The Only Woman in the Town, and Other Tales of the American Revolution — John Shaqi
The Only Woman in the Town, and Other Tales of the American RevolutionPrichard, Sarah J. (Sarah Johnson)
History
The Only Woman in the Town, and Other Tales of the American Revolution
Prichard, Sarah J. (Sarah Johnson)
Short stories; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Fiction
By the light of it, the man saw Pussy and she saw him; and then both
began to laugh, while Ben rubbed his ears and wondered whether they
were both on his head.
"It means," spoke the girl, waving the still flaming brand toward
the east, "that the British left Boston this morning, and that
General"--(just here a dozen men were at the fire. Pussy raised
her voice and continued)--"Washington wants you all, every one of
you, to march straight to Governor Trumbull, and he'll tell you
what to do next."
"If that's the case," said the responsible man of the constantly-increasing
group after questioning Pussy, "we'd better summon the militia by the
ringing of the bell," and off they went in the direction of the village,
while Pussy and Ben went home.
The next day saw fifty men, well armed, and provisioned for three
days, on the road to Lebanon. They marched into town and into the now
famous war-office of Governor Trumbull, to his pleased surprise.
"Who sent you?" asked the governor, for it was not yet six hours since
the demand on the nearest town had been made.
"Who sent us?" echoed the lieutenant, looking confused and at a loss
to explain, and finally answering truthfully, he said: "It was a
young girl, your excellency. She lit a beacon fire on a hill and gave
the command that we report to you."
A laugh ran around the sides of the old war-office. The messenger who
had ridden from Cambridge sat upon the counter pressing his spurs into
the wood and heard it all.
"And who commissioned the girl as a recruiting officer?" questioned
the governor.
"I'm afraid," said the messenger, "I am the guilty party. I met a
young patriot in scarlet cloak who asked my news, and, I told her."
"Where is the girl's father?" demanded Governor Trumbull.
"He is with the army, at Cambridge," was the response.
"And his name?"
"Reuben Dean."
A scratch or two of the quill pen was heard on the open paper. It was
folded, sealed, and handed to the ready horseman, with the words:
"Reuben Dean; he is mentioned for promotion."
The words, as they were spoken by Governor Trumbull, were caught up
and gathered into a mighty cheer, for every man of their number knew
that Reuben Dean was worthy of promotion, even had his daughter not
gained it for him by her services as recruiting officer.
DAVID BUSHNELL AND HIS AMERICAN TURTLE.
THE FIRST SUBMARINE BOAT INVENTED.
"David!" cried a voice stern and commanding, from a house-door one
morning, as the young man who owned the name was taking a short cut
"across lots" in the direction of Pautapoug.
"Sir!" cried the youth in response to the call, and pausing as nearly
as he could, and at the same time keep his feet from sinking into the
marshy soil.
"Where are you going?" was the response.
"To Pautapoug, to see Uriah Hayden, sir."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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