The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-21

 place in that very room on the evening of April 18th, 1775-just before the Midnight Ride
 AS usual in Peppina's descrip- tions of historic scenes, she makes herself a spectator or character of the scene.
 Special Privilege
 The Paul Revere House, though not usually open to the public on Sundays, was, by special arrange ment opened for Peppina and the Paul Revere Guards that after noon.
 First" began Peppina, We're going to ask our history teacher whom we all love very dearly-to say few words to us."
 When the applause quieted down, Miss Ward, with beaming face, standing beside Peppina, hand in hand-said, This house, as we know, has played very interesting part in two hundred and fifty years of American his tory and for 30 years-save one was the home of Paul Revere. was going to say, If it had tongue and could speak, what stories it could tell.'-but I'm not going to say that, because it has made a confidant of Peppina and she, in turn, is going to make confidants of us this afternoon and tell us some of the things the old house has told her.
 Peppina sat in a chair beside Miss Ward, and the children drew up close around her.
 T will try to tell you about the scene, as I imagine it, in this house in the early evening of the night of Paul Revere's famous ride" began Peppina. Tt was the night before the Battle of Lexington and Concord-the out break of the Revolution. They didn't know then, but it was the last supper that Paul Revere and his family were to have in this house till year later-when General George Washington's patriot Army was to drive King Georges soldiers and tories ske- daddling out of Boston, never to return.
 Probably I shall ask Miss Ward and everybody to help me as I go along. Will you promise?" she asked, looking from Miss Ward to the children.
 We'll Pleased
 Miss Ward said she felt highly complimented, and the Drummer and Bugler and the Flag-bearer and the others expressed their qualification, too, at the compli- ment of being invited to collabor- ate with Peppina in reconstruct ing so memorable a scene in the life of their favorite patriot of the Revolution, and all drew up closer yet and fixed their eyes eagerly on Peppina.
 "All right" said Peppina, "weIl make believe that this is April 18th, IT'S, and that it is just 6 o'clock in the evening.
 Quietly, but with dramatic ef- feet, Peppina rose from her chair, and standing beside Miss Ward, pointed toward the street door I'm standing outside-at the front door of Paul Revere's House. Some of King Georges impudent soldiers are passing, and they watch me. raise the brass knocker and 1t falls with a bang.
 "The door is opened by large, powerful man of about 40, with noble head, smoothly shaven face, firm mouth and chin, rather long dark-brown hair and fine eyes and I know as soon as I look at him that he is Paul Revere-and he Is just as splendid as ex- pected.
 "I'm Peppina,'" I exclaim, as I rush up to him and take his ex- tended hand.
 "'Come right in. 'Peppina'- Glad to see you-You,re just in time'-he says, heartily, m his deep bass voice, closing the door, and leading me in.
 Here, mother! Here, childreni Here's Peppina! Come and give her a rousing welcome! She's ' going to have supper with us and she's going to sit next to mel
 Affectionate Greeting
 "They all jump up from their chairs at the table and surround me-Mrs. Revere and the girls kiss me-Paul Jr. who is 15, is very kind and polite-Paul Revere lifts the four months old baby, Joshua, from his cradle and brings him in his arms to kiss me greeting-A handsome big dog comes over wagging his tail.
 Paul Revere pats his head and says, 'Peppina. allow me to pre- sent Old Scout-he's one of the family. They can't fool him. He's furious if you even whisper King George to him. He can smell tory mile away-can't you Old Scout? The dog looks knowingly at his master and gives a growl, that means. You bet, and I'd bite chunk out of 'em quickern'n a a winkp
 "The girls take my hat and coat, and Paul Revere puts little Joshua back in his cradle and offers me his arm with charming gallantry, and escorts me to my place at the table at his right Mrs. Revere sits at his left. Paul Jr. and his five sisters fill the rest of the table. Debora is IT. Sarah, 13-Frances, 9--Mary, T.. and Elizabeth, 5.
 They are all so kind and pleas- ant to me and so affectionate toward each other, that I feel perfectly at home."
 Describes Scene
 Peppina resumed her chair as she described the supper-table scene. The children were drink ing in every word, sensitive to each changing infection, watch