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DSUGHT6RS OF TH6 RCVOLUT1
AND TH6IR TIM6S
1769 - 1776
THE LIBRARY
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
GIFT OF
Commodore Byron McCandless
ELIZABETH HOOTON WARREN
DAUGHTERS OF THE
REVOLUTION AND
THEIR TIMES
1769 1776
# Historical iiomancc
BY
CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
1895
Copyright, 1895,
BY CHARLES CAELETON COFFIN.
All rights reserved.
The Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A.
Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton and Company.
INTRODUCTION.
No period in the history of our country surpasses
in interest that immediately preceding and including
the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Many vol
umes have been written setting forth the patriotism
and heroism of the fathers of the Republic, but the
devotion of the mothers and daughters has received
far less attention. This volume is designed, there
fore, to portray in some degree their influence in the
struggle of the Colonies to attain their independence.
The narration of events takes the form of a story a
slight thread of romance being employed, rather than
didactic narrative, to more vividly picture the scenes
and the parts performed by the actors in the great
historic drama. It will not be difficult for the reader
to discern between the facts of history and the imagi
native parts of the story.
Eminent educators have expressed the opinion that
history may be more successfully taught through the
medium of fiction than by any other form of diction.
The novels of Sir Walter Scott, notably " Waverley,"
" Ivanhoe," are cited as presenting pictures of the
times more effectively than any purely historic vol
ume. The same may be said of " Uncle Tom's
Cabin," as illustrating the state of affairs in our own
country preceding the War of the Rebellion. It
may be questioned whether any work of fiction in
957341
iv INTRODUCTION.
the world's history has been so far-reaching in its in
fluence as that portrayal of the institution of slavery
by Mrs. Stowe. Believing that the spirit of the times
can be best pictured by the employment of romance, I
have adopted that form of narrative.
The story opens in the fall of 1769. The Stamp
Act had been repealed, and the irritation produced by
that act had been allayed. It was a period of quiet
and rest. The colonists still regarded themselves as
Englishmen and loyal to the crown. Information
came that His Majesty George III. was determined
to maintain his right to tax the Colonies by imposing
an export duty on tea, to be paid by the exporter,
who, in turn, would charge it to the consumer. The
first resistance to that claim was the agreement of all
but six of the merchants of Boston not to import tea
from England, and the agreement of their wives and
daughters not to drink tea so imported. It was a
resistance which had its outcome in the destruction of
three cargoes of tea by the historic " Tea-Party," -
a resistance which became equally effective in the
other Colonies, if less dramatic than in Boston. The
determination of the mothers and daughters to ab
stain from its use brought about a change in social
life, and was influential in awakening a public senti
ment which had its legitimate outcome in the events
at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill.
There were causes other than the Stamp Act, Writs
of Assistance, and the Tax on Tea, which brought about
the Revolution.
" Whoever would comprehend the causes which led
to the struggle of the Colonies for independence," says
INTRODUCTION. v
John Adams, " must study the Acts of the Board of
Trade."
In this volume I have endeavored to briefly pre
sent some of those acts, in the conversation of Sam
Adams with Robert Walden, that the school children
of the country may have a comprehension of the un
derlying causes which brought about resistance to
the tyranny of the mother country. The injustice
of the laws had its legitimate result in a disregard of
moral obligations, so that smuggling was regarded as
a virtuous act.
In no history have I been able to find an account
of the tragic death and dramatic burial of the school
boy Christopher Snider, given in chapter VIII. It
was the expression of sympathy by the people in fol
lowing the body of the murdered boy from the Liberty
Tree to the burial-place that intensified the antagonism
between the citizens and the soldiers of the Fourteenth
and Twenty - ninth regiments of the king's troops,
which led, the following week, to the Massacre of
March 5, 1770. Bancroft barely mentions the name of
Snider ; other historians make no account of the event.
To explain the motives and the play of forces which
brought about the Revolution, I have endeavored to
set forth society as it was not only in Boston but in
Parliament and at the Court of George III. Most
historians of the Revolutionary period regard the debt
incurred by Great Britain in the conquest of Canada
as the chief cause of the war, through the attempt of
the mother country, subsequently, to obtain revenue
from the Colonies ; but a study of the times gives con
clusive evidence that a large portion of the indebted-
vi INTRODUCTION.
ness was caused by mismanagement and the venality
and corruption of Parliament.
To set forth the extravagance and frivolity of soci
ety surrounding King George, I have employed Lord
Upperton and his companion, Mr. Dapper, as narra
tors. The student of history by turning to Jessee's
" Life and Times of George III.," Molloy's " Court
Life Below Stairs," Waldegrave's " Memoirs," Hor
ace Walpole's writings, and many other volumes, will
find ample corroboration of any statement made in
this volume.
The period was characterized by sublime enthusi
asm, self-sacrifice, and devotion, not only by the
patriots but by loyalists who conscientiously adhered
to the crown. In our admiration of those who secured
the independence of the Colonies, we have overlooked
the sacrifices and sufferings of the loyalists ; their
distress during the siege of Boston, the agony of the
hour when suddenly confronted with the appalling
fact that they must become aliens, exiles, and wander
ers, leaving behind all their possessions and estates,
an hour when there was a sundering of tender ties, the
breaking of hearts.
I have endeavored to make the recital of events
strictly conformable with historic facts by consulting
newspapers, documents, almanacs, diaries, genealogi
cal records, and family histories.
It was my great privilege in boyhood to hear the
story of the battle of Bunker Hill told by three men
who participated in the fight, Eliakim Walker, who
was in the redoubt under Prescott, Nathaniel Atkinson
and David Flanders, who were under Stark, by the
INTRODUCTION. vii
rail fence. They were near neighbors, pensioners of
the government, and found pleasure in rehearsing the
events of the Revolutionary War. My grandfather,
Eliphalet Kilburn, was at Winter Hill at the time of
.the battle.
It was also my privilege to walk over Bunker Hill
with Richard Frothingham, author of the " Siege of
Boston," whose home was on the spot where Pigot's
brigade was cut down by the withering fire from the
redoubt. Mr. Frothingham had conversed with many
old pensioners who were in the redoubt at the time
of the battle. In my account of the engagement I
have endeavored to picture it in accordance with the
various narratives.
I hardly need say that Ruth Newville, Berinthia
Brandon, and Mary Shrimpton are typical characters,
representing the young women of the period, a pe
riod in which families were divided, parents adhering
to King George, sons and daughters giving their alle
giance to Liberty.
I am under obligations to the proprietors of the
"Memorial History of Boston" for the portrait of
Mrs. Joseph Warren. The portrait of Dorothy
Quincy is from that in possession of the Bostonian
Society ; that of Mrs. John Adams from her " Life
and Letters."
The historic houses are from recent photographs.
I trust the reader will not regard this volume
wholly as a romance, but rather as a presentation of
the events, scenes, incidents, and spirit of the people
at the beginning of the Revolution.
CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION iii
I. ROBERT WALDEN GOES .TO MARKET .... 1
IL FIRST DAY IN BOSTON 20
III. THE SONS OF LIBERTY 38
IV. AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS .... 49
V. A GARDEN TEA-PARTY 69
VI. CHRIST CHURCH CHIMES . . . . . . 93
VII. LAUNCHING OF THE BERINTHIA BRANDON . . . 104
VIII. CHRISTOPHER SNIDER . . . . . ' . 119
IX. THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS . . . . 130
X. MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY . . . . 149
XI. SOCIETY LIFE IN LONDON . . ... . . 174
XII. A NEW ENGLAND GIRL . . . . . . 188
XIII. THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY . .' . 203
XIV. BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD .... 221
XV. THE MIDNIGHT RIDE 241
XVI. THE MORNING DRUMBEAT 259
XVII. BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA ...... 266
XVIII. BESIEGED . " . 280
XIX. BUNKER HILL . . . . . . . .291
XX. WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT .... 305
XXI. THE ESCAPE 320
XXII. BRAVE OF HEART 337
XXIII. SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS 356
XXIV. IN THE OLD HOME . .... 374
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PASE
ELIZABETH HOOTON WARREN Frontispiece
OLD BRICK MEETINGHOUSE . . 16
LATIN SCHOOL . . 17
GREEN DRAGON TAVERN 18
FANEUIL HALL AND MARKET-PLACE . . . . . . 21
MAP OF BOSTON . . . .23
SAMUEL ADAMS .26
DOCTOR JOSEPH WARREN 40
COPP'S HILL BURIAL GROUND 49
IN THE SHIPYARD 53
MASTER LOVELL . . . . . . . . . 73
ABIGAIL SMITH ADAMS . . . . .... .82
MR. HANCOCK'S HOUSE . . . . ... . . 83
DOROTHY QUINCY . . . 84
CHRIST CHURCH . . . . . . .... . 94
LAUNCHING THE SHIP s . . . . . . . . 110
LORD NORTH 129
KING'S CHAPEL. . . . 135
TOWN HOUSE . . .. .143
GEORGE III. . . . 161
QUEEN SOPHIA CHARLOTTE . . . . . . . . 166
LORD PERCY . . . . . , . . . .232
PAUL REVERE'S HOUSE . . . . ' . . ; . 253
REVEREND JONAS CLARK'S HOUSE . . , . . . . 258
BUCKMAN'S TAVERN . . , . . . . . . 260
JONATHAN HARRINGTON'S HOUSE . . . . . . . 264
ROBERT MUNROE'S HOUSE 266
MAP, ROUTE TO LEXINGTON AND CONCORD . . . . 267
REVEREND WILLIAM EMERSON'S HOUSE 268
WRIGHT'S TAVERN . . .270
NORTH BRIDGE . . . . . . . . .272
MERRIAM'S CORNER 274
MUNROE TAVERN 276
PROVINCE HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . 281
WHERE WASHINGTON ASSUMED COMMAND .... 308
PLANNING THE ESCAPE . . . ... . . . 324
WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS 334
THE DINNER-PARTY 381
HOME OF THE EXILES. ... 384
DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET.
JOSHUA WALDEN, of Rumford, Province of New
Hampshire, was receiving letters from Samuel Adams
and Doctor Joseph Warren in relation to the course
pursued by King George III. and his ministers in
collecting revenue from the Colonies. Mr. Walden
had fought the French and Indians at Ticonderoga
and Crown Point in the war with France. The gun
and powder-horn which he carried under Captain
John Stark were hanging over the door in his kitchen.
His farm was on the banks of the Merrimac. The
stately forest trees had fallen beneath the sturdy
blows of his axe, and the sun was shining on inter
vale and upland, meadow and pasture which he had
cleared. His neighbors said he was getting fore
handed. Several times during the year he made a
journey to Boston with his cheeses, beef, pigs, tur
keys, geese, chickens, a barrel of apple-sauce, bags
filled with wool, together with webs of linsey-woolsey
spun and woven by his wife and daughter. He never
failed to have a talk with Mr. Adams and Doctor
Warren, John Hancock, and others foremost in resist-
2 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
ing the aggressions of the mother country upon the
rights and liberties of the Colonies. When at home
he was up early in the morning, building the fire,
feeding the cattle, and milking the cows. Mrs. Wai-
den, the while, was stirring the corn meal for a
johnny-cake, putting the potatoes in the ashes, placing
the Dutch oven on the coals, hanging the pots and
kettles on the hooks and trammels.
Robert, their only son, twenty years old, would be
glad to take another nap after being called by his
father, but felt it would not be manly for one who
had mowed all the hired men out of their swaths in
the hayfield, and who had put the best wrestler in
Rumford on his back, to lie in bed and let his father
do all the chores, with the cows lowing to get to the
pasture. With a spring he was on his feet and slip
ping on his clothes. He was soon on his way to the
barn, drumming on the tin pail and whistling as he
walked to the milking.
The cows turned into pasture, he rubbed down the
mare Jenny and the colt Paul, fed the pigs, washed
his face and hands, and was ready for breakfast.
It would not have been like Rachel Walden, the
only daughter, eighteen years old, to lie in bed and
let her mother do all the work about the house. She
came from her chamber with tripping steps, as if it
were a pleasure to be wide awake after a good sleep.
She fed the chickens, set the table, raked the potatoes
from the ashes, drew a mug of cider for her father.
When breakfast was ready, they stood by their chairs
while Mr. Walden asked a blessing. The meal fin
ished, he read a chapter in the Bible and offered
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 3
prayer. When the " Amen " was said, Mr. Walden
and Robert put on their hats and went about their
work. Mrs. Walden passed upstairs to throw the
shuttle of the loom. Eachel washed the dishes,
wheyed the curd, and prepared it for the press, turned
the cheeses and rubbed them with fat. That done, she
set the kitchen to rights, made the beds, sprinkled
clean sand upon the floor, wet the web of linen bleach
ing on the grass in the orchard, then slipped upstairs
and set the spinning-wheel to humming. His neigh
bors said that Mr. Walden was thrifty and coidd af
ford to wear a broadcloth blue coat with bright brass
buttons on grand occasions, and that Mrs. Walden was
warranted in having a satin gown.
Haying was over. The rye was reaped, the wheat
and oats were harvested, and the flax was pulled.
September had come, the time when Mr. Walden
usually went to Boston with the cheese.
" Father," said Rachel at dinner, " I wish you
would take the cheeses to market. It is hard work to
turn so many every day."
Mr. Walden sat in silence awhile. " Robert," he
said at length, " how would you like to try your hand
at truck and dicker ? "
" If you think I can do it I will try," Robert re
plied, surprised at the question, yet gratified.
" Of course you can do it. You can figure up how
much a cheese that tips the steelyard at twenty
pounds and three ounces will come to at three pence
ha'penny per pound. You know, or you ought to
know, the difference between a pistareen and a smooth
faced shilling. When you truck and dicker, you 've
4 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
got to remember that the other feller is doing it all
the time, while you will be as green as a pumpkin in
August. When you are tasting 'lasses, you must run
a stick into the bung-hole of the barrel clear clown to
the bottom and then lift it up and see if it is thick or
thin. T" other feller will want you to taste it at the
spiggot, where it will be almost sugar. When you
are selecting dried codfish, look sharp and not let
him give you all damp ones from the bottom of the
pile, neither the little scrimped ones from the top.
Of course you will get cheated, but you have got to
begin knocking about some time. You 're old enough
to have your eye teeth cut. You can put Jenny up
at the Green Dragon and visit Cousin Jedidiah Bran
don on Copp's Hill, see the ships he is building, visit
with Tom and Berinthia. Tom, I guess, is going to
be a chip of the old block, and Berinthia is a nice girl.
Take your good clothes along in your trunk, so after
you get through handling the cheese you can dress
like a gentleman. I want you to pick out the best
cheese of the lot and give it to Samuel Adams, also
another to Doctor Warren, with my compliments.
You can say to Mr. Adams I would like any informa
tion he can give about what is going on in London
relative to taxing the Colonies. He is very kind, and
possibly may ask you to call upon him of an evening,
for he is very busy during the day. Doctor Warren
is one of the kindest-hearted men in the world, and
chuck full of patriotism. He will give a hearty shake
to your hand.
" You had better mouse round the market awhile
before trading. John Hancock bought my last load.
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 5
His store is close by Faneuil Hall. He is rich, inher
ited his property from his uncle. He lives in style in
a stone house on Beacon Hill. He is liberal with his
money, and is one of the few rich men in Boston who
take sides with the people against the aggressions of
King George and his ministers. Mr. Adams begins
to be gray, but Warren and Hancock are both young
men. They are doing grand things in maintaining the
rights of the Colonies. I want you to make their ac
quaintance. By seeing and talking with such men you
will be worth more to yourself and everybody else.
Your going to market and meeting such gentlemen
will be as good as several months of school. You '11
see more people than you ever saw on the muster-field ;
ships from foreign lands will be moored in the harbor.
You '11 see houses by the thousand, meetinghouses with
tall steeples, and will hear the bells ring at five o'clock
in the morning, getting-up time, at noon for dinner,
and at nine in the evening, bed-time. Two regiments
of red-coats are there. The latest news is that they are
getting sassy. I can believe it. At Ticonderoga and
Crown Point they used to put on airs, and call the
Provincials " string - beans," " polly - pods," " slam
bangs." They turned up their noses at our buckskin
breeches, but when it came to fighting we showed 'em
what stuff we were made of. Don't let 'm pick a quar
rel, but don't take any sass from 'em. Do right by
everybody."
" I will try to do right," Robert replied.
The sun was rising the next morning when Robert
gathered up the reins and stood ready to step into the
wagon which had been loaded for the market.
6 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" You have three dozen new milk cheeses," said
Rachel, " and two and one half dozen of four meal. I
have marked the four meals with a cross in the centre,
so you '11 know them from the new milk. There are
sixteen greened with sage. They look real pretty. I
have put in half a dozen skims ; somebody may want
'em for toasting."
"You will find," said Mrs. Walden, "a web of
linsey-woolsey in your trunk with your best clothes,
and a dozen skeins of wool yarn. It is lamb's wool.
I 've doubled and twisted it, and I don't believe the
women will find in all Boston anything softer or nicer
for stockings."
" I have put up six quarts of caraway seed," said
Rachel. " I guess the bakers will want it to put into
gingerbread. And I have packed ten dozen eggs in
oats, in a basket. They are all fresh. You can use
the oats to bait Jenny with on your way home."
" There are two bushels of beans," said Mr. Wal
den, " in that bag, the one-hundred-and-one kind,
and a bushel and three pecks of clover seed in the other
bag. You can get a barrel of 'lasses, half a quintal of
codfish, half a barrel of mackerel, and a bag of Turk's
Island salt."
" Don't forget," said Mrs. Walden, " that we want
some pepper, spice, cinnamon, nutmegs, cloves, and
some of the very best Maccaboy snuff. Oh, let me
see! I want a new foot-stove. Our old one is all
banged up, and I am ashamed to be seen filling it at
noon in winter in Deacon Stonegood's kitchen, with
all the women looking on, and theirs spick and span
new."
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 1
" Father and mother have told me what they want,
and now what shall I get for you, Rachel?" Robert
asked of his sister.
" Anything you please, Rob," Rachel replied with
such tender love in her eyes that he had half a mind
to kiss her. But kissing was not common in Rumford
or anywhere else in New England. Never had he
seen his father give his mother such a token of affec
tion. He had a dim recollection that his mother some
times kissed him when he was a little fellow in frock
and trousers, sitting in her lap. He never had kissed
Rachel, but he would now, and gave her a hearty smack.
He saw an unusual brightness in her eyes and a richer
bloom upon her cheek as he stepped into the wagon.
" I '11 get something nice for her," he said to him
self as he rode away.
Besides the other articles in the wagon, there was a
bag* of wool, sheared from his own flock. Years be
fore his father had given him a cosset lamb, and now
he was the owner of a dozen sheep. Yes, he would
get something for her.
The morning air was fresh and pure. He whistled
a tune and watched the wild pigeons flying in great
flocks here and there, and the red-winged blackbirds
sweeping past him from their roosting in the alders
along the meadow brook to the stubble field where the
wheat had been harvested. Gray squirrels were bark
ing in the woods, and their cousins the reds, less shy,
were scurrying along the fence rails and up the chest
nut-trees to send the prickly burrs to the ground. The
first tinge of autumn was on the elms and maples.
Jenny had been to market so many times she could be
8 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
trusted to take the right road, and he could lie upon
his sack of wool and enjoy the changing landscape.
Mrs. Stark was blowing the horn for dinner at
John Stark's tavern in Derryfield when Jenny came
to a standstill by the stable door. 1 Robert put her in
the stall, washed his face and hands in the basin on
the bench by the bar-room door, and was ready for
dinner. Captain Stark shook hands with him. Rob
ert beheld a tall, broad-shouldered man, with a high
forehead, bright blue eyes, and pleasant countenance,
but with lines in his cheek indicating that he could be
very firm and resolute. This was he under whom his
father served at Ticonderoga and Crown Point.
" So you are the son of Josh Walden, eh ? Well,
you have your father's eyes, nose, and mouth. If you
have got the grit he had at Ti, I '11 bet on you."
Many times Robert had heard his father tell the
story of the Rifle Rangers, the service they performed,
the hardships they endured, and the bravery and cool
ness of John Stark in battle.
Through the afternoon the mare trotted on, halting
at sunset at Jacob Abbott's stable in Andover.
It was noon the next day when Robert reached Cam
bridge. He had heard about Harvard College ; now
he saw the buildings. The students were having a
game of football after dinner. The houses along the
streets were larger than any he had ever seen before,
stately mansions with porticoes, pillars, pilasters, carved
cornices, and verandas. The gardens were still bright
1 John Stark, tavern-keeper in Derryfield, was the renowned Indian
fighter and captain of the corps of Rifle Rangers in the war with
France. (See Biography by Jared Sparks.) The tavern is still stand
ing in the suburbs of the city of Manchester, N. H.
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 9
with the flowers of autumn. Reaching Roxbury, he
came across a man slowly making his way along the
road with a cane.
" Let me give you a lift, sir," Robert said.
" Thank you. I have been down with the rheumatiz,
and can't skip round quite as lively as I could once,"
said the man as he climbed into the wagon. " 'Spect
you are from the country and on your way to market,
eh?"
Robert replied that he was from New Hampshire.
" Ever been this way before? "
" No, this is my first trip."
" Well, then, perhaps I can p'int out some things
that may interest ye."
Robert thanked him.
" This little strip of land we are on is the ' Neck.'
This water on our left is Charles River, this on our
right is Gallows Bay. Ye see that thing out there,
don't ye?"
The man pointed with his cane. " Well, that 's the
gallows, where pirates and murderers are hung. Lots
of 'em have been swung off there, with thousands of
people looking to see 'em have their necks stretched.
'T ain't a pretty sight, though."
The man took a chew of tobacco, and renewed the
conversation.
" My name is Peter Bushwick, and yours may
be ?"
" Robert Walden."
"Thank ye, Mr. Walden. So ye took the road
through Cambridge instead of Charlestown."
" I let Jenny pick the road. That through Charles-
10 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
town would have been nearer, but I should have to
cross the ferry. My father usually comes this way." l
" Mighty fine mare, Mr. Waldeii ; ye can see she 's
a knowing critter. She 's got the right kind of an ear ;
she knows what she 's about."
They were at the narrowest part of the peninsula,
and Mr. Bushwick told about the barricade built by
the first settlers at that point to protect the town from
the Indians, and pointed to a large elm-tree which
they could see quite a distance ahead.
" That is the Liberty Tree," 2 he said.
" Why do you call it the Liberty Tree ? "
" Because it is where the Sons of Liberty meet. It
is a mighty fine tree, and, as near as we can make out,
is more than one hundred years old. We hang the
Pope there on Guy Fawkes' day, and traitors to liberty
on other days."
" I have heard you have jolly good times on Gun
powder Plot days."
" You may believe we do. You would have laughed
if you 'd been here Gunpowder day seven years ago
this coming November, when the Pope, Admiral Byng,
1 No bridge from Charlestown had been constructed across Charles
Rivers (1769), and the only avenue leading into Boston was from Rox-
bury.
'* The elm-tree stood at the junction of Orange and Essex streets
and Frog Lane, now Washington, Essex and Boylston streets. In 1760,
upon the repeal of the Stamp Act, a large copper plate was nailed upon
the tree with the following inscription : " This tree was planted in
the year 1646 and pruned by the Order of the Sons of Liberty Febru
ary 14, 1766." Other trees stood near it, furnishing a grateful shade.
The locality before 1767 was known as Hanover Square, but after the
repeal of the Stamp Act, as Liberty Hall. In August, 1767, a flag
staff was raised above its branches ; the hoisting of a flag upon the
staff was a signal for the assembling of the Sons of Liberty.
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 11
Nancy Dawson, 1 and the Devil, all were found hanging
on the old elm."
" I don't think I ever heard about Admiral Byng
and Nancy Dawson."
" Well, then, I must tell ye. Byng did n't fight
the French and Spaniards at Minorca, but sailed away
and sort o' showed the white feather, and so was court-
martialed and shot on his own ship."
" What did Nancy do ? "
" Oh, Nancy never did anything except kick up her
heels ; she 's the best dancer in London, so they say.
We have n't any theatre in this 'ere town, and don't
have much dancing. We have the Thursday lecture
instead."
Robert wondered whether the allusion to the lecture
was said soberly or in sarcasm.
" In London they go wild over dancing. Maybe
I might sing a song about her if ye would like to
hear it."
" I would like very much to hear it."
Mr. Bushwick took the quid of tobacco from his
mouth, cleared his throat, and sang,
" 'Of all the girls in our town,
The black, the fair, the red, the brown,
1 Nancy Dawson, when a little girl, was employed in setting up
skittles for players in High Street, Mary-le-bone, London. She was
agile, graceful, and had an attractive figure. She first appeared as a
dancer at Sadler's Wells theatre, where she soon attracted much at
tention, and in a short time became a great favorite. A rhymster
wrote a song for her which was introduced (1764) into the play, " Love
in a Valley." It was also arranged as a hornpipe for the harpsichord
and sung by young ladies throughout England. Children sang it
in the play, " Here we go round the Mulberry bush." The popidarity
of Nancy Dawson was at its height in 1769.
12 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
That dance and prance it up and down,
There 's none like Nancy Dawson.
" ' Her easy mien, her shape, so neat,
She foots, she trips, she looks so sweet,
Her every motion so complete,
There 's none like Nancy Dawson.
" ' See how she comes to give surprise,
With joy and pleasure in her eyes ;
To give delight she always tries,
There 's none like Nancy Dawson.' "
" That 's a good song," said Robert. Mr. Bush-
wick put the quid once more in his mouth, and went on
with the story.
" On that night a great crowd gathered around the
tree ; the boys who go to Master Lovell's school came
with an old knocked-kneed horse and a rickety wagon
with a platform in it. They fixed the effigies on the
platform with cords and pulleys, so that the arms and
legs would be lifted when the boys under it pulled the
strings. We lighted our torches and formed in proces
sion. The fifers played the Rogue's March, and the
bellman went ahead singing a song.
" ' Don't you remember
The fifth of November
The gunpowder treason plot ?
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
" ' From the city of Rome
The Pope has come
Amid ten thousand fears,
With fiery serpents to be seen
At eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 13
" ' Don't you hear my little bell
Go chinking, chinking, chink ?
Please give me a little money
To buy my Pope a drink.'
"The streets were filled with people, who tossed
pennies into the bellman's hat. Everybody laughed to
see the Pope lifting his hands and working his under
jaw as if preaching, Byng rolling his goggle eyes,
Nancy kicking with both legs, and the Devil wriggling
his tail. We marched awhile, then put the Pope and
the devil into the stocks, Nancy hi the pillory, tied
Byng to the whipping-post and gave him a flogging,
then kindled a bonfire in King Street, pitched the
effigies into it, and went into the Tun and Bacchus,
Bunch of Grapes, and Admiral Vernon, and drank flip,
egg-nogg, punch, and black strap." 1
Mr. Bushwick chuckled merrily, and took a fresh
quid of tobacco. Robert also laughed at the vivacious
description.
" But I don't quite see why it should be called the
Liberty Tree," Robert said.
"I was coming to that." You know that Lord
Bute brought forward the Stamp Act a few years
ago : well, this old elm being so near the White
Lamb and the White Horse, it was a convenient
place for the citizens to meet to talk al)out the prop
osition to tax us. One evening Ben Edes, who pub
lishes the ' Gazette and News - Letter,' read what
Ike Barre said in Parliament in opposition to the
Stamp Act, in which he called us Americans Sons
1 Black strap was composed of rum and molasses, and was often
drunk by those who could not afford more expensive beverages.
14 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
of Liberty, and as that was our meeting-place, we
christened the place Liberty Hall and the old elm
Liberty Tree. That was in July, 1765, just after
Parliament passed the Stamp Act. The king had
appointed Andrew Oliver stamp-master, and one
morning his effigy was dangling from the tree, and a
paper pinned to it writ large :
" ' Fair Freedom's glorious Cause I 've meanly quitted
For the sake of pelf ;
But ah, the Devil has me outwitted ;
Instead of hanging others,
I 've hanged myself.'
" Then there was a figure of a great boot, with the
Devil peeping out of it, to represent the king's minis
ter, Lord Bute. When night came, all hands of us
formed in procession, laid the effigies on a bier,
marched to the Province House so that the villain,
Governor Bernard, could see us, went to Mackerel
Lane, tore down the building Oliver was intending to
use for the sale of the stamps, went to Fort Hill,
ripped the boards from his barn, smashed in his front
door, and burned the effigies to let him know we never
would consent to be taxed in that way. A few days
later Oliver came to the tree, held up his hand, and
swore a solemn oath that he never would sell any
stamps, so help him God ! And he never did, for ye
see King George had to back down and repeal the
bill. It was the next May when Shubael Coffin, mas
ter of the brigantine Harrison, brought the news.
We set all the bells to ringing, fired cannon, and
tossed up our hats. The rich people opened their
purses and paid the debts of everybody in jail. We
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 15
hung lanterns on the tree in the evening, set off rock
ets, and kindled bonfires. John Hancock kept open
house, with ladies and gentlemen feasting in his par
lors, and pipes of wine on tap in the front yard for
everybody."
" It must have been a joyful day," said Robert.
" That ? s what it was. Everybody was generous.
Last year when the day came round a lot of us gath
ered under the old tree to celebrate it. Sam Adams
was there, James Otis, Doctor Warren, John Han
cock, and ever so many more. We fired salutes, sang
songs, and drank fourteen toasts. That was at ten
o'clock. Just before noon we rode out to the Grey
hound Tavern in Roxbury in carriages and chaises,
and had a dinner of fish, roast pig, sirloin, goose,
chickens and all the trimmings, topping off with plum-
pudding and apple-pie, sang Dickenson's Liberty Song,
drank thirty more toasts, forty-four in all, filling our
glasses with port, madeira, egg-nogg, flip, punch, and
brandy. Some of us, of course, were rather jolly, but
we got home all right," said Mr. Bushwick, laughing.
" You mean that some of you were a little weak in
the legs," said Robert.
"Yes, and that the streets were rather crooked,"
Mr. Bushwick replied, laughing once more.
They were abreast of the tree, and Robert reined in
Jenny while he admired its beautiful proportions.
" I think I must leave you at this point ; my house
is down here, on Cow Lane, 1 not far from the house
of Sam Adams. I 'm ever so much obliged to you for
the lift ye 've given me," said Mr. Bushwick as he
shook hands with Robert.
1 Cow Lane is the present High Street.
16 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I thank you for the information you have given
me," Robert replied.
Jenny walked on, past the White Horse Inn and
the Lamb' Tavern. A little farther, and he beheld
the Province House, a building with a cupola sur
mounted by a spire. The weather-vane was an Indian
with bow and arrow. The king's arms, carved and
gilded, were upon the balcony above the doorway.
Chestnut-trees shaded the green plot of ground be
tween the building and the street. A soldier with his
musket on his shoulder was standing guard. Upon
the other side of the way, a few steps farther, was a
meetinghouse ; he thought it must be the Old South.
His father had informed him he would see a brick
building with an apothecary's sign on the corner just
beyond the Old South, and there it was. 1 Also, the
Cromwell's Head Tavern on a cross street, and a
schoolhouse, which he concluded must be Master
Lovell's Latin School. He suddenly found Jenny
quickening her pace, and understood the meaning
when she plunged her nose into a watering trough by
the town pump. While she was drinking Robert was
startled by a bell tolling almost over his head ; upon
looking up he beheld the dial of a clock and remem
bered his father had said it was on the Old Brick
Meetinghouse ; that the building nearly opposite was
the Town House. 2 He saw two cannon in the street
1 The building known as the Old Corner Bookstore, at the junction
of School and Washington streets. The Cromwell's Head Tavern was
No. 19 School Street.
2 The old brick meetinghouse of the First Church occupied the
site of the present Rogers Building, nearly opposite the Old State
House.
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 17
and a soldier keeping guard before the door. Negro
servants were filling their pails at the pump, and
kindly pumped water for the mare. Looking down
King Street toward the water, he saw the stocks and
pillory, the Custom House, and in the distance the
masts and yard-arms of ships. Up Queen Street he
could see the jail.
The mare, having finished drinking, jogged on. He
Latin School.
saw on the left-hand side of the street the shop of
Paul Revere, goldsmith. 1 The thought came that
possibly he might find something there that would be
nice and pretty for Rachel.
Jenny, knowing she was nearing the end of her jour
ney, trotted through Union Street, stopping at last in
1 The shop of Paul Revere stood on Cornhill, now No. 169 Wash
ington Street.
18
DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
front of a building where an iron rod projected from
the wall, supporting a green dragon with wings, open
jaws, teeth, and a tongue shaped like a dart. 1 The red-
faced landlord was standing in the doorway.
Green Dragon Tavern.
" Well Jenny, old girl, how do you do ? " he said,
addressing the mare. "So it is the son and not the fa
ther ? I hope you are well. And how 's your dad ? "
Kobert replied that his father was well.
" Here, Joe ; put this mare in the stable, and give
her a good rubbing down. She 's as nice a piece as
ever went on four legs."
1 The Green Dragon Tavern stood in Green Dragon Lane, now Union
street. The lane in 1769 terminated at the mill-pond, a few rods from
the tavern. In front it showed two stories, but had three stories
and a basement in the rear. The hall was in the second story. The sign
was of sheet copper, hanging from an iron rod projecting from the
building. The rooms were named Devonshire, Somerset, Norfolk, re
spectively, for the shires of Old England. The building was about one
hundred years old, and was occupied, 1695, by Alexander Smith as a
tavern. The estate at one time was owned by Lieut.-Governor Wil
liam Stoughton, who was acting governor and took a prominent part
in persecuting those accused of witchcraft. He was a man of large
wealth, and devised a portion of his property to Harvard College,
Stoughton Hall being named for him.
ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET. 19
The hostler took the reins and Robert stepped from
the wagon.
" Pete Augustus, take this gentleman's trunk up
to Devonshire. It will be your room, Mr. Walden."
Robert followed the negro upstairs, and discovered
that each room had its distinctive name. He could
have carried the trunk, but as he was to be a gentle
man, it would not be dignified were he to shoulder it.
He knew he must be in the market early in the morn
ing, and went to bed soon after supper. He might
have gone at once to Copp's Hill, assured of a hearty
welcome in the Brandon home, but preferred to make
the Green Dragon his abiding-place till through with
the business that brought him to Boston.
n.
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON.
FARMERS from the towns around Boston were al
ready in the market-place around Faneuil Hall the
next morning when Robert drove down from the
Green Dragon. 1 Those who had quarters of beef and
lamb for sale were cutting the meat upon heavy oaken
tables. Fishermen were bringing baskets filled with
mackerel and cod from their boats moored in the dock.
An old man was pushing a wheelbarrow before him
filled with lobsters. Housewives followed by negro
servants were purchasing meats and vegetables, hold
ing eggs to the light to see if they were fresh, tasting
pats of butter, handling chickens, and haggling with
the farmers about the prices of what they had to sell.
The town-crier was jingling his bell and shouting
that Thomas Russell at the auction room on Queen
Street would sell a great variety of plain and spotted,
lilac, scarlet, strawberry-colored, and yellow paduasoys,
bellandine silks, sateens, galloons, ferrets, grograms,
and harratines at half past ten o'clock.
Robert tied Jenny to the hitching-rail, and walked
amid the hucksters to see what they had to sell ; by
1 The market was held in the open space around Faneuil Hall, in
which were rails where the farmers from the surrounding towns
hitched their horses. It was bounded on one side by the dock where
the fishermen moored their boats.
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON.
21
observation he could ascertain the state of the market,
and govern himself accordingly. After interviewing
the hucksters he entered a store.
" No, I don't want any cheese," said the first on
whom he called.
Faneuil Hall.
" The market is glutted," replied the second.
" If it were a little later in the season I would talk
with you," was the answer of the third.
" I 'ye got more on hand now than I know what to
do with," said the fourth.
Robert began to think he might have to take them
back to Rumford. He saw a sign, " John Hancock,
Successor to Thomas Hancock," and remembered that
his father had traded there, and that John Hancock
22 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
was associated with Sam Adams and Doctor Warren
in resisting the aggressions of the king's ministers.
Mr. Hancock was not in the store, but would soon be
there. The clerk said he would look at what Robert
had to sell, put on his hat, stepped to the wagon, stood
upon the thills, held a cheese to his nose, pressed it
with his thumb, tapped it with a gimlet, tasted it, and
smacked his lips.
" Your mother makes good cheese," he said.
" My sister made them."
" Your sister, eh. Older than yourself ? "
" No, younger ; only seventeen."
" Indeed ! Well, you may tell her she is a dabster
at cheese-making. Do you want cash? If you do
I'm afeard we shall not be able to trade, because
cash is cash these days ; but if you are willing to bar
ter I guess we can dicker, for Mr. Hancock is going
to freight a ship to the West Indias and wants some
thing to send in her, and it strikes me the sugar
planters at Porto Rico might like a bit of cheese,"
the clerk said.
