Year: 1862




When the British aud Tories attacked
New London, Connecticut, in II, and
set price on the head Of Gov. Griswold.
the latter fled to the town Of Z. where
his cousin, Mrs Marvin, hid him. for
some days in a secluded farm house
i}Ct at length the subtle foe discovered his
retreat, and one sunny afternoon in Nav.
he was routed from his hiding place bv
the tidings that band of horsemen were
approaching to capture him


His only chance Of escape was to reach
the mouth of little creek, which emptied
itself into the Connecticut river lust above
the entrance of the latter into Long
Island Sound. There he had a boat sta
toned, with two faithful attendants hid
den 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 little sheep path across the
farmers orchards would bring him to the
road only 3 mile from the boat and save
a quarters length Of his fearf run for
life


just where the narrow path from the
orchard opened into the road, Hattv Mar
vim sat with her dog Towser, tending the
bleaching Of the household linen The
long web of forty yards or more which
was diligently spun and woven during the
long winter months, was whitened in Nav
and thus made ready for use This busi
ness Of bleaching was we'll economical
being usually done by the young dauch
ters of the family, who were not old
enough to spin, or strong enough for the
heavier work of the kitchen and dairy.


The roll of linen was taken by the far
mer or his stout /" help TO grassy plat
beside spring or meadow brool There
it was thoroughly wetted and spread upon
the turf, to take the lear of the sun bv
day and the dew By night The little
maiden who tended it, during the dav.
with her knitting on her book. and as fast
as the sun dried its folds, she would
sprinkle the water over it with her gourd-
shell dipper, and make it wet again


Thus sat Hettv Marvin. the Young
daughter of Governor GriswOd's cousin.
when her hunted friend sprang past her
into the road, to escape his pursuers =
Hetty was a timid child Of about twelve
years: yet thoughtful and wise beyond
many OF her elders She was frightened
by the headlone haste with which the GOV
ernor rushed across the meadow. Bat she
quickly comprehended the scene. and in
stantly quieted her faithful Towser. who,
though n friend of the family guest tho't
it becoming to bark loudly at his hurried
steps


Her wise forethought arrested the gov
ernors notice, and suggested scheme to
deluGe his pursuers Hetty,' he saio
earnestly :" | am flying for nv life and
unless can reach my boat before ! am
oyertaken. ! am a lost man. You see the
road forks here. Now | want to run down
this way to the river. But YOU must tell
the raseals who are chasing me, that
have gone up the road to catch the mail
wagon, which viii soon be along. YOU
know. Then they viii turn off the other
way


"Oh, cousin, said the little girl in 90,
ony of distress, " | cannot tell a lie: in
deed ] cannot; why di! you tell me which
way you were going?


Hetty, nv child, surely YOU would not
betray me to my death Harkl they are
coming | hear the click of their horses
feet oh Hctty, tell them gave gone
up the road instead Of down and heaven
viii bless you


Heaven never blesses those who speak
falsely, cousin But viii not tell them
which way you 90, even if they kill me
so run quickly as possible"


- It's of no use unless | can deceive
them | am dead man


" Cousin, cousin hide under my web of
cloth; they'd never think Of looking here
for you. Come, get down as quick as you
can, ard III cover you, and stand sprink-
ling my linen.


" It's my only chance, child III get
down as You say And suting the action
to the word the governor was soon hid
den under the ample folds Of the clot;l


Angry that their exl ected pray had es-
capped 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 of the
little girl in the meadow, the leader Of the
party paused.


Child, he said, sternly. have YOU
seen man running away heleabouts ?"


1eS, sir," replied Hetty. trembling
and flushing


Which way did he go?


q / promised not TO tell, sir


q But YOU must, or take the consequen-
ces."


I said | would not tell if you killed
me scfbei the frIphtened girl