griswold said
Il will do this as 1t is my last chance"
Griswold was soon lying PROSTATE on
the ground with the long web Of un-
bleached linen carelessly. yet carefully
drawn over him. concealing his form
from the piercing eyes Of the British
soldiers when they came up.
When the captain saw her he called
out to her in a tone OF supreme author
ity Have you seen man running by
here:?'
Yes sir" replied Hetty.
(Which way did he go?"
II promised him would not tell said
Hetty.
But you must tell me this minute
said the officer. will not tell" said
Hetty. my word is sacred and will
At this juncture one Of Hetty's Tory
neighbors who was acting as guide
for the Britons said Let me question
her. I think l know her.
rs this Hetty Marvin
Yes sir"
Wasn't the man who ran by here
Your cousin:'
Yes. sir he is"
What did he say to you as he ran
by?"
He said he was running to save his
life, That was so and hope he will not
have to run far
But where was he going to hide
HIMSELF"
He said he was going to the river
where he would find a boat. He want
ed me to say that he had gone the 9th
er way to meet the mall cart"
What did your cousin say when you
told him that you could not tell a lie.
even to save his life?"
HE asked me il l could betray HIM
and see him put to DEATH
And T suppose you said you would
not tell even il you were to be killed
for it?'
Yes sir"
Then suppose he thanked you and
beat 1t down the road"
II promised him would not tell
which way he went
Now. Hetty, II you will tell me his
last words I will not ask any moro
questions"
"He said I will do it as it is my last
chance"
Hetty cried bitterly. The soldiers
her and rode away toward tho
riverside But Griswold was safe with
his cousin. He agreed to signal his
boatmen that whenever he was In any
danger he would put a white cloth in
the day time or a light at night on .
Just as soon as the soldiers
rode away Griswold's friends put .
white cloth to warn the boat men. And
as soon az they ssw the white cloth