" I shall want some sugar, coffee, molasses, codfish,
and other things."
" I '11 give you the market price for all your cheeses,
and make fair rates on what you want from us."
" I can't let you have all. I must reserve two of
the best."
" May I ask why you withhold two ? "
" Because my father wishes to present one to Mr.
Samuel Adams and the other to Doctor Joseph War
ren, who are doing so much to preserve the rights of
the Colonies."
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON.
23
" Your father's name is "
" Joshua Walden," said Robert.
" Oh yes, I remember him well. He was down here
last winter and I bought his load. He had a barrel
24 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
of apple-sauce, and Mr. Hancock liked it so well he
took it for his own table. There is Mr. Hancock,
now," said the clerk, as a chaise drove up and halted
before the door.
Robert saw a tall young man, wearing a saffron
colored velvet coat, ruffled shirt, buff satin breeches,
black silk stockings, and shining shoe-buckles, step
in a dignified manner from the chaise and hand the
reins to a gray-headed negro, who lifted his hat as he
took them.
" Good-morning, Mr. Ledger," he said to the clerk.
" Good-morning," the clerk replied, lifting his hat.
" "Well, how is the Mary Jane getting on ? Have
you found anything in the market on which we can
turn a penny ? I want to get her off as soon as pos
sible."
" I was just having a talk with this young gentle
man about his cheeses. This is Mr. Walden from
Rumford. You perhaps may remember his father,
with whom we traded last year."
" Oh yes, I remember Mr. Joshua Walden. I hope
your father is well. I have not forgotten his earnest
ness in all matters relating to the welfare of the Colo
nies. Nor have I forgotten that barrel of apple-sauce
he brought to market, and I want to make a bargain
for another barrel just like it. All my guests pro
nounced it superb. Step into the store, Mr. Walden,
and, Mr. Ledger, a bottle of madeira, if you please."
The clerk stepped down cellar and returned with a
bottle of wine, took from a cupboard a salver and
glasses and filled them.
" Shall we have the pleasure of drinking the health
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON. 25
of your father ? " said Mr. Hancock, courteously touch
ing his glass to Robert's. " Please give him my compli
ments and say to him that we expect New Hampshire
to stand shoulder to shoulder with Massachusetts in
the cause of liberty."
Mr. Hancock drank his wine slowly. Robert saw
that he stood erect, and remembered he was captain
of a military company the Cadets.
" Will you allow me to take a glass with you for
your own health?" he said, refilling the glasses and
bowing with dignity and again slowly drinking.
" Mr. Ledger, you will please do what you can to
accommodate Mr. Walden in the way of trade. You
are right in thinking the planters of Jamaica will
like some cheese from our New England dairies, and
you may as well unload them at the dock ; it will save
rehandling them. We must have Mary Jane scud
ding away as soon as possible."
Mr. Hancock bowed once more and sat down to his
writing-desk.
Robert drove his wagon alongside the ship and un
loaded the cheeses, then called at the stores around
Faneuil Hall to find a market for the yarn and cloth
and his wool. Few were ready to pay him money,
but at last all was sold.
" Can you direct me to the house of Mr. Samuel
Adams ? " he asked of the town crier.
" Oh yes, you go through Mackerel Lane 1 to Cow
Lane and through that to Purchase Street, and you
will see an orchard with apple and pear trees and a
big house with stairs outside leading up to a plat-
1 Mackerel Lane is the present Kilby Street.
26
DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
form on the roof ; that 's the house. Do you know
Sam?"
" No, I never have seen Mr. Adams."
" Well, if you run across a tall, good-looking man
between forty-five and fifty, with blue eyes, who wears
Samuel Adams.
a red cloak and cocked hat, and who looks as if he
was n't afear'd of the king, the devil, or any of his
imps, that is Maltster Sam. We call him Maltster
Sam because he once made malt for a living, but did n't
live by it because it did n't pay. He 's a master hand
in town meetings. He made it red hot for Bernard,
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON. 27
and he '11 make it hotter for Sammy Hutchinson if he
don't mind his p's and q's. Sam is a buster, now, I
teU you."
Robert drove through Cow Lane and came to the
house. He rapped at the front door, which was
opened by a tall man, with a pleasant but resolute
countenance, whose clothes were plain and getting
threadbare. His hair was beginning to be gray about
the temples, and he wore a gray tie wig.
"This is Mr. Adams, is it not?" Robert asked.
" That is my name ; what can I do for you ? "
" I am Robert Walden from Rumford. I think
you know my father."
" Yes, indeed. Please walk in. Son of my friend
Joshua Walden ? I am glad to see you," said Mr.
Adams with a hearty shake of the hand.
" I have brought you a cheese which my father
wishes you to accept with his compliments."
" That is just like him ; he always brings us some
thing. Please say to him that Mrs. Adams and my
self greatly appreciate his kind remembrance of us."
A tall lady with a comely countenance was descend
ing the hall stairs.
"Wife, this is Mr. Walden, son of our old friend ;
just see what he has brought us."
Robert lifted his hat and was recognized by a gra
cious courtesy.
" How good everybody is to us. The ravens fed
Elijah, but I don't believe they brought cheese to him.
We shall be reminded of your kindness every time we
sit down to a meal," said Mrs. Adams.
Robert thought he never had seen a smile more gra-
28 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
cious than that upon her pale, careworn countenance. 1
He noticed that everything about the room was plain,
but neat and tidy. Upon a shelf were the Bible, Bun-
yan's Pilgrim's Progress, and a volume of Reverend
Mr. South's sermons. Robert remembered his father
said Mrs. Adams was the daughter of Reverend Mr.
Checkley, minister of the New South Meetinghouse, and
that Mr. Adams went to meeting there. Upon the
table were law books, pamphlets, papers, letters, and
newspapers. He saw that some of the letters bore the
London postmark. He remembered his father said
Mr. Adams had not much money ; that he was so
dead in earnest in maintaining the rights of the peo
ple he had little time to attend to his own affairs.
" Will you be in town through the week and over
the Sabbath ? " Mr. Adams asked.
Robert replied that he intended to visit his relatives,
Mr. and Mrs. Brandon, on Copp's Hill.
" Oh yes, my friend the shipbuilder a very wor
thy gentleman, and his wife an estimable lady. They
have an energetic and noble daughter and a promising
son. I have an engagement to-night, another to-mor
row, but shall be at home to-morrow evening, and I
would like to have you and your young friends take
supper with us. I will tell you something that your
father would like to know."
Robert thanked him, and took his departure.
Thinking that Doctor Warren probably woidd be visit
ing his patients at that hour of the day, he drove to
1 Mrs. Adams was the daughter of Reverend Samuel Checkley, pas
tor of the New South Church, which stood on Church Green at the
junction of Summer and Bedford streets. She was a woman of much
refinement and intelligence, and greatly beloved.
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON. 29
the Green Dragon, and put Jenny in her stall, and
after dinner made his way to the goldsmith's shop to
find a present for Rachel.
Mr. Paul Revere, who had gold beads, brooches, sil
ver spoons, shoe and knee buckles, clocks, and a great
variety of articles for sale, was sitting on a bench en
graving a copper plate. He laid down his graving-
tool and came to the counter. Robert saw he had a
benevolent face ; that he was hale and hearty.
" I would like to look at what you have that is
pretty for a girl of eighteen," said Robert.
Mr. Revere smiled as if he understood that the
young man before him wanted something that would
delight his sweetheart.
"I want it for my sister," Robert added.
Mr. Revere smiled again as he took a bag filled
with gold beads from the showcase.
" I think you cannot find anything prettier for your
sister than a string of beads," he said. " Women and
girls like them better than anything else. They are
always in fashion. You will not make any mistake,
I am sure, in selecting them."
He held up several strings to the light, that Robert
might see how beautiful they were.
" I would like to look at your brooches."
While the goldsmith was taking them from the
showcase, he glanced at the pictures on the walls,
printed from plates which Mr. Revere had engraved.
The brooches were beautiful ruby, onyx, sap
phire, emerald, but after examining them he turned
once more to the beads.
" They are eighteen carats fine, and will not grow
30 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
dim with use. I think your sister will be delighted
with them."
Robert thought so too, and felt a glow of pleasure
when they were packed in soft paper and transferred
from the case to his pocket.
With the afternoon before him he strolled the
streets, looking at articles in the shop windows, at the
clock on the Old Brick Meetinghouse, the barracks
of the soldiers, the king's Twenty-Ninth Regiment. 1
Some of the redcoats were polishing their gun barrels
and bayonets, others smoking their pipes. Beyond the
barracks a little distance he saw Mr. Gray's rope walk.
He turned through Mackerel Lane and came to the
Bunch of Grapes Tavern, 2 and just beyond it the Ad
miral Vernon. He strolled to Long Wharf. The
king's warship, Romney, was riding at anchor near
by, and a stately merchant ship was coming up the har
bor. The fragrance of the sea was in the air. Upon
the wharf were hogsheads of molasses unloaded from
a vessel just arrived from Jamaica. Boys had knocked
out a bung and were running a stick into the hole and
lapping the molasses. The sailors lounging on the
1 The troops were ordered to Boston in 1765, in consequence of the
riots growing out of the passage of the Stamp Act, the mob having
sacked the house of Chief Justice Thomas Hutchinson. Though the
Stamp Act had been repealed, and though the citizens were orderly
and law-abiding, the regiments remained.
2 The Bunch of Grapes Tavern stood on the corner of Mackerel
Lane and King Street, now Kilby and State streets. Its sign was
three clusters of grapes. It was a noted tavern, often patronized by
the royal governors. In July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence
was read to the people from its balcony. After hearing it they tore
the lion and unicorn, and all emblems of British authority, from the
Custom House, Court House, and Town House, and made a bonfire of
them in front of the tavern.
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON. 31
wharf were speaking a language he could not under
stand. For the first time in his life he was in touch,
as it were, with the great world beyond the sea.
During the day he had met several of the king's
soldiers, swaggering along the streets as if privileged
to do as they pleased, regardless of the people. Two,
whom he had seen drinking toddy in the Admiral Ver-
non, swayed against him.
" Hello, clodhopper ! How 's yer dad and marm ? "
said one.
Robert felt the hot blood mount to his brow.
" Say, bumpkin, how did ye get away from your
ma's apron-string ? " said the other.
" He has n't got the pluck of a goslin," said the
first.
Robert set his teeth together, but made no reply,
and walked away. He felt like pitching them head
foremost into the dock, and was fearful he might do
something which, in cooler blood, he would wish he
had not done.
By what right were they strolling the streets of an
orderly town ? Those who supported the king said
they were there to maintain the dignity of the crown.
True, a mob had battered the door of Thomas Hutch-
inson, but that had been settled. The people were
quiet, orderly, law-abiding. The sentinel by the Town
House glared at him as he walked up King Street, as
if ready to dispute his right to do so. He saw a book
store on the corner of the street, and with a light
heart entered it. A tall, broad-shouldered young man
welcomed him.
" May I look at your books? " Robert asked.
32 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Certainly ; we have all those recently published
in London, and a great many pamphlets printed here
in the Colonies," the young man replied.
" I live in the country. We do not have many
books in New Hampshire," said Robert.
" Oh, from New Hampshire ? Please make your
self at home, and look at any book you please. My
name is Henry Knox," : said the young man.
" I am Robert Walden."
" I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr.
Walden, and shall be glad to render you any service in
my power. Is this your first visit to town ? "
Robert said it was. He could only gaze in wonder
at the books upon the shelves. He had not thought
there could be so many in the world. Mr. Knox saw
the growing look of astonishment.
" What can I show you? Perhaps you do not care
for sermons. We have a good many ; ministers like
to see their sermons in print. I think perhaps you
will like this better," said Mr. Knox, taking down a
copy of the Arabian Nights' Entertainments. " You
will find it very interesting ; just sit down and look
at it."
Robert seated himself in a chair and read the story
of the Forty Thieves.
" Do you think these are true stories ? " he asked
when he had finished it.
1 Mr. Knox was clerk in the bookstore kept by Daniel Henchman.
In 1773 he began business on his own account on Cornhill now Wash
ington Street, upon the site now occupied by the Globe newspaper.
His store was frequented by the officers of the regiments, and doubt
less he obtained from them information that he turned to good account
during the war.
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON. 33
Mr. Knox replied they were true in so far as they
described the manners and customs of the people of
Arabia and Persia. He did not doubt the stories had
been told in Babylon, Nineveh, and Damascus, and he
might think of the people in those cities sitting in the
calm evenings under the almond-trees on the banks of
the Euphrates or the river Abana listening to the
story-teller, who probably did his best to make the
story entertaining.
" Doubtless," said Mr. Knox, " we think it would
not be possible for things to happen as they are nar
rated, but I am not quite sure about that. One of the
stories, for instance, tells how a man went through the
air on a carpet. We think it cannot be true, but here
is a pamphlet which tells how Henry Cavendish, in
England, a little while ago discovered a gas which he
calls hydrogen. It is ten times lighter than air
so light that another gentleman, Mr. Black, filled a
bag with it which took him off his feet and carried
him round the room, to the astonishment of all who
beheld it. I should n't be surprised if by and by we
shall be able to travel through the air by a bag filled
with such gas."
Robert listened with intense interest, not being able
to comprehend how anything could be lighter than
air. He was not quite sure that his father and mo
ther would approve of his reading a book that was not
strictly true, and he was sure that the good minister
and deacons of the church would shake their heads
solemnly were they to know it ; but he could read it
on his way home and hide it in the haymow and read
it on rainy days in the barn. But that would not be
34 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
manly. No, he could not do that. He would tell his
father and mother and Rachel about it, and read it to
them by the kitchen fire. Hit or miss, he would pur
chase the book.
Mr. Knox kindly offered to show him the Town
House. They crossed the street, and entered the
council chamber. Lieutenant-Governor Hutchiiison
and the members of the council were sitting in their
'armchairs, wearing white wigs and scarlet cloaks.
Their gold-laced hats were lying on their desks. Lieu
tenant-Colonel Dalrymple, commanding the king's
troops, was seated by the side of Governor Hutchinson
as a visitor. Upon the walls were portraits of Kings
Charles II. and James II. in gilded frames ; also por
traits of Governors Winthrop, Endicott, and Brad-
street.
Thanking Mr. Knox for his kindness, Robert passed
into the street, took a look at the stocks and pillory,
and wondered if that was the best way to punish those
who had committed petty offenses.
He saw a girl tripping along the street. A young
lieutenant in command of the sentinels around the
Town House stared rudely at her. In contrast to the
leering look of the officer, the negro servants filling
their pails at the pump were very respectful in giving
her room to pass. He saw the two soldiers who had
attempted to pick a quarrel with him on the wharf,
emerge from an alley. One chucked the young lady
under the chin ; the other threw his arm around her
and attempted to steal a kiss. Robert heard a wild
cry, and saw her struggle to be free. With a bound
he was by her side. His right arm swung through
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON. 35
the air, and his clenched fist came down like a sledge-
o
hammer upon the head of the ruffian, felling him to
the earth. The next moment the other was picked up
and plunged headforemost into the watering-trough.
No word had been spoken. The girl, as if not com
prehending what had happened, stood amazed before
him.
" Thank you, sir ; I never shall forget your kind
ness," she said, dropping a low courtesy and walking
rapidly up Queen Street.
Never before had he seen a face like hers, a counte
nance that would not fade from memory, although he
saw it but a moment.
Suddenly he found himself confronted by the lieu
tenant, who came running from the Town House, with
flashing eyes and drawn sword. Robert did not run,
but looked him squarely in the face.
" What do you mean, you "
The remainder of the sentence is not recorded : the
printed page is cleaner without it.
" I meant to teach the villains not to insult a lady."
" I 've a good mind to split your skull open," said
the lieutenant, white with rage, but not knowing what
to make of a man so calm and resolute.
" Let me get at him ! Let me get at him ! I '11
knock the daylight out of him," shouted the fellow
whom Robert had felled to the ground, but who had
risen and stood with clenched fists. The other, the
while, was clambering from the trough, wiping the
water from his face and ready to rush upon Robert,
angered all the more by the jeers of the grinning
negroes.
36 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" What is all this about ? "
It was Lieutenant-Colonel Dalrymple speaking.
He had seen the commotion from the window of the
council chamber, and hastened to the scene. " Put up
your sword," he said to the lieutenant.
" What have you been doing, sir ? " he asked, turn
ing sternly to Robert.
" Suppose you first ask those two fellows what
they 've been doing ? Nevertheless, Colonel, lest you
might not get a true answer, allow me to say that
they insulted a lady, that I knocked one down and
tossed the other into the watering-trough, to teach
them better manners. For doing it your lieutenant
has seen fit to draw his sword and threaten to split
my head open."
It was said quietly and calmly.
" What have you to say to that ? " Colonel Dal
rymple asked, addressing the soldiers, who made no
reply.
" Lieutenant, take them to the guardhouse, and
consider yourself under arrest till I can look into this
matter. Don't you know better than to draw your
sword against a citizen in this way ? "
The lieutenant made no reply, but looked savagely
at Robert, as if to say, " I '11 have it out with you
sometime," sheathed his sword and turned away, fol
lowing the crestfallen soldiers to the guardhouse.
Colonel Dalrymple bowed courteously, as if to apol
ogize for the insult to the lady. Robert came to the
conclusion that he was a gentleman.
The negroes were laughing and chuckling and tell
ing the rapidly gathering crowd what had happened.
FIRST DAY IN BOSTON. 37
Robert, having no desire to be made conspicuous,
walked up Queen Street. He tarried a moment to
look at the iron-grated windows and double-bolted
doors of the jail, then turned down Hanover Street
and made his way to the Green Dragon.
III.
THE SONS OP LIBERTY.
" Is it far to Doctor Warren's house ? " Robert
asked of the landlord after supper.
" Oh no, only a few steps around the corner on
Hanover Street. So you are going to call on him,
just as your father always does. You will find him a
nice gentleman. He is kind to the poor, charging
little or nothing when they are sick and need doctor
ing. He is n't quite thirty years old, but there is n't
a doctor in town that has a larger practice. He is a
true patriot. I heard a man say the other day that
if Joe Warren would only let politics alone he would
soon be riding in his own coach. The rich Tories
'don't like him much. They say it was he who gave
Governor Bernard such a scorching in Ben Edes's
newspaper awhile ago. He is eloquent when he gets
fired up. You ought to hear him in town meeting ;
you won't find him stuck up one mite ; you can talk
with him just as you do with me."
With the cheese under his arm Robert walked
along Hanover Street to Doctor Warren's house. 1 It
1 The home of Doctor Warren stood upon the spot now occupied
by the American House. It was a plain structure and was surrounded
by a garden. Mrs. Warren Elizabeth Hooton before marriage
was the daughter of Richard Hooton. a merchant possessing large
THE SONS OF LIBERTY. 39
was a wooden building standing end to the road.
Entering a small yard, he rattled the knocker on the
door. The doctor opened it.
"Good-evening; will you walk in?" he said. It
was a pleasant, cheery voice, one to make a sick person
feel well.
" Please step into the office."
Robert entered a room smelling of rhubarb, jalap,
ipecac, and other medicines in bottles and packages on
the shelves.
Sincere and hearty were the thanks of Doctor "War
ren for the present.
" I want Mrs. Warren to make your acquaintance,"
he said.
A beautiful woman entered and gave Robert a cor
dial greeting.
" It is very kind of you to bring us such a gift. It
is not the first time your father has made us happy,"
she said. " We must find some way, husband, to let
Mr. Walden know we appreciate his kindness."
" That is so, wife."
" We live so far away," said Robert, " we do not
know what is going on. Father wishes me especially
to learn the latest news from London in regard to the
proposed tax on tea, and what the Colonies are going
to do about it."
" That is a very important matter," the doctor re-
wealth. She was beautiful in person and character. She died May,
1773. The Boston Gazette contained an appreciative tribute to her
worth.
" Good sense and modesty with virtue crowned ;
A sober mind when fortune smiled or frowned.
So keen a feeling for a friend distressed,
She could not bear to see a man oppressed."
40 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
plied, " and we are to have a meeting of the Sons of
Liberty this evening to consider what shall be done
in case the bill now before Parliament becomes a law,
as I have no doubt it will. I shall be pleased to have
you go with me. Of course our meetings are some
what secret. We do not care to have any mousing
Tory know just what we intend to do. You will have
a hearty welcome from the boys. It is only a few
steps from here, at the Green Dragon."
" That is where I am stopping," Robert replied.
" You can say to your father," the doctor continued,
" that the redcoats are becoming very insolent, and
we fear there will be trouble."
Robert said nothing about his experience at the
town pump.
" Sammy Hutchinson," the doctor went on, " is
acting governor. He is not the hyena Bernard was.
Hutchinson was born here. He is a gentleman, but
loves office. I would not do him any injustice, but
being in office he naturally sides with the ministry.
He does not see which way the people are going.
King George believes that he himself is chosen of
God to rule us, and Lord North is ready to back him
up. The people around the king are sycophants who
are looking after their own personal advantage. The
ministers know very little about affairs in the Colo
nies. They are misled by Bernard and others. They
are determined to raise revenue from the Colonies,
but will be disappointed. But we will go round to
the Green Dragon."
They reached the tavern. Doctor Warren nodded
to the landlord, and led the way up the stairs along
DOCTOR JOSEPH WARREN
THE SONS OF LIBERTY. 41
the hall and gave four raps on a door. One of the
panels swung open. A man on the other side said
something which Robert could not understand, neither
could he make out what the doctor said in reply.
The panel closed, the door opened, and they passed
into a large room dimly lighted by two tallow candles.
A dozen or more yoiing men were seated in chairs
around a table smoking their pipes. At one end of
the table was a large punch-bowl, a basket filled with
lemons, a bottle of rum, a plate of crackers, and half
a cheese. One young man was slicing lemons and
making rum punch. All clapped their hands when
they saw Doctor Warren.
" I have brought a young friend ; he is from New
Hampshire and as true as steel," said the doctor.
" Boys," said Amos Lincoln, " this is the gentleman
I was telling you about ; let 's give him three cheers."
The room rang. Robert did not know what to
make of it ; neither did Doctor Warren till Amos
Lincoln told how he had seen Mr. Walden at the
town pump, knocking down one lobster, throwing an
other into the watering-trough, and calmly confront
ing the prig of a lieutenant. When Amos finished,
all came and shook hands with Robert.
Mr. John Rowe called the meeting to order.
" Since our last meeting," he said, " a ship has ar
rived bringing the news that the king and ministers
are determined to levy an export duty of three pence
per pound on tea : that is, all tea exported from Eng
land will be taxed to that extent. Of course, we
could pay it if we chose, but we shall not so choose."
The company clapped their hands.
42 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" We have sent round papers for the merchants to
sign an agreement that they will not sell any tea
imported from England. All have signed it except
Hutchinson's two sons, Governor Bernard's son-in-
law, Theophilus Lillie, and two others. The agree
ment does not prevent the merchants from selling tea
imported from Holland. The Tories, of course, will
patronize the merchants who have not signed the
agreement, and the question for us to consider is how
we shall keep out the tea to be imported by the East
India Company."
" We must make it hot for 'em," said Mr. Mackin
tosh.
" The tea, do you mean ? " shouted several.
There was a ripple of laughter.
" I don't see but that we shall have to quit drink
ing tea," said Doctor Warren. "We drink alto
gether too much. It has become a dissipation. We
drink it morning, noon, and night. Some of the old
ladies of my acquaintance keep the teapot on the
coals pretty much all the time. Our wives meet in
the afternoon to sip tea and talk gossip. The girls
getting ready to be married invite their mates to
quiltings and serve them with Old Hyson. We have
garden tea-parties on bright afternoons in summer
and evening parties in winter. So much tea, such
frequent use of an infusion of the herb, upsets our
nerves, impairs healthful digestion, and brings on
sleeplessness. I have several patients old ladies,
and those in middle life whose nerves are so un
strung that I am obliged to dose them with opium
occasionally, to enable them to sleep."
THE SONS OF LIBERTY. 43
" Do you think we can induce the ladies to quit
drinking it? " Mr. Molineux asked.
" I am quite sure Mrs. Warren will cheerfully give
it up, as will Mrs. Molineux if her husband should
set the example," Doctor Warren replied.
Mr. Molineux said he was ready to banish the tea
pot from his table.
" I believe," continued the doctor, " that the
women of America will be ready to give up the grat
ification of their appetites to maintain a great prin
ciple. They will sacrifice all personal considerations
to secure the rights of the Colonies. Parliament
proposes to tax this country without our having a
voice in the matter. It is a seductive and insidious
proposition this export duty. I suppose they think
we are simpletons, and will be caught in the trap they
are setting. They think we are so fond of tea we
shall continue to purchase it, but the time has come
when we must let them know there is nothing so
precious to us as our rights and liberties ; that we
can be resolute in little as well as in great things. I
dare say that some of you, like myself, have invita
tions to Mrs. Newville's garden party to-morrow after
noon. I expect to attend, but it will be the last
tea-party for me, if the bill before Parliament becomes
a law. Mrs. Newville is an estimable lady, a hospi
table hostess ; having accepted an invitation to be
present, it would be discourteous for me to inform
her I could not drink a cup of tea from her hand,
but I have made up my mind henceforth to stand
resolutely for maintaining the principle underlying
it all, a great fundamental, political principle,
our freedom."
44 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
The room rang with applause. ,
" Sometimes, as some of you know, I try my hand
at verse-making. I will read a few" lines."
FREE AMERICA.
That seat of Science, Athens,
And earth's proud mistress, Rome :
Where now are all their glories ?
We scarce can find their tomb.
Then guard your rights, Americans,
Nor stoop to lawless sway ;
Oppose, oppose, oppose,
For North America.
We led fair Freedom hither,
And lo, the desert smiled,
A paradise of pleasure
Was opened in the wild.
Your harvest, bold Americans,
No power shall snatch away.
Huzza, huzza, huzza,
For free America.
Some future day shall crown us
The masters of the main ;
Our fleets shall speak in thunder
To England, France, and Spain.
And nations over ocean spread
Shall tremble and obey
The sons, the sons, the sons,
Of brave America.
Captain Mackintosh sang it, and the hall rang with
cheers.
" It is pitiable," said Mr. Rowe, " that the people
of England do not understand us better, but what
can we expect when a member of Parliament makes
THE SONS OF LIBERTY. 45
a speech like that delivered by Mr. Stanley just be
fore the last ship sailed. Hear it.
Mr. Rowe, taking a candle in one hand and snuff
ing it with his thumb and finger, read an extract from
the speech : " What will become of that insolent
town, Boston, when we deprive the inhabitants of the
power of sending their molasses to the coast of
Africa? The people of that town must be treated
as aliens, and the charters of towns in Massachusetts
must be changed so as to give the king the appoint
ment of the councilors, and give the sheriffs the sole
power of returning juries."
" The ignoramus," continued Mr. Rowe, " does not
know that no molasses is made in these Colonies. He
confounds this and the other Colonies with Jamaica.
One would suppose Lord North would not be quite so
bitter, but he said in a recent speech that America
must be made to fear the king ; that he should go on
with the king's plan until we were prostrate at his feet."
" Not much will we get down on our knees to
him," said Peter Bushwick. " Since the war with
France, to carry on which the Colonies contributed
their full share, the throne isn't feared quite as
much as it was. Americans are not in the habit of
prostrating themselves."
Captain Mackintosh once more broke into a song.
" Come join hand in hand, Americans all ;
By uniting we stand, dividing we fall.
To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain,
For shame is to freedom more dreadful than pain.
In freedom we 're born, in freedom we '11 live.
Our purses are ready : steady, boys, steady,
Not as slaves but as freemen our money we '11 give."
46 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
The Sons again clapped their hands and resolved
that they would drink no more tea. The formal
business of the evening being ended, they broke into
groups, helped themselves to crackers and cheese, and
lighted their pipes.
A young man about Robert's age came and shook
hands with him.
" Did I understand correctly that you are Robert
Walden from Rumford ? " he asked.
" That is my name, and I am from Rumford."
" Then we are cousins ; I am Tom Brandon."
" I was intending to call upon you to-morrow."
"You must go with me to-night. Father and
mother never would forgive me if I did not take you
along, especially when I tell them how you rubbed it
into the king's lobsters."
The bells were ringing for nine o'clock the hour
when everybody in Boston made preparations for go
ing to bed. All the Sons of Liberty came and shook
hands with Robert.
" It is the most wholesome lesson the villains have
had since they landed at Long Wharf," said Doctor
Warren, who hoped to have the pleasure of seeing
more of Mr. Walden.
" We must rely upon such as you in the struggle
which we are yet to have to maintain our liberties,"
said Mr. Molineux.
Tom Brandon took Robert with him to his home
on Copp's Hill. Robert could see by the light of the
moon that it was a large wooden house with a hipped
roof, surmounted by a balustrade, fronting the burial
ground and overlooking the harbor and a wide reach
of surrounding country.
THE SONS OF LIBERTY. 47
" Why, Robert Walden ! where did you come
from ? " Mr. Brandon exclaimed as Tom ushered him
into the sitting-room.
"What! stopping at the Green Dragon! Why
didn't you come right here, you naughty boy?"
He tinkled a bell and a negro entered the room.
"Mark Antony, go up to the Green Dragon and
get this gentleman's trunk. Tell the landlord I sent
you. Hold on a moment : it is after nine o'clock, and
the watchman may overhaul you and want to know
what you are doing. You must have an order."
Mr. Brandon stepped to a writing-desk and wrote
an order, receiving which Mark Antony bowed and
took his departure.
Mr. Brandon was in the prime of life, hale, hearty,
vigorous, a former ship captain, who had been to
London many times, also through the Straits of
Gibraltar, to Madeira, Jamaica, and round Cape of
Good Hope to China. He had seen enough of ocean
life and had become a builder of ships. He was ac
customed to give orders, manage men, and was quick
to act. He had accumulated wealth, and was living
in a spacious mansion on the summit of the hill. On
calm summer evenings he smoked his pipe upon the
platform on the roof of his house, looking through a
telescope at vessels making the harbor, reading the
signals flying at the masthead, and saying to himself
and friends that the approaching vessel was from Lon
don or the West Indias.
Robert admired the homelike residence, the pan
eled wainscoting, the fluted pilasters, elaborately
carved mantel, glazed tiles, mahogany centre-table,
48 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
armchairs, the beautifully carved writing-desk, the
pictures on the walls of ships under full sail weather
ing rocky headlands.
Mrs. Brandon and her daughter Berinthia entered
the room. Mrs. Brandon was very fair for a woman
in middle life. Berinthia had light blue eyes, cherry
ripe lips, and rosy cheeks.
" I have heard father speak of you often, and he is
always holding up cousin Rachel as a model for me,"
said Berinthia, shaking hands with him.
Tom told of what had happened at the town pump.
" The soldiers are a vile set," said Mrs. Brandon.
" They are becoming very insolent, and I fear we
shall have trouble with them," said Mr. Brandon.
Mark Antony came with the trunk, and Tom lighted
a candle to show Robert to his chamber. Berinthia
walked with him to the foot of the stairs.
" Good-night, cousin," she said ; " I want to thank
you in behalf of all the girls in Boston for throwing
that villain into the watering-trough."
IV.
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS.
" How beautiful ! " Robert exclaimed, as he beheld
the harbor, the town, and the surrounding country
from the top of the house the following morning.
Berinthia pointed out the localities. At their feet
Copp's Hill Burial Ground.
was Copp's Hill burial ground with its rows of head
stones and grass-grown mounds. Across the river,
northward, was Charlestown village nestling at the
foot of Bunker Hill. Ferryboats were crossing the
50 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
stream. Farther away beyond fields, pastures, and
marsh lands were the rocky bluffs of Maiden, the
wood-crowned heights russet and crimson with the
first tinges of autumn. Eastward was the harbor
with its wave-washed islands, and the blue ocean
sparkling in the sunlight. White sails were fading
and vanishing on the far distant horizon. Ships were
riding at anchor between the town and castle. South
ward were dwellings, stores, shops, and the spires of
meetinghouses. Beyond the town were the Roxbury,
Dorchester, and Milton hills fields, pastures, or
chards, and farmhouses. Westward rose Beacon
Hill, its sunny slopes dotted with houses and gardens ;
farther away, across Charles River, he could see the
steeple of Cambridge meetinghouse and the roof of
the college.
" This is Christ Church," said Berinthia, pointing
to the nearest steeple. " That beyond is the Old
North Meetinghouse where Cotton Mather preached. 1
Of course you have heard of him."
Robert replied that the name seemed familiar.
" He was one of the ministers first settled," said
Berinthia, " and wrote a curious book, the ' Magnalia.'
When he was a boy he picked up Latin so quickly
that when twelve years old he was able to enter col
lege, graduating four years later.- That stately mansion
1 Historical writers have made a mistake in speaking of Christ
Church as the Old North Meetinghouse. They were distinct edifices
Christ Church standing in Salem Street, the Old North fronting
North Square. Christ Church is the historic edifice from whose
steeple Robert Newman hung the lantern to give notice of the move
ment of the king's troops, April, 1775. The Old North was torn
down during the siege of Boston.
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 51
near the meetinghouse was the home of Lieutenant-
Goveriior Hutchinson. A mob smashed the windows
in connection with the attempt to enforce the Stamp
Act ; and it was that which induced the king to send
the two regiments of soldiers to Boston. The house
adjoining is the home of Lady Agnes Frankland."
She told the romantic story of Lady Frankland's
life ; how Sir Henry, when a young man, came from
England to be the king's collector of customs. One
day he went to Marblehead, and while at the tavern
saw a girl scrubbing the floor. She was barefooted,
but had a beautiful face. He thought that so pretty
a girl ought not to go barefooted, and gave her money
to buy a pair of shoes. A few weeks passed, and
again he saw her barefooted, still scrubbing the floor.
She had purchased the shoes, but was keeping them
for Sunday. Sir Henry was so pleased with her that
he offered to give her an education. A good minister
took her into his family and she learned very rapidly.
She in return gave him her love, and after leaving
school went to live with him. He not only owned
the house in town, but a great estate in the coun
try. He kept horses and hounds, and had good wines.
After a while he took Agnes to England with him,
and from thence to Portugal. He was in Lisbon in
1755, at the time of the great earthquake, and was
riding in his carriage when suddenly the earth began
to heave and tremble, and houses, churches, all came
tumbling down, burying thirty thousand people. Sir
Henry's horses and himself and carriage were beneath
the bricks and mortar. Agnes was not with him at
the moment, but showed her love by running as fast
52 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
as she could and digging away the bricks with her
own hands, finding him badly mangled but alive. He
thought he was going to die, and made a vow that if
his life was spared Agnes should be his lawfully
wedded wife. His wounds healed and he kept his
word, making her Lady Frankland. They came once
more to Boston, bought the house next to Chief Justice
Hutchinson, and lived very happily."
" We will go down to father's shipyard," said Tom,
" and you can see the carpenters at work building a
ship."
They descended the hill and entered the yard.
Robert hardly knew what to think as he listened to
the clattering of axes and mallets. Some of the work
men were hewing timber and putting up the ribs of
the vessel; others were .bolting planks to the ribs.
The size of the ship amazed him ; it was larger than
his father's barn. In a few weeks the hull would be
finished, the masts put in, the rigging rove, and then
the ship would be launched.
" Father is going to name her for me, and I am to
be the figurehead ; come to the carver's shop and see
me," said Berinthia with sparkling eyes and merry
laugh.
They went into a little shop where a good-looking
young man, with chisels, gouges, and mallet, was fash
ioning the bust of a woman. Tom introduced him
as Abraham Duncan. Robert noticed a lighting up
of Mr. Duncan's eyes as he greeted Berinthia.
" Mr. Duncan is one of us. As for that matter,
every man in the yard is a Son of Liberty," Tom said.
" That is me," said Berinthia, pointing to the figure-
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 53
In the Shipyard.
head. " 1 am to be perched beneath the bowsprit to
look out upon the ocean and see which way the ship
ought to go. The waves will wet my hair, and the
tears will run down my cheeks when the storms are
on. My eyes will behold strange things. I shall see
the whales spout and the porpoises play, and poke my
nose into foreign parts," she said playfully.
Robert saw that the carver had fashioned the face
54 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
to look like her. She had been down to the shop
several times, that he might study her features. On
Saturday evenings after work for the week was over
he put on his best coat and called at the Brandon
house to look at her as she sat by the fireside with the
light from the hearth illumining her face. Although
Mr. Duncan usually went to hear Reverend Mr.
Checkley preach, he sometimes strayed away to Rever
end Doctor Cooper's meetinghouse in Brattle Street,
and took a seat where he could see Berinthia's fea
tures in repose, as she listened to the sermon. Al
though the minister was very eloquent, Mr. Duncan
was more interested in looking at her than hearing
what was said in the pulpit. Robert noticed that she
seemed to enjoy talking with the carver, and when he
went to the other side of the building to get a port
folio of drawings to show her how the cabin was to be
ornamented her eyes followed him.
