Year: 1876

but, conscious of her vantage ground, sh,
resisted tor long time the assaults D
love. This won her the reputation OF be
ing naughty among her rejected suitora
but ''haughty" though she was, she tount
at last a heart more powerful than he
own, and in the spring of 1879 she be
came Mrs. Martha Bell. William Bel
was of a respectable family and in IL goot
business. He lived on the Deep River
near the ford on the Greensborough road
and here the new wife removed, and Join
ed her fortune with his


The active part taken by Mr.. Bell il
the struggle which was desolating the
state made 1T unsafe to remain at home
While the British troops or Tory band;
were in the neighborhood, and much OF
his time was spent Lying out in the
woods or sWamps, or seeking safety in
the American camps


just alter the battle OF GuiItord the
British army marched to Wilmington
About the middle of the afternoon the
van OF the army, led by Lord CORVALLIS.
reached the house OF Mrs. Bell. The earl
dismounted and entered. After looking
about him space. he said abruptly:


MADAM, where is your husband ?"


In Greene's camp was the short re-
| ply


''lS he an officer or soldier?"


NO. he is not but he knew it was bet
ter to be among friends than fall into the
ha'ds of enemies"


Very well. madam; | must make your
house my headquarters tor few days, and
take your mill to grind for my soldiers"


Sir" said she, 'you have the power to
do as You please; but after using our mill
do You mean to burn it ~


''Why DO you ask that ~


Answer Inc first and III tell you after
wards


mo, then, said Colnwallis, 'your mill
shall not be burned or your property in
jured bat my officers must have provis-
ions for the army. | shall remain in your
house. and my presence will protect you
from insult, for no soldiers OF mine will
dare plunder near my quarters"


"Wel now, sir,n rejoined the stout
hearted woman, ''as YOU were so kind as
to answer my question, | will answer
yours. If your lordship had intended to
burn my mill after using it. intended to
save you that trouble by burning it myself
at once.''


CORVALLIS took no offence, but began
| giving orders i'll a quick, nervous manner.
lie walked up and down the room like
one Ill at ease, turning sharply on his heel.
lie told Mrs Bell that he had Just annhi-
lated Greene's army, and could fear no
harm from him. Presently he opened the
back-door and looked nervously up the
road Tor few moments, then resumed his
walk to and fro. The air drew through
the room and the good lady rose and shut
the door The earl opened it and again
gazed up the road. Tie appeared to be in
trouble, and could not keep still Il moment
He would sit down in a chair. only to find
his feet at once, and return to his pacing
wallis Immediately opened it, saving stern
y that he wished it to remain 50. His
hostess asked him the reason


"Why," said he, Il don't know but
Greene may be coming down on me at
any moment.


but l thought you said just now that
You had annihilated him, and feared moth
ing turther.n


well, madam" said the earl, with Il
sigh, Ito tell you the truth, since God
made me | never saw such lighting. An
other such victory would annihiate M ~
During the stay OF the enemy on Mrs
Bells plantation, Cornwallis treated her
with proper respect. But the British gen
eral lacked either the viii OF the power
to withhold his troops from their usual
depredations They took her provisions,
her crops, and her live stock, and stripped
the place OF all they chose to want. The
presence of the commander protected her
from direct insult, but she often heard the
officers without the house curse her bitter
ly for her rebel proclivities One day when
one OF them was galloping toward the
river to water his horse he Shouted an in
sulting remark to her as he passed the
door Provoked beyond endurance, She
said she wished his horse would throw him
and break his neck. The next moment the
horse stumbled, the rider was thrown on
to the rocks and instantly killed.


When Mrs Bell learned that the British
army were likely to pass over her road,
she took the usual precaution of burying
her money. This was all in specie and She
had deposited it under stone step of one
OF the buildings. 1t was heavy rock and
she was barely able to move it enough to
scratch hole and drop her guineas. But
she had not counted on having the army
actually encamped on her grounds, and
now, knowing we'll their custom Of plvng
up every stone and searching every Granny
for plunder, she felt certain the soldiers
would discover her treasure She was not
the woman to lose her property without
an effort to save it. She determined to re-
cover her gold, and find for it a safer
hiding place. She accordingly made an
excuse Tor visiting the camp, roamed
about leisurely to disarm suspicion, and,
watching her opportunity, stepped to the
stone, moved it by one tremendous effort,
grasped her bag, and, hiding it in her
gown, carelessly retreated Her bacon
! and numerous things of value she had de-
posted among the rocks on the other side
of the river. These were soon discovered
The miller who had been for long
time employed by Mr.. Bell was one Steph-
en- 1arlin. who was at heart Il Tory. Now
in the presence of the British troops he
had opportunity to show his proclivities
lie not only allowed the soldiers to take
the grain. but he also revealed the hiding
| place of the bacon, and the prize was at
once secured. He told them too, that there
was much cider in the cellars. They inn
mediately went to the house and demand
ed it of Mrs. Bell. She told them stoutly
they should not have it, They seized an
axe and started for the door. She rushed
before them, placed her back to the door,
and told them they could not have it with
out assaulting a lady. Moved by shame
or tear, they withdrew and the cider was
saved; but the miller lost Il good place


A few hours after the British army had
broken camp and started on their days
march to Walkers plantation, the gallant
Colonel Lee dashed up to Mrs Bells door.
He was well acquainted with this noble
woman, and received from her a hearty
welcome, though she quickly surmised
that his appearance at such Il time pres
aged a fresh call upon her services. Cen
eral Greene had determined to pursue
CORVALLIS, and Colonel Lee with Colonel
Washington were harrassing the rear Of
the retreating army, cutting off their for
aging parties, and picking up valuable
information regarding the enemy's con-
dition, and the country he was passing
through. In the afternoon Mrs. Bell mount
ed a fleet horse, armed herself as usual