Year: 1862




head of Griswod the latter fed to the town Of
l., where his cousin, Mrs. Marvin, bid him.
for some days. in a secluded farm house. But at
length the subtle foe discovered his retreat, and
one sunny afternoon in May he was routed from
his hiding place by the tidings that band of
horsemen approaching to capture him.


His only chance Of escape was to reach the
mouth Of little creek, which emptied itself into
the Connecticut river just above the entrance of
the latter into Long Island Sound. There he had
boat stationed, with two faithful attendants
hidden beneath the high banks of the creek. The
distance from the farm house to the boat was two
miles by the usual travelled road. But a little
sheep path across the farmers orchards would
bring him to the road only a mile from the boat,
and save quarters length Of his fearful run for
life.


Just whore the narrow path from the orchard
opened into the road, Hetty Marvin sat with her
dog Towser tending the bleaching of the house
hold linen. The long web Of forty yards or more,
which was diligently spun and woven during the
long Winter months was whtened in May, and
thus made ready for use. This business of bleach
ing was well economical, being usually done by
the younger daughters OF the family who were
not old enough to spin, or strong enough for the
heavier work of kitchen and dairy.


The roll Of linen was taken by the farmer or
his stout help to grass plat, beside a spring
or meadow brook. There it was thoroughly
wetted and spread upon the green turf, to take
the heat Of the sun by day aud the dew by night.
The little maiden who tended it would sit near
it during the day, with her knitting or her book,
and as fast as the sun dried its folds, she would
sprinkle the water over it with her g0urd she'll
dipper and make it wet again.


Thus sat lletty Marvin, the young daughter Of
Governor Grswold's cousin, when her hunted
friend sprang past her into the road, to escape
his pursners Hety was tmid child of about
twelve years; yet thoughtful and wise even be-
yond many OF her elders. She was frightened by
the headl0ng haste with which the Governor
rushed across the meadow. But she quickly com
pretended the scene, and instantly quieted her
faithful Towser, who, though a friend of the
family gnest, thought it becoming to bark loudly
at his hurried steps.


Her wise forethought arrested the Governors
notice, and suggested scheme to deiude his pur-
suers. " Hetty," he said, earnestly, am fly
ing for my life and unless can reach my boat
before | am overtaken, am q lost man. Iou
see the road forks here. Now ! want to run
down this way to the river. But you must tell
the rascas who are chasing me that have gone
up the road to catch the mail wagon which will
soon be along, you know. Then they will turn
off the other way"


.'ob, cousin, said the little girl in an agony
OF distress, " | cannot tell lie indeed can.
not why did you tell me which way you were
gOing?'


"Hetty, my child, surely you would not be.
tray me to death. Hark they are coming
hear the click of their horses feet Oh Hetty,
teIl lHtlH nave gone up the ROAD instead OF
down and heaven will bless you"


Heaven never blesses those who speak false
ly, cousin. But | will not tell them which way
you CO. even if they kill me SO run as quick as
possible"


It's of no use unless l can deceive them,
am dead man"


cousin, cousin, hide under my web of cloth
they d never think of looking here for you.
Come and get down, as swift as you can aud I'll
cover you, and keep on sprinkling my linen"


'lts my only chance, child III get down
as you say" And suiting the action to the word.
the Governor was soon hidden under the ample
folds Of the cloth


Angry, that their expected prey had escaped
from the house where they hoped to secure him,
the six mounted tories headed by British officer,
dashed along the road in swift pursuit. At sight
ut the little girl in the meadow, the leader Of The
party paused


Child" he said, steruly. have you seen
man running away hereabouts?'
Yes sir, replied Hetty, trembling aud Gash
ing


Which way did he go2'
- promised not to tell sir"
But you must, or take the consequences.
said wouldn't tell if you killed me- " sob
bed the frightened girl.


'Pll have it out Of her, exclaimed the furious
officer, with oath.


Let me speak to her." said his tory guide
Z" ! know the child believe. Isn't your name
-N"' ~ NAANN ptNN9"ull9'


Yes, sirn


And this man who ran by you few minutes
ago was your mothers cousin was he not -


" Yes, sir he was"


"Wel, we are friends of his What did he
cay to ou when he came along ~


lle-he told ae-that he was flying for his
lle.n


"Just so, lietty that was very true ! hope
he won't have to fly far. Where was he going to
try TO hide? You see could help him if / knew
his plans"


Now Hetty was not bit deceived by this
smooth speech But she was willing to tell as
much 0: The truth as would consist with his safe
ty, and she wisely judged that her frankness
would serve her kinsman better than her silence.
SO she answered her questioner candidly:


=" My cousin said that he was going down this
way 10 the river, where he had Il boat; and he
wanted me to tell the men that were chasing him
that he had gone the other way to catch the mail
wagon"


why didn't you do as he bid you, then, when
asked whittier he had gone ?" thundered the
officer.


"Hetty" again began the smooth tonguel
tory, you are nice child Everybody knows
you are girl OF truth. What did your cousin
say when you told him that you could not tell a
talsehood -


: He said he shouldn't think Id betray him to
his death"


And then you promised him that you
wouldn't tell which way he went If you was killed
Tor it,"


"Yes, sir"


That was a brave speech aud so | suppose
be thanked you for it, and ran down the road as
fast as possible"


:" promised not to tell where he went sir"


"Oh' yes; / forgot Well, tell us his last
words, aud we won't trouble you any more"


" lis last words were, it's my only chance,
child, and III get down as you say"


Overcome by the fright and the sense of her
kinfman's danger, should they rightfully inter
pref TIE language which she had reported, she
sobhed AND bid her face from sight


Her tofmentors did not stay any longer to
sootle or question her. They had got as they
supposed the information which they wanted,
and pushed rapidly on down the river. Now the
Governor had arranged a signal with his boat
men, that white cloth by day, or a ljgbt in tbe
night displayed at the attic window of his
hiding place, which was just visible at the mouth
Of The creek, should inform them il he were i'm