" Father says Mr. Duncan is a very talented young
man, and one of the best artists in town," she said, as
they walked back to the house.
After dinner, Robert went to the Green Dragon,
obtained a chaise, harnessed Jenny, took in Berinthia,
and crossed the ferry to Charlestown, for a ride in the
country. They drove along a wide street at the foot
of Bunker Hill, and came to a narrow neck of land
between Charles River on the south and Mystic River
on the north. The tide was flowing in and covering
the marsh lands. They gained the summit of Winter
Hill, gazed upon the beautiful landscape, then turned
southward toward Cambridge. Reaching the college,
they entered the library and the room containing the
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 55
philosophical instruments. Robert rubbed his knife
on a magnet so he could pick up a needle by touching
it with the blade. They had little time to spare, for
they were to take supper with Mr. Samuel Adams.
Berinthia informed him that Mr. Adams was not
rich, that he was very kind-hearted, and had lost his
property through kindness to a friend.
" He lives very plainly," she said as they rode home
ward. " We shall find simple fare, but he will give
you a hearty shake of the hand. People have faith in
him because he is true to his convictions."
It was supper time when they reached Mr. Adams's
house.
" I am pleased to see you, and am glad to have an
opportunity for a little talk," said Mr. Adams, wel
coming them.
" We have very simple fare, only mush and milk,
pandowdy, 1 and some Rumford cheese which is very
delicious," said Mrs. Adams as she invited them to
the supper table. They stood by their chairs while
Mr. Adams asked a blessing, then took their seats.
" We have abolished tea from our table," he said.
" I see no better way of thwarting the designs of the
king and the ministry to overthrow the liberties of
the Colonies than for the people to quit using it."
" Do you think the people will deny themselves for
a principle ? " Robert asked.
" Yes ; I have unbounded faith in the virtue of the
American people. I do not know that we naturally
1 Pandowdy was a compote of apples, with several layers of pastry
made from rye meal, baked in a deep earthen dish and eaten with
milk.
56 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
are more virtuous than the people of other lands, but
the course pursued by England ever since Cromwell's
time has been one of oppression. Now tyranny,
when exercised towards a free and intelligent people,
is a process of education. Away back when Cromwell
was administering the affairs of the nation a law was
passed, the design of which was to build up the com
merce of England. At that time Spain and Holland
were great maritime countries. The ships of Spain
were bringing gold from Cuba, Mexico, and South
America to that country. The ships of Holland were
bringing silks and tea from India and China. Those
countries were doing pretty much all the carrying on
the ocean. Cromwell, one of the greatest and most
far-sighted of all England's rulers, determined that
England should have her share of the trade. The
law which was passed provided that no goods should
be imported into that country or exported from it
except in English vessels, and the master of every ship
and three fourths of the crew must be Englishmen,
under penalty of forfeiture of the ship and cargo.
The act was passed in 1651. In a very short time
the commerce of England was twice what it had been.
The law was not designed to work any injury to the
Colonies, but for their benefit. The great abundance
of timber in America, so much that farmers were
slashing down hundreds of acres and burning it, en
abled the colonists to build ships very cheaply, and so
there was a swinging of axes in all our seaport towns.
When Charles II. came to the throne the royalists
determined there should be nothing left to remind the
people that a Commonwealth had ever existed. All
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 57
the laws enacted during the period were repealed.
Their hatred was so great they could not let Crom
well's bones rest in peace, but dug them up, dragged
them through the streets of London, and set his skull
on Temple Bar. Well, that did not hurt Cromwell,
but it did hurt Charles II. and monarchy. I do not
imagine anybody in coming years will erect a statue to
the memory of that voluptuous king or hold him in
reverence, but the time will come when Oliver Crom
well will be held in grateful remembrance."
Mr. Adams passed his bowl for more pandowdy,
and then went on with the conversation.
"The meanness of human nature," he said, " is seen
in the action of Parliament immediately after Charles
II. came to the throne in repealing every law enacted
during the period of the Commonwealth. Having
wiped out every statute, what do you suppose Parlia
ment did ? "
Robert replied that he had not the remotest idea.
" Well, they reenacted them put them right back
on the statute book. They were good laws, but the
Cromwellians had enacted them and they must be ex
punged ; having blotted them out, they must be put
back again because they were good laws."
Mr. Adams leaned back in his chair and laughed
heartily.
" Now we come to the iniquity of Parliament," he
continued. " Under the Commonwealth the Colonies
were kindly treated. Cromwell, at one time, together
with John Hampden, thought of emigrating to Amer
ica, but he did not, and by staying in England ren
dered inestimable service to his fellow-men. The
58 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
iniquity was this: Parliament enacted a law which
made each of these Colonies a distinct country, so far
as commerce was concerned. Greed and selfishness
prompted the passage of this act, which aimed to
make England the distributor of all commerce, not
only between the Colonies and other countries, but
between this country and England, and, to cap the cli
max, England was to control the trade between the
Colonies ; that is, Massachusetts could not trade with
New Hampshire, or New York with Connecticut, ex
cept by paying tribute to England. The people were
no longer Englishmen, with the privileges of English
men, but outsiders, foreigners, so far as trade was con
cerned. If a Dutchman of Amsterdam wanted to find
a market here in Boston he could not send his ship
across the Atlantic, but only to England, that the
goods might be taken across the ocean in an English
ship. The merchants here in Boston who had anything
to sell in Holland, France, Spain, or anywhere else,
could not send it to those countries, but must ship it to
England. The fishermen of Gloucester and Marble-
head could not ship the codfish they had caught to
Spain or Cuba. The people in Catholic countries can
not eat meat on Friday, but may eat fish. Spain and
Cuba were good customers, but the fishermen must sell
their fish to merchants in London or Bristol, instead
of trading directly with the people of those countries.
You see, Mr. Walden, that it was a cunningly devised
plan to enrich England at our expense."
" It was unrighteous and wicked," Robert exclaimed.
" I do not wonder that it seems so to you, as it
must to every one who believes in justice and fair deal-
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 59
ing," Mr. Adams continued; "but human nature is
apt to be selfish. In 1696 Parliament passed an act
establishing the Lords of Trade, giving seven men,
selected by the king, authority to control and regu
late commerce. 1 The governors of the Colonies were
to carry out the provisions of the act, which forbade
all traffic between Ireland and the Colonies, and which
repealed all the laws enacted by the colonial legisla
tures relating to trade and manufactures."
" Did not the people protest against such a law ? "
Robert asked.
" Yes, the Great and General Court sent a protest
to London, but they might as well have whistled to
the wind."
Mr. Adams turned partly round in his chair and
took a paper from his desk.
" This is a copy," he continued, " of the protest.
It represents that the people were already much
cramped in their liberties and would be fools to con
sent to have their freedom further abridged. They
were not bound to obey those laws, because they had
no voice in making them. They stood on their natu
ral rights. It would take many hours to tell you, Mr.
Walden, the full story of oppression on the part of
Parliament towards the Colonies, or to picture the
greed of the merchants and manufacturers of Eng
land, who could not then, and who cannot now, bear
to think of a spinning-wheel whirling or a shuttle fly
ing anywhere outside of England, or of anybody sell
ing anything unless for the benefit of the men who
1 " The causes which brought about the American Revolution will
be found in the acts of the Board of Trade." JOHN ADAMS.
60 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
keep shop in the vicinity of Threadneedle Street or
Amen Corner. 1 The course of England in selfish
ness and greed is like the prayer of the man who
said,
" ' O Lord, bless my wife and me,
Son John and his she,
We four,
No more.' "
Robert, Berinthia, and Mrs. Adams laughed heart
ily. Mr. Adams finished his mush and milk, and while
Mrs. Adams was serving the pandowdy he went on :
" Memory goes back to my boyhood. When I was
ten years old or thereabouts, there were no less than
sixteen hat makers and possibly more in this one
town. I used to pass several of the shops on my way
to school. Beavers were plenty on all the streams in
New Hampshire and western Massachusetts, and the
hatters were doing a thriving business, sending their
hats to the West Indies and Holland. One of the
merchants sent some to England. The makers of felt
hats over there could not tolerate such a transaction.
There was a buzzing around the Lords of Trade ; a
complaint that the f elters were being impoverished by
the hatters of America. Parliament thereupon passed
a law to suppress the manufacture of hats. Here is
the law."
Mr. Adams read from the paper :
" No hats or felts, dyed or undyed, finished or un
finished, shall be put on board any vessel in any place
within any British plantations, nor be laden upon any
1 Threadneedle Street and Amen Corner noted localities in Lon
don.
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 61
horse or other carriage to the intent to be exported
from thence to any other plantation, or to any other
place, upon forfeiture thereof, and the offender shall
likewise pay five hundred pounds for every such
offense. Every person knowing thereof, and will
ingly aiding therein, shall forfeit forty pounds."
" That is diabolical," said Robert, his blood begin
ning to boil.
Mr. Adams saw the flush upon his cheek and smiled.
" I see that it stirs you up, as it does every lover of
liberty. But I have not given you the full text of the
iniquitous act : the law forbade any one from making
a hat who had not served as an apprentice seven years,
nor could a man employ more than two apprentices.
Under that law no hatter up in Portsmouth could
paddle across the Piscataqua and sell a hat to his
neighbor in Kittery because the hat was made in New
Hampshire. The hatter who had a shop in Provi
dence could not carry a hat to his neighbor just over
the line in Swansey, one town being in Rhode Island
and the other in Massachusetts. The law, you see,
was designed to crush out the manufacture of hats.
The law applied to almost everything."
" I had no idea that such laws had been passed ;
they are abominable ! " Robert replied with a vigor
that brought a smile to Mr. Adams's face, who took a
bit of cheese and smacked his lips.
" Every time I taste it I think of you and your fa
ther, mother, and sister who made it," he said.
"I hope to see them sometime," said Mrs. Adams.
" I am not quite through with the iniquity," con
tinued Mr. Adams. " About forty years ago it was
62 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
in 1737, 1 think Parliament passed what is called the
Sugar Act, which imposed a duty on sugar and mo
lasses, if imported from any of the West India Islands
other than those owned by Great Britain. Cuba, as
you know, is a dependency of Spain and St. Domingo
of France. The sugar plantations of Jamaica and
Guinea are owned by Englishmen, and the law was
passed to compel the Colonies to trade solely with the
Jamaica planters. The Great and General Court
protested that the act was a violation of the rights of
the Colonies, but no notice was taken of the protest
it was thrown into the basket for waste paper. Since
the time of Charles II. not less than twenty-nine acts
have been passed, which, in one way or another, re
strict trade and invade the rights of the Colonies. I
suppose, Mr. Walden, you leach the ashes, which you
scrape up from your fireplace ? "
" Oh yes," Robert replied ; " not only what we take
from the hearth in the kitchen, but when we have a
burning of a ten-acre lot, as we had a few weeks ago,
we scoop up several cart-loads of ashes which we leach,
and boil the lye to potash." 1
" And what do you do with the potash ? "
" We shall probably bring it to Boston and sell it
to Mr. Hancock or some other merchant."
" Oh no, you can't do that legally, because you live
in New Hampshire, and the law prohibits trade of that
sort between the Colonies. You can take the potash
to Portsmouth, and if there is an English vessel in the
1 The leaching of ashes and manufacture of potash was a large in
dustry during the Colonial period. In some sections of the country
the article was known as " black salts." There was one or more
potashery in every town.
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 63
Piscataqua you can send it to England and have it
shipped back to Boston ; but it must be in an English
ship, not in one owned by my good friend John
Langdon, merchant in Portsmouth, who is ready to
stand resolutely against all oppression ; or you may
pay the custom-house officer what it will cost to
transport it to England and back to Boston, and he
will give you permission to ship it direct to Boston.
That is the law ; but it has been inoperative for sev
eral reasons one, because it could not be enforced,
and another, because Great Britain has been com
pelled to rely upon the Colonies to aid in driving the
French from Canada. That has been accomplished,
and now King George, who is not remarkably intelli
gent, but pig-headed, and his short-sighted ministers
are determined to carry out measures, not only to
obtain revenue from the Colonies, but to repress
manufactures here for the benefit of the manufac
tures of England. Thanks to our spinning-school, a
stimulus has been given to our home manufactures
which will enable us to spin and weave a goodly
amount of plain cloth. Perhaps, Mr. Walden, you
may have noticed the spinning-school building in
Long Acre, 1 near the Common a large brick build
ing with the figure of a woman holding a distaff."
"Yes, I saw it yesterday, and wondered what it
might mean."
" Well, quite a number of years ago, the Great and
General Court passed a law for the encouragement of
1 Long Acre extended from School Street to the Common, and
was sometimes called Common Street, now a section of Tremont
Street.
64 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
spinning, levying a tax on carriages and other luxu
ries for the establishment of the school. Its opening
was celebrated on the Common. About one hundred
women and girls came with their spinning-wheels and
set them to humming beneath the trees. The court
gave prizes for the best work. At present we buy
our broadcloths and velvets in England, but the time
will come when we shall make them this side of the
Atlantic."
" The spinning-wheel and loom are going in our
house from morning till night," Robert said.
" I am glad to hear it ; the road to independence
of the mother country lies in that direction. Indus
try will bring it about by and by, but I apprehend
that other repressive and tyrannical measures will be
passed. These arbitrary acts of Parliament have had
one lamentable result, they have made the people of
the Colonies a community of smugglers. I am pained
to say that we are losing all correct sense of moral
obligation in matters pertaining to the government.
No one thinks it disreputable to smuggle goods into
the country because everybody feels that the laws are
unjust. The ministry undertook to enforce the laws
against smuggling not long since, by issuing Writs of
Assistance, as they were called. That attempt was
more unjust than any of the laws that had been
passed regulating trade. It gave the custom-house
officers authority to enter not only stores, but private
dwellings, break open chests, boxes, and closets in
search of smuggled goods. Now if there is anything
that Englishmen prize, it is the liberty secured by
Magna Charta. Every man's house is his castle.
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 65
Writs of Assistance violated the fundamental prin
ciple of English liberty. Our great lawyer, Mr.
James Otis, has immortalized his name by his mas
terly oration in opposition to the measure. The
writs have not prevented smuggling ; on the contrary,
it is regarded as almost a virtue and a duty to circum
vent a government which enacts unrighteous laws.
For instance, a little more than a year ago, John
Hancock's sloop, Liberty, arrived from Madeira with
a cargo of wine. The custom-house officer went on
board. He was followed by half a dozen seaman be
longing to one of Hancock's other vessels, who locked
the officer into the cabin, unloaded the vessel, all ex
cept a few pipes of wine, and carted the cargo away.
The next morning the captain of the vessel made oath
that half a dozen casks was all the wine he had to
deliver for payment of duty. The collector, Mr.
Harrison, and the comptroller, Mr. Hallowell, re
solved to seize the Liberty. Admiral Montague sent
a company of marines, who took possession of the
sloop and anchored her under the guns of the Rom-
ney. That incensed the people, who smashed in the
windows of the office, seized the collector's boat, car
ried it to the Common, and burned it. The revenue
officers, fearing for their safety, fled to the Castle,
where they remained till the troops arrived last Octo
ber. Tyranny begets resistance on the part of the
people."
" What is to be the outcome of all this ? " Robert
asked.
" I do not know," Mr. Adams replied thoughtfully,
" just what will come of it, but of one thing I am
66 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
sure, the people of America never will be slaves. At
present, we have an insolent soldiery walking our
streets, challenging and provoking the people. We
are treated as if under military law. The quiet of
the Sabbath is broken by the rattling of drums and
the shrill notes of the fife. The soldiers become in
toxicated, and are ready to pick a quarrel with the
town's-people. No lady can appear on the street
unaccompanied by a gentleman without danger of
being insulted. I expect that collisions will occur
between the troops and people, and that sooner or
later blood will be shed. You can say to your father
that I have just received a letter from Colonel George
Washington of Virginia, who took command of the
troops after the wounding of General Braddock in the
battle near Fort Du Quesne. He agrees with me that
there must be united action on the part of the Color
nies, and that we shall be warranted in using arms if
we cannot secure our liberties in any other way. Of
course, we shall not bring every one to stand up for
the rights and liberties of the Colonies. Those who
in any way are connected with the crown the cus
tom-house officials and their friends who are in re
ceipt of salaries and perquisites will support what
ever measures the ministry may propose. Then there
are many gentlemen who naturally will maintain their
allegiance to the king, who think that an existing
government, no matter how unjust and tyrannical it
may be, stands for law and order, and that to resist it
in any way leads to revolution. Some of my old-time
friends are siding with the ministry. They think
we ought not to complain of so small a matter as
AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS. 67
paying a tax of three pence per pound on tea. They
lose sight of the great principle that taxation in any
form without representation in Parliament is tyranny.
We might willingly consent to pay it had we a voice
in making it, but we will not consent to be taxed with
out such a voice. I am pleased, Mr. Walden, to have
had this little conversation with you. I rely upon the
young men of the country to stand resolutely for what
is just and right, and I am equally sure," he said,
turning to Berinthia, "that the young women will
give all their influence to sustain the young men.
Mrs. Adams is just as ready as I am to quit drinking
tea, because by so doing she manifests her fealty to
a great principle ; if the mothers are ready to make
sacrifices, I am sure the daughters will be equally
ready."
The conversation of Mr. Adams was very attractive,
he was so earnest, sincere, and truthful. Gladly
would Robert have listened through the evening, but
he reflected that such a man must have many letters
to write, and he must not trespass upon his time.
" I am glad to have made your acquaintance, Mr.
Walden ; you must always come and see me when
you are in town. I am sure you will do what you can
to stir up the young men of Rumford to resist the
aggressions of the king and his ministers. That there
are lively times before us I do not doubt, but we
shall maintain our liberties, cost what it may," he
said, accompanying them to the door and bidding
them good-by.
" I am invited to a garden tea-party to-morrow after
noon," said Berinthia, as they walked home. " Is n't
68 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
it curious that while Mr. Adams wants us girls to
leave off drinking tea for the sake of a great princi
ple, I want you for my escort to the tea-party. It
will be a grand affair and you will have a chance to
see the best people of the town."
" I am at your service, and will do the best I can,"
Robert replied.
V.
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY.
. THE king's commissioner of imposts, Theodore
Newville, had authority to collect for the crown three
shillings per ton on all vessels of not more than two
hundred tons burden, and four shillings per ton on ves
sels of larger dimensions. He also had authority to
reserve the tallest, straightest, and largest pine-trees
growing in the forests for the use of the royal navy.
When the king's arrow was blazed upon a tree, 1 no
man, not even the owner of the soil, could fell it to the
ground. Every year, and at times as often as every
six months, a ship arrived upon the New England
coast for masts and spars.
Mr. Newville was provided with an office in the Cus
tom House, but his home was on the sunny slope of
Beacon Hill, a commodious mansion, with spacious
rooms and ample hall. The fluted pilasters with Cor
inthians capitals, the modillions along the cornice, the
semicircular balcony, were fitting adornments. The
surrounding lawn was smoothly shaven. In the orchard
were apples, pears, and melocotoons ; 2 in the garden,
roses, pinks, primroses, daffodils, bachelor's-buttons,
and asters of every hue. The morning sun streaming
1 The arrow was the sign of royal authority and ownership.
2 The melocotoon was a variety of peach. The fruit was very large,
beautifully colored, and of rich flavor.
70 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
into the dining-room illumined the richly cut decanters
upon the shelves of the buffet. Very attractive, sug
gestive of ease, comfort, and culture, was the library,
with its books and several portraits in gilded frames.
The sun of the afternoon filled the richly furnished
parlor with its mellow light. The front door opened
to a wide hall and stairway, with carved baluster and
polished mahogany rail. A clock stood upon the land
ing soberly counting the hours. Having inherited
wealth, with a yearly stipend and many perquisites of
office, Mr. Newville was abundantly able to live in a
style befitting an officer of the crown. The knocker
on the front door was so bright that Pompey could
see his own white teeth and rolling eyeballs reflected
from the shining brass. When through with the
knocker he rubbed the fender, andirons, shovels, tongs,
nozzle of the bellows, the hooks by the jams, candle
sticks, snuffer, extinguisher, trays, and tinder-box, and
wiped the dust from the glazed tiles of the hearth. It
was the routine of every morning. Equally bright
were the brass pots and pans in Phillis's realm. Pom
pey and Phillis were bondservants under the mild
existing paternal form of slavery.
The king's commissioner of imposts perhaps would
not have admitted he was passing the prime of life,
but the crow's-feet were gathering in the corners of
his eyes. His gray tie wig was in keeping with the
white hairs upon his brow. He had a mild, blue eye,
amiable countenance, and dignified deportment, as
became an officer of the crown.
Time was in like manner beginning to turn its
furrows upon the brow of the lady who sat opposite
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 71
him at the table, but she was still very fair, as many a
visitor had noticed while partaking of her hospitality.
When breakfast was finished Mr. Newville took his
gold-headed cane from its place in the hall, adjusted
his wig at the mirror under the sconce, put on his
gold-laced hat and walked leisurely, as became his ma
jesty's commissioner of imposts, along Tremont Street
to Queen, thence past the jail, the Town House, the
pillory and the stocks, to his office in the Custom
House.
Mrs. Neville modeled her housekeeping on the last
chapter of the Book of Proverbs. She began each
morning with instructions to Phillis and Pompey.
After breakfast, she walked to the market followed by
Pompey at a respectful distance, with a basket to
bring home the marketing. She was fastidious in her
selection of meats ; it must be a loin of beef, very ten
der, a chicken or duck, plump and fat ; the freshest of
eggs, and choicest butter. She found great pleasure in
dispensing gracious hospitality, inviting the governor
and lieutenant-governor of the Province, the justices,
councilors, officers of the army and navy, strangers
of distinction from other Provinces or from the other
side of the sea; reverend doctors of divinity, lawyers,
physicians, citizens of standing. She gave garden par
ties on summer afternoons, the guests sipping tea amid
the flowers.
To such an entertainment Berinthia Brandon desired
Robert's company. The barber on the corner of the
street trimmed and powdered his hair, Mark Antony
smoothed the wrinkles from his coat, and Berinthia
fixed new ribbons in his knee-buckles.
72 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I am afraid I shall be so stiff and awkward you
will be ashamed of me," he said, as she adjusted his
ruffles.
" Oh no, I am sure your common sense will come to
your aid."
" I shall not know anybody, and shall feel like a
cat in a strange garret."
" But I will introduce you to some charming people."
" I shall make a fool of myself. I have never been
in such society, and shall not know what to talk about.
If it was like a quilting, such as we have at Kumford,
I might get on, but I know I shall be the laughing
stock of the ladies."
" I am not afraid of it. Just be yourself, that 's
all."
The clock on the Old Brick Meetinghouse was
striking three when they passed it on their way to the
Newville mansion.
"You will find Mr. Newville a courtly, well-in
formed gentleman," said Berinthia. "'Perhaps I
ought to tell you that he is a Tory, which is quite nat
ural, when we consider that he holds an office under
the crown. He is very discreet, however, and is care
ful not to say or do anything offensive to the Sons of
Liberty. Of course, political questions are not men
tioned at these enjoyable gatherings. We say nothing
about the Stamp Act ; give all like topics the go-by,
and just enjoy ourselves socially. You will find Mrs.
Newville a delightful lady, and I know you will be
charmed by Miss Ruth, a lovely girl, with gracious
ways and a character all her own. I cannot describe
her. Only intimate friends can know her goodness.
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY.
73
Few young ladies in Boston are more accomplished.
Master Lovell 1 is her tutor, visiting her after school
hours, to direct her course of study. She has been
through the arithmetic, while most of us never have
been beyond proportion. Having finished the acci
dence she has begun Latin ; she can tambour, make
Master Lovell.
embroidery, draw, paint, play the harpsichord, and
sing so charmingly that people passing along the street
stop to listen to the enchanting music."
" You awaken my curiosity. But what will one
who knows so muph think of the awkward fellow keep-
1 John Lovell was master of the Latin School, in School Street,
from 1717 to 1776. He gave his sympathies to the crown, and be
came an exile upon the evacuation of Boston. His house was near
the schoolhouse.
74 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
ing you company? Will she not regard me as a
simpleton ? "
" No, indeed ; that would not be like Ruth Newville.
Be assured, she will do what she can to make it a
pleasant occasion to you."
"What can I say that will interest her, what talk
about ? "
" She will enable you to find your tongue. The
chances are that you will fall in love with her just as
everybody else does, colonels, majors, captains, lieu
tenants of the army and navy, besides widowers and
bachelors ; but Ruth is too sensible a girl to throw
herself away. Her mother would like her to marry
some nobleman, or lord of ancient family. Ruth
does not care much for coats-of-arms or titles, but
would rather be sure of what a man is, rather than
who were his ancestors. But we are almost there."
Many guests had already arrived. Ladies and gen
tlemen were strolling beneath the trees in the orchard,
and along the garden paths. Pompey showing his
white teeth, his dusky countenance beaming with
pleasure, bowed very courteously as they entered the
mansion.
" Massa and Missus Newville will welcome de ladies
and genmens in de garding," he said.
Berinthia led the way and introduced Robert as her
relative from New Hampshire.
" And so you are from that dependency of the
crown ? What news do you bring from that Prov
ince?" Mr. Newville asked.
" I do not know that there is anything particularly
new or interesting. Not much is going on there. We
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 75
have had a good crop of hay, the corn looks middling
well ; the rye is not much rusted. I think we shall
not want for bread," Robert replied.
" It is excellent news. Bread is the staff of life,
and I trust the people will be grateful for the boun
ties of Providence, and rest in peace and quiet under
the rule of our gracious sovereign, King George."
" I hope we shall be truly thankful for all that is
good," Robert replied.
" It is very kind in you to accompany our friend
Miss Brandon to our entertainment this afternoon ;
we gladly welcome you, Mr. Walden," said Mrs. New-
ville, who ran her eyes over him, and, so far as Robert
could judge, rather liking his stalwart form and figure,
while saying to herself that he was no hawk or eagle
to bear off her chicken.
" Ruth, daughter, this way, please," said Mrs. New-
ville.
Robert saw a young lady wearing a white muslin
dress turn towards them from a group of ladies and
gentlemen ; but it was not the snowy whiteness of the
garment, neither her dark brown unpowdered hair in
contrast to that of the ladies around her, that attracted
his attention, but the hazel eyes and the lips that had
said, " I never shall forget your kindness, sir."
" Mr. Walden, allow me to introduce my daughter,"
said Mrs. Newville.
There was a startled, wondering look in the hazel
eyes. She courtesied, with the fresh blood suffusing
her cheeks.
" I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr.
Walden," she said.
76 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I took the liberty of bringing him," said Berin-
thia. " I was sure you would extend to him the same
cordial welcome you give to everybody."
" Certainly, anybody whom you may invite will
always be welcome. Mr. Walden, shall I serve you
with a cup of tea ? What kind will you take
shall it be Old Hyson, Bohea, or Twankey ? "
She stood with a salver ready to serve him.
" I will take Old Hyson, if you please," he said.
The pink slippers tripped across the lawn to a
table where Phillis in white apron and cap, with
smiling countenance, was pouring tea from silver urns
into dainty cups. So this was the young lady whom
he had rescued from the clutches of the villains.
What should he say to her? By no word or look
must she know that he was conscious of having be
friended her.
The sun was shining through the branches of the
melocotoon tree beneath which she was standing. It
seemed to him that the rich bloom of the ripening
fruit by some subtle process of nature was being
transmuted to her face. He recalled the description
of the pure-hearted damsel that welcomed the Pilgrim
of Bunyan's allegory to the beautiful palace in the
land of Beulah. She soon returned bringing with
steady hand the salver with the tea, sugar-bowl, and
pitcher of cream.
" Shall I serve you with the sugar and cream, Mr.
Walden?"
He could but notice the gracef ul movement of her
deft fingers as she picked the sugar from the bowl
with the silver tongs, and poured the cream.
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 11
" I will bring you some confections," she said, and
tripped away once more, returning with a plate of
cake and bonbons.
" I hope you find the tea to your taste ? " she
said.
" It could not be better," he replied.
He could see she was scanning his face with an
inquiring look, as if endeavoring to solve a per
plexing question whether the stranger in working
clothes who rescued her from the arms of the assault
ing soldiers and this gentleman in fitting costume
for genteel society were one and the same. " Can it
be he ? " was the question revolving in her thoughts.
The countryman was tall, stout, and broad-shoul
dered ; so was Mr. Walden. She saw resolution
and indignation in the face of the stranger. Could
not the face before her exhibit like qualities under
like provocation? She must find out during the
afternoon, if possible, whether or not Mr. Walden was
her belief actor. If so, what should she say to him
how make known her gratitude ?
" And so you are from New Hampshire, Mr. Wal
den ? " she said inquiringly.
" Yes, and this is my first visit to Boston."
" I dare say you find things somewhat different
here from what they are there."
" Oh yes. In Rumford the houses are scattered ;
but here they are as thick as spatter. There isn't
near so many things going on there as here."
" I think it must be delightful to live in the coun
try, among the green fields and pastures, and have
chickens and gosliiis, and see the lambs play."
78 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Yes ; but we have to look sharp, to see that the
foxes, and hawks, and weasels don't get 'em."
Their conversation was interrupted by Berinthia,
who introduced him to Miss Lucy Flucker, 1 daughter
of the secretary of the Province, Miss Dorothy
Quincy, Miss Mary Shrimpton, and to Isaac and
John Coffin, 2 sons of his majesty's receiver-general.
"Do you have garden tea-parties in Rumford?"
Miss Flucker asked.
" No, not garden parties, but the ladies get to
gether in a parlor, sip their tea, take pinches of snuff
from each other's boxes, talk about the number of
cheeses they have made, how much salt they put into
the curd, how much yarn they have spun, how many
yards of linen they have woven."
1 Miss Flucker received the attentions of Henry Knox the book
seller, and became his wife. While her father remained loyal to
the king, she became an ardent patriot, and married the man of her
choice. Soon after the battle of Lexington and Concord, Mr. Knox
escaped from Boston. Mrs. Knox received a permit to join him, from
General Gage, who had issued an order prohibiting any one from tak
ing arms from the town. The patriotic wife concealed her husband's
sword in her underskirts, and successfully eluded the vigilance of the
sentinels.
2 Isaac Coffin obtained an appointment in his majesty's navy in 1773.
Upon the outbreak of the war he proffered his resignation, not being
willing to fight against his countrymen, but being assured he would
not be sent to North America remained in the service of the king,
rising by merit to the position of rear-admiral. He retained through
life a deep affection for his countrymen, and endowed a school on the
island of Nantucket.
His younger brother John, from the outset, sided with the king.
He joined the British forces, became captain of a company of loyal
ists, served under Colonel Tarleton in South Carolina, becoming
major, colonel, and after the war a major-general. He received a
grant of several thousand acres of land in Nova Scotia. Though
maintaining allegiance to the king, he had great respect and admira
tion for those who espoused the patriotic cause.
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 79
" Such a party must be very enjoyable," said Miss
Quincy.
"Yes, I think they like to find out what every
body else is doing, and how they do it. Their
tongues wag lively when they get to talking about
what has happened and what they expect will hap
pen ; who was cried the Sunday before, and who
probably will be the next Sunday."
The ladies smiled at Robert's vivacious conver
sation.
" Does the town clerk cry the proposed mar
riages ? " Miss Shrimpton asked.
" Yes. The moment the minister finishes the ben
ediction Sunday afternoon, Squire Fellows breaks in,
shouting that marriage is intended between Hezekiah
and Mehitable. Of course there are blushes on Me-
hitable's face, while Hezekiah looks kinder sheepish."
Again the ladies laughed.
" Do aU the ladies take snuff ? "
Miss Flucker asked the question.
" Nearly all the old ladies carry their snuff-boxes
in their pockets or work-bags. There 's one lady,
however, who does not Aunt Hipsy Jenkins. Per
haps I ought to say she is well along in years, and
that the town clerk never has cried her. She carries
her nose as she pleases. She says if the Lord had
intended it for a dust-hole, he would have put it on
the other end up."
A merry peal of laughter rang through the gar
den so joyful that several ladies and gentlemen
joined the group, to hear what the young man from
the country was saying.
80 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
"Her name," said Robert, by way of explanation,
" is Hepsibah, but everybody calls her Hipsy."
" Evidently," said Isaac Coffin, " she is a lady who
is up to snuff."
Again the company laughed.
" You may be sure she never minces things, but
speaks her mind, whether anybody likes it or not,"
Robert replied.
" Are the gentlemen invited to the tea-parties ? "
John Coffin asked.
" Not to the afternoon parties, neither are the
young ladies ; the old ladies like to be by themselves
while sipping their tea. Perhaps they think it would
not be dignified on the part of the gentlemen to de
vote the afternoons to gossip," Robert replied.
" Do not the young ladies meet ? " Miss Shrimpton
asked.
"Not as do our mothers, but they have their own
good times, their quilting parties. In the country
every girl as soon as she can sew begins to make
patchwork. When they get enough for a quilt, they
invite their acquaintances to the quilting, and spend
the afternoon in talking about well, I can't exactly
say what they do talk about. Perhaps you ladies can
tell better than I."
The ladies smiled at his pleasant way of indicat
ing what was uppermost in the thoughts of young
maidens on such delightful occasions.
" Do not the gentlemen participate in some way ? "
Miss Quincy inquired.
" Oh yes ; we join them in the evening, after they
are through with the quilting, and try to make things
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 81
lively. We play blindman's-buff, hide the handker
chief, roast beef behind your back, come Philander,
stage-coach, and other games, and have a jolly time.
The ladies serve us with bread and butter, doughnuts,
cookies, tarts, gingerbread, and tea. We guess rid
dles and tell ghost stories."
" How delightful ! " Miss Newville exclaimed.
" A little later than this we have huskings in the
barns, seated around a heap of corn. Husking over,
we eat pudding, baked beans, mince, apple, and pump
kin pie, and top off with pop-corn, apples, and cider.
After supper the girls clear away the dishes ; then we
push the table into one corner of the kitchen, Julius
Caesar mounts it with his fiddle, and we dance jigs
and quicksteps. The girl who first found a red ear
while husking, and was kissed before she could throw
it into the basket, is privileged to lead the dance."
" How I should enjoy it," said Miss Shrimpton.
" Finding the red ear ? " queried Isaac Coffin.
" Oh no, you know I did n't mean that ; but
having such a jolly time with nobody saying it is n't
proper," Miss Shrimpton replied with a blush man
tling her cheek.
" Ruth, daughter," - it was Mrs. Newville calling
her to meet other guests, and Miss Newville turned
regretfully away, for it was a pleasure to talk with
Mr. Walden, and she hoped he would drop a word
which would enable her to make sure it was he who
had befriended her.
Robert, with Berinthia and the ladies whose ac
quaintance he had made, sauntered along the garden
walks. The midsummer flowers were gone, but those of
82 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
autumn were in bloom, marigolds, asters, and sun
flowers. Picturesque the scene : ladies in paduasoys,
taffetas, and brocades, gentlemen in purple, russet, and
crimson coats, white satin waistcoats, buff breeches,
and silk stockings. Officers of the king's regiments
in scarlet with silver-starred epaulets, clergymen in
suits of black, lawyers and doctors in white wigs, loi
tering along the paths, gathered in groups beneath the
trees, young ladies serving them with syllabubs. From
the vine-clad arbor the music of the orchestra floated
upon the air.
Robert saw a gentleman and lady shaking hands
with Mr. and Mrs. Newville.
" That is John Adams, one of the smartest lawyers
in town," said Berinthia. " That is his wife Abigail ;
she is the daughter of Reverend Mr. Smith, the minister
of Braintree. She knows Latin and Greek, and is one
of the nicest women in town. She writes beautiful let
ters, and knows oh, so much ! I '11 introduce you to
them. I know you will be charmed with her."
Mr. Adams courteously greeted Robert, and very
gracious was the recognition by Mrs. Adams. She asked
him if he had ever been in Boston before ; who was
the minister in Rumf ord ; if he had many books to read.
So pleasant and agreeable was her conversation, she
seemed to Robert to be an old friend.
Robert was pleased to meet Doctor Warren, and
received a cordial greeting.
" And are you acquainted ? " Miss Newville in
quired wonderingly.
" I am happy to claim Mr. Walden as my friend.
I have long known his father," the doctor replied.
ABIGAIL SMITH ADAMS
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY.
83
Robert was pleased, also, to meet Mr. Knox, the
bookseller, who was polite and affable to all, particu
larly to Miss Flucker.
When Berinthia and Robert were by themselves
she informed him that Mr. Knox was attentive to
Miss Flucker ; that her parents opposed the match,
Mr. Knox being a Whig and her father a Tory.
Berinthia was sure that the more her father opposed
the bookseller, the better Miss Lucy liked him.
Mr. Hancock's House.
Mr. John Hancock, though living but a short dis
tance from Mr. Newville, came in his coach with
driver and footmen in blue livery. He bowed politely
to Mr. and Mrs. Newville, took a pinch of snuff from
84 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Mr. Newville's gold box, and graciously greeted Miss
Dorothy Quincy. Berinthia whispered to Robert that
they were engaged to be married. 1
" If Miss Newville and Miss Brandon will excuse
us, Mr. Walden and myself will take a turn through
the grounds," said Doctor Warren, locking arms with
Robert.
" I am glad to meet you once more, Mr. Walden.
I want to thank you for the good work you did yes
terday afternoon. I have heard of it several times ;
the people are chuckling over it. But the soldiers of
the Twenty-Ninth Regiment are as mad as hornets and
threaten retaliation. They are anxious to get hold of
that fellow from the country who did it. I thought I
would put you on your guard. I wish I knew who
the young lady was, but no one can find out. Neither
she nor her friends have made complaint to the select
men, and of course you could not know."
Robert thanked him. He said he did not antici
pate any trouble ; if attacked he would try and give a
good account of himself.
They had strolled to the farthest part of the
grounds. Returning, they saw Miss Newville sur
rounded by ladies and gentlemen ; young and old alike
were finding pleasure in her society. Major Evelyn,
to whom Robert had been introduced, was telling how
jolly it was in old England to follow the hounds in a
fox hunt, leaping 'ditches, walls, and hedges, running
1 The Dorothy Quincy who married John Hancock is not to be con
founded with the Dorothy Q. of Holmes's poem :
" Grandmother's mother, her age I guess,
Thirteen summers, or something less."
DOROTHY QUIXCY
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 85
Reynard to cover. Although courteously listening,
her eyes glanced towards Robert and Doctor Warren.
" Pardon me, Major, but I must have a word with
my good doctor who gives me pills and powders when
I am sick," she said graciously, tripping across the
lawn.
" I have not served you with tea, doctor ; what kind
would you prefer?" she said.
" Well, let it be Old Hyson, if you please."
" And yours, Mr. Walden : it was the Old you had
before. Will you not try a cup of Young Hyson for
variety ? "
" If you please, Miss Newville."
A few moments and she was with them again.
"Old Hyson for old friendship, Young, for new
acquaintance," said the doctor, as he took the cup
from her hand. " You see, Mr. Walden, Miss New
ville and I are old friends, and our relations at times
are quite intimate. I am privileged to hold her hand,
feel her pulse, and look at her tongue."
" Do you not think, Mr. Walden, that the doctor
is very rude to take a young lady's hand when she
cannot help herself ? "
" Of course it is rude, but I apprehend you do not
object, under the circumstances," Robert replied.
" Oh no, she likes it so well that she often asks
when I will come again," said the doctor.
Merry was the laughter.
" This is delicious tea," he said, sipping the bever
age.
" I am glad you like it."
" It is all the more delicious, Miss Ruth, because I
86 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
have it from your own gracious hand, and because it
is probably the last I shall drink for many months."
She gazed at him wonderingly.
"You know I am firm in my convictions as to
what is right and just, and I have decided to quit
drinking tea as a protest against what the king and
Lord North are preparing to do. So this will be a
memorial day for me. Pardon me, I did not mean to
allude to it."
" One need not beg pardon for having a conviction
of what is right and just. If it is to be your last cup
I 'm glad I have the privilege of serving it," she said.
One by one guests joined them, charmed by her
presence, Major Evelyn hovering around her. More
than once the eyes of Robert and Miss Newville met.
Would she not think him rude ? But how could he
help looking at her?
While Miss Newville was serving other guests,
with Berinthia and Miss Shrimpton Robert walked
the garden once more, the great shaggy watch-dog
trotting in advance, as if they were guests to be hon
ored by an escort.
The afternoon was waning. Guests were leaving,
and it was time for Berinthia and Robert to take their
departure.
" Oh, you are not going now. I have not had an
opportunity to speak a dozen words with you, Berin
thia, and I have shamefully neglected Mr. Walden.
I have not had a chance to drink a cup of tea with
him. I am sure you will excuse me, Major Evelyn,
while I redeem myself. You will find Miss Brandon
delightful company," said Miss Newville.
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 87
Major Evelyn, being thus politely waved one side,
could but acquiesce.
" Shall we sit, Mr. Walden ? " she asked, leading the
way to seats and bringing tea and cake.
" I enjoyed your description of life in the country,
and the young ladies were delighted," she said.
"We have pretty good times with the quiltings,
huskings, and sleighing parties, when we pile into a
double pung, ride in the moonlight, have supper, and
a dance."
"How delightful! Have you brothers and sis
ters?"
" Only a sister, Rachel, two years younger than I."
" Does she love flowers ? "
"Yes, she is very fond of them. I make up beds
in the garden for her and she sows bachelor's-buttons,
flytraps, pansies, marigolds, hollyhocks, and has morn
ing-glories running over strings around the sitting-
room window."
"They must make your home very pleasant in
summer."
" Yes, and she has asters and sweet peas. I try to
keep the weeds down for her as she has so many
things to look after, the chickens, goslins, young
turkeys, besides washing dishes, spinning, and wet
ting the cloth bleaching on the grass. I help a little
by drawing the water."
" It must be very beautiful in the country these
September days."
" It is not quite late enough for the woods to put
on their brightest colors ; that will be in October."
"Which season do you like best?"
88 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I hardly know. Sometimes, when the country is
covered with snow and the air is fresh and keen and
healthful, I think there is no part of the year more
enjoyable than winter; then when spring comes, and
the buds start and the leaves are growing, I feel like
a young colt ready to caper and kick up my heels.
When the flowers are in bloom and the birds are sing
ing I think there is no season like summer. At this
time of the year, when we are gathering the harvests
and the woods are more beautiful than our Queen
Charlotte in her coronation robes, I think there is no
period of the year so delightful as autumn."
" Living in the town," Miss Newville said, " I lose
much that I should enjoy in the country. Sometimes
I ride with my father to Roxbury, Dorchester, and
Cambridge. He sits in his chaise while I pick the
flowers by the roadside. A few weeks ago we went
sailing down the harbor, and saw the waves rolling
on the beach at Nantasket and breaking on the rocks
around the lighthouse. Oh, it was beautiful ! "
" I do not doubt it. As you love the country
so much, I am sure you would be charmed with the
view from our home, Miss Newville, especially at this
season of the year."
" Please tell me about it. I am sure from your
description I shall be able to picture the scene."
"You would see a broad valley, fields, pastures,
meadows, uplands, the river flowing between banks
fringed with elms and willows, hills farther away, and
in the distance blue mountains ; the forest all scarlet,
russet, yellow, and crimson. That would be the view.
You would hear the crickets chirping, crows cawing,
and squirrels barking in the woods."
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 89
" How delightful ! I know I should revel in such
beauty."
"You asked me, Miss Newville, which season I
liked best. I think, all things considered, I enjoy au
tumn more than any other portion of the year."
" May I ask why you like it best ? "
" Because it is the harvest-time, when we gather
the gifts of Providence ; and it sets me to thinking I
ought to be doing something for somebody in return
for what Providence is doing for me."
Her eyes were watching his lips.
" Oh, go on, please, Mr. Walden, and tell me what
the seasons say to you."
" I hardly know what they say, but the change
from the brightness of summer to the russet of au
tumn, the falling leaves, ripening fruits, fading flow
ers, shortening days, the going of the birds are like a
sermon to me."
" And why are they like a sermon? " she asked.
" Because the birds will come, the flowers bloom
again, but the summer that has gone never will re
turn ; the opportunities of to-day will not be here to
morrow. I must make the most of the present, not
only for myself but for others. Providence bestows
rich gifts ; I must give to others."
" Thank you, Mr. Walden."
She was silent. None of the officers, not Major
Evelyn or any of the captains of his majesty's troops,
ever had uttered such words in her presence. Oh,
could she but know if he were the one who rescued her
from the hands of the miscreants ! She must know.
" Mr. Walden, may I ask if we have not met be
fore?"
90 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I think we have, Miss Newville."
" I thought so, but was not sure. May I say I can
not tell you how grateful I am for the service you ren
dered me yesterday. I never shall forget it. I have
not mentioned it, not even to my parents, for I would
not have them concerned in the future for my welfare."
" I can understand how anxious they might be, and
I appreciate your prudence. The incident, I under
stand, is making some stir in town, especially among
the soldiers. Doctor Warren has just informed me
of it, and was kind enough to say it would be well for
me to be on my guard, as the soldiers threaten retalia
tion. I learn, also, that no one as yet has been able
to discover who the young lady was. People are won
dering that no complaint has been made to the proper
authorities by her or her friends."
"' Oh, I am so glad that no one knows it except our
selves. May I not ask that it shall be our secret, and
ours only ? "
" Most certainly, Miss Newville."
" I cannot express my obligation to you, Mr. Wai-
den. It is very honorable in you, and you will not let
the soldiers injure you ? " she said inquiringly.
" I do not think they will molest me. I shall not
put myself in their way, neither shall I avoid them.
I am a free citizen ; this is my country. I know my
rights, and I trust I shall ever be enough of a man
to resent an insidt to myself, and most certainly to a
lady."
" Do you remain long in town ? " she asked.
" No ; only a day or two over Sunday. I shall
start from the Green Dragon for home next Monday
morning."
A GARDEN TEA-PARTY. 91
" Do you have melocotoons in Rumford ? " she asked,
looking up to the luscious fruit, ripening above them.
" Not yet ; we have some young trees, but they are
not in bearing."
" I should like to send a basket of fruit to your sis
ter, if agreeable to you. Pompey will take it to the
tavern Monday morning."
" You are very kind. I will take it with pleasure,
and you may be sure Rachel will appreciate your good
ness."
He comprehended her proposition, that it was her
delicate way of giving emphasis to her thanks for what
he had done.
" Mr. Walden, I shall always be pleased to see you.
I would like to hear more about what you see in na
ture, and the sermons that are preached to you."
Berinthia and Major Evelyn joined them. The
band had ceased playing, and the last of the guests
were departing.
"I hope you have had an enjoyable afternoon,"
said Mr. Newville.
" I have enjoyed myself very much, and cannot ex
press my thanks for your hospitality," Robert replied.
" It was very kind in you to honor us with your
company," said Mrs. Newville with a charming grace
and dignity.
Miss Newville went with them to the gate, Major
Evelyn improving the opportunity to walk by her side.
Robert thought there was a shade of vexation on her
face.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, while I talk with Miss
Brandon a moment," she said, dropping behind.
92 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Robert walked on a few steps and waited for Berin-
thia. Major Evelyn lingered a moment as if to have
a last word with Miss Newville, but politeness would
not admit his further tarrying ; he lifted his hat and
walked away.
" Oh, Mr. Walden, what do you think your good
cousin has been saying? " said Miss Newville, calling
him once more to the gate.
" Possibly that she has had an agreeable chat with
one of his majesty's brilliant officers," Robert re
plied.
" Instead of being brilliant, he was positively stupid.
I don't like epaulets," said Berinthia.
" Not those sent to protect us ? " Miss Newville
asked.
No."
" Neither do I."
The words were spoken firmly, with an emphasis
which Robert alone could understand.
Miss Newville locked her arm in Berinthia's as if
loath to have her go. They lingered by the gate, how
long Robert could not say. Just what was said he
could not recall. He only knew it was delightful to
stand there, to hear her voice, to see the smiles rippling
upon her face, and the loving eyes that turned towards
him at times. When at last the good-night was
spoken, when himself and Berinthia were quite a dis
tance, looking backward he saw her white handker
chief waving them farewell.
VI.
CHRIST CHURCH CHIMES.
CALM and peaceful was the Sabbath morning in
Rumf ord, where the stillness was broken only by lowing
cattle and singing birds, but in Boston Robert heard
the rattling of drums, a prolonged roll, as if the
drummers found special pleasure in disturbing the
slumbers of the people. It was the reveille arousing the
troops. Mr. Brandon said the officers of the king's
regiments seemed to take delight in having extra drills
on Sunday for the purpose of annoying the people. A
few of the officers, he said, were gentlemen, but others
were vile, and not to be admitted into decent society.
The drums ceased and there was a period of quiet ;
then suddenly the air was melodious with the music of
bells. Berinthia saw the wonder on Robert's face.
" It is Christ Church chimes," she said.
He heard " Old Hundred," sweet and enchanting.
" If you would like, we will go to Christ Church
this morning."
Robert replied he would gladly go with her.
" The sexton is a Son of Liberty, Robert Newman ;
you saw him the other night at the Green Dragon ;
his brother plays the organ," said Tom.
The sexton welcomed them and gave them seats.
Robert gazed in wonder at the fluted columns, the
94 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
high arched ceiling, the pillars supporting the gal
leries, the great windows, the recess behind the pulpit,
the painting of the Last Supper. He read the words,
" This is none other than the House of God ; this is
the Gate of Heaven."
The bells ceased their pealing, but suddenly delight
ful music filled the church.
Christ Church.
" That is John Newman at the organ," Berinthia
whispered.
It began soft and faint, as if far away a flute,
then a clarinet, a trumpet, growing louder, nearer,
CHRIST CHURCH CHIMES. 95
deeper, heavier, the loud notes rolling like far-off
thunder, then dying into melody as sweet as the song
of a bird. Never had Robert heard any music so
delightful. Looking towards the loft, he saw the
gilded pipes of the instrument. Upon the railing
around it were figures of angels with trumpets.
" They were captured from a French ship in 1746
by Captain Grushea of the Queen of Hungary priva
teer," Tom whispered. " They were designed for a
Romish church in Canada, but the captain brought
them to Boston and presented them to the wardens of
this church."
Berinthia said the Bible and prayer-book were
given by King George II. at the request of Governor
Belcher. She found the places in the prayer-book
for him. He thought the prayers very beautiful, but
could not quite see the need of getting up and sitting
down so often. He never had taken part in meeting
before, but when all the others read felt he too must
let his voice be heard, otherwise the people would
think he did not know how to read. He was startled
at the sound of his own voice, but soon got over it,
and rather liked the idea of the people taking some
part in the service instead of having it all done by
the minister. It was very delightful when the choir
came in with the organ, in contrast to the singing in
Rumford meetinghouse where the deacon lined the
Psalms, two lines at a time, and set the tune with
his pitch-pipe.
When the service was over and the people were go
ing out, the organ began to play. The sexton took them
upstairs to see his brother John handle it. Robert
96 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
was surprised to see him using his feet as well as his
hands, fingering two sets of keys, pushing in and pull
ing out what Tom said were " stops." When through
with the piece, the organist explained the mechanism
of the instrument, playing softly and then making the
windows rattle.
An hour at noon, and then the meetinghouse bells
were tolling for the afternoon service.
" We will go to our own meeting ; I want you to
hear Reverend Doctor Cooper," l said Berinthia. The
meetinghouse was in Brattle Street, close by the bar
racks. The soldiers were lounging around the build
ing staring at the people, laughing, smoking their
pipes, and making rude remarks. When meeting was
over the soldiers gathered around the door and leered
at the girls. Robert clenched his fist and felt his
blood grow hot. A lieutenant started to walk beside
Berinthia.
" My cousin will not need your escort, sir," said
Robert touching his elbow.
The officer grew red in the face and disappeared in
the barracks.
On Monday morning Robert bade his friends
good-by. Peter Augustus had something for him at
the Green Dragon : a basket filled with fruit melo-
cotoons, pears, and plums and a neatly written note.
1 The meetinghouse in Brattle Street at the time of the opening of
this story was a large unpainted wooden structure which was torn
down in 1772, and replaced by an elegant edifice of brick with quoins
of freestone. John Hancock gave one thousand pounds and a bell.
The pastor, Reverend Samuel Cooper, was an earnest advocate for the
rights of the Colonies, and without doubt his influence, combined with
that of Samuel Adams, had much to do in attaching Hancock to the
patriots' side.
CHRIST CHURCH CHIMES. 97
" Will Mr. Waldeii kindly take a basket of fruit to
his sister, Miss Rachel, from Ruth Newville."
That was all. What a surprise it would be to
Rachel! Why was Miss Newville sending it? She
never had met Rachel ; knew nothing of her, except
what little he had said, yet the gift !
The sun was going down the following evening
when he reached the turn of the road bringing him in
sight of home. He was yet half a mile away, but
Rachel was standing in the doorway waving her
apron. She could not wait for Jenny to trot home,
but came down the road bareheaded, climbed into the
wagon, put her arms around his neck, and gave him a
hug and a kiss. There was a look of wonder on her
face when he uncovered the basket of fruit and told
her who had sent it, a beautiful girl, one of Berin-
thia's friends, whom he had rescued from the king's
soldiers. There were tears in Rachel's eyes when he
put the beads around her neck.
" Oh, Rob ! how good you are ! "
It was all she could say.
November came, and Berinthia Brandon was sitting
in her chamber. From its eastern window she looked
across the burial ground with its rows of headstones.
The leafless trees were swaying in the breeze. She
was thinking of what Samuel Adams had said to her,
that life is worth living just in proportion to the ser
vice we can render to others. What had she ever
done for anybody? Not much. A feeling of sadness
came over her. The afternoon sun was lengthening
the shadows of the headstones across the grass-grown
98 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
mounds. The first snow of approaching winter was
lying white and pure above the sleeping forms of those
who had finished their earthly work. Beyond the
burial ground she beheld the harbor. The tide had
been at its flood, and was sweeping towards the sea.
A ship was sailing down the roadstead to begin its
adventurous voyage to a distant land.
" Why can I not do something for somebody in
stead of idling my time away ? " she said to herself,
recalling what Mr. Adams had said that it was the
duty of every woman to forego personal comfort and
pleasure for the promotion of the public good ; that
everybody should leave off using tea to let the king,
the ministry, and the people of England know that
the men and women of the Colonies could stand reso
lutely and unflinchingly for a great principle. With
her father, mother, and Tom she had quit drinking
tea ; why should she not persuade others to banish it
from their tables ? A thought came to her, and she
opened her writing-desk, a gift from her father,
beautifully inlaid with ivory, which he had obtained
in a foreign country. She dipped her pen into the
ink, reflected a moment, and then wrote her thought :
" We, the daughters of patriots, who have stood and
do now stand for the public interest, with pleasure
engage with them in denying ourselves the drinking
of foreign tea, in hope to frustrate a plan that tends
to deprive the community of its rights"
In her enthusiasm she walked the floor, thinking of
those whom she would ask to sign it. She would not
1 The agreement signed by the mothers and daughters may be
found in the Boston News-Letter, February 15, 1770.
CHRIST CHURCH CHIMES. 99
subject herself to ridicule by calling upon those who
sided with the king, but upon those whom she knew
were ready to make sacrifices for justice and right.
"I am glad you have written it, daughter," Mr.
Brandon said when she informed him of what she had
done and was intending to do ; "I see no reason, wife,
why you should not do what you can in the same way
among the women, to let people on the other side of
the sea understand the Colonies are in earnest. Al
ready there has been a great falling off in trade be
tween the Colonies and England, and if we can stop
this tea trade it will not be long before the merchants
will be swarming around Parliament demanding some
thing to be done. We must arouse public sentiment
on this question, and you, daughter, are just the girl to
begin it."
Mr. Brandon reached out his hand and took Be-
rinthia's and gave it a squeeze to let her know he had
faith in her.
" I will do what I can to persuade others," she
said, returning the pressure.
Through the night Berinthia was thinking over
what she had started to accomplish, and what argu
ments she should use to influence those whom she
would ask to sign the agreement. The great idea,
with a moral principle behind it, took possession of her
mind and drove sleep from her eyes and aroused the
energies of the soul. Why undertake the arduous
task alone ? Why not ask Doctor Cooper to preach
about it ? If she could but get the ministers enlisted,
they could awaken public sentiment.
" Ah ! I have it. Week after next is Thanksgiv-
100 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
ing, and I will get them to preach sermons that will
stir up the people," she said to herself.
Thanksgiving Day came. Very eloquent were the
words spoken for Justice, Right, and Liberty by Rev
erend Doctor Cooper, Reverend Doctor Eliot, Rever
end Doctor Checkley, and nearly all the other minis
ters, excepting Reverend Mr. Coner, rector of King's
Chapel, and Reverend Mather Byles of Christ Church,
whose sympathies were with the king. 1
In every household fathers and mothers, sons and
daughters and grandchildren, gathered in the old home,
and had a great deal to say, while partaking of the
roast turkey and plum-pudding, of the sermons they
had heard in the different meetinghouses. All the
ministers preached about the proposal of Parliament
to levy a tax upon tea, and that if it could not be de
feated in any other way it was the patriotic duty of
the people to quit using the herb. They must deny
themselves the luxury, that they might maintain
their freedom. Little did they know that a blue-eyed
girl had called upon Doctor Cooper and read to him
what she had written, an agreement to drink no more
tea ; how his soul had been set on fire and he had gone
with her to the houses of other ministers, that they
might look into her eyes and see the flashing of a
resolute spirit in behalf of justice, righteousness, and
liberty.
1 Reverend Andrew Eliot was pastor of the New North Church,
an edifice still standing at the corner of Hanover and Clark streets,
and used by the Roman Catholics. Reverend Samuel Checkley was
pastor of the New South Church, and Reverend Samuel Blair of the
Old South. These pastors were outspoken in denunciation of the
offensive measures of the king and his ministers.
CHRIST CHURCH CHIMES. 101
Although the snow was deep in the streets, the
drifts did not deter Berinthia from calling upon her
friends. Many of the good ladies were ready to sign
an agreement to drink no more tea ; others hesitated.
She was warmly welcomed by Mrs. Abigail Adams,
who at once saw how great would be the influence of
the women upon their husbands.
" But what shall we drink instead of tea ? " asked
Dorothy Quincy.
"When summer comes, we will go out into the
fields and gather strawberry leaves, and call them
Hyperion, or some other elegant name. I think it
quite as pretty a name as Old Hyson, and I am not
sure that they will not be more healthful," Berinthia
replied.
Miss Dorothy laughed heartily. " Yes, and we
can, upon a pinch, drink cold water from the town
pump and flavor it with peppermint," she said, as
she wrote her name.
After leaving Miss Quincy, Berinthia lifted the
knocker of the Newville mansion, not to ask Ruth to
sign the agreement ; she could not do that, for Mr.
Newville was a Tory, and the signers were daughters
of patriots.
" How good it is to see you once more. It is a very
long time since I have looked upon your face," Ruth
exclaimed, embracing her.
" The snow has been so deep and I have had so
much to do, I have not found time to call till now, and
I don't know as I should be here to-day only I am
spinning street-yarn for a particular purpose."
Ruth was at a loss to understand her.
102 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I am calling on my acquaintances, and I was not
quite sure whether I ought to skip you or not."
" Skip me ! What have I done that you should
think of dropping me from your acquaintance ? "
Berinthia saw a wondering and injured look in the
loving eyes.
" Oh, you have n't done anything ; it is what the
king, Lord North, and Parliament are doing. They
intend to make us pay taxes against our will, and we
girls are signing an agreement not to drink any more
tea, and I am calling on my friends for that pur
pose."
The look of wonder and grief disappeared, and
Ruth's face brightened once more. She read the
agreement and the list of names.
" I did n't call, dear Ruth, to ask you to sign it. I
have no right to do so. It is an agreement to be
signed by the daughters of those who are opposed to
being taxed in this way. Your father, doubtless, may
be willing to pay the tax ; my father is not. You may
not think as we do, but that shall not disturb our
friendship. I shall love you just as I have ever
since we were children."
" How good you are ! I appreciate your kindness.
My father and mother stand for the king, but I have
my own opinion. Under the terms of the agreement,
I cannot sign it, but I am with you in spirit. I can
see the course taken by the king is not right or just,
and it will fail. Nothing can succeed in the end that
is not right."
" Oh, Ruth, how you shame me. Here I have been
fidgeting over the cutting things some of the girls
CHRIST CHURCH CHIMES. 103
and their mothers have been saying. One asked if I
expected to bankrupt the East India Company. An
other wanted to know if I was going to wear trousers
and vote in town meeting."
" So mother's afternoon tea-party stands a chance
of being the last, for the present, at least. By the way,
do you ever hear from your cousin, Mr. Walden ? "
" No, I have not heard a word since he left us. I
should not be surprised, however, if he were to drop
in upon us any day, for I have written him that the
ship is to be launched soon. Father intends to make
it a grand occasion when the Berinthia Brandon glides
into the water. I shall have all my friends present,
Ruth Newville chief among them."
" Count upon me to do whatever I can to make it
a happy day," said Ruth.
VII.
LAUNCHING OF THE BERINTHIA BRANDON.
THE pigs had been fattening through the winter,
and it was quite time to send them to market.
"You did so well with the cheese, you may see
what you can do with the shoats," said Mr. Walden
to Robert. " It is good sleighing. You can harness
the colt and Jenny, and go with the pung. I want
you to take Rachel along. You can stay a couple of
weeks and have a good visit."
There was a glow upon Rachel's face. It would be
her first journey. She would see new things, and
make new acquaintances. During the evenings she
had been knitting a hood and mittens of the finest
wool, and would present them to Miss Newville.
It was a resplendent morning, with the eastern sky
like molten gold in the light of the rising sun, and
the hoar-frost upon the twigs of the leafless trees
changing to glittering diamonds. The colt, sleek and
plump, was champing his bit and shaking his head in
his impatience to be off. Jenny was staid and sober,
but when Robert said, " Now, lad and lady," the colt
pranced a few steps, then settled to a steady trot,
learning a lesson from Jenny.
An hour before lunch-time they whirled up to Cap
tain Stark' s tavern in Derryfield, and before sunset
THE BERINTHIA BRANDON. 105
came to a halt in the dooryard of a relative in An-
dover. Before noon the next day Rachel was looking
with wondering eyes upon the gleaming spires of the
meetinghouses and the crooked streets of Boston.
" You have come just at the right time," said Be-
rinthia, welcoming her with a kiss, " for I am to be
launched day after to-morrow."
Seeing by the look of wonder on Rachel's face that
she was not understood, Berinthia explained that the
ship her father was building was to bear her name,
and that everything was ready for the launching.
" Oh, it will be so delightful to have you here ! "
she added. " We will be on the deck, ever so many
of us, my friends, papa's and mamma's and Tom's.
Ruth Newville will be here ; and Tom's classmate in
Harvard College, Roger Stanley, who lives out beyond
Lexington, is coming. He 's a real nice young man,
and I am sure you will like him. Tom's girl will be
here, Mary Shrimpton ; she is out in the kitchen now.
She has been helping us make crumpets, crullers, gin
gerbread, and cake. Father and mother intend to
make it a grand affair, and have invited half of the
town, doctors, lawyers, ministers, and their wives ;
everybody that is anybody. Tom has invited his
friends, and I mine, because the ship is to bear my
name."
Rachel said she was glad she had come to see and
enjoy it all.
" We will have a jolly time while you are here ; it
is vacation at college, and I shan't have to study,"
said Tom.
A young lady with a pleasant face, light blue eyes,
106 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
and soft brown hair, entered the room and was intro
duced as Miss Shrimpton.
" She has been helping us get ready, and has rolled
out a bushel of crullers," said Tom.
" Not quite so many," said Miss Shrimpton, smiling.
Robert thought her very attractive and pleasing.
" I think I will go home now ; father and mother
will be expecting me, but I will be round to-morrow,"
said Miss Shrimpton.
Tom put on his hat and escorted her. When he
returned, and he and Robert were by themselves, he
said that she was the best girl in Boston.
" Her father," he went on, " is a redhot Tory. He
lives in a fine house, owns thousands of acres of land
out in the country, thinks King George a saint, or
dained of God to rule us ; that Sam Adams and Doc
tor Warren are tricksters fooling the people for their
own benefit. But Mary is just the nicest girl you
ever saw. She has no mother, runs the house for her
father, keeps everything as neat as a pin, and by and
by, after I get through at Harvard and am in posses
sion of my sheepskin with A. B. on it, she will be
Mrs. Tom Brandon."
Robert congratulated Tom upon his engagement.
The next morning saw Robert in the market dis
posing of what he had to sell, while Berinthia with
Rachel called upon Miss Newville.
" It was very kind of you to send such a basket of
fruit to me, a stranger ; will you please accept a little
gift in return ? It is not much, but it will let you
know that I appreciate your goodness," said Rachel,
placing a bundle in Miss Newville's hands. When
THE BERINTHIA BRANDON. 107
it was opened Ruth beheld a close-fitting hood of the
softest lamb's wool, made beautiful with pink ribbons ;
there was also a pair of mittens.
" Oh, Miss Walden ! How good you are ! How
soft and nice ! And they are of your own carding,
spinning, and knitting? And you have done it for
me, whom you never had seen, and of whom you never
heard except through your brother. And is he
well ? " Miss Newville asked.
" Quite well. You will see him to-morrow at the
launching."
" Is n't it delightful that they have come in the nick
of time ? " said Berinthia.
" How fortunate ! And you are to have such a nice
party. I will wear the hood and be the envy of every
body," said Miss Newville, putting it on, praising its
beauty, and calling in her mother to make Rachel's
acquaintance and admire the gift.
The launching of the ship was to be at flood-tide,
eleven o'clock in the forenoon. Though in midwinter,
the air was mild, as if a warm breath had been wafted
landward from the Gulf Stream. There was a fever
of excitement and preparation in the Brandon home.
Dinah in the kitchen was taking pots of baked beans
and loaves of brown bread smoking hot from the oven,
filling baskets with crumpets and crullers. Mark An
tony was taking them to the shipyard. Mrs. Bran
don, Berinthia, Rachel, and Mary Shrimpton were
preparing the cakes and pies. Tom and Robert on
board the ship were arranging for the collation.
Never before had Rachel beheld anything so en
chanting as the scene in the shipyard, the ship with
108 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
its tall and tapering masts, its spars and yardarms ;
the multitudes of ropes like the threads of a spider's
web ; flags, streamers, red, white, green, blue, yellow,
with devices of lions, unicorns, dragons, eagles, flutter
ing from bowsprit to fore-royal mast, from taffrail to
mizzen. Beneath the bowsprit was the bust of Berin-
thia, the heart and soul of the man who carved it in
every feature, for to Abraham Duncan there was no
face on earth so beautiful as that of the shipmaster's
daughter.
The guests were assembling on the deck : the com
missioner of imposts, Theodore Newville, Mrs. New-
ville, and their daughter, Ruth ; his majesty's receiver-
general, Nathaniel Coffin, and his two sons, Isaac and
John ; Reverend Doctor Samuel Cooper, minister of
the church in Brattle Street ; Doctor Warren, physician
to the family of the shipmaster ; Lieutenant-Colonel
Dalrymple, commanding the king's troops, for Mr.
Brandon, though deprecating the presence of the
troops in Boston, determined to be courteous to the
representatives of his majesty ; Admiral Montague,
who came in his gig rowed by six sailors from his flag
ship, Romney ; William Molineux l and John Rowe,
merchants ; Richard Dana and Edmund Quincy, mag
istrates ; John Adams, a young lawyer ; honored citi
zens and their wives ; Master Lovell ; and Tom's class
mate, Roger Stanley, who had walked from Lexington
1 William Molineux was a prominent merchant who gave his sym
pathies to the cause of the people. He was one of the committee who
demanded the removal of the troops after the Massacre of March 5,
1770. He was one of the " Indians" composing the "Tea-party."
He was also one of the promoters of the spinning-school in Long
Acre. He died before the outbreak of hostilities.
THE BERINTHIA BRANDON. 109
in the early morning. Among the many ladies, most
attractive was Ruth Newville, wearing a close-fitting
hood of soft lamb's wool, trimmed with bright ribbon,
all her friends admiring it.
Berinthia introduced Rachel and Robert to Mrs.
Adams. They found her a very charming lady ; she
had brought her little boy, John Quincy, to see the
launching of the ship.
Picturesque the scene : gentlemen wearing white
wigs, blue, crimson, and scarlet cloaks, carrying gold-
headed canes, taking pinches of snuff from silver-
mounted boxes; young gentlemen with handsome
figures and manly faces ; ladies with tippets and
muffs ; girls in hoods, all congratulating Berinthia,
admiring the beauty and tidiness of the ship, and the
lovely figure of herself. All praised Abraham Dun
can, who blushed like a schoolboy.
They could hear the clattering of mallets and axes
beneath them, and knew the carpenters were knocking
away the props. The ways had been slushed with
grease. The tide was at the flood. Ruth Newville
was to break the bottle of wine. She had shaken
hands with Robert Walden, and given expression of her
pleasure at meeting him once more. Her eyes had
followed him ; even when not looking towards him she
had seen him. Once more she thanked Rachel for
her gift. Her mates were asking her where she had
found a hood so beautiful and becoming. They stood
upon the quarter-deck, Berinthia the queen of the hour,
Ruth, radiant and lovely, by her side. They heard the
bell striking the hour of eleven. A great crowd had
assembled to see the launching. Men, women, boys,
110 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
and girls were in the yard, flocking the street, gazing
from doors and windows of neighboring houses.
" Are you ready there? "
Launching the Ship.
It was the builder of the ship, Mr. Brandon, shout
ing over the taffrail to those beneath.
" Aye, aye, sir."
" Then knock it away."
THE BERINTHIA BRANDON. Ill
They heard a blow from an axe. The stately ship
quivered a moment, then glided with increasing speed
down the ways.
Mr. Brandon raised his hand, and a ball of bunting
7 O
at the topmast fluttered out into the Cross of St.
George. Ruth lifted the bottle of wine, broke it upon
the rail, and poured the contents into the river. A
huzza rose from the quarter-deck. Handkerchiefs
fluttered in the air. The people tossed up their hats.
From street, doorway, and window came an answering
shout.
Out from the shore drifted the Berinthia till the
anchor dropped from her bow, and she lay a thing of
beauty, swinging with the ebbing tide.
In the cabin the guests were partaking of the boun
tiful and appetizing repast.
"I remember, Miss Newville, that you once gra
ciously served me at an afternoon tea ; shall I have
the pleasure of waiting upon you ? " Robert asked.
" I shall be pleased to be served by you. The
fresh air has sharpened my appetite, and I will begin
with a plate of beans, if you please."
He brought what she desired, served himself, and
took a chair by her side. They talked of the success
ful launching, of the beauty of the ship, sitting as
gracefully as a swan upon the water, of the almost
perfect likeness of the figurehead to Berinthia.
" Possibly it is so beautiful because the engraver's
heart has gone into it," she said with a smile.
Their eyes met. He thought hers very beautiful
at the moment.
Roger Stanley found equal pleasure in serving
112 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Rachel, and in listening to what she had to say about
the launching, her visit to Boston, and of things in
Rumford.
Robert talked with Isaac Coffin, who said he ex
pected to have a commission in his majesty's navy.
Admiral Montague was very kind, and was using his
influence to secure an appointment. His younger
brother, John, liked the army better. Robert came
to the conclusion that they were not Sons of Liberty,
but were inclined to take sides with the ministry,
which was very natural, as their father was holding a
very important office under the crown.
There was a merry chattering of voices, a rattling
of knives and forks, and changing of plates. Mark
Antony was master of ceremonies at the table, giving
directions to Caesar and Pompey.
Although society was divided politically, neighbors
still were friends, accepting and giving hospitality, and
when meeting socially avoiding all allusion to the
proposed bill for taxing the Colonies. All hoped that
nothing would be done by Parliament to interrupt
friendly relations between the Colonies and the mo
ther country. Doctor Warren made himself agree
able to bluff Admiral Montague. William Molineux
cracked jokes with Colonel Dalrymple. Richard Dana
and Nathaniel Coffin were friendly neighbors. Mr.
Dana could look out from his front windows near
Frog Lane, 1 and see the spacious grounds of his
neighbor Coffin's " Fields," as the boys who played
1 Frog Lane extended from Newbury, now Washington Street, to
the Common. It is now a part of Boylston Street. Mr. Dana's house
commanded an extensive view across the fields, gardens, and orchards
owned by Nathaniel Coffin, south of the present Summer Street.
THE BERINTHIA BRANDON. 113
ball called it. There was no reason why they should be
at odds socially, just because Lord North and the king
proposed to levy a tax of three pence a pound on tea.
With story and jest the company enjoyed the ban
quet and then were rowed to the shore, all shaking
hands with Berinthia and congratulating her upon the
successful launching of the vessel bearing her name.
" What can we do to round out the day for you,
dear?"
It was Miss Newville addressing Berinthia.
" I don't know ; what can we ? " was the reply.
" How would you like a sleigh-ride ? " Robert asked.
" Delightful ! " exclaimed Miss Newville.
"Jenny and the colt are rested, and if you don't
mind riding in a pung, I shall be pleased to take a
little spin out of town."
" Oh, it will be so charming ! I would rather go
in a pung than in a sleigh ; it is more romantic," Miss
Newville said.
It was quickly arranged. Robert went to the
Green Dragon, put new straw in the pung, and was
soon back with the team. They were eight in num
ber and quickly seated themselves. It was natural
that Berinthia and Abraham Duncan, who had put
his heart into his work while carving her features,
should sit side by side, and that Tom Brandon and
Mary Shrimpton should desire to be tucked under the
same bearskin. It was a pleasure to Roger Stanley
to ask Miss Walden to keep him company.
" They have decided, Mr. Walden, that we shall sit
together," Miss Newville said as she stepped into the
pung.
114 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I shall regard it an honor to have your company,"
was the reply.
When all were ready, the horses set the sleigh-bells
jingling. Farmers plodding home from the market
gave them the road, and smiled as they listened to the
merry laughter. They went at a brisk trot over the
Neck leading to Roxbury, and turned to the left, tak
ing the Dorchester road. At times the horses came
to a walk, but at a chirrup from Robert quickened
their pace, the colt throwing snowballs into Miss
Newville's face.
" You must excuse him, Miss Newville ; he is young,
and has not learned to be polite," Robert said, apolo
gizing for the animal.
They gained the highlands of Dorchester, from
whence they could overlook the harbor and its islands,
and see the lighthouse rising from its rocky founda
tion, with the white surf breaking around it. A ship
which had left Charles River with the ebbing tide
had reached Nantasket Roads, and was spreading its
sails for a voyage across the sea.
" So the Berinthia will soon be sailing," said Miss
Newville, " and we shall all want to keep track of her ;
and whenever we read of her coming and going we
shall all recall this delightful day, made so enjoyable
for us this morning by Berinthia and so charming this
afternoon by your kindness."
She turned her face towards Robert. The after
noon sun was illumining her countenance. He had
seen in Mr. Henchman's bookstall a beautiful picture
of a Madonna. Mr. Knox told him it was a steel en
graving from a picture painted by the great artist
THE BERINTHIA BRANDON. 115
Raphael, and Robert wondered if the countenance was
any more lovely than that which looked up to him at
the moment.
They were riding towards the Milton Hills. The
woodman's axe had left untouched the oaks, elms,
maples, and birches ; they were leafless in midwinter,
but the pines and hemlocks were green and beautifid
upon its rocky sides. The purple sky, changing into
gold along the western horizon, the white robe of win
ter upon hill and dale, the windows of farmhouses
reflecting the setting sun, made the view and land
scape of marvelous beauty. Descending the hill, they
came to the winding Neponset River, and rode along
its banks beneath overhanging elms. The bending
limbs, though leafless, were beautiful in their outlines
against the sky. Turning westward, they reached the
great road leading from Boston to Providence.
" We might go to Dedham, but I think we had
better turn back towards Roxbury, let the horses rest
a bit at the Greyhound Tavern, and have supper," *
said Tom, who was well acquainted with the road.
The sun had gone down when they whirled up to
the tavern, whose swinging sign was ornamented with
a rude picture of a" greyhound. A bright fire was
blazing in the parlor. They laid aside their outer
garments and warmed themselves by its ruddy glow.
The keen, fresh air had sharpened their appetites for
supper. Chloe and Samson, cook and table-waiter,
served them with beefsteak hot from the gridiron,
1 The Greyhound was a much frequented tavern in Roxbury, with
the figure of a greyhound upon its sign. It was in this tavern that the
repeal of the Stamp Act was celebrated, 1767. Convivial parties
were courteously entertained by the accommodating landlord.
116 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
swimming in butter; potatoes roasted in the ashes;
shortcake steaming hot from the Dutch oven.
" Shall I brew Bohea, Hyson, or Hyperion 1 tea,"
the landlady asked, beginning with Miss Newville and
glancing at each in turn.
" I will take Hyperion," Miss Newville replied, with
a tact and grace that made her dearer than ever to
Berinthia, and to them all, knowing as they did that
Bohea and Hyson were still served in her own home.
Supper over, they returned to the parlor, where the
bright flame on the hearth was setting their shadows
to dancing on the walls. The feet of Mary Shrimp-
ton were keeping time to the ticking of the clock.
" Why can't we have a dance ? " she asked.
" Why not ? " all responded.
" I '11 see if we can find Uncle Brutus," said Tom.
Uncle Brutus was the white-haired old negro who
did chores about the tavern.
" Yes, massa, I can play a jig, quickstep, minuet,
and reel. De ladies and genmen say I can play de
fiddle right smart," Brutus responded, rolling his eyes
and showing his well-preserved white teeth.
"If de ladies and genmen will wait a little till old
Brutus can make himself 'spectable, he'll make de
fiddle sing."
While the old negro was getting ready to entertain
them with his violin, they proposed conundrums and
riddles and narrated stories.
There came at length a gentle rap on the door,
and Brutus, with high standing collar, wearing a cast-
1 Strawberry and other domestic teas were called by the high-sound
ing name, Hyperion.
THE BERINTHIA BRANDON. 117
off coat given him by his master, his round-bowed
spectacles on the tip of his nose, entered the room,
bowing very low. He took his stand in one corner
and tuned his violin. The chairs and light-stand were
removed to the hall.
" De ladies and genmen will please choose pardners
for de minuet," said Brutus.
The choosing had been already done ; the partners
were as they had been. After the minuet came the
reel and quickstep, danced with grace and due de
corum.
The hour quickly flew. The horses had finished
their provender and were rested. Once more they
were on the road, not riding directly homeward, but
turning into cross-roads to Jamaica Pond, where the
boys were gliding over the gleaming ice on their
skates. They had kindled fires which lighted up the
surrounding objects, the dark foliage of pines and
hemlocks, and the branches of the leafless elms and
maples growing on the banks of the pond.
The full moon was shining in their faces as they
rode homeward. The evening air was crisp, but
the hot supper and the merry dance had warmed
their blood. The jingling of the sleigh-bells and
their joyous laughter made the air resonant with
music.
At times the horses lagged to a walk, and Robert
could let the reins lie loose and turn his face toward
Miss Newville. Her eyes at times looked up to his.
He coidd feel her arm against his own. The violet
hood leaned towards him as if to find a resting-place.
To Robert Waldeii and to Ruth Newville alike never
118 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
had there been such a night, so full of beauty, so
delightful.
The horses came to a standstill at last by the en
trance to the Newville mansion.
"This has been the most enjoyable day of my life,"
Miss Newville said, as Robert gave her his hand to
assist her from the pung.
" Good-night, all. Thank you, Mr. Walden, for
all your kindness," her parting words.
vin.
CHRISTOPHER SNIDER.
THE' night-watchman of the North End of Boston,
with overcoat buttoned to the chin and a muffler
around his neck, a fur cap drawn down over his ears
to exclude the biting frost of midwinter, was going
his rounds. He saw no revelers in the streets, nor
belated visitors returning to their homes.
If suitors were calling upon their ladies, the visits
were ended long before the clock on the Old Brick
struck the midnight hour. No voice broke the stillness
of the night. The watchman scarcely heard his own
footsteps in the newly fallen snow as he slowly made
his way along Middle Street, 1 with his lantern and
staff. He was not expecting to encounter a burglar,
breaking and entering a shop, store, or residence. He
heard the clock strike once more, and was just pursing
his lips to cry, " Two o'clock, and all 's well," when
he caught a glimpse of a figure in front of Theophilus
Lillie's store. 2 Was it a burglar ? The man was
standing stock-still, as if scanning the premises. The
1 The section of the present Hanover Street east of Blackstone
Street was called Middle Street.
2 Mr. Theophilus Lillie was one of the six merchants who refused
to sign the association paper not to import goods from England,
thereby making himself exceedingly obnoxious to the people. Other
merchants had agreed not to make any importation, and had violated
the agreement.
120 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
watchman dodged back behind the building on the
corner of the street, hid his lantern, and peered slyly
at the thief, who was still looking at the store.
What was the meaning of such mysterious inaction ?
The watchman, instead of waiting to catch the culprit
in the act of breaking and entering, stepped softly
forward. Grasping his staff with a firm grip, to give
a sudden whack, should the villain turn upon him,
" What ye 'bout, sir ! " he shouted.
The -burglar did not reply, neither turn his head.
" Is the fellow dead, I wonder frozen stiff, this
bitter night, and standing still ? " the question that
flashed through the watchman's brain.
" Bless my soul ! It 's Mr. Lillie's head, his nose,
mouth, chin. Looks just like him. And the post is
set in the ground. I '11 bet that carving is Abe Dun
can's work. Nobody can carve like him. But what
is it here for? Ah! I see. Lillie has gone back on
his agreement not to import tea. The Sons of Lib
erty have rigged it up to guy him. Ha, ha ! "
The watchman laughed to himself as he examined
the figure.
" Well, that 's a cute job," he said reflectively.
" The ground is frozen stiff a foot deep. They had to
break it with a crowbar, but not a sound did I hear.
Shall I say anything about it ? Will not the select
men make a fuss if I don't notify 'em at once ? But
what 's the use of knocking 'em up at two o'clock in
the morning ? The thing 's done. 'T ain't my busi
ness to pull it up. The post won't run away. I '11
report what time I found it."
Remembering that he had not cried the hour, he
shouted :
CHRISTOPHER SNIDER. 121
" Two o'clock, all 's well ! "
He secreted himself in a doorway awhile, to see if
any one would appear, but no one came.
The early risers the milkmen and bakers' ap
prentices going their rounds, shop boys on their way
to kindle fires in stores all stopped to look at the
figure. The news quickly spread. People left their
breakfast-tables to see the joke played on Mr. Lillie.
Ebenezer Richardson, however, could not see the fun
of the thing. The schoolboys called him " Poke Nose "
because he was ever ready to poke into other people's
affairs. 1 The officers of the custom house employed
him to ferret out goods smuggled ashore by merchants,
who, regarding the laws as unjust and oppressive, had
no scruples in circumventing the customs officers.
Richardson hated the Sons of Liberty, and haunted
the Green Dragon to spy out their actions.
" This is their work," he said to those around the
figure. " It 's outrageous. Mr. Lillie has just as good
a right to sell tea as anything else, without having
everybody pointing their fingers at him. It 's an
insult. It's disgraceful. Whoever did it ought to
be trounced."
" Charcoal ! Charcoal ! Hard and soft charcoal ! "
1 The offensive and unjust laws and acts and ordinances of the
Board of Trade in enforcing the collection of customs dues had
brought about systematic effort to circumvent the custom-house offi
cials, who employed spies and informers to ferret out fraudulent
transactions. Smuggling was regarded as a virtue, and outwitting the
officials a duty rather than an offense. Ebenezer Richardson, by his
service to the custom-house officials, made himself obnoxious to the
community. An account of the incidents that led to the shooting
of Christopher Snider may be found in the newspapers of March,
1770.
122 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
It was the cry of the charcoal-man, turning from
Union into Middle Street.
" I '11 get him to run his sled against it and knock
it over," said Mr. Richardson to himself.
Slowly the charcoal vender advanced.
Seeing the post and the group of people around it,
he reined in his old horse and looked at the figure.
" See here," said Mr. Richardson. " Just gee a
little and run the nose of your sled agin it and knock
it over, will ye ? It 's a tarnal fiendish outrage to set
up such a thing in front of a gentleman's store."
" Do you own the figger ? "
"No."
" Do you own the store ? "
"No."
" Anybody ax ye to get it knocked down ? "
" No ; but it 's an outrage which honest citizens
ought to resent."
"Think so, do ye?"
" Yes, I do ; and everybody else ought to, instead
of laughing and chuckling over it."
" That may be, mister, but ye see you don't own it,
and may be I 'd get myself into trouble if I were
to run my sled agin it purposely. Should like to
oblege ye, neighbor, but guess I 'd better not. Char
coal ! Charcoal ! Hard and soft charcoal ! " he
shouted, jerking the reins for the old horse to move
on.
" Gee, Buck ! Haw, Barry ! "
It was a farmer driving his oxen drawing a load of
wood, swinging his goad-stick, who shouted it. The
team came to a standstill by the figure.
CHRISTOPHER SNIDER. 123
" What 's up ? " the farmer inquired.
" The Sons of Liberty have perpetrated a rascally
trick, by setting this effigy in front of this gentle
man's store," said Mr. Richardson.
" What 'd they do that for ? "
" 'Cause he agreed not to sell tea, and then, finding
he 'd made a bad bargain, backed out of it ; and now
I 'd like to have ye hitch yer oxen to the thing and
snake it to Jericho."
" Traid I can't 'commodate ye ; got to go down to
widow Jenkins's with my wood. Gee, Buck ! Haw,
Barry ! " said the farmer, as he started on.
" Rich, why don't ye pull it up yourself," said an
apprentice.
" Better get an axe and chop it down, if it 's such
an eyesore to ye," said another.
" Get a crowbar and dig it up. A little exercise
will be good for ye," said a third.
" Has Lillie engaged ye to get rid of the thing ? "
another asked.
" Did the Sons of Liberty smuggle it ashore during
the night ? "
Tom Brandon asked the question, which nettled
Mr. Richardson exceedingly. Possibly the informer
could not have said why he was so zealous for the
removal of the effigy. He would not have been will
ing to admit that he was seeking to advance himself
in the estimation of Hon. Theodore Newville, com
missioner of imposts, and Hon. Nathaniel Coffin, his
majesty's receiver-general. Quite likely he could
not have given any very satisfactory reason for his
activity in attempting to remove the figure. He
124 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
knew that the selectmen would be obliged to clear the
street of the obstruction, but a display of loyalty to
the king might possibly inure to his benefit. Boys
on their way to school began to chaff the informer.
" Say, Poke Nose ; how much are ye going to get
for the job? " shouted one of the boys.
" You mind your own business."
" That 's what you don't do."
"Don't ye call me names, you little imp," shouted
the informer, shaking his fist at the boy.
" Poke Nose ! Poke Nose ! Poke Nose ! " the chorus
of voices.
" Take that, Poke Nose ! " said a boy as he threw
a snowball.
Losing his temper, the informer threw a brickbat
in return. He was but one against fifty lads pelting
him with snowballs, which knocked off his hat, struck
him in the face, compelling him to flee, the jeering
boys following him to his own home.
Tom Brandon accompanied the boys. He saw the
informer raise a window. There was a flash, a puff
of smoke, the report of a gun, a shriek, and two of
the boys were lying upon the ground and their blood
spurting upon the snow. He helped carry them into
a house, and then ran for Doctor Warren. It was but
a few steps. The doctor came in haste.
" Samuel Gore is not much injured, but Christopher
Snider is mortally wounded," he said.
Christ Church bells were ringing. Merchants were
closing their stores ; blacksmiths leaving their forges ;
carpenters throwing down their tools, everybody has
tening with buckets and ladders to put out the fire,
CHRISTOPHER SNIDER. 125
finding instead the blood-stained snow and wounded
schoolboys.
" Hang him ! Hang him ! " shouted the apprentices
and journeymen. But the sheriff had the culprit in
his keeping, and the law in its majesty was guarding
him from the violence of the angered people.
" Christopher Snider is dead," said Doctor Warren,
as he came from the house into which the boy had
been carried by Tom Brandon and those who assisted
him.
Thenceforth the widow's home in Frog Lane would
be desolate, for an only child was gone.
An exasperated multitude, among others Tom
Brandon and Robert Walden, gathered in Faneuil
Hall, Tom as witness, attending the examination of
Ebenezer Richardson, 1 charged with the murder of
Christopher Snider. Upon the platform sat the jus
tices, John Ruddock, Edmund Quincy, Richard Dana,
and Samuel Pemberton, wearing their scarlet cloaks
and white wigs. There was a murmuring of voices.
" I hope the spy will swing for it," Robert heard
one citizen say.
" It 's downright murder, this shooting of a boy
only nine years old, who hadn't even been teasing
Poke Nose," said another.
" This is what comes from customs nabobs trying to
enforce wicked laws," said an old man.
1 John Ruddock, Edmund Quincy, Richard Dana, and Samuel Pem
berton were the principal magistrates of the town, and unitedly sat as
a court. Richardson was committed to jail, tried, and condemned to
death. As his crime grew from political troubles, Governor Hutch-
inson caused his execution to be delayed. He was kept in jail till the
outbreak of the war, when he was set at liberty.
126 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION. '
" Yes, and keeps two regiments of lobsters here to
insult us."
" That 's so," responded Peter Bushwick, whom
Kobert recognized. "If the laws were "just the peo
ple wouldn't smuggle. If there was no smuggling-
there wouldn't be any spies, and Ebe Richardson, in
stead of being a sneaking informer, would have been
earning an honest living. He wouldn't have been
called Poke Nose ; there would n't have been any
snowballs nor brickbats nor shooting. Ever since I
was a little boy Parliament has been passing laws to
cripple us ; that 's what 's brought on smuggling ; that 's
what keeps the troops here. Ebe Richardson is part
of the system."
There was a louder buzzing as the sheriff entered
the hall and made his way through the crowd with his
prisoner, who stood pale and trembling before the jus
tices while the indictment was read. Witnesses were
sworn and examined, and the sheriff ordered to commit
the accused to the jail for trial.
" No other incident," said Mr. John Adams, " has
so stirred the people as the shooting of this boy.
Nothing has so brought to the consciousness of the
community the meaning of the ministerial system.
Instinctively they connect the death of Christopher
with the attempt to enforce the unrighteous laws.
Richardson is in the employ of the government. There
is no evidence that Theodore Newville or Nathaniel
Coffin or any of the officers of the customs engaged
him to remove the effigy ; he did it on his own ac
count, and must suffer for it, but the obloquy falls,
nevertheless, upon the officers of the crown, and
CHRISTOPHER SNIDER. 127
especially upon the soldiers, who are a constant men
ace. I fear this is but the beginning of trouble."
Tom had been called upon to testify as a witness in
regard to the shooting. He had heard the informer
ask the peddler of charcoal and the farmer to run
against the effigy with their teams ; had seen the snow
balls and brickbat fly, the shooting, and had assisted
in caring for the wounded and summoning Doctor
Warren.
" Have you any idea, Tom, who placed the effigy
there ? " Mrs. Brandon asked.
" I might have an idea, which might be correct or
which might not be. A supposition isn't testimony.
I don't think I '11 say anything about it," said Tom.
" Can you guess who carved it? " Berinthia asked
earnestly.
" Anybody can guess, Brinth, but the guess might
not be worth anything ; I '11 not try."
" You Sons of Liberty don't let out your secrets,"
Berinthia said.
" If we did they would n't be secrets."
Never had there been such a funeral in the town as
that of Christopher Snider. The schools were closed
that the scholars might march in procession. Mer
chants put up the shutters of their stores ; joiners, car
penters, ropemakers, blacksmiths, all trades and occu
pations laid down their tools and made their way to
the Liberty-Tree, where the procession was to form.
Mothers flocked to the little cottage in Frog Lane to
weep with a mother bereft of her only child. Tom
Brandon and five other young men were to carry the
bier. The newspaper published by Benjamin Edes
128 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
expressed the hope that none but friends of freedom
would join in the procession.
Robert made his way to the Liberty Tree at the
hour appointed. A great crowd had assembled.
Somebody had nailed a board to the tree, upon which
were painted texts from the Bible :
" TIiou shalt take no satisfaction for the life of a
murderer. He shall surely be put to death"
" Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not
pass unpunished"
The clock was striking three when the bearers
brought the coffin from the home of the mother in
Frog Lane to the Liberty Tree. While the proces
sion was forming Robert had an opportunity to look
at the inscriptions upon the black velvet pall. They
were in Latin, but a gentleman with a kindly face,
Master Lovell, translated them to the people.
" Latet Anguis in Herba."
" Hceret Lateris leihalis Armada."
" Innocentia nusquam in tuta."
The serpent is lurking in the grass.
The fatal dart is thrown.
Innocence is nowhere safe.
All the bells were tolling. Mothers and maidens
along the street were weeping for the mother follow
ing the body of her boy. Old men uncovered their
heads, and bared their snow-white locks to the wintry
air, as the pall-bearers with slow and measured steps
moved past them. Schoolboys, more than six hun
dred, two by two, hand in hand ; apprentices, journey
men, citizens, three thousand in number ; magistrates,
CHRISTOPHER SNIDER.
129
ministers, merchants, lawyers, physicians in chaises and
carriages, composed the throng bearing the mur
dered boy to his burial.
Listen, my Lord Frederick North, to the mournful
pealing of the bells of Boston ! Listen, King George,
to the tramping of
the schoolmates of
Christopher Snider,
laying aside their
books for the day to
bear witness against
your royal policy,
boys now, men ere
long, - protesting
with tears to-day,
with muskets by and
by ! Listen, ye men
who have purchased
seats in parliament
to satisfy your greed !
The assembled multitude, the tolling bells, the
tramping feet, the emblems of mourning, are the
indignant protest of an outraged community against
tyranny and oppression, the enforcement of law by
the show of force, by musket, sword, and bayonet.
Listen, and take warning. 1
1 Historians have made little account of the shooting of Christo
pher Snider, but there can be no question that it led directly to the
collision between the ropemakers and soldiers one week later, resulting 1
in the Massacre of March 5, 1770.
Lord North.
IX.
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKEKS.
ALTHOUGH March had come, the snow was still
deep upon the ground. Robert and Rachel could pro
long their stay in Boston and enjoy the hospitality of
their friends. It was Monday evening the 5th of the
month. Berinthia had invited Ruth Newville to tea.
"The soldiers and the ropemakers are at logger
heads," said Tom, as he came in and laid aside his
coat.
" What is the trouble ? " Robert asked.
" It seems that a negro hemp-stretcher, down hi
Gray's ropewalk, 1 last Friday asked a soldier if he
wanted to work, and the red-coat replied he did.
What the ropemaker told him to do was n't very nice,
and they had a set-to. The soldier got the worst of
it, and swore vengeance. The redcoat went to the
barracks, but was soon back again with eight others,
armed with clubs, swearing they 'd split the skulls of
1 Edward Gray, in 1712, purchased a large tract of land on the
westerly side of Hutchinson's Lane, now Pearl Street, and erected a
ropewalk seven hundred and forty feet long. The large number of
ships built in Boston and other New England towns made it a lucra
tive occupation. His son, Harrison Gray, was appointed treasurer of
the Province. He was a loyalist, and took his departure from Boston
upon its evacuation by the British. His property was confiscated to
the state. He proceeded from Halifax to London, where he gave
generous hospitality to his fellow exiles in that city.
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 131
the beggars. The ropemakers seized their woolding-
sticks, and they had it hot and heavy, but the lobsters
got a licking. You 'd better believe there was a buz
zing in the barracks. Pretty soon between thirty and
forty of the hirelings, armed with bayonets, clubs, and
cutlasses, rushed down to the ropewalk. The rope-
makers rallied, but all told they were only fourteen.
They showed what stuff they were made of, though,
and proved themselves the better men. They whacked
the lobsters' skulls and drove them."
" Good for the ropemakers," said Berinthia, clapping
her hands.
Robert saw a lighting up of Miss Newville's eyes,
but no word fell from her lips.
" I fear," said Mr. Brandon, " there will be an out
break between the soldiers and the people. Since the
funeral of Snider, the soldiers have been growing
more insolent. The long stay of the troops with
nothing to do except the daily drill and parade, and
drinking toddy, has demoralized them. The under-
officers are but little better than the men, spending
most of their time in the taverns playing cards. Dis
cipline is lax. I shall not be surprised at whatever
may happen."
Miss Newville and Robert sat down to a game of
checkers. He debated with himself whether or not
he would let her win the first game. Would it be
gentlemanly to defeat her ? Ought he not to allow her
to win ? But almost before he was aware of what had
happened she was victor, and he was making apology
for playing so badly. Again the men were set, and
again, although he did his best to win, his men were
swept from the board.
132 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I see I 'm no match for you," he said.
" I am not so sure about that. I saw your mis
take. You would soon learn to correct it," she said
with a smile.
Although yet early in the evening, Miss Newville
said she must be going home, as her parents might be
concerned for her.
" I trust the soldiers will not molest you," said Mrs.
Brandon, bidding Miss Newville farewell.
" I am sure I shall be safe with Mr. Walden," she
replied. There was a meaning in her eyes which he
alone understood, the silent reference to their first
meeting.
The moon was at its full, its silver light gleaming
upon the untrodden snow. There was no need for them
to hasten their steps when the night was so lovely.
" Oh, look, Mr. Walden ! see Christ Church ! " Miss
Newville exclaimed. " Tower, belfry, turret, and stee
ple are glazed with frozen sea-mist and driven snow."
The church loomed before them in the refulgent light,
a mass of shining silver. Above all was the taper
ing spire and golden vane.
" It is the poetry of nature. Such beauty thrills
me. I feel, but cannot express, my pleasure," she
said.
" It is indeed very beautiful," he replied. " The
snow, the silver, gold, light and shade, the steeple
tapering to a point, make it a wonderful picture.
Would that you could see on such a night as this the
view from my own home, upland and valley, mea
dow and forest, walls and fences, leafless oaks, elms,
and maples in fields and pastures, pure white and
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 133
shining like polished silver in the moonlight, and
all the twigs and branches glittering with diamonds.
On such nights, when the crust is hard and firm, we
boys and girls pile ourselves on a sled and go like the
wind from the top of the hill in the pasture down to
the meadow, across the intervale, over the river bank,
and out upon the gleaming ice. We wake the echoes
with our laughter and have a jolly time."
" Oh, how I should enjoy it," she said.
Suddenly they heard other voices, and as they turned
the corner of the street came upon a group of men
and boys armed with cudgels.
" We '11 give it to the lobsters," they heard one say.
" I fear there may be trouble," Robert remarked,
recalling the conversation at the supper-table.
Passing the home of Doctor Warren, they saw a
light burning in his office, and by the shadow on the
window curtain knew he was seated at his writing-
desk. Turning from Hanover towards Queen Street,
they found several soldiers in earnest conversation
blocking the way.
" I 'd like to split the heads of the blackguards,"
said one, flourishing a cutlass.
" Will you please allow me to pass ? " said Robert.
" When you take off your hat to us," the answer.
" This is the king's highway," said Robert.
He felt Miss Newville's arm clinging more firmly
to his own.
" You can pass if your wench gives me a kiss,"
said the soldier with the cutlass.
Swiftly Robert's right arm and clenched fist sent
the fellow headlong into the snow. He faced the
134 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
others a moment, and then with Miss Newville walked
leisurely away. He could feel her heart palpitating
against his arm. He cast a glance behind, but the
redcoats were not following him.
" It seems we are fated to meet ill-bred men," he
said.
"Oh, Mr. Walden, how resolute and brave you
are!"
" It is not difficult to be courageous when you know
you are right."
" But they are so many."
" We are more than they," he replied, smiling.
" More than they ! We are only two."
" He who is in the right has all of God's host with
him. They knew they were in the wrong ; that made
them cowards."
Again he felt the warmth and pressure of her arm,
as if she would say, " I know I shall be safe with you
to protect me."
They were passing King's Chapel. Its gray walls
never had seemed so picturesque as on that evening
with the moon casting the shadows of pillar, cornice,
roof, and tower upon the pure white snow that had
fallen through the day. Beyond it were the young-
elms of Long Acre, twig and limb a mass of glittering
diamonds. They stood at last beneath the portico of
her home.
" I have been thinking," she said, " of the strange
happenings that have come to us how you have been
my protector from insult. I cannot express my grati
tude, Mr. Walden."
"Please do not mention it, Miss Newville. 1
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 135
should indeed be a poltroon did I not resent an indig
nity to a lady, especially to you. I esteem it an honor
to have made your acquaintance. May I say I cannot
find words to express the pleasure I have had in your
society? I do not know that I shall see you again
before we start on our homeward journey."
" Must you go ? Can you not prolong your stay? "
" We have already overstayed our time ; but not to
'
King's Chapel, 1895.
our regret. I never shall forget, Miss Newville, these
days and evenings which you, with Berinthia, Tom,
Miss Shrimpton, and Roger Stanley have made so en
joyable."
" I trust we shall not be like ships that signal each
other in mid-ocean, then sail away never to meet
again," she replied.
She reached out her hand to bid him farewell. It
rested willingly in his.
" I hope," she said, " I never shall be so ungrateful
136 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
as to forget what you have done for me. I certainly
shall not forget the lesson you have taught me to
stand resolutely for the right. I shall always be pleased
to see you."
" You may be sure, Miss Newville, I never shall
fail to pay my respects to one whose very presence
makes life more beautiful and worth the living."
The full moon was falling upon her face. Her eyes
seemed to be looking far away. He saw for a mo
ment a shade of sadness upon her countenance, suc
ceeded by a smile. Her hand was still resting in his.
" Good-by till we meet again," her parting words.
Never before had he felt such an uplifting of spirit.
" Till. we meet again" would ever be like a strain of
music. He lingered awhile, loath to leave the spot.
A light was soon shining in her chamber. The cur
tains revealed her shadow. It was something to
know she was there. Would she think of him when
lying down to sleep? When would he again behold
those loving eyes, that radiant face, that beauty of
soul seen in every feature? What had the future
in store for them ? Ah ! what had it ? The light in
the chamber was extinguished, and he turned away.
Once more he lingered by the gray walls of King's
Chapel to take a parting look at the white-curtained
window, and then walked to Queen Street, past the
jail and printing office. It would be a pleasure to
stand once more upon the spot where first he met her.
He heard a commotion in the direction of Dock
Square, oaths and curses; and suddenly beheld citi
zens running, followed by soldiers, whose swords were
flashing in the moonlight. They followed the fleeing
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 137
people nearly to the town pump, then turned and dis
appeared in an alley.
"What has happened?" Kobert asked of a man
who had a pail of oysters in his hand.
" What ? Just see what I 've got from the hellish
rascals," the man replied, setting down the pail and
pointing to a gash on his shoulder. " The red-coated
devils are cutting and slashing everybody. They are
ripping and swearing they '11 kill every blasted Son
of Liberty."
While the oysterman was speaking, a little boy
came along, piteously crying.
" What 's the matter, my boy? " Robert asked.
Amid his sobs it was learned that the boy's father
sent him on an errand ; that while peacefully walking
the street, a soldier rushed upon him swearing, aim
ing a blow, felling him to the ground with his sword.
" I '11 kill every Yankee whelp in Boston," said
the redcoat.
Again there was a commotion soldiers rushing
towards Dock Square.
" Where are the blackguards? let 's kill 'em," they
shouted.
" Come on, you dirty cowards ; we are ready for
ye," the answering shout.
Robert could hear oaths and vile words, and then
the whacking of clubs, and saw the soldiers fleeing
towards their barracks followed by the people. A
man with a stout club came along the street.
" What 's going on ? " Robert asked.
" We are giving it to the poltroons. We '11 drive
'em off Long Wharf. They rushed out upon us just
138 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
now, with shovels, tongs, swords, and baggernets, and
called us cowards. We whacked 'em with our clubs
and drove the ruffians blast their picters."
The commotion was increasing. Robert walked
towards the barracks to learn the meaning of it.
Reaching an alley, he saw a crowd of soldiers, and
that the officers were trying to get them within the
barrack gates. Towards Dock Square was a group
of young men flourishing cudgels, and daring the
lobsters to come on.
" Let 's set the bell ringing," he heard one say,
and two apprentices rushed past him towards the
meetinghouse.
The officers, the while, were closing the barrack
gates.
" To the main guard ! Let us clean out that
viper's nest," shouted one ; and the apprentices
moved towards King Street.
The bell was ringing. Robert walked back to the
pump, and past it to the meetinghouse. Citizens
were coming with fire-buckets. He could see by the
clock above him that it was ten minutes past nine.
Mr. Knox, the bookseller, came, out of breath with
running.
"It is not a fire, but there is trouble with the
soldiers," said Robert.
Together they walked down King Street, and saw
the sentinel at the Custom House loading his gun.
Robert learned that a boy had hurled a snowball at
him.
" Stand back, or I '11 shoot," said the soldier to
those gathering round him.
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 139
" If you fire, you '11 die for it," said Mr. Knox.
" I don't care if I do," the sentinel replied with an
oath.
" You dare n't fire," shouted a boy.
The redcoat raised his gun, and pulled the trigger.
The lock clicked, but the powder did not flash.
" Spit in the pan ! " said another boy, chaffing him.
" Guard ! Guard ! " shouted the sentinel, calling
the main guard.
Captain Preston, with a file of men, came from the
guardhouse upon the run, in response to the call.
The meetinghouse bell was still ringing, and other
bells began to clang. The soldiers, nine in number,
formed in front of the Custom House with their bay
onets fixed, and brought their guns to a level as if
to fire. Robert thought there were thirty or more
young men and boys in the street. Among them was
a burly negro leaning on a stick, and looking at the
soldiers. The others' called him Crisp.
" Are your guns loaded ? " asked a man of Captain
Preston, commanding the soldiers.
" Yes."
" Are they going to fire? "
" They can't without my orders."
" For God's sake, captain, take your men back
again, for if you fire your life must answer for it,"
said Mr. Knox, seizing the captain by the coat.
"I know what I 'm about," Captain Preston replied.
The bayonets of the soldiers almost touched the
breasts of Crispus Attucks and Samuel Gray. The
negro was still leaning upon his cudgel, and Gray
stood proudly before them with folded arms, a free
140 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
citizen, in the dignity of his manhood protesting
against the system of government instituted by King
George and his ministry.
" You don't dare to fire," he said.
Why should they fire? The jeering apprentices
before them had no guns, only sticks and clubs ; they
were not fifty in number. What had they done?
Thrown a snowball at the sentinel ; called him
names ; pointed their fingers at him ; dared him to
fire. It was not this, however, which had brought
the guns to a level ; but the drubbing the rope-
makers had given them, and the funeral of Christo
pher Snider. These were not the beginning of the
trouble, but rather the arrogance, greed, selfishness,
and intolerance of the repressive measures of a bigot
king, a servile ministry, and a venial Parliament.
Robert heard the clicking of gun-locks. He did
not hear any order from Captain Preston, but a gun
flashed, and then the entire file fired. He saw the
negro, Samuel Gray, and several others reel to the
ground, their warm blood spurting upon the newly
fallen snow. There was a shriek from the fleeing
apprentices. Robert, Mr. Knox, and several others
ran to those who had been shot, lifted them tenderly,
and carried them into a house. Doctor Warren, hear
ing the volley, came running to learn the meaning of
it. He examined the wounded. " Crispus Attucks
has been struck by two balls ; either would have been
fatal. He died instantly," the doctor said.
By the side of the negro lay Samuel Gray, who
had stood so calmly with folded arms, the bayonets
within a foot of his heart. In the bloom of youth,
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 141
Samuel Maverick, seventeen years old, who had come
to find the fire, was lying upon the ground, his heart's
blood oozing upon the snow. Patrick Carr and Sam
uel Caldwell, who also had come to put out a fire, were
dying, and six others were wounded. The soldiers
were reloading their guns, preparing for another vol
ley. Robert heard the rat-a-tat of a drum, and saw
the Twenty-Ninth Regiment march into the street
from Pudding Lane, the front rank kneeling, the
rear rank standing, with guns loaded, bayonets fixed,
and ready to fire.
" To arms ! To arms ! "
He could hear the cry along Cornhill, and down in
Dock Square. All the meetinghouse bells were clang
ing and people were gathering with guns, swords,
clubs, shovels, crowbars, and pitchforks.
Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson came. 1
1 Thomas Hutchinson was a native of Boston. He graduated from
Harvard College, 1727. He became a merchant, but was unsuccessful ;
studied law and opened an office in Boston. He was sent to London
by the town as its agent, and upon his return was elected to the legis
lature several years in succession. He held the office of judge of
probate, and was a councilor from 1749 to 1766, a lieutenant-governor
from 1758 to 1771. He was also appointed chief justice, 1758. At
the time this story opens he was holding four high offices under the
crown. Upon the departure of Governor Francis Bernard for England
in the autumn of 1769, Hutchinson became acting governor. He was
commissioned as governor, 1771. In May, 1770, he issued his procla
mation for the legislature to meet in Cambridge ; but that body
insisted that the terms of the charter required the General Court to
assemble in Boston. A sharp and bitter controversy followed. Doc-
to"r Franklin was appointed agent of the Province to look after its
welfare before Parliament. In 1773 he came into possession of a
large number of letters written by Hutchinson to Mr. Whately, one of
the under-secretaries, advising the ministry to take coercive measures
with Massachusetts. Franklin sent the letters to Thomas Gushing,
speaker of the House of Representatives. Their publication aroused
142 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Are you the officer who was in command of the
troops ? " he asked, addressing Captain Preston.
" Yes, sir."
" Do you know you have no power to fire upon the
people except by order of a magistrate? "
" I was obliged to fire to save the sentry."
" That 's a lie," shouted the crowd.
The surging multitude compelled the lieutenant-
governor to enter the Town House. A few moments
later he appeared upon the balcony overlooking King
Street.
" I am greatly grieved," he said, " at what has
happened. I pledge you my honor that this unhappy
occurrence shall be inquired into. The law shall have
its course. Now, fellow-citizens, let me urge you to
retire to your homes."
" No, no ! Send the troops to their barracks.
We won't go till they are gone ! " the shout from the
people.
" I have no power to order them."
the indignation of the people, which was increased by the action of
Hutchinson in connection with the arrival of the tea-ships. He be
came very unpopular and sailed for England, June 3, 1774. So eager
was the king to see him that he was summoned into his royal presence
before he had time to change his clothing. He assured King George
that the bill closing the port of Boston to commerce was a wise and
beneficent measure, and would compel the people to submit to royal
authority. The conversation lasted two hours. Upon its conclusion
the king expressed his great pleasure for the information and comfort
Hutchinson had given him. He was created a baronet, and was con
sulted by Lord North and the other members of the ministry. That
his opinions had great weight with the king and his ministers, and that
he was largely instrumental in bringing about the Revolutionary War,
cannot be questioned. He died at Bromptoh, near London, June 3,
1780.
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 143
The Town House.
" The troops to their barracks ! to their barracks ! "
" I cannot do it ; I have no authority."
" Arrest Preston ! Hang the villains ! To the
barracks ! " shouted the angry multitude.
" I will consult with the officers," said Hutchin-
son.
He went into the council chamber. Louder the
outcry of the indignant people. The troops were as
they had been, drawn up in two lines, the front rank
kneeling, ready to fire upon the gathering multitude. .
Robert felt that it was a critical moment. If the
troops were to fire into the surging throng, the gutters
would run with blood.
144 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" The troops to their barracks ! Away with them ! "
the cry.
" I will order them to their barracks," said Colonel
Dalrymple, who recognized the danger of the moment.
Robert breathed more freely when the front rank
rose, and the troops filed once more through Pudding
Lane to their quarters.
Tom Brandon had come with his gun ready to
fight. A great crowd gathered around the Town
House where the governor was holding a court of
inquiry. Robert and Tom edged themselves into the
room, and heard what was said and saw what was
going on. It was nearly three o'clock in the morn
ing when the magistrates directed the sheriff to put
Captain Preston and the soldiers who had fired the
volley in jail. It was a great satisfaction to Robert
and Tom to go up Queen Street and see the redcoats
enter the jail and hear the key click in the lock behind
them. Civil law was still supreme.
The night was far gone when Robert reached the
Brandon home. Although retiring to his chamber, he
could not compose himself to sleep. He was looking
into the future, wondering what would be the outcome
of the massacre.
Long before the rising of the sun the following
morning, the streets were swarming with people, has
tening in from the country, with muskets on their
shoulders, with indignation and fierce determination
manifest in every feature, assembling in Faneuil Hall ;
but only a few of the multitude could get into the
building.
" The Old South ! Old South ! " cried the people,
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 145
and the crowd surged through Dock Square and along
Coriihill to the Old South Meetinghouse. Samuel
Adams, John Hancock, Joseph Warren, and others
were chosen a committee to wait on the governor in
the council chamber.
" The inhabitants and soldiery can no longer live
together in safety ; nothing can restore peace and pre
vent further carnage but the immediate removal of
the troops," said Mr. Adams, speaking for the com
mittee.
Colonel Dalrymple informed Governor Hutchinson
that, as the Twenty-Ninth Regiment had done the
mischief, he was willing it should be sent down the
harbor to Fort William, and he would direct its
removal.
" The people," said Mr. Adams, " not only of this
town, but of all the surrounding towns, are determined
that all the troops shall be removed."
" To attack the king's troops would be high treason,
and every man concerned would forfeit his life and
estate," said Hutchinson.
" The people demand their immediate withdrawal,"
Mr. Adams replied, bowing, and taking his departure.
Cornhill, all the way from the Town House to the
Old South, was crowded with resolute and determined
citizens, equipped with muskets and powder-horns.
They saw Samuel Adams, loved and revered, descend
the steps of the Town House, followed by the other
members of the committee.
" Make way for the committee! " the cry.
" Hurrah for Sam Adams ! " the shout.
They saw the man they loved lift his hat. They
146 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
knew King George wanted him sent to England to be
tried for treason ; that Lieutenant-Governor Hutchin-
son was ready to aid in such a plan ; but there he was,
more determined than ever to maintain the rights of
the people.
Tom worked his way into the meetinghouse and
heard Mr. Adams say the lieutenant-governor's an
swer was unsatisfactory.
" All the troops must go," shouted the citizens.
Once more Mr. Adams and six of his fellow-citizens
made their way to the Town House. The lieutenant-
governor and the council were assembled together with
Colonel Dalrymple, Admiral Montague, and other
officers in their scarlet uniforms. Robert edged his
way into the building.
"It is the unanimous opinion," said Mr. Adams,
" that the reply of your excellency is unsatisfactory.
Nothing will satisfy the people other than the imme
diate removal of all the troops."
" The troops are not subject to my authority ; I
have no power to remove them," said Hutchinson.
Robert saw Mr. Adams raise his right arm towards
Hutchinson. His words were clear and distinct :
"Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson, if you have
power to remove one regiment, you have power to
remove both. It is at your peril if you do not. The
meeting is composed of three thousand' people. They
are impatient. One thousand men have arrived from
the surrounding towns. The country is in motion.
The people expect an immediate answer."
A whiteness came into the face of the lieutenant-
governor. His hands began to tremble. One hun-
THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS. 147
dred years before, the people in their majesty and
might had put Edmund Andros in prison. Might
they not do the same with him ?
" What shall be done ? " he asked of the council,
with trembling lips.
" It is not such people as injured your house who
are asking you to remove the troops," said Council
man Tyler ; " they are the best people of the town,
men of property, supporters of religion. It is impos
sible, your excellency, for the troops to remain. If
they do not go, ten thousand armed men will soon be
here."
" Men will soon be here from Essex and Middle-
sex," said Councilman Bussell of Charlestown.
" Yes, and from Worcester and Connecticut," said
Mr. Dexter of Dedham.
Every member said the same, and advised their
removal. Colonel Dalrymple had consented that the
regiment which began the disturbance should leave,
but it would be very humiliating if all the troops were
to go. The instructions from the king had put the
military as superior to the civil authority.
"I cannot consent, your excellency, voluntarily to
remove all the troops," said Dalrymple.
" You have asked the advice of the council," said
Councilman Gray to Hutchinson ; " it has been given ;
you are bound to conform to it."
Eobert felt it was a home-thrust that Councilman
Gray gave, who said further :
" If mischief shall come, your excellency, by means
of your not doing what the council has advised, you
alone must bear the blame. If the commanding officer
148 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
after that should refuse to remove the troops, the
blame then will be at his door ! "
" I will do what the council has advised," said
Hutchinson.
" I shall obey the command of your excellency,"
said Dalrymple.
The victory was won. " The lobsters have got to
go," the shout that went up in the Old South, when
Mr. Adams informed the people.
Very galling it was to the king's troops to hear the
drums of the citizens beating, and to see armed men
patrolling the streets, while they were packing their
equipments. It was exasperating to be cooped up
in Fort William, with no opportunity to roam the
streets, insult the people, drink toddy in the tap-rooms
of the Tun and Bacchus and the White Horse tav
erns. No longer could the lieutenants and ensigns
o o
quarter themselves upon the people and be waited
upon by negro servants, or spend their evenings with
young ladies. They who came to maintain law and
order had themselves become transgressors, and were
being sent to what was little better than a prison,
while Captain Preston and the men who fired upon
the unarmed citizens were in jail as murderers. It
was a humiliating, exasperating reflection.
X.
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY.
His majesty's commissioner of imposts, Theodore
Newville, being an officer of the crown, dispensed gen
erous hospitality. Gentlemen of position or culture
arriving in town were cordially entertained. His table
was abundantly supplied with meats and with wines
mellowed by age. He was loyal to his sovereign ;
gloried in being an Englishman, gave reverence to
King George, and was respected and honored by his
fellow-citizens. On Sunday, in King's Chapel, he
repeated with unction the prayer for their majesties
the king and queen, and for his royal highness the
Prince of Wales. Not only as a servant of the crown
but as a citizen it was his duty to be loyal to the king.
He was kind, courteous, and tolerant towards those
who did not agree with him in political affairs. He
thought Sam Adams, James Otis, and Doctor Warren
were rather hot-headed, but they were nevertheless
frequent guests at his table.
Mrs. Newville took pride in making her home at
tractive. Whether as hostess at the dinner-table or in
the parlor, she displayed tact and grace in conversa
tion. She was ever solicitous for the welfare and
happiness of Ruth, her only child, and fondly hoped
a kind Providence would bring about an alliance with
150 DAUGHTERS 'OF THE REVOLUTION.
some worthy son of an ancient and honorable family.
Her day-dreams pictured a possible marriage of her
beloved daughter to some lord, earl, or baronet from
the mother country, owner of a great estate, a castle,
or baronial hall.
It was an agreeable announcement which Mr. New-
ville made on a summer evening that the ship Robin
Hood, sent out by the Admiralty to obtain masts, had
arrived, bringing as passengers young Lord Upperton
and his traveling companion, Mr. Dapper. His lord
ship had recently taken his seat with the peers, and
was traveling for recreation and adventure in the Colo
nies. Not only was he a peer, but prospective Duke
of Northfield. He was intimate with the nobility of
the realm, and had kissed the hands of the king and
queen in the drawing-room of Buckingham Palace.
Mr. Dapper was several years the senior of Lord
Upperton, so intelligent, agreeable, polite, courteous,
and of such humor, that he was ever welcomed in the
drawing-room of my lady the Countess of Epsom, the
Marquise of Biddeford, and at the tables of my Lady
Stamford, and of her grace the Duchess of Alwington.
The doors of the London clubs were always wide open
to one who could keep the table in a roar by his wit.
Lord Upperton had chosen him as his companion dur
ing his visit to his majesty's Colonies.
"It will indeed be an honor to entertain Lord
Upperton and his friends," said Mrs. Newville, with
sparkling eyes. It was not only the anticipated plea
sure of their company at dinner that set her pulses
throbbing, but the thought that it might in the end
make her day-dreams a reality.
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 151
Mr. Newville thought it would be eminently fitting
to invite the commander of his majesty's fleet, Admi
ral Montague, and also the rector of King's Chapel,
Reverend Mr. Coner ; together they would represent
the crown and the church.
Mrs. Newville did not intend that any bevy of
beautiful girls should assemble around her table and
be a cluster of diamonds to dazzle his lordship by
their brilliancy. She would have but one brilliant,
her own daughter. The other ladies should be of
mature years. She would invite Miss Milford, who
made it a point to read every new book ; Miss Artley,
who could paint in oils, and Miss Chanson, who would
sing a song after dinner, and accompany herself upon
the harpsichord ; Mr. John Adams, the able lawyer,
and his accomplished wife.
From her chamber window, Ruth saw a lumbering
coach drive up the street. The footman in blue livery
opened the coach door, and a young man, tall, hand
some, wearing a blue velvet coat, the sleeves slashed
with gold, an embroidered waistcoat, buff breeches,
lace ruffles, and powdered wig, walked up the path ac
companied by a gentleman several years his senior,
faultlessly dressed, with crimson velvet coat and costly
ruffles. The other guests had previously arrived.
Ruth, in accordance with her mother's wishes, wore
a rich brocaded silk of pure white. She needed no
adornment of silver, gold, or precious stones to set
forth her loveliness as she entered the parlor.
" My lord, shall I have the pleasure of presenting
my daughter? " said her mother.
Lord Upperton bowed. Mrs. Newville saw a look of
152 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
surprise upon his face, as if he had not expected to
find so sweet a flower in the wilderness of the West
ern world. He bowed again, very politely, and ex
pressed his pleasure at making her acquaintance.
Pompey, bowing low, informed Mr. Newville that
dinner was ready to be served.
" My lord, may I presume to assign my daughter
to you ? " said Mrs. Newville, giving her own arm to
Admiral Montague.
Mr. Dapper solicited the favor of Mrs. Adams's
company. As Miss Chanson sang in the choir at
King's Chapel, Reverend Mr. Coner thought it
becoming to offer her his arm, leaving Miss Artley to
Mr. Newville, and Miss Milford to Mr. Adams.
" I presume, my lord, you find things quite dif
ferent here from what you do in England," Ruth
remarked, feeling it was incumbent upon her to open
the conversation.
" Yes, Miss Newville, very different ; for instance,
in London, and in almost all our towns, the houses
are mostly brick, with tiles or thatch ; but here, they
are built of wood, covered with shingles. Your
churches are meetinghouses. Queer name." Lord
Upperton laughed.
"Ha, ha! I had a funny experience the other
day. I told the landlord of the Admiral Vernon I
would like a chair for myself, and another for Mr.
Dapper, that we wanted to see the town. Well,
what do you think happened ? A little later, in came
two niggers, each bringing a big rocking-chair. ' Dese
be de cheers you axed for, Massa,' they said."
Miss Newville laughed heartily.
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER PARTY. 153
" The landlord evidently did not know you meant
sedan-chairs ; we do not have them here," she said.
" More than that, I told him I should want some
links for the evening, as I was to be out late. He
said I could get 'em in Faneuil Hall Market, if it was
sausages I wanted."
Again Miss Newville gave way to laughter.
" I do not suppose," she said, " that the landlord
ever had heard that a link-boy is a torch-bearer."
" I had the pleasure of attending services at your
church last Sunday," said Lord Upperton to the
rector, when they were seated at the table. " I no
ticed that you have a substantial stone edifice."
" Yes, my lord, and we regard it with what, I
trust, is reverential pride. The Church of God is en
during, and the church's edifice should be firm and
solid, and of material that the tooth of time will not
gnaw," the rector answered.
"Ought it not to be beautiful as well?" Miss
Newville inquired.
" Most certainly."
" I cannot say I think King's Chapel is beautiful
in the architecture, with its stump of a tower, and no
steeple or spire," Miss Newville replied.
" Perhaps by and by we shall have money enough
to carry out the plan of the architect. I admit it is
not as attractive as it might be," said the rector.
" I never look at the lower tier of windows without
laughing over the wit of Reverend Mr. Byles l in re
gard to them," said Mr. Adams.
1 Rev. Matthew Byles, the first pastor of Hollis Street Church,
was born in Boston, 1706, descended from Reverend John Cotton, the
154 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" What might it be ? " the rector asked.
" He said he had heard of the canons of the church,
but never before had he seen the portholes."
The company laughed.
" Excellent ! Excellent ! " exclaimed Mr. Dapper.
" The reverend gentleman, Mr. Byles, though dis
senting from our Apostolic Church, I am happy to
say is loyal to our most gracious King George," said
the rector.
" Reverend Mr. Byles is very witty," Miss New-
ville remarked. " He asked the selectmen several
tunes to give their attention to a quagmire in the road
near his house. After long delay, they stepped into
a chaise and rode to the spot. Suddenly they found
themselves stuck in the mud. Mr. Byles opened his
window and remarked that he was glad they were
stirring in the matter at last."
Again the company laughed.
" Capital ; he must be a genius," said Mr. Dapper.
Pompey served the oysters, large, fat, and juicy.
" Pardon me, madam, but may I inquire what these
may be?" Mr. Dapper inquired.
" They are oysters. I think you will find them
quite palatable," Mrs. Newville replied.
Mr. Dapper put his glasses to his eyes, tilted an oys
ter on his fork, and examined it,
" Do you mean to say that you swallow these mon
sters ? "
first minister, and Richard Mather. He was minister of the parish
more than forty years. He was a celebrated wit and punster. He
maintained his allegiance to the king, and remained in Boston after
the departure of the British. He died in 1788. His clock is pre
served in the old State House, by the Bostonian Society.
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 155
" We think them fine eating," Mrs. Adams replied.
" My lord," said Mr. Dapper, turning to Upperton,
" I 'm going to try one. I 've made my last will and
testament. Tell 'em at Almack's, when you get home,
that Dapper committed suicide by attempting to swal
low an oyster."
" I will send Pompey for the coroner," exclaimed
Mr. Newville, laughing.
" 'Pon my soul, madam, they are delicious. Bless
me*! It is worth crossing the Atlantic to eat one.
Try one, my lord, and then you can torment the
Macaronies 1 by telling them they don't know any
thing about fine eating," said Dapper, after gulping it
down.
Lord Upperton ate one, smacked his lips, and testi
fied his enjoyment by clearing his plate.
" I dare say, my lord, that you find many amusing
things here in the Colonies," remarked Mrs. Adams.
" Indeed I do. Yesterday, as I was smoking my
pipe in the tap-room of the Admiral Vernon, a coun
tryman stepped up to me, and said, ' Mister, may I
ax for a little pig-tail ? ' I told him I did n't keep
little pigs and had n't any tails. I presumed he would
find plenty of 'em in the market."
Lord Upperton was at a loss to know the meaning
of the shout of laughter given by the company.
" The bumpkin replied if I had n't any pig-tail, a
bit of plug would do just as well for a chaw."
Again the laughter.
1 The derisive term " Macaronies" was applied to ladies and gen
tlemen who had visited Italy, and who upon returning to England
aped foreign customs in the matter of dress.
156 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I expect I must have made a big bull, but, 'pon
my soul, I can't make out where the fun eomes in."
" He was asking you first for pig-tail tobacco for
his pipe, and then for a bit of plug tobacco for chew
ing," Mrs. Adams explained.
" Oh ho ! then that is it ! What a stupid donkey
I was," responded Lord Upperton, laughing heartily.
" He was n't at all bashful," he continued, " but was
well behaved; asked rne where I was from. I told
him I was from London. ' Sho ! is that so ? Haow 's
King George and his wife ? ' he asked. I told him
they were well. ' When you go hum,' said he, ' jes
give 'em the 'spec's of Peter Bushwick, and tell George
that Yankee Doodle ain't goin' to pay no tax on
tea.' ' ; Lord Upperton laughed heartily. " I rather
like Peter Bushwick," he said. " I 'd give a two-
pound note to have him at Almack's for an evening.
He 'd set the table in a roar."
" My lord, shall I give you some cranberries ? "
Miss Newville asked, as she dished the sauce.
" Cranberries ! What are they ? I am ashamed
to let you know how ignorant I am, but really I never
heard of 'em before. Do they grow on trees ? "
She explained that they were an uncultivated fruit,
growing on vines in swamps and lowlands.
" 'Pon my soul, they are delicious. And what a
rich color. Indeed, you do have things good to eat,"
he added, smacking his lips.
" I trust you will relish a bit of wild turkey," said
Mr. Newville, as he carved the fowl.
" Wild turkey, did you say ? "
" Yes, my lord. They are plentiful in the forests."
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 157
Again Lord Upperton smacked his lips.
" By Jove, Dapper, it is superb ! " he exclaimed.
" Will you try some succotash, my lord ? " Ruth
inquired.
" There you have me again. What a name ! "
" It is an Indian name, my lord," said Mrs.
Adams.
" Oh ho ! Indian. They told me I should find the
people lived like the savages. Succotash! what is
it?"
" Succotash, my lord, is a mixture of beans and
Indian corn."
" Beans ! beans ! Do you eat beans over here ? "
his lordship asked.
" We do, my lord," Mrs. Adams replied, " and we
think them very nutritious and palatable, notwith
standing the maxim, ' Abstincto a fabis.'' Possibly
you may be a disciple of Pythagoras, and believe that
the souls of the dead are encased in beans, and so
think it almost sacrilegious for us to use them as
food."
Lord Upperton looked up in astonishment. Was
it possible that ladies in the Colonies were acquainted
with the classics ?
" In England we feed our sheep on beans," his
lordship replied ; " and may I ask what is Indian
corn?"
"Possibly you may call it maize in England.
When our fathers came to this country they found
the Indians used it for food, and so ever since it has
been known as Indian corn."
" Beans for sheep ; corn for savages. Pardon me,
158 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
madam, but I am not a sheep, nor yet quite a savage
with a tomahawk. Thank you, but I don't care for
any succotash."
" Better take some, Upperton. It is positively
delicious," said Mr. Dapper, after swallowing a spoon
ful.
Lord Upperton poked the mixture with his spoon
and then tasted it.
" It is n't so very nasty," he said, and took a second
spoonful. " By Jove, it is n't bad at all. Bless me,
the more I eat the better I like it."
His plate was quickly cleaned.
"Pardon me, Miss Newville, but the succotash is
so superb that I dare violate good manners, which I
am sure you will overlook, and pass my plate for
more."
" You see, my lord, what you have gained by trying
it. If you had not tasted it, you would have gone
back to England and told the nabobs that the people
in the Colonies eat just such nasty things as the
sheep-men feed to their flocks ; but now you can tor
ment them by describing the dainty delicacies of the
Colonies."
"By Jove! That's a capital idea, Dapper. It
will make the Macaronies mad as March hares.
" Please fill your glasses, ladies and gentlemen,
and we will drink the health of our most gracious
sovereign," * said Mr. Newville.
1 George III. was grandson of George II., and son of Frederick,
Prince of Wales, whose death made his son heir to the throne. The
mother of George III. had plans of her own, and was aided by the
Earl of Bute. There were political parties in church and state ;
scheming bishops and intriguing politicians, each striving for his own
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 159
The glasses were filled, and the health of the king
drunk.
"Our king is a right royal sovereign," said Mr.
Newville.
" Yes, royal, but stupid now and then," Mr. Dap
per responded, to the amazement of the company,
and especially Mrs. Newville. "The fact is, my dear
madam, our king, unfortunately, has the reputation of
being the dullest sovereign in Europe. Perhaps you
know there was not much of him to begin with, as he
was only a little pinch of a baby when he was born,
so puny and weak the nurses said he would n't stay
here long. He sat in their laps, and was coddled till
six years old, when he was put under that scheming,
narrow-minded bigot, Reverend Doctor Ayscough.
And what do you suppose the reverend donkey set him
to doing ? Why, learning hymns, written by another
reverend gentleman, Doctor Philip Doddridge. Very
good religious hymns, no doubt, but not quite so
attractive as Mother Goose would have been to the
little fellow. After learning a few hymns and a few
words in Latin, he was set to making verses in that
language, when he could not read a story book with
out spelling half the words."
" How preposterous ! " exclaimed Miss Milford.
" Somewhat absurd, I will admit," said Mr. Dapper,
bowing. " One reverend doctor was not sufficient,"
he continued, " to look after the education of the
prince, and so my Lord Bishop Hayter of Norwich
advancement, or the advancement of his party. George III. during
his early years had frequent changes of governors and tutors, several
of whom were intense Jacobites, holding reactionary opinions. Being
dull of intellect, his education tended to make him a bigot.
160 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
was associated with Doctor Ayscough. Then the Old
Harry was let loose. My Lord Bishop of Norwich
was scheming to be made Archbishop of Canterbury,
and Ayscough wanted to become Bishop of Bristol.
Both were striving to rival little Jack Homer in put
ting their thumbs into the pie."
The ladies were amused excepting Mrs. Newville,
who laid down her knife and fork, folded her hands,
and looked earnestly at Mr. Dapper.
" Do you mean to say there is scheming among
the reverend prelates of our most holy church ? " she
asked.
" Why, madam, human nature is pretty much the
same in the church as out of it, and there is quite as
much intrigue among the prelates of the church as
among the politicians at court. His majesty, talking
about his early years not long since, said there was
nothing but disagreement and intrigue among those
who had charge of him during his early years. Mr.
Scott, his tutor, did what he could for the little fellow,
but it wasn't much. His father, Fred, Prince of
Wales, delighted in private theatricals. He had sev
eral plays performed at Leicester House by children,
employing Jimmy Quin l to teach them their parts.
Now, my dear madam, you will see that with three
bishops disputing as to how the boy should be in
structed in theology; whether politically he should
be a Jacobite or Whig ; when each was trying to get
the biggest piece of pie and the most plums, the
1 The celebrated actor, James Quin, was employed by the Prince
of Wales to direct the plays performed in Leicester House by the chil
dren of the nobility.
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 161
boy, the wliile, muddling his brains in trying to make
Latin verses and learning tragedies, there was n't much
chance for Master Scott to get him on in other things,
especially when my lord the Bishop of Norwich was in
triguing to get the master kicked downstairs, that he
might put one of his favorites in the position of tutor
to the prince."
" Why, Mr. Dapper ! " exclaimed Mrs. Newville.
" Then the prince had a change of governors about
as often as the moon fulled," said Mr. Dapper.
" Each, of course, had some directions to give in regard
to his education. When Lord Harcourt was governor
his chief concern was to have the prince turn out his
toes when walking."
The ladies laughed at
Mr. Dapper's droll way
of narrating the manner
of the king's education.
" I do not wonder you
smile, ladies ; it is enough
to make a horse laugh,"
he said. " Perhaps you
would like to know how
the prince was put
through his paces from
the time he opened his
eyes in the morning till
he was tucked in bed at
night. Lord North at one time was governor to the
prince ; he gave me the programme of the daily
routine. The boy was to be out of bed at seven
o'clock, eat breakfast and be ready for Mr. Scott from
George
162 DAUGHTERS OF 'THE REVOLUTION.
eight o'clock to nine, or till the Reverend Doctor John
Thomas came, who had him in charge till eleven, when
he was to be turned over to Mr. Fung, for what purpose
Lord North did not know. At noon, Mr. Ruperti
had him for half an hour. From half past twelve till
three the prince could play ; that is, he could walk
through the grounds around Leicester House, trussed
up in fine clothes like a turkey for the spit, but he
could n't kick up his heels or turn somersaults on the
grass ; he must be a nice little gentleman in lace and
ruffles. At three o'clock he had dinner. At half
past four the dancing-master, Mr. Deneyer, taught him
the minuet. At five o'clock he had another half hour
with Mr. Fung. From half past six to eight Mr.
Scott put him through his curriculum. At eight
o'clock he had supper, but must be in bed at ten. On
Sunday from half past nine till eleven Reverend
Doctor Ayscough lectured him on religion. To state
it plainly, our royal sovereign's real instructors were
the servants and chambermaids of Leicester House.
They told him nursery tales about hobgoblins, giant-
killers, and witches. Doctor Ayscough and the bishop
gave him lectures on theology. The Jacobite bishop
exalted the prerogatives of princes and kings. Lord
Waldegrave told me that, when he was appointed gov
ernor to Prince George, he found him to be a good,
narrow-minded little bigot, with his head full of nur
sery tales and not much else."
" Why, Mr. Dapper ! " exclaimed Mrs. Newville,
laying down her knife and fork again, and holding
up her hands.
" I see that you are astonished, madam. Now I
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 163
would not for the world say anything disrespectful of
our gracious sovereign ; he is not to be blamed for
the errors of those who had charge of him during his
minority, he is to be commiserated rather ; but you
will observe that it was not a course of education
calculated to enlighten a dull intellect. That he is
good at heart every one knows, but his ministers also
know that he is narrow-minded and obstinate."
" We must not forget that our most gracious
majesty, King George, is one of the Lord's chosen
instruments to carry out the plan of the divine
mind," said the rector.
" Oh, certainly, my dear sir ; just as much of an
instrument as ever Samson was, flourishing the jaw
bone of an ass, smiting the Philistines hip and
thigh," Mr. Dapper replied.
The ladies smiled, but the rector did not altogether
relish the reply.
" I never have quite understood how Earl Bute ob
tained his ascendency with the king," said Mr. Adams.
" It was through his influence with the mother of
the king," Mr. Dapper replied. " He had a great deal
to say about the king's education. It was Bute who
induced George II. to appoint Andrew Stone to have
charge of the young prince. Then the fat was in
the fire. The Bishop of Norwich accused Stone of
being a Jacobite, and the quarrel became hot so
sharp that the bishop entered the schoolroom to have
it out with Master Stone. Now I suppose, my dear
rector, you would have staked your money on the
bishop, on the theory that the church militant should
also be the church triumphant."
164 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Possibly, if I were in the habit of laying wages,"
the rector replied.
" I certainly should have done so, reverend sir, but
I should have lost my money," continued Mr. Dapper ;
" for Mr. Stone was plucky, used his fists beautifully,
and gave it to my lord the bishop right between the
eyes. The bishop was quite gamey, though, and aimed
a blow at Stone's nose, but finally got shoved out of
the room, greatly to his mortification. He could n't
let the matter drop, and so accused Stone of being-
drunk. The matter finally got into Parliament where
there was quite a row about it. Such were the aus
pices under which our good sovereign was educated to
administer the affairs of the realm. His mother
wanted to make him pious. She would not allow him
to associate with other boys because they would cor
rupt his morals. Lord Bute advised the princess
dowager to keep the prince tied to her apron strings,
and succeeded."
" Lord Bute," Mr. Adams responded, " is very much
disliked in the Colonies. When he was at the head
of the ministry, he was hung in effigy on the Liberty
Tree."
" So he was in London," Mr. Dapper replied.
" Your detestation of him cannot be greater than it is
in England. No one can quite understand how John
Stuart made his way up to power. He was a poor
Scotsman from the Frith of Clyde. He went to school
at Eton and also at Cambridge, then came to London,
hired a piece of land out a little way from the city,
and raised peppermint, camomile, and other simples
for medicine. He had a love for private theatricals,
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 165
had shapely legs and liked to show them. One even
ing the Prince of Wales saw his legs, and, taking a
fancy to the owner, told him to make himself at home
in Leicester House. That was enough for John
Stuart. Having got a foothold, he made himself use
ful to Fred, and especially to the princess dowager.
George II. was getting on in years and irritable. The
old king took it upon himself to pick out a wife for
the prince, selecting the daughter of Charles, Duke of
Brunswick- Wolfenbiittel ; but the prince said he
wasn't going to be Wolfenbuttled by his grandsire.
Just what he meant by it no one knows, as the word is
not to be found in Doctor Johnson's big dictionary."
" Shall I help you to a bit of canvasback, my
lord ? " Mrs. Newville asked, interrupting the narra
tive.
" Canvasback ! What may it be ? Really, you
have most astonishing things to eat over here," Lord
Upperton replied.
Mrs. Newville explained that it was a duck, and
that it was regarded as a delicacy.
" I never ate anything so delicious," said Upper-
ton.
Mr. Dapper also praised it.
" Was the marriage of our king and queen a love-
match ? " Miss Chanson inquired.
" Well, hardly, at the beginning," said Mr. Dapper.
" When the prince was eighteen, he fell in love with
Lady Sarah Lennox, daughter of the Duke of Rich
mond. She was seventeen, beautiful, and attractive.
She knew how to display her charms to the best
advantage, by going out with the haymakers on fine
166 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
summer mornings to wander in the meadows among
the daisies, wearing a fancy costume. No wonder the
prince, looking from the windows of Holland House,
thought it a delightful exhibition of Arcadian simpli
city and made haste to chat with her. But love-mak
ing between the future king and a subject was not in
accordance with the princess dowager's ideas, and so
Earl Bute found it convenient to appear upon the
scene, a gentle hint that there was to be no more
love-making. Their flirtations would make a long
story though, for Lord Newbottle was in love with
Lady Sarah and jealous of the prince, which made it
all the more interesting. Bute and the princess dow
ager put their heads together, and sent Colonel Gra
ham on a prospecting tour among the German prin
cipalities. He sent back word that the daughter of
the Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz would make a good
wife for his royal highness, and he judged well, for I
am sure you all love our Sophia Charlotte."
"Most certainly, and we would emulate her vir
tues," said Mrs. Adams.
Mr. Newville proposed the health of the queen.
Their glasses drained, Mr. Dapper went on :
" Lord Harcourt was sent as ambassador to nego
tiate a marriage, not with Sophia Charlotte, but with
her brother, the duke.
"Was not our queen consulted in regard to the
matter?" Ruth asked.
" Not at all. She knew very little about the world ;
never had been a dozen miles from home, never
even had sat at the duke's table. She was a simple-
minded little girl who gave the chickens their dough
QUEEN SOPHIA CHARLOTTE
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 167
and gathered nosegays from her flower-garden. You
can imagine, ladies, that she hardly knew what to make
of it when told that an ambassador from England had
arrived and wanted to see her. The duke told her to
put on her best gown, mind what Harcourt said, and
not be a baby. Suddenly the folding-doors leading to
the ducal chamber opened, and there stood the ambas
sador. ' You are to be married to him by proxy, and
be queen of England,' said the duke, which so sur
prised the poor girl that she nearly fainted. The cere
mony over, Harcourt presented her with a necklace of
diamonds. You see, ladies, it is almost the story of
Cinderella over again ! "
" It is really romantic," responded Miss Milford.
" I would not be married to one whom I never had
seen," exclaimed Ruth.
" A princess, Miss Newville, cannot always do as
she would. She may be compelled to marry against
her will," said Lord TJpperton.
" I would not," Ruth replied.
" Not if the country required it ? " Lord Upperton
asked.
" No, my lord ; and I am glad I am not a princess."
" Bravely spoken. Ladies and gentlemen, let us
drink to the maiden who, though not of the blood
royal, is yet a princess," said Mr. Dapper.
" Hear ! hear ! " exclaimed the admiral, thumping
the table.
The company gazed admiringly at Ruth, peerless in
her beauty, the warm blood suffusing her cheeks.
" I understand that our queen assumed the position
of royalty with much grace," Mrs. Adams remarked.
168 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" With charming simplicity, madam," responded Mr.
Dapper. " She landed at Harwich, and had an ova
tion all the way to London. People hurrahed, bells
rang, and cannon thundered. The poor girl was ter
ribly frightened. The thought of meeting a husband
whom she had never seen unstrung her nerves. The
Duchess of Hamilton laughed at her, but it was a hot
shot the queen let fly ; she said : ' You have been mar
ried twice to husbands of your own choosing, but poor
me must marry a man whom I never have seen? "
" Bravo ! that raked the quarter-deck," exclaimed
the admiral.
" How did the king receive her 1 " Kuth inquired.
When she stepped from the coach she knelt at his
feet ; he gave her a kiss, and led her into the palace."
" Very gallant on the part of the king ; fitting and
humble the action of the queen," said the rector.
" I would not have got down on my knees to him,"
said Ruth.
" May I ask why Miss Newville would not have
knelt to her future husband and sovereign, had she
been Princess Sophia ? " the rector asked.
" Because it was an acknowledgment at the outset
that she was not his equal. She abased herself by
taking an inferior position. In the days of chivalry,
men knelt to women. The princess did not leave her
happy home to be a subject of King George ; but to
be his wife to stand by his side, and not crouch at his
feet."
" Hurrah ! That 's a whole broadside. She 's sweep
ing your quarter-deck," shouted the admiral.
The rector grew red in the face.
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 169
" It is recorded in the Holy Scriptures, Miss New-
ville, that wives must be obedient to their husbands,"
he replied.
" Does the Bible say a wife must kneel at her hus
band's feet ? " she asked.
" Perhaps not in so many words, but she is com
manded to obey. Our holy church teaches the doc
trine. When the princess knelt at the feet of his
majesty, it signified she would obey him. Perhaps it
is my duty, Miss Newville, to say that your sentiments
would be regarded as heretical by the authorities of the
church."
" Hold on, rector," said Mr. Adams. " Don't set
the canons of the church to thundering."
" It is the gossip at court," said Mr. Dapper, " that
the king wanted to retire soon after sundown, but the
queen said she was n't going to bed with the hens. It
is said he told her she must wear a particular dress,
but she informed him he could dress as he pleased,
and she should do the same."
" You will have to go to court, rector, and lecture
the queen on heresy," said Mr. Adams.
The company laughed, and Ruth's eyes sparkled
over the rector's discomfiture.
The meats had been removed and Pompey was ser
ving the pastry and comfits.
" What delicious cheese you have. It is as tooth
some as the finest Cheshire," said Lord Upperton.
" We think it of excellent flavor, and I am sure
you will relish it all the more when I inform you, my
lord, that it was made by a girl not older than my
self," replied Ruth.
170 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION. .
"Indeed! is it possible? How very clever she
must be."
" She is a New Hampshire lady."
" Are dairymaids ladies ? "
" Indeed they are, my lord. The young lady who
made the cheese you are eating, I dare say, would
adorn the court of our queen," responded Mr. Adams.
" Bless me ! oysters, cranberries, succotash, canvas-
back ducks, wild turkeys, pumpkin pie, dairymaids
ladies, wives the equals of their husbands ! Rector,
will there be anything beyond these in the New Jeru
salem ? " exclaimed Lord Upperton.
Dinner over, the ladies passed into the parlor while
the gentlemen smoked their pipes and finished their
wine.
" I suppose, my lord," said Mr. Adams, "you have
not been here sufficiently long to form an opinion in
regard to the Colonies."
" Everything is so new and strange," Lord Upper-
ton replied, " I hardly know what to make of it. I
had an idea that I should find your people quite rude
and uncultivated. I understand you haven't any
theatre or anything of that sort ; but, really, your
ladies charm me by their conversation. Mrs. Adams
informs me she has studied Latin and Greek."
" I am happy to say my wife can read Cicero and
Homer in the originals," Mr. Adams replied.
" You astonish me," his lordship exclaimed.
" We are somewhat primitive, but the Colonies in
time will make amends for whatever they may be lack
ing now," Mr. Adams responded, sipping his wine.
" The people who came to this Western world did so
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 171
mainly for conscience sake, and the time will come
when this country will be the seat of empire. Society
here is established on enduring foundations. One
hundred years hence the chances are the people in the
Colonies will outnumber those of England. We are
loyal to the king, but we are a liberty-loving people
and jealous of our rights. In time we shall be so
strong that the united force of Europe will not be
able to subdue us." 1
" You have a great extent of country, but as a peo
ple you are widely scattered. You have only a little
fringe of settlements along the seacoast. It will be
an easy matter to divide you. England is rich, and
has a great navy ; she controls the sea. Her armies
have been victors on many fields; she has wrested^
Canada from France," said his lordship.
" With the aid of the Colonies," interrupted Mr.
Adams.
" Perhaps we had better give politics the go-by and
join the ladies," said his lordship, rising and moving
towards the parlor.
Pompey brought in the tea-urn, cups and saucers,
sugar and cream.
" Shall I pass you a cup, Miss Newville ? " Lord
Upperton asked.
" Thank you, my lord, but I do not drink tea."
" Ha, ha ! Miss Newville, so you have joined the
other conspirators to outwit Lord North ! "
"No, your lordship, I have not joined them, but I
must say I admire their resolution in giving up a lux
ury to maintain a great principle."
1 The paragraph is in substance the prophecy of John Adams,
written to Nathan Webb, a school-teacher in Worcester, in 1755.
172 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" As for myself," said Mr. Dapper, " I rather like
the spirit of the Puritan mothers and daughters here
in the Colonies ; they are worthy descendants of the
men who had it out with Charles I. It is all non
sense, this plea of Lord North, that the people in the
Colonies ought to pay a portion of the debt incurred
by England in the late war with France ; it is the ex
travagance and corruption of Parliament and of those
in power that grinds us, the giving of grants,
pensions, and gratuities to favorites, parasites, and
hangers-on. During Bute's and Grenville's admin
istrations the public money was sown broadcast. If
votes were wanted, they were purchased. It was not
unusual for a member of the Commons to find four
hundred pounds in his napkin at dinner, or in a billet-
doux left by the postman. Of course he understood
the meaning of it. The ministers helped themselves
to sugar-plums worth five thousand pounds. When
the Duke of Grafton was at the head of the ministry,
that parasite, Tom Bradshaw, who had done some
nasty work for the Premier, received an annuity of
fifteen hundred pounds and a suite of thirty rooms in
Hampton Palace. He is there now, and has had the
suite increased to seventy apartments. Not long ago
the ministry put out one hundred thousand pounds to
carry a measure through the Commons."
" You astonish me ! Do you mean to intimate
that our king has corrupt men around him ? " Mrs.
Newville inquired.
"My dear madam, the king is hardly responsi
ble for this state of things. It is part of the politi
cal system. Politics is a game. Men can cheat in
MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY. 173
government as well as in anything else, and there
are quite as many cheats in and around St. James's
as at Almack's or any of the other gambling resorts.
Other things are done in and around Westminster,
by those whom you are accustomed to revere, which
would astonish you could I but speak of them," said
Mr. Dapper.
The evening being beautiful, the air genial, the
company strolled in the garden, and ate the ripening
plums and pears. Lord Upperton, finding pleasure
in the society of Miss Newville, asked what recrea
tion the young people in the Colonies enjoyed. She
told of the launching of the ship Berinthia Brandon,
the pung-ride and dance at the Greyhound Tavern,
the quiltings, huskings, and tea-parties.
" I hope, Miss Newville, this will not be the last
time I shall have the pleasure of seeing you. I shall
not soon forget the succotash and cranberries, and
shall improve an early opportunity to pay my re
spects to you," he said, as he bade her good-evening.
" By Jove, Dapper, she 's as fine a piece of chintz
as can be picked up at St. James's or anywhere else,"
he said, as they returned to the Admiral Vernon.
XI.
SOCIETY LIFE IN LONDON.
ON a pleasant afternoon Lord Upperton was once
more ushered into the Newville mansion. Mrs. New-
ville being absent, he was graciously received by Ruth.
" I had such a delightful time in your hospitable
home, Miss Newville, the other evening, that I could
no longer refrain from paying my respects."
" It is certainly very kind of you, my lord."
" I cannot tell you how delighted I was when you
told me about your recreations. How charming it
must be to go riding in a pung, with a lot of ladies
and gentlemen. I was wondering if I could not get
up a pung-ride."
" We only do that in winter, when snow is on the
ground, my lord," Ruth replied, hardly able to re
press a smile.
" Oh, dear me ! how stupid I am ! Of course
not," and his lordship laughed heartily at his blunder.
" Do you not have snow in London, my lord ? "
" Yes, sometimes ; but then we have n't any pungs.
I don't know what they are. Maybe they are a sort
of hackney or chariot ? "
" We have no hackney coaches here, as yet, my
lord, but Mr. Hancock and the governor and a few
of our citizens have coaches. A pung is not at all
SOCIETY LIFE IN LONDON. 175
like a coach. It is, instead, a sort of box on run
ners."
" Oh, indeed, how interesting ! "
" May I ask, my lord, what recreations you have
in London ? "
" We have quite a variety, I assure you, Miss
Newville. We have card parties, where we play
high or low, just as we feel. We have assemblies,
where we tittle-tattle and gossip. We gentlemen
lay bets on the winning horse at the next Derby.
We go to Drury Lane or Co vent Garden, and clap
our hands at the acting of Dave Garrett or Jimmy
Quin. At the opera we go wild when Mademoiselle
Truffi soars like a nightingale up to high C. We
dance at balls, array ourselves as harlequins and
imps at masquerades, and see who can carry off the
most bottles of port or sherry at dinner," said his
lordship, again laughing.
" Are you not jesting, my lord ? "
" Oh no, Miss Newville ; I am telling you sober
truth. It is not exaggeration at all. For instance,
the masquerade which the Duke and Duchess of
Richmond gave on the king's last birthday was so
gay that I can hardly hope to picture it. The
duke's villa is on the banks of the Thames. The
willows, elms, and oaks in the park were hung with
lanterns, the house was all ablaze lights in every
room. Dukes, duchesses, earls, barons, lords, and
ladies more than six hundred assembled in mas
querade dress. The Duchess of Hamilton and Argyle
was hostess. She appeared as Night, with a black
trailing robe illuminated with silver stars, while her
176 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
father was dressed as a footman, with the portrait of
his other daughter dangling from a ribbon tied to a
button of his jacket."
" Was it not rather out of character for a man old
enough to be grave and dignified to take such a part ? "
Miss Newville asked.
" Perhaps so, but then we are expected to do absurd
things in masquerade. Her grace the Duchess of
Richmond, for instance, appeared as the Sultana of
Persia, in a costume purchased in the bazaar of Bag
dad. The Duchess of Grafton displayed her charms
as Cleopatra. Now when we remember that Egypt
and the Orient have a climate in which a person can
get along without any great amount of clothing, it
really does seem somewhat absurd for a lady, in a
country with a climate like that of England, to attempt
to imitate in dress, or undress, that celebrated queen
of the East."
Lord Upperton laughed again. " Miss Fitzroy,"
he continued, " undertook to represent the Sultana
of Turkey. If I remember rightly, she appeared in
baggy silk trousers, high-heeled pink slippers, crimson
jacket, embroidered with gold, and a white turban.
Her bewitching eyes peeped through two holes in a
muslin yashmak spangled with silver stars. Among
the gentlemen I recall Lord Augustus Hervey, who
disguised himself so completely as a jester that no one
could make out who he was. He said saucy things as
a court fool. He even guyed his own wife, and she
never mistrusted she was flirting with her own hus
band, but then, as she was ready to flirt with anybody,
it made no difference."
SOCIETY LIFE IN LONDON. 177
Miss Newville hardly knew what reply to make
as his lordship laughed again, and so remained
silent.
" May I ask what character Lord Upperton as
sumed," she asked.
" Oh, certainly. I appeared as a young devil, with
hoofs, horns, and a forked tail. His satanic majesty,
you know, is supposed to whisper things in people's
ears, and you may be sure I acted out the character I
assumed. I did it so well that Lady Lucy Hastings
said I was a perfect imp of darkness."
" Have you any other recreations ? " Miss Newville
inquired.
" Oh, yes, a great many. One diversion I am sure
would charm you, the club at Almack's, in which the
ladies nominate gentlemen to membership and gentle
men the ladies. Only a few days before leaving Lon
don I attended a grand masquerade ball at Almack's,
where my Lady Archer appeared as a boy wearing
a postman's blue coat. Lord Edgecombe assumed the
character of an old washerwoman. Sir Watkins
Wynne rode into the hall on a goat, assuming the
character of holy Saint David. The goat, more accus
tomed to browse in the pastures than take part in such
high jinks, frightened by the blare of trumpets, the
scraping of fiddles, and the whisking of the ladies'
skirts as they went round in the dance, capered like
mad, butted my Lady Winchester so that she fell flat
upon the floor, upset holy Saint David, and kept the
room in an uproar until a waiter seized the animal by
the horns and another by the tail and led him from
the hall."
178 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Lord Upperton roared with laughter, and Miss
Newville could but join him in the merriment.
" It was a picturesque scene, I assure you, with
peddlers, haymakers, shepherdesses, gypsies, chimney
sweeps, and nymphs," his lordship said.
" May I ask, my lord, what a masquerade is sup
posed to represent ? " Miss Newville inquired.
" Well, really now, I never thought of it. I sup
pose it means something, but just what, upon my soul,
I cannot tell you, except to have a jolly good time and
appear to be what we are not."
"Are such masquerade balls usually attended by
noble lords and ladies ? "
" Oh, yes. They are almost the exclusive patrons.
I attended one a little while ago at Carlisle House.
It was intended the king and queen should be patrons.
Tickets were sent to his most gracious majesty, and,
of course, there was a great crush. The king and
queen returned the tickets, but everybody else was
there. I remember that the Duke of Cleveland
appeared as Henry VIII. ; the Duke of Gloucester as
a fine old English gentleman ; the Duchess of Buc-
cleugh as the Witch of Endor ; Lady Edgecombe as
a nun ; the Duchess of Bolton as the goddess Diana ;
Lady Stanhope as Melopomene ; the Countess of
Waldegrave as Jane Shore ; Lord Galway's daughter,
Mrs. Monckton, as an Indian princess, in a golden
robe, embroidered with diamonds, opals, and pearls
worth thirty thousand pounds. One of the gentlemen
came as a Swiss ballad-singer with a hurdy-gurdy,
leading a tame bear with a muzzle on his nose. He
had been stopped by the gate-keeper, because he had
SOCIETY LIFE IN LONDON. 179
only a ticket and a half the half ticket for the
bear; but it being a she-bear and ladies being ad
mitted at half price, the hurdy-gurdy man won the
day. Everybody laughed and said it was the best
joke of the season.
Lord Upperton saw a troubled look upon Miss
Newville's face, as if she had heard quite enough about
masquerades.
"The recreations of court life, I would not have
you think, Miss Newville, are masquerades and balls,
and nothing else. We have suppers which are quite
different affairs, where we do not try to be what we
are not. After the theatres are out we go to the
banquet halls, where wine and wit flow together. We
gossip, sing songs, and flirt with the Macaroni ladies.
The opera girls sing to us if they are not too tipsy,
and we have gay larks till the wagons begin to rum
ble around Covent Garden Market, and the green
grocers are displaying their onions and cabbages for
the early morning sale."
" Who are the Macaroni ladies ? " Miss Newville
asked.
Lord Upperton laughed.
"I don't wonder that you inquire. We call
them Macaronies, ladies and gentlemen alike, who
have traveled on the Continent, flirted at Versailles,
in Paris, or in the Palace Barberini in Rome ; who
have eaten macaroni in Naples, and who have come
home with all the follies, to say nothing of some of
the vices of the nobility of other countries, in addition
to what they had before they started on their travels.
The gentlemen wear their hair in long curls; the
180 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
ladies patch and paint their faces. If they have n't
a pimple or a wart they make one. They wear
gorgeous dresses. The gentlemen twiddle canes orna
mented with dogs' heads or eagles' beaks, with gold
tassels ; carry attar of rose bottles in their gloved
hands, and squirt rosewater on their handkerchiefs.
They ogle the ladies through their quizzing glasses,
wear high-heeled slippers, and diddle along on their
toes like a French dancing-master teaching his pupils
the minuet. The ladies simper and giggle and wink
at the gentlemen from behind their fans, and leave
you to imagine something they don't say."
Again Lord Upperton saw a troubled look upon
Miss Newville's face.
" We have convivial parties," he continued. " If
you like cards, you can try your hand at winning or
losing. We play for fifty-pound rouleaux. There is
always a great crowd, and not infrequently you may
see ten thousand pounds on the table. Some play
small ; others plunge in regardless of consequences.
My young friend, Lord Stravendale, before he was of
age, one night lost eleven thousand pounds, but no
thing daunted he played again, and as luck would
have it got it all back at one hazard. He lamented
he had not made the stakes larger, and said if he had
been playing deep he might have made a million. It
was really very clever in Stravendale."
Again his lordship laughed, but Miss Newville could
not see anything in the narrative to cause her to smile.
"There is Charley Fox," Lord Upperton contin
ued, " who goes in rather strong. He makes grand
speeches in the Commons ; but almost always gets
SOCIETY LIFE IN LONDON. 181
fleeced at Almack's. The Jews, who are usually on
hand in one of the outside rooms with their shekels,
waiting to lend money, charge exorbitant interest.
Charley calls it the Jerusalem Chamber. Sometimes
he gets completely cleaned out, and has to borrow a
guinea to pay the waiter who brings him his brandy.
One night at the beginning he won eight thousand
pounds, but before morning lost the last sixpence."
" Do ladies play ? " Miss Newville asked.
" Certainly ; they love gaming as well as the men.
Her royal highness the Duchess of Cumberland not
long ago set up card playing and gaming in her draw
ing-rooms. Her sister, Lady Elizabeth Lutterell, is
one of the best gamesters in London. It is whispered,
though, that she cheats on the sly. Lady Essex gives
grand card parties, where there is high gaming. One
lady, whom I know, lost three thousand guineas at
loo. It is whispered that two ladies, not long since,
had high words at one of Lady Essex's parties ; that
they rode out to St. Pancras and fought a duel with
pistols, and that one was - wounded ; which shows that
our noble women have real grit."
" Is what you are saying a fair picture of life
among the nobility? " Ruth asked.
" I would not have you think, Miss Newville, that
everybody of noble birth or high position is a gambler,
but every one who plays, of course, wants a stake of
some kind."
" Pardon me, my lord, but I do not see any fun in
losing money in the way you speak of."
" Well, perhaps there is n't any fun in losing, but it
is real jolly when you win. It is like drinking wine ;
it warms you up."
182 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Do you have any other recreations equally attrac
tive and delightful ? " Miss Newville inquired.
" We have gay times at the Derby during the races.
Of course you have felt the excitement of a horse-race,
Miss Newville?"
" No, for we do not have horse-racing here ; but I
believe they do in Virginia."
" No racing ! I am astonished. Are not your peo
ple rather slow ? "
" We have few diversions, my lord ; we do not win
money by racing."
" You can have no conception of what a grand sight
it is. Everybody goes to the Derby dukes, lords,
bishops, rectors, ladies, and gentlemen. Before the
race begins, we have our lunch parties. All are
eating, talking, laughing, or laying bets. The horses
come out from their stalls with the jockey boys in red,
green, blue, and yellow, in their saddles. They draw
lots to see which shall have the inside, then go down
the track a little distance. The horses understand
what they are to do just as well as we who stake our
money. They sniff the air, step lightly, then break
into a run, and everybody is on tiptoe. In a moment
they are down to the first turn, and come in full view.
There are four, perhaps, neck and neck. You have
staked, say, on yellow. He loses half a length, and
your heart goes down ; but he gains a little, is up even
once more half a length ahead, and you yell and
double your stakes. They are round the second turn,
going like a whirlwind ; yellow and blue are ahead of
the others, neck and neck.
" ' Two to one on yellow ! ' you shout.
SOCIETY LIFE IN LONDON. 183
" ' I '11 take it ! ' roars Lord Pilkington.
" ' Two to one on blue ! ' lie shouts back.
" ' Put me down for it ! ' you answer.
" They are on the home run. There is a great hub
bub, like the roaring of a tornado, as they sweep un
der the line, yellow ahead. You swing your hat, and
yell as loud as you can. You are ten thousand in.
Oh, it is just the jolliest excitement a man can have ! "
" If you win, my lord, does not somebody else lose? "
" Of course, Miss Newville."
" Do they feel equally jolly ? "
" Possibly not. Sometimes we are out of pocket,
and do not feel quite so hilarious, but we swallow a
stiff nipper of brandy and draw our checks like men.
I won five thousand from Lord Pilkington, three thou
sand from Lady Merryfield, and quite a number of one
hundred pounders from the ladies of my set, who bet
on the blue, while I planked mine on the yellow. You
see, Miss Newville, that ladies are sometimes influenced
by fancy. Lady Somers, for instance, allowed fancy
to get the better of judgment. She likes blue as a
color, above yellow. She is quite horsey, and thinks
she can drive a tandem. I had examined blue, felt of
his muscles, and made up my mind that by and by he
would have ringbone on his left fore leg. I believed
that yellow had the best wind and bottom ; but the
ladies followed the lead of Lady Somers, and so I
raked in their shekels. They all ponied up promptly,
though, and paid their outs, like true-born English
ladies."
" I do not think," said Miss Newville, " that I should
like to lose or win money in that way."
184 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
"Why, Miss Newville, once get into it, and you
would say it is the most delightful sport in the world.
If you think, however, that you would not like to
participate in such pleasures, we have the fox hunt,
which is the most charming and innocent diversion
imaginable. You don't bet any money in that, but
have a rollicking good time riding over the country,
ladies and gentlemen leaping hedges and ditches,
following the hounds, running Reynard to cover, and
having a lunch at the close of the hunt."
" Foxes are plentiful in this country, but we do
not run them down with horses," Miss Newville
replied.
" Do ladies ride horseback in the Colonies ? "
" Oh, yes. Were you to attend meeting in the
country on the Sabbath, you would see many ladies
riding up to the horse-block, wives on pillions be
hind their husbands. Do the ladies who hunt foxes
attend meeting on the Sabbath, my lord ? "
" Ha, ha ! I suspect what you call going to meet
ing, with us is going to church. Oh, we are very
devout. On Sunday we all go to church, kneel on
our hassocks, and confess we are miserable sinners,
recite the creed, pray for the king, queen, Prince of
Wales, the army and navy. We do our full duty as
Christians, and are loyal to the church, as well as to
his majesty. My rector, at Halford, is a very good
man. To be sure the living is n't much, but he reads
the prayers well, preaches a nice little sermon of ten
minutes or so, for he knows I don't care to be bored
by the hour. He enjoys a fox hunt, says grace at
dinner, and makes a point of having a little game of
SOCIETY LIFE IN BOSTON. 185
cards with me Saturday evening. He does n't know
much about cards, so I usually let him win a few
shillings, knowing the poor fellow will feel better
Sunday morning while reading the service if he
knows he has a half-crown in his pocket, instead of
being out that much. I know how it is, Miss New-
ville. I can be more devout and comfortable on
Sunday after winning instead of losing five or ten
thousand at Almack's."
" Perhaps, my lord, you feel you are not quite such
a miserable sinner as you might be after all."
" You have stated it correctly, Miss Newville," his
lordship replied, not discerning the quiet sarcasm.
" Of course I am not, for if I lose, I curse my luck,
and am ready to punch somebody's head, and rip out
some swear words, but if I win, I am ready to bless
the other fellow for playing a king when he should
have laid down an ace."
His lordship apologized for having tarried so long,
and took his departure.
" She 's a Puritan, through and through. As
lovely and pure as an angel in heaven," he said to
himself as he walked down the street.
While the months were going by, Roger Stanley,
student of Harvard College, was learning about life in
Rumford, as a surveyor of land, spending his evenings
in the house of Joshua Walden, with Robert and Ra
chel to keep him company, especially Rachel. He
found pleasure in telling her the story of Ulysses and
Penelope. Most of the young men of Rumford who
came to the Walden home could only talk about
186 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
oxen, which pair of steers could pull the heaviest
load, or whose horse could out-trot all others. When
the surveying was done, Roger accepted the invita
tion of the committeemen to keep the winter school.
Never before had there been a master who could
keep the big boys in order without using the ferule,
but somehow the great strapping fellows, who might
have put the master on his back in a twinkling, could
not find it in their hearts to do anything that would
trouble him. Other masters were content if they
went through the regular daily stint of reading, writ
ing, spelling, and ciphering, but he told them about
men who made the most of themselves, and who had
done great things, Caesar, Augustus, Charlemagne,
Alfred the Great.
It was the schoolmaster who suggested that the
people should meet once a week in the schoolhouse
to discuss the great questions affecting the welfare of
the Colonies, and who wrote out the questions to be
considered :
" What are the inalienable rights of the people ? "
" Has Parliament any right to tax the people of
America without their consent ? "
" Is it right ever to resist the authority of the king ? "
" Ought the Colonies to unite for self-defense ? "
" Ought the Colonies, in any event, to separate
from England? "
People from the back roads came to hear what
Esquire Walden, Deacon Kent, Shoemaker Noyes,
Blacksmith Temple, and Schoolmaster Stanley had
SOCIETY LIFE IN BOSTON. 187
to say upon these questions before the parliament of
the people, in the schoolhouse, lighted by two tallow
candles and the fire blazing on the hearth. King
George and Frederick North might have learned
some fundamental principles of government, had they
been present.
Like sitting in heavenly places were the mornings
and evenings to Roger Stanley in the Waldeii home,
where he passed the first and the last two weeks of
the term. The food upon the table was appetizing;
deft hands had prepared the bannock Rachel's
hands. The plates, knives, and forks had been laid
by her. It was she who glided like a fairy around
the room. How could his eyes help following her?
And when seated at the table, how radiant her face,
beaming with health ! In the early morning, long-
before breakfast-time, he heard her feet tripping
down the stairs. While about her work, he could
hear her humming a song which he had sung to her.
Very pleasant the "good-morning" that came from
her lips when he appeared. In the evening it was
a pleasure to hold a skein of yarn for her to wind.
He was sorry when the last thread dropped from his
wrists, and wished she had another for him to hold.
It was the old, old story ; the growth of mutual
respect, honor, and love, becoming daily more tender
and true ; the love that needed no pledge, because it
was so deep and abiding.
XII.
A NEW ENGLAND GIRL.
LORD UPPERTON was prolonging his stay in
America. He visited New York and Philadelphia,
and was once more in Boston. He called upon
Thomas Hutchinson, governor ; upon Thomas Flucker,
secretary ; and upon the officials of the custom house.
He accepted many invitations to dinner from gentle
men and ladies, and took excursions into the country
on horseback. Lady Frankland hospitably entertained
him in her country house, where he enjoyed himself
shooting squirrels and partridges. Returning to Bos
ton, he frequently called to pay his respects to Mr.
and Mrs. Newville, never failing to ask for Miss New-
ville, prolonging his calls till past the ringing of the
nine o'clock bell. He was very courteous, and had
many entertaining stories to tell of life in England,
of his ancestral home at Halford. The old castle was
gray with age ; the ivy, ever green upon its towers,
hanging in graceful festoons from the battlements.
Herds of deer roamed the surrounding park; pheas
ants crooned and cackled beneath the stalwart oaks ;
hares burrowed in the forest ; nightingales made the
midnight melodious with their dulcet singing. Old
tapestries adorned the walls of the spacious apartments.
In the banqueting halls were the portraits of ances-
A NEW ENGLAND GIRL. 189
tors, lords, dukes, and earls reaching down to the
first Earl Upperton created by William of Normandy,
for valor on the field of Hastings. On the maternal
side were portraits of beautiful ladies who had been
maids of honor and train-bearers at the coronations
of Margaret and Elizabeth. The brain of Ruth could
not keep track of all the branches of the ancestral tree ;
she could only conclude it was stalwart and strong.
Lord Upperton was heartily welcomed by Mrs.
Newville, who esteemed it one of heaven's blessings
to be thus honored. On an evening, after a visit
from his lordship, Mrs. Newville, with radiant face,
drew Ruth to her bosom. " My dear," she said, " I
have joyful information for you. Lord Upperton has
done us the distinguished honor to say to your father
and me that he has become so much interested in our
daughter that he presumes to ask the privilege of pay
ing his addresses to her. It is not, Ruth, altogether
a surprise to me, for I have seen his growing fondness
for you."
" Fondness for me, mother ? "
" Yes, dear ; he has not been able to keep his eyes
off you of late. I have noticed that if you had occa
sion to leave the room, he fidgeted till you returned.
We have given our consent, and he will call to-morrow
evening to make a formal proposal to you."
" But I do not desire he should make a proposal to
me, mother ! "
" Don't want him to make an offer of marriage,
child ! Why, Ruth, what are you thinking of ? Not
wish to receive the attentions of a noble lord ! I am
astonished. Do you forget that he can trace his line-
190 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
age down to the time of William the Conqueror, and
I don't know how much farther? You surprise me ! "
" I doubt not Lord Upperton may have a noble an
cestry, but I don't see how that concerns me. I am
not going to marry his ancestors, am I ? "
" Why, daughter, he has a crest, an escutcheon of
azure, sable, and sanguine, a lion rampant, a unicorn
passant, and an eagle volent."
" What would a crest do for me? "
The question puzzled Mrs. Newville. " I really do
not know, daughter, just what it would do, but it
would be painted on your coach ; it would be em
broidered on the banners hanging in Lord Upperton's
baronial hall. Just think of it ! The lion, the em
blem of strength, the unicorn of energy, the eagle of
swiftness and far-sightedness, it would represent
all those qualities ! "
" But what if one has not the qualities ? "
"I am not so sure, daughter, but that you have
those very characteristics in a remarkable degree. I
know you have strength of will and energy. What
you undertake you carry through; and you are far-
sighted, you see what others of your age do not see.
I do not say it to flatter you, daughter, but I am sure
Lord Upperton's coat-of-arms is emblematic of the
character of the lady whom he wishes to see mistress
of Halford Castle," said Mrs. Newville, with radiant
face.
It seemed to her that the fond hope of years was
about to be realized ; that the time was at hand when
the Newville family was to be ennobled ; when she,
herself, could bid farewell to America, and be admitted
A NEW ENGLAND GIRL. 191
to the charmed society of dukes, barons, princes, kings,
and queens.
" Lord Upperton will call to-morrow evening, dear,
and I will have Madame Eiggoletti come in the after
noon to do your hair. You had better wear your
corn-colored satin brocade, which is so becoming to
you."
" No, mother, I do not wish to wear it. I prefer
to dress plainly. I want Lord Upperton to see me
just as I am, a simple girl, who has had few advan
tages to fit her for the life in which he moves. I can
not appear to be what I am not."
Ruth paused a moment as if considering whether
she should speak the words upon her lips.
" Lord Upperton, you say, desires to pay his ad
dresses to me and you have given consent. It is an
honor for any lady to receive attentions from a gentle
man of superior station, but I cannot promise you,
mother, that I shall look with favor upon his suit,
honorable though it may be."
It was said calmly but with resolution.
" I dare say, daughter, you may think so now. It
is quite natural. It is just what I said when my
mother informed me that Theodore, your father, had
asked permission to pay his addresses to me. I said
I would not see him ; but I did, and have been very
glad ever since. After a little while, I used to listen
for his footsteps. There were none like his. He al
ways called Thursday evening after the lecture, 1 and
1 The lecture on Thursday of each week was instituted by the
Puritans soon after the settlement of Boston. There was a moral if
not a legal obligation upon every person to attend it. Consequently in
192 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
I used to sit by the window an hour before it was time
for him to put in an appearance, looking for him.
So it will be with you, child. Now go to bed, dear,
and think of the great honor which Lord Upperton is
conferring upon us in asking for your hand ! "
" Shall I give him my hand, if I cannot at the same
time give him my heart ? " Ruth asked, her earnest
eyes scanning her mother's face.
" Oh, but you will do both, dear. Many a girl has
asked the same question at first, but soon found that
the heart and hand went together."
" I think," Ruth replied, " if one may judge from
outward appearances, there are some women who have
given their hands to their husbands, but never their
hearts. I see faces, now and then, which make me
think of what I have read descriptive of deserts where
there is no water to quench the thirst, no oasis with its
green palms giving grateful shade from the summer
heat, faces that tell of hunger and thirst for the
bread and water of love and sympathy."
" You fancy it is so, and possibly here and there you
may find a mismated couple, but, daughter, you will
see things in a different light when once you get
acquainted with Lord Upperton. I believe there is
not another girl in Boston who would not jump at such
a catch. You may not fancy him this moment, but
in a short time you will say there is not another like
him in all the world. You feel just as I did towards
the earlier years of the Colony all business ceased, shops -were closed,
usual occupations suspended, and the entire community flocked to the
meetinghouse of the parish to listen to the discourse of the minister.
At the time this story begins, the obligation was not quite so binding
as in former years.
A NEW ENGLAND GIRL. 193
Theodore. At first, I almost hated him, because he
presumed to ask permission to visit me, but now he is
the best man that ever lived. Just think of the offer
that has come to you in contrast with what your father
had to offer me. Lord Upperton brings you his high
station in life, his nobility, his long line of ancestors,
a barony, a castle with its ivied walls, a retinue of
servants, his armorial bearings inscribed on banners
borne by Crusaders. He will offer you rank, wealth,
privilege, honor at his majesty's court. Theodore
had only himself to offer me. He was not much
then, but he is more now. I have done what I could
to make him what he is, and now our daughter has the
prospect of wearing laces such as are worn by duch
esses ; to be received- at court ; to be spoken of as Her
Grace. Now to bed, dear, and be happy in thinking
it over."
" But I do not love Lord Upperton, nor shall I
ever care for him."
" Don't talk in that way, Ruth. You think so now,
but when you are once married and begin to enjoy
what will be yours, a coach, waiting-maids to do
your bidding, and are invited to the court of his
majesty the king, and preside over your own table in
the great baronial hall, with the high-born gentlemen
and ladies doing you honor, it stands to reason that
you will love him who brings these things to you."
" You speak, mother, of the society in which I shall
move, but I have no taste for such associations."
" Tush, child ; you know nothing about it."
"Lord Upperton has given me a description of the-
employment and pleasures of the society in which he
194 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
moves, and I have no desire to enter it. I shall not
find happiness in its circles. I want to be just what
I am, your daughter, in our happy home."
" But, Ruth, you cannot always be with us. Your
father and I earnestly desire your future welfare and
happiness. I am sure he will be surprised and pained
to hear that you do not wish to receive the attentions
of Lord Upperton."
Mr. Newville entered the room. He saw the
trouble on the face of his daughter.
"What is it?" he asked.
" Ruth thinks she never can love Lord Upperton
and does not desire to receive his attentions, but I
have told her it is only a present whim, just as mine
was towards you."
"Of course, daughter," said Mr. Newville, with
fatherly dignity, " it could hardly be expected you
would feel any very strong attachment for Lord
Upperton on so short an acquaintance. Conjugal love
is a plant of slow growth, but I think you would,
ere long, appreciate the great honors and the high
privileges which he would confer upon you, and that
your heart would go out to him."
The troubled look upon the face of the daughter be
came more intense. Her father as well as her mother
would have her receive the attentions of a man between
whom and herself there was no possible sympathy.
What should she say? A tear trickled down her
cheek ; she made no movement to wipe it away, bvit
lifted her loving eyes and gazed steadily into her
father's.
" Since you both so earnestly desire, it I will meet
A NEW ENGLAND GIRL. 195
Lord Upperton to-morrow evening and hear what he
has to say," she replied.
"You could hardly do otherwise. I think the more
you see of him the better you will like him," said Mr.
Newville.
" Of course you will, my child ; and now, dear, think
it over in your chamber. I am sure you will see that
a great opportunity has come to you," said Mrs. New
ville, giving her a kiss.
It was a summer night. The air was fragrant with
the perfume of lilacs and apple-blooms. The young
moon was going down in the west, throwing its depart
ing beams upon the unfinished tower of King's Chapel.
Ruth, looking out from her white-curtained window,
beheld a handful of cloud drift across the crescent orb
and dissolve in thin air. She could hear the footsteps
of passers along the street growing fainter as they
receded. The bell on the Old Brick Meetinghouse
struck the hour, and then, in the distance, she heard
the watchman's voice, " Ten o'clock, and all is well."
With perturbed spirit, she laid her head upon the
white linen pillow which her own deft hands had
made. So Lord Upperton was to solicit her heart
and hand, and she had consented to meet him. What
should she say to him? Why should he, having an
acquaintance with the noble families of England, come
across the sea and offer his attentions to an obscure
New England girl, and desire to make her mistress at
Half ord Castle ? Ought she not to feel flattered in
having a noble lord for a lover? The thought did
not stir her blood. Why was she averse to receiving
his attentions? What was there about him that made
196 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
the thought repellent? Was he not a gentleman?
Was he not polite ? Did he not show proper respect
not only to herself but to everybody? Why not make
an effort to overcome her repugnance to him? Would
any other girl in Boston or anywhere else hesitate a
moment over such an opportunity as had come to her
to be called My Lady, to be mistress of a ducal cas
tle, a position of power and influence among the
lords and ladies of the kingdom? To have diamonds
and pearls? To have precedence over others of lower
station in social life ? Questions came in troops before
her; vain her attempts to answer them.
Again the deep tones of the bell rang upon the still
night air, and once more she heard the watchman's
voice announce the hour. For a moment it inter
rupted her reverie, but again the questioning went on.
Her father and mother not only had given their con
sent for Lord Upperton to make proposal, but they
earnestly desired she should become his wife. She
could understand the motives that animated them.
She was her father's idol, her mother's joy very dear
to them. Were they not ever doing what they could
for her ? Would not her marriage to Lord Upperton
contribute to their happiness ? Might not her father,
through Lord Upperton' s influence at court, attain a
more exalted position ? Would not her marriage fill
her mother's life with happiness? Would it be an
exhibition of filial duty were she to disappoint them ?
And yet, what right had they to make a decision for
her when her own life's happiness was concerned ?
Was she not her own ? Had she not a right to do as
she pleased ? Ought she to sacrifice herself to their
A NEW ENGLAND GIRL. 197
selfish interests? She did not like to think it was
wholly selfishness on their part, but rather an earnest
desire to provide for her future welfare. Ought she
not to abide their judgment as to what was best for
her? Could she ever be happy with Lord Upperton?
Coidd she find pleasure in fine dressing, card playing,
and masquerading as he had described them ? What
would such a life be worth? Were position in soci
ety, pleasure, gratification of self, to be the end and
aim of life? There seemed to be another somebody
beside herself propounding the questions; as if an
unseen visitor were standing by her bedside in the
silent night. Was she awake or dreaming? She
had heard the great lawyer, James Otis, put questions
to a witness in a court where her father in his judicial
robe sat as magistrate. It seemed as if she herself
had been summoned to a tribunal, and one more
searching than the great lawyer was putting questions
which she must answer. Should she give her hand to
Lord Upperton and k*eep back her heart? Ought
she to allow prospective pleasure or position to influ
ence her choice ? Could she in any way barter her
future welfare for the present life and for the larger
life beyond ? Was Lord Upperton of such lofty
character that she could render him honor and re
spect, even if she could not give to him a loving
heart?
In the half -dreaming hour another face looked down
upon her the face of him, who, in a time of agony,
had been as an angel of God, rescuing her from the
hands of ruffians. Oh, if it were he who solicited
permission to pay his addresses, how would she lean
198 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
her head upon his bosom and rest contentedly clasped
forever by those strong and loving arms ! Through
the intervening months his face had been ever present.
She lived again the hour of their first meeting, that
of the afternoon tea-party, the launching of the Be-
rinthia Brandon, the ride in the pung. She had re
ceived several letters from him, which were laid care
fully away in her writing-desk. Many times had they
been read and with increasing pleasure. He had not
declared his undying love for her; the declaration
was unwritten, but it was between the lines. He
wanted to be more than he was, and she could help
him. He wanted to do something for justice, truth,
and liberty; to stand resolutely with those who were
ready to make sacrifices for their fellow-men. What
a sentence was this : " I want to be better than I am ;
I want to do something to make the world better than
it is ; and you are pointing the way."
Ever as she read the words her eyes had filled
with tears. She pointing the way! Those words
in one end of the scale, and Halford Castle and
everything connected with it in the other, and the
writing tipped the beam.
The night was sultry; her pulses bounding; her
brow hot with fever. She sat by the window to
breathe the pure air. The stars were shining in their
ethereal brightness ; the dipper was wheeling around
the polar star ; the great white river, the milky way,
was illumining the arch of heaven. She thought of
Him who created the gleaming worlds. Beneath her
window the fireflies were lighting their lamps, and
living their little lives. She could hear the swallows
crooning in their nests beneath the eaves.
A NEW ENGLAND GIRL. 199
" He made them ; He cares for them ; He will
care for me," she said to herself. The night air
cooled her brow, a holy peace and calm came to her
troubled heart. Kneeling, she repeated as her prayer
the psalm which the rector had read on Sunday.
" He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge, and my strength.
My God, in Him will I trust."
In white garments, without adornment, Ruth New-
ville courtesied to Lord Upperton the following even
ing as he entered the parlor. Never before had she
seemed to him, or to her father and mother, so beau
tiful, so sweet, and pure.
" Miss Newville," he said, " I take it for granted
that you have been duly informed of the purpose of
my visit this evening."
" I have, my lord."
" I come to offer you my hand and heart. I have
been charmed by your qualities of character and
your beauty, and I fain would make you mistress of
Halford Castle. I am soon to return to England,
and I desire to take you with me as my bride. I
have received the gracious permission of your hon
ored parents to begin my suit, and I fondly hope that
I may receive an affirmative answer from your lips."
" My lord, I am not insensible of the honor you
confer upon me, but I am not worthy of it. I am
an obscure girl. I am not fitted to fill the exalted
station in which you desire to place me."
" Pardon me, Miss Newville, I have met many a
200 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
fair maiden, but none so charming as the flower
which I desire to transplant "from the Colonies to old
England. My best judgment has selected you from
them all."
" My lord, I appreciate your kind words, and what
you would give me your honor, respect, and love,
and an exalted social position. I have heard from your
lips somewhat concerning the life you would expect
me to lead, the society in which you would have
me move. I trust you will pardon my frankness, but -
it does not attract me."
" I can quite understand you, dear Miss Newville ;
it is natural that you should shrink from such a
change, but I am sure you would adorn the position."
" More than what I have said, my lord, I do not
think I should be happy in such a position."
" Oh, I think you would. Certainly, it would be
my desire to place before you every advantage that
could contribute to your welfare and happiness. The
nobility of the realm would follow in your train.
You would captivate them with your grace and
beauty. No party, rout, or ball would be complete
without you. I am sure that her most gracious
majesty the queen would desire your presence at
court to grace her receptions."
" You flatter me, my lord, but I do not think that
fine dressing, the adornment of pearls and diamonds,
promenading, dancing, card playing, and masquerad
ing would give me the highest happiness. I think
that life has a nobler meaning. I should despise my
self if I made them the end and aim of my existence."
Lord Upperton could not quite comprehend her.
A NEW ENGLAND GIRL. 201
He was aware that across the sea many a mamma was
laying her plans to make her daughter mistress of
Halford, and the daughters had looked at him with
languishing eyes, but here was a girl, guileless and
pure, who was putting aside the great boon he would
gladly bestow upon her. He must set before her the
greatness of the gift. He described his estate its
parks, meadows, groves of oak, the herds of deer,
flocks of pheasants ; the rooms of the castle, the
baronial hall, with antlers nailed upon the beams and
rafters, banners that had been carried by ancestors
at Crecy and Agincourt. He pictured life in
London, scenes in Parliament, the queen's drawing-
rooms, the pageantry and etiquette at St. James's.
Miss Newville heard him in silence.
" Whatever there is to be had, whatever will con
tribute to your happiness, I shall lay at your feet,
dear Miss Newville."
What should she say to him? How inform him
that all the pageantry of King George's court, all
the wealth inherited from his ancestors, was of little
account in her esteem when set against eternal veri
ties, and one of those verities was fidelity to the con
viction that she must be true to herself.
" My lord," she said, " you may think me unappre-
ciative ; you may regard me as strange, but I must
be true to myself. I cannot do violence to my better
nature. I cannot barter my convictions. I could
honor and respect you, but something more would be
your due; that I could not give you. I could not
make you happy, and I should forever despise myself."
It was spoken clearly, distinctly, but with a tremor
202 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
of voice and a flush upon her cheek that heightened
her beauty. Lord Upperton sat in silence, ponder
ing her words. It was dawning upon him that a girl
of the Colonies had rejected his suit. He had come
to her with his castle, his ancestry, his title, his posi
tion as a peer of the realm, but she had put them all
aside. Not with them could he win his suit. Instead
of accepting what he had to give, she stood calm,
serene, beautiful, radiant, and pure, upon a height so
far above him that he never could stand by her side.
The silence was embarrassing.
" Miss Newville," he said, rising and standing be
fore her, " your answer is painful to me. I had an
ticipated the winning of your hand and heart. It had
not occurred to me that I should fail. I appreciate
what you have said. A loftier ideal of the nobleness
of true womanhood has come to me. My honor, re
spect, and love for you are deeper than ever, but I see
that what I desired cannot be. I bid you farewell."
She courtesied to his bow, and extended her hand.
He touched it to his lips, and passed from the room.
Her head was pressing her pillow once more. The
bell struck the midnight hour. Once more she heard
the watchman's voice.
" Twelve o'clock, and all is well."
"Yes, all is well," she said, and her sleep for
the night was calm and peaceful.
XIII.
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY.
ON the evening of October 29, 1773, the Sons of
Liberty again assembled at the Green Dragon. A
ship had dropped anchor during the day off Cas
tle William, bringing the news that Parliament had
passed a law taxing tea. Ever watchful for the
welfare of the people, they came together to hear what
the London newspapers and their friends in England
had to say about it, in letters which Samuel Adams
had received. The night being cool, the landlord
lighted a fire to warm the room, and enable those who
might like a mug of flip to heat the loggerhead in
the glowing coals. Upon the table, as usual, were the
punch-bowl, crackers, cheese, tobacco, and pipes. Mr.
Adams seated himself by the table and opened a letter.
" It is from Mr. Benjamin Franklin," he said, " who
writes that Parliament has passed a law levying three
pence per pound on tea. It is not to be collected here,
as on other articles, but the merchant who ships it is
to pay the duty. It is a very adroit attempt to collect
revenue. The consignees in the Colonies, of course,
will add the amount in their sales, and so the revenue
will be collected without any agency on the part of
the custom houses."
" I suppose," said Doctor Warren, " Lord North
204 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
and the whole British nation think we are such simple
tons, we shall not see the cat in the meal."
" It is an insidious act," Mr. Adams resumed, "in
tended to undermine the political virtue of the people.
Two years ago our wives and daughters exhibited
their allegiance to lofty principles by signing an
agreement not to drink tea until the obnoxious laws
then existing were repealed. Lord North laughed at
the time, but he has discovered that the people of the
Colonies can be loyal to a great principle. The East
India Company's receipts have fallen off at the rate of
five hundred thousand pounds value per annum. The
company has seventeen million pounds of tea stored in
London, intended for the Colonies, and for which there
is no market. It owes the government a vast sum.
The merchants who have grown rich out of their prof
its in the past are not receiving any dividends. The
shares of the company, which a few months ago were
quoted at high rates, have become unsalable. Parlia
ment has repealed the obnoxious laws for taxing the
Colonies, and passed this act, doubtless thinking that,
so long as we do not pay it directly into the custom
house, we shall acquiesce and go to drinking tea
again. And there is where the danger lies. We
have been so true to our convictions the revenue re
ceived from its sale last year in all the Colonies was
only fifteen hundred pounds. It is very humiliating
to the king and ministry to turn to the other side of
the ledger and find that it has cost several hundred
thousand pounds to maintain the troops sent to the
Colonies to aid in enforcing the revenue laws upon a
reluctant people. This new act, by having all the
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY. 205
customs machinery in England, will have a tendency
to seduce the people from their allegiance to a great
principle. How to thwart the plans of the ministry
is the all-important question for us to consider. Mr.
Franklin writes that several vessels are soon to leave
London for different colonial ports three of them
for Boston."
" There is an old song," said Doctor Warren,
" about a crafty old spider inviting a silly little fly
into his parlor. I don't believe the fly will accept the
invitation this time."
" The consignees," said Mr. Adams, " are Elisha
and Thomas Hutchinson, the governor's two sons ;
Richard Clark and sons, Benjamin Faneuil, Junior,
and Joshua Winslow, all honorable merchants ; but
their sympathies, as we know, are not with the people.
If we allow the tea to be landed, I fear the conse
quences. We must not permit the levying of a tax,
without our consent, in any form."
" I move," said John Rowe, " that we do not per
mit the landing of any tea."
The meeting voted to adopt the motion. The formal
business ended, they refilled their pipes, helped them
selves to crackers and cheese, punch and flip.
Berinthia Brandon, the following week, could not
understand why Tom wanted Dinah to make him a
pot of paste ; nor why he was out so late at night,
not getting home till three o'clock in the morning.
None of the watchmen, going their rounds, saw any
body pasting handbills on the walls of the houses, but
everybody saw the bills in the morning.
206 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
TO THE FREEMEN OF THIS AND NEIGHBORING
TOWNS.
GENTLEMEN, You are desired to meet at Liberty
Tree, this day at twelve o'clock noon, then and there
to hear the persons to whom the tea shipped by the
East India Company is consigned make a public res
ignation of their office on oath as consignees ; and also
swear that they will reship any tea that may be con
signed to them by said company, by the first vessel
sailing for London. O. C.
Secretary.
BOSTON, Nov. 3, 1773.
Show us the man that dare take this down ! ! ! ! !
Early in the morning the town crier was jingling
his bell and calling upon the people to be at the Lib
erty Tree at the appointed hour. Samuel Adams,
John Hancock, Doctor Warren, and William Moli-
neux were there, and a great crowd. The consignees
were assembled in Richard Clark's store. The people
voted to choose a committee to inform them that, if
they did not resign or pledge themselves not to land
the tea, they would be regarded as the enemies of their
country. William Molineux, Doctor Warren, and six
others were chosen.
A great crowd accompanied the committee. Gov
ernor Hutchinson, looking out upon them from the
window of the council chamber, saw that they were
the foremost men of Boston. The consignees were in
Richard Clark's store, and the door was locked.
" From whom are you a committee," asked Clark,
opening a window.
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY. 207
" From the whole people."
" I shall have nothing to do with you."
" Then you will be regarded as an enemy of your
country," replied Molineux.
" Out with them ! " cried somebody.
" Hold on. Don't let us make fools of ourselves,"
said Tom Brandon.
There was a murmuring in the crowd.
" In the king's name, I command you to disperse,"
said the sheriff, stepping forward.
It was not he, however, but Doctor Warren, who,
by a wave of his hand, stilled the people, and per
suaded them to depart.
On Sunday morning, November 29, Tom Brandon,
looking with the telescope, saw a ship at Nantasket,
and knew by the signals that it was the Dartmouth,
Captain Hall. When meeting was over at noon, he
called upon Doctor Warren and found him writing
a circular to be sent to the surrounding towns, ask
ing the people to assemble on Monday morning in
Faiieuil Hall. Tom took the writing to the printing-
office of Edes & Gill in Queen Street, and a printer
quickly put it in type. On Monday morning the
people of Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge, and all sur
rounding towns were reading it.
FRIENDS ! COUNTRYMEN ! BROTHERS !
The worst of plagues, the detested tea, shipped for
this port by the East India Company, has arrived.
The hour of destruction or manly opposition to the
machinations of tyranny stares you in the face.
Every friend to his country, to himself, and posterity
208 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
is now called upon to meet at Faneuil Hall at nine
o'clock this day, at which time the bells will ring, to
make a united resistance to this last, worst, and most
destructive measure of administration !
BOSTON, Nov. 30, 1773.
The bells rang. The people surged into Faneuil
Hall. There was a crowd in the square around the
building, so many people that they adjourned to the
Old South Meetinghouse, where they voted that the
tea must go back to England, and that twenty-five men
should keep watch day and night, to prevent its being
landed. The meeting adjourned till Tuesday morning
to hear what the consignees would do.
Through the night Abraham Duncan and the other
watchmen patrolled the wharves. The Dartmouth had
sailed up the harbor and was riding at anchor.
A great crowd filled the meetinghouse at nine
o'clock Tuesday. The moderator read a letter from
Richard Clark and the other consignees, who said
they could not send the tea back, but would put it in
their stores till they could hear from the East India
Company.
" No ! no ! no ! " shouted the people, who were more
than ever determined that it should not be landed.
Tom saw the sheriff, with his sword by his side, as
the emblem of authority, enter the meetinghouse, with
a paper in his hand.
" It is from his excellency, the governor," said the
sheriff, bowing to the moderator.
" We don't want to hear it," shouted the people.
" We are assembled in orderly town meeting. I
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY. 209
think we had better hear what the governor has to
communicate," said Samuel Adams, and the great au
dience became silent. Tom's blood began to boil as
the sheriff read :
" You are openly violating, defying, and setting at
nought the good and wholesome laws of the Province
under which you live. I warn you, exhort, and re
quire each of you, thus unlawfully assembled, forth
with to disperse, and to surcease all further unlawful
proceedings at your utmost peril."
Tom, and all around him hissed.
" We won't disperse till we 've done our business,"
shouted a man in the centre of the house.
" We will attend to our affairs, and Tommy Hutch-
inson may mind his own business," cried another.
" Let us hear from Mr. Rotch," the shout.
Mr. Rotch, a young merchant, wearing a broad-
brimmed hat, and who owned the Dartmouth, rose.
"I am willing the tea should go back without
being landed," he said.
The people clapped their hands.
"Hall! HaU! Let us hear from Captain Hall,"
they cried.
The captain of the Dartmouth, sunburned by ex
posure, said it made no difference to him. He would
just as soon carry the tea back as anything else.
Once more the people decided the tea should not be
brought on shore. To prevent its being landed it
was voted that the watch should be maintained ; that
if the attempt was made by day, the meetinghouse
bells would ring, if by night, they were to toll.
A few days later, the Beaver, commanded by Cap-
210 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
tain Coffin, and the Elenor, commanded by Captain
Bruce, arrived. Tom, once more looking down the
harbor, saw the warship Kingfisher drop down below
the Castle and anchor in the channel ; also the Active.
He understood the meaning of the movement that
the governor did not intend the ships should depart
with the tea on board. He knew things would soon
come to a head, for under the law, unless a vessel dis
charged its cargo within twenty days after arriving
in port, the ship and cargo would be confiscated.
Once more the people assembled, electing Thomas
Savage moderator, and passing a vote directing Mr.
Rotch to ask the collector to clear the Dartmouth for
London.
Rain was falling, and the wind east, rolling the
waves into the harbor, on the morning of December
16. Unmindful of the storm, people from Boston
and all the surrounding towns were gathering in
the Old South Meetinghouse. Little did the farthest
sighted among them comprehend that the fullness
of time had come for the opening of a mighty
drama; that the bell up in the tower was heralding
the beginning of a new era in human government.
Tom and Abraham found seats in the gallery.
After prayer, Samuel Adams said the committee
appointed at a previous meeting had called upon the
collector, with Mr. Rotch, asking him to clear the
Dartmouth, but the request was not granted.
" We all know," he continued, " that the twenty
days will expire at twelve o'clock to-night. After
that hour the Dartmouth will be moored under the
guns of Admiral Montague's warships, and will be
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY. 211
taken possession of by a party of marines. I there
fore move that Mr. Rotch be directed to enter his
protest at the Custom House, and that he be further
directed by this meeting to apply to Governor Hutch-
inson for a permit that shall allow the Dartmouth to
pass the Castle and sail for London."
" All in favor of that motion will say aye," said the
moderator.
" Aye ! " thundered the floor, galleries, aisles, and
pulpit stairs.
" All opposed will say no."
The silence was so profound that Tom could hear
his heart beat.
" This meeting stands adjourned to three o'clock,"
said the moderator, and the great crowd thereupon
surged into the streets. Some went to the Cromwell's
Head ; others to the Bunch of Grapes, White Lamb,
Tun and Bacchus, drank mugs of flip, and warmed
themselves by the bright wood-fires blazing on the
hearths. The meeting had adjourned to give Mr. Rotch
time to jump into his chaise and ride out to Milton
to see Governor Hutchinson.
Tom and Abraham walked towards the Cromwell's
Head. They were surprised and delighted to meet
Roger Stanley.
" I did n't hear of the meeting till last evening,"
said Roger, " and I have come in to see what is
going'on."
The rain had drenched his clothes.
" See here, Roger, you are wet to the skin ; you
must have some toddy. Come along, I '11 stand
treat," said Tom.
212 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
They entered the Cromwell's Head, and each took
a glass of flip, then made their way to the Long
Room in Queen Street. Climbing the stairs, Tom
rapped on a door. A moment later a panel opened,
and a nose, mouth, and eyes appeared. Tom gave
another rap which the nose, mouth, and eyes seemed
to understand, for the door opened, and they passed
in and it closed behind them.
Several of the Sons of Liberty were already there.
Some were smoking pipes, others sipping mugs of hot
punch. Edward Preston was sitting at a table writ
ing.
" The sachem has just finished his proclamation,
and is going to read it," said Henry Purkett.
The room became still, and Preston read what he
had written.
ABRANT KAN-AK-AR-A-TOPH-QUA, CHIEF SACHEM OF THE
MOHAWKS, KING OF THE Six NATIONS AND LORD
OF ALL THEIR CASTLES, ETC., ETC., TO ALL LlEGE
SUBJECTS, HEALTH.
WHEREAS, tea is an Indian Plant and of right
belongs to the Indians of every land and tribe ; and
whereas, our good allies, the English, have in lieu of it
given us that pernicious liquor, Rum, which they have
poured down our throats to steal away our brains;
and whereas, the English have learned the most expe
ditious way or method of drawing an infusion of said
Tea, without the expense of wood or trouble of fire,
to the benefit and emolument of the East India
trade, and, as vastly greater quantities may be used
by that method than by that heretofore practiced
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY. 213
in this country, and therefore help to support the
East India Company under the present melancholy cir
cumstances :
THEREFORE, we of our certain knowledge, special
grace, and mere motion will permit or allow any of
our liege subjects to barter, buy, or procure of any of
our English allies, Teas of any kind : provided always
each man can purchase not less than ten nor more
than one hundred and fourteen boxes at a time and
those the property of the East India Company ; and
provided also that they pour the same into the lakes,
rivers, and ponds, that, while our subjects in their
hunting, instead of slaking their thirst with cold water,
they may do it with tea.
Of all which our subjects will take notice and gov
ern themselves accordingly. By command,
TO-NE-TER-A-QUE.
"Attention, braves," said the sachem. "Each sub
ject will provide himself with a tomahawk and be at
the wigwam one hour after candle-lighting to-night,
prepared to carry out the proclamation. The tribe
will remember that the Mohawks do not talk much,
but do in silence what they have to do."
They heard the proclamation in silence, and one by
one took their departure. Roger said he would be in
the Old South Meetinghouse at three o'clock to hear
the result of the visit of Mr. Rotch to Governor
Hutchinson.
" I doubt if I shall be there ; I may have an en
gagement early in the evening," said Tom.
Abraham Duncan said the same.
214 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I went down to the shipyard this morning and got
two tomahawks. They are in my chamber, together
with the feathers and war-paint and the other things.
Come round early, Abe," said Tom as they parted.
Again at three o'clock a great crowd filled the
meetinghouse. The clouds had rolled away, and the
setting sun was throwing its beams upon the gilded
weather-vane when Roger Stanley entered the build
ing. It was so full that he could only stand in one
of the aisles. The moderator was reading letters from
the selectmen of the surrounding towns, saying that
they would stand by Boston in whatever might be
done to prevent the landing of the tea.
" Their letters," said William Molineux, rising in
one of the front pews, " are all very well ; they show
the determined spirit of our fellow-citizens ; but we
must have a committee whose duty it shall be to pre
vent the landing of the tea. I move the appointment
of such a committee."
The meeting voted that a committee should be
appointed.
The evening shades were falling and the housewives
lighting their candles. In the Brandon house Tom
and Abraham were putting on Indian uniforms which
Mr. Brandon years before brought home from the
tribes along the shores of the St. Lawrence buck
skin breeches and coats, fur caps trimmed with eagle's
feathers. Tom tripped upstairs to the garret, and
returned with a bunch of garget berries, with which
they stained their faces and hands.
" You look just like Indians," said Berinthia.
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY. 215
" Say nothing to nobody as to what you have seen,
'Binth," said Tom, as he closed the door and walked
with Abraham rapidly along the street.
In the Old South Meetinghouse Josiah Quincy was
speaking. The sexton brought in two tallow candles
and placed them on the table before the moderator.
There was a stir at the door a commotion a turn
ing of necks in the pews, as the young merchant, Mr.
Rotch, entered the building. Many in the audience
thought he had been lukewarm in his desire to have
the tea sent back to London, and were ready to hiss
at him.
"Let us be just," said Doctor Young. "Let no one
utter a word against our fellow-citizen. He is doing
all it is possible for him to do to have the detested
tea sent back."
The murmuring ceased as Samuel Adams addressed
him:
" Will you, Mr. Rotch, send the Dartmouth back
to London with the tea on board ? "
" Were I to make the attempt in compliance with
the request of the people it would be my ruin."
Roger and all around him saw what they had not
seen before, that were he to make the effort his ship
would be seized and himself arrested, and in all prob
ability sent to England to be tried for treason.
" Who knows how tea will mix with salt water ? "
shouted John Rowe.
" Let us treat the fishes to a cup of tea," shouted
another, and the windows rattled with their stamping.-"
"Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!"
It was a yell from the street.
216 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Let the meeting be in order. It is a trick of our
enemies to distract us," shouted some one. ,
" Order, gentlemen ! " cried the moderator.
"Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!"
Longer and louder the yell.
"The Mohawks! the Mohawks! "the cry at the
door.
Those in the galleries left their seats and hastened
down the stairs. People were rising in the pews and
crowding the aisles.
" This meeting can do no more," said Mr. Adams,
and he declared it adjourned.
The people saw forty or fifty Indians who had sud
denly appeared upon the street. Where they came
from no one knew, but they were rapidly making their
way to Griffin's Wharf where the ships were lying.
Roger Stanley and a great number of citizens followed
them. The sentinels with muskets on their shoulders,
keeping watch over the ships, made no effort to stop
the Mohawks. Roger saw the ship Dartmouth along
side the wharf and the Elenor and Beaver a little dis
tance from it. The chief leaped on board the Dart
mouth. The captain was on the quarter-deck ; the
crew huddled at the bow were astonished to see In
dians with tomahawks climbing over the sides of the
vessel.
"The Mohawks will unload your tea. Please
direct your men to open the hatches and then order
them below into the forecastle," said the chief, ad
dressing the captain. " You will retire to your cabin.
The Mohawks will not injure your ship or do you any
harm."
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY. 217
It was spoken resolutely and in such good English
that the captain understood every word. The sailors
lifted the hatches, provided hoisting tackle, and dis
appeared down the forward hatchway, and the captain
retired to his cabin. Roger saw an Indian run up the
shrouds by the mainmast and hitch a tackle. He
.thought the savage had some resemblance to Tom
Brandon. He also saw by the light of the moon, near
its first quarter, that while one party of savages were
at work upon the Dartmouth, others were warping the
Elenor and the Beaver to the dock. It was nearly low
tide, and the waves were swashing the timbers beneath
the wharf. Not far away lay the Romney with her can
non peeping from the portholes. Very quietly the Mo
hawks began their work, hoisting chests from the hold,
cutting them with hatchets, pouring the contents over
the sides of the vessels. Roger felt a desire to take
part jn the work. Running to a blacksmith's shop, he
smeared his face and hands with charcoal, took off his
coat, turned it inside out, put it on, leaped on board
the ship, seized a hatchet, smashed the chests, and
tumbled them overboard. The Indians worked in si
lence. The clock was striking ten when the last chest
was thrown into the dock. Their work finished, the
chief rapped upon the cabin door, and the captain
opened it.
"We have discharged your tea, captain, but we
have disturbed nothing else. If we have we will
cheerfully pay the damage."
The captain thanked him for being so considerate.
Tom, Abraham, and Roger, and the other Indians,
walked up the street past the house of Nathaniel
218 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Coffin, his majesty's receiver-general. His eldest son,
Isaac, one of Tom's schoolmates, had just' sailed for
England, Admiral Montague having obtained a com
mission for him in the king's navy, but John, the
younger brother, was at home.
Admiral Montague was there standing by an open
window.
"Well, boys, you have had a fine, pleasant evening
for your Indian caper ; but don't forget, you will have
to pay the fiddler by and by."
" Oh, never mind, admiral, we are ready to pay him
now," Tom replied.
The other Indians laughed as the admiral closed the
window and turned away.
Very quietly the Mohawks separated. Abraham
went to his own house, Roger went with Tom. They
were soon in their chamber washing the garget stains
and charcoal from their faces and hands.
" Rat-a-tat-tat ! " went the knocker on the door.
They heard feet tripping over the stairs and then
Berinthia's voice. " Oh, Tom, the officers are at the
door. Put out your light. Let me have your Indian
clothes. Get to bed, quick."
Tom raised the window, emptied the water from the
bowl into the alley behind the house, handed his
Indian suit to Berinthia, put out the light, and jumped
into bed. Captain Brandon was not at home, having
gone to Maine to obtain timber for the building of a
ship. Berinthia returned to her room, lifted the
sheets and blankets, tucked Tom's suit safely away
between the feather bed and the straw mattress be
neath it.
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY. 219
" Rat-a-tat-tat ! Rat-a-tat-tat ! " went the knocker,
louder than before. Tom heard Berinthia's window
open.
" Who 's there, and what is wanted ? " It was Be-
rinthia speaking.
" Is Captain Brandon at home ? " asked one of the
men at the door.
" He is not. He is in Maine."
" We want to search your house."
" Why do you wish to search it ? "
" An outrage has been committed, and we believe
that his son had a hand in it ! "
" My brother is in bed, and a friend is spending
the night with him ; but I will go and tell him."
Several minutes passed before Tom could strike a
light with the tinder-box, put on his clothes, and get to
the door. Before descending the stairs he looked in
the glass to see that the stains had been wholly re
moved from his face, and examined the floor to ascer
tain that no tea-leaves had been dropped from their
clothing. He then descended the stairs and opened
the door.
" Good-evening. What is it you wish ? " he said.
" You are Tom Brandon, are you not ? " asked one
of the officers.
" That is my name."
" It is believed, Mr. Brandon, that you were one of
the party who poured the tea into the harbor this
evening, and we have come to search for evidence."
" Come right in, gentlemen."
The officers stepped into the hall.
" This is the parlor, here is the sitting-room, and
220 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
beyond it is the pantry. I don't think you will find
much tea, for we quit drinking it three years ago, and
have n't had any since," said Tom.
" Shall we see your chamber, Mr. Brandon ? "
" Certainly ; you will find my old schoolmate, Roger
Stanley of Concord, in bed, but he won't mind."
They climbed the stairs, entered the chamber, asked
Mr. Stanley's pardon for intruding, took a look at the
washbowl, opened a clothespress, got down on their
knees and looked at the floor, to see if they could find
any tea.
" Here is another chamber, my sister's ; she spoke
to you from the window. You will hardly think of
entering the room till she has had time to put on her
dress."
" Oh, no ; we would not be so rude as to enter her
chamber. We do not suppose she had anything to do
with it," said the officers.
" Will you not take a look at the garret? " Tom
asked.
" No. You have covered your tracks so well, I do
not suppose we should find anything.''
" Thank you. If, as you say, I had a hand in it, I
regard it quite a compliment that I have covered my
tracks so well," Tom replied, as the officers took their
departure. He went upstairs and opened the door to
Berinthia's chamber a little.
" 'Rinth, you are the best girl that ever lived," he
said.
" Oh, Tom, you did that splendidly," she replied.
There was merry laughter from her lips as he closed
the door and returned to his chamber.
XIV.
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD.
THE summer of 1774 was waning. Once more
Robert Walden was on his way to Boston. The
wagon which Jenny and Paul were dragging was
loaded with bags filled with corn and rye, not to be
sold in the market, but a gift from Joshua Walden
and his fellow-citizens of Rumford to the people of
Boston. Parliament, in retaliation for the destruction
of the tea, had passed an act closing the port to com
merce. 1 After the first day of June, no vessels other
than those of the navy could enter or depart from the
harbor. Fishermen could no longer catch cod or
mackerel for the market. Farmers on the banks of
the Mystic could not dig potatoes from their fields
and transport them down the river on the ebbing tide
to the town dock. The people of Charlestown could
not gather cabbages from their gardens, take them
1 It is known in history as the Boston Port Bill. It was passed
as a retaliatory measure. No possible advantage could accrue to gov
ernment by its passage and enforcement. It was designed not only to
awe the people into submission, but to overturn the government of the
people and establish kingly prerogative. Parliament could not have
committed a greater blunder. Instead of humbling the people of
Boston, it aroused the sympathies of the entire country, and became
a potent influence in bringing about the union of the Colonies. Con
tributions of food, wheat, corn, rye, peas, beans, flocks of sheep, and
herds of cattle came from all of the Colonies.
222 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
across the ferry, and peddle them in Boston. Only
by the road leading to Roxbury could the suffering
people be supplied with food. Besides closing the
port, Parliament had abolished the charter of Massa
chusetts. The people no longer could elect thirty-six
councilors; they were to be appointed by the king,
instead. No more could they lawfully assemble in
town meeting to elect representatives to the legislature.
All rights and privileges were swept away.
It was near sunset when Robert turned into the
highway leading from Roxbury to Boston. He was
surprised to find fortifications a ditch and embank
ment and cannon mounted upon it at the narrowest
part of the Neck. The sentinels glared at him, but
did not offer any insult. 1 He knew several regiments
of troops had already arrived, and it was reported
that others would soon be sent from England to en
force the laws. He drove slowly along the street, past
the Liberty Tree. A half dozen citizens were sitting
on the benches beneath it smoking their pipes. There
were few people but many soldiers in the streets. He
watered the horses at the pump, then drove to the
Green Dragon.
It was a hearty welcome which he received in the
Brandon home.
"You find us under the harrow," said Mr. Bran
don. " The king and ministry are determined to
crush the life out of us. All business has stopped.
Grass is growing in the streets. Ship-carpenters,
1 Several regiments of troops had already arrived in Boston, and
fortifications were being constructed on Roxbury Neck, making it a
garrisoned town.
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 223
joiners, blacksmiths, ropemakers, are idle ; no one has
any work for them. Thousands have already left
town, and others are going. Nobody can earn a penny,
and we are all growing poorer. We should starve in
a short time were it not for the kindness and benevo
lence of the people. We are receiving contributions
of food from everywhere. Doctor Warren, John Han
cock, and a large number of our public-spirited citi
zens are distributing the gifts."
Tom said he was aiding the committee, looking
after the poor. Not only were kind-hearted people
sending grain, but flocks and herds.
" Only yesterday," he said, " Colonel Israel Putnam,
who served in the French and Indian war, arrived
with a flock of sheep from Connecticut. Day before
yesterday a sloop dropped anchor in Salem harbor,
loaded with corn contributed by the people of North
Carolina. It will be teamed into Boston. The Mar-
blehead fishermen have just sent between two and
three hundred quintals of codfish. The committee has
received a letter from Mr. Gadsden of South Carolina,
expressing the hope that we never will pay a cent for
the blasted tea. As evidence that South Carolina is
with us, he sent one hundred casks of rice, contrib
uted by his fellow-citizens, shipping it to Providence,
to be hauled the rest of the way by teams. The peo
ple of Baltimore loaded a vessel with three thousand
bushels of corn, twenty barrels of rye flour, and as
many of shipbread. Herds of cattle and flocks of
sheep are driven in every day. The town of Lebanon,
Connecticut, sent three hundred and seventy sheep ;
Norwich, two hundred and ninety ; Groton, one hun-
224 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
dred sheep and twenty-six fat cattle. Two schooners
have arrived at Salem, bringing three thousand bush
els of corn from Maryland. Another vessel brought
one thousand bushels from Virginia."
" These contributions," said Mr. Brandon, " show
that the people of the Colonies, or at least a large
portion of them, sympathize with us in our resistance
to tyranny."
" You have not told me about Rachel ; is she well ? "
Berinthia asked.
Robert informed her she was quite well, and hard
at work as usual.
" I suppose she is spinning for herself, these days ? "
said Berinthia, smiling.
" Yes, I dare say ; she has been making sheets and
pillow-cases since Roger Stanley was in Rumford."
" She has written me about him, and thinks there
is nobody else in the world so good as he. I 'm glad
they are engaged. She is just the one for him and
he for her."
There was one person whom Robert wished to
know about, who had been in his thoughts through
every step of his journey. How should he ask about
Miss Newville without revealing his interest in her ?
How ascertain if she were well ; if her heart was still
her own ?
" I suppose the arbitrary acts of Parliament may
have brought about estrangements between old-time
friends," he said.
" Yes, former friendships are being broken. Many
of my old acquaintances do not speak to me."
" Is it so bad as that ? "
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 225
" Yes, families are being divided. Fathers and
mothers taking sides with the king, sons and daugh
ters standing resolutely for the rights of the people.
You remember that sweet girl, Lucy Flucker, whom
you met at Miss Newville's garden party ? "
" Yes, a lovely lady."
" Her father is secretary of the Colony, and of
course sides with the king, but she is soon to be mar
ried to the bookseller, Mr. Knox, greatly against the
wishes of the family ; not because he is not worthy of
her, but because he opposes the king and his minis
ters," said Berinthia.
" Are you and Miss Newville still friends ? "
" Yes, just as good friends as ever. Her father, of
course, is a Tory, and her mother is a red-hot one,
but Ruth keeps her own counsel. You can have no
idea what a noble girl she is, gracious to everybody,
but true to herself. She had an offer of marriage
from Lord Upperton, a little while ago, and refused
him, to the astonishment of all her friends, and espe
cially her mother. Just why she rejected his suit no
one knows. Intimate as we are, she never has let me
into the secret."
" From what little I have seen of Miss Newville,
she seems to be a lady of sterling character," Robert
replied.
" She has many admirers, especially among his
majesty's officers. She receives them with charming
courtesy, listens to their flattering words, but is very
chary of her favors. I do not wonder that half a
dozen colonels, majors, and captains are dead in love
with her. I hope you will see her while here. She
226 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
often inquires about you and Rachel, and wishes she
could have another ride in a pung. I '11 tell you what
I '11 do, invite her to take supper with us, -and then
you '11 see what a glorious girl she is."
" I can believe all you say of her."
Once more, the following morning, Robert had the
pleasure of shaking hands with Doctor Warren and
Samuel Adams, and receiving the thanks of the com
mittee of supply for the contribution from Rumford.
Mr. Adams said the Colonies must prepare to enter
upon a struggle to maintain their liberties. Governor
Gage was carrying things with a high hand. A few
nights before, a body of troops had seized the powder
in the magazines out towards Medford, and taken it
to the Castle. 1 General Gage was seizing muskets.
He had purchased cannon and cohorn mortars, and
chain-shot of Mr. Scott, and had paid him five hun-
i The powder belonging to the Province was stored in a magazine
on Quarry Hill, in Charlestown. During the month of August, 1774,
several of the towns removed their proportion of the ammunition.
At half past four o'clock, on the morning of September 1, Lieutenant-
Colonel Madison, with 260 men, embarked in thirteen large boats at
Long Wharf, rowed up Mystic River, and landed at Mr. Temple's
farm, seized 250 half barrels of powder and landed it in the Castle,
also two cannon from the gun-houses in Cambridge. The news
spread, and before evening nearly 5,000 people had assembled in Cam
bridge with their muskets. They compelled Mr. Danforth, member
of the governor's council, to resign. The high-sheriff promised to serve
no warrant under the new act of parliament. Lieutenant-Governor
Oliver hastened to Boston, and informed General Gage that if he were
to send a body of troops into the country the people would rise in their
anger. Upon his return to Cambridge the people surrounded his house
and compelled him to resign his commission. General Gage wrote to
London that he must have more troops to enable him to strike a de
cisive blow. He expected the people would march into Boston. In
order to prevent surprise, the guards were doubled, and the troops
ordered to lay on their arms through the night.
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 227
dred pounds for them. He hoped the people of Rum-
ford would put themselves in a condition to be ready
at a minute's warning to resist any aggressions on the
part of the troops. It was evident that the king
was determined to carry out his plans by force of
arms.
Having delivered the donation to the committee,
Robert strolled through the town, finding many
houses, shops, and stores tenantless. There was a
strange silence, no hurrying of feet, no rumbling
of teams, no piles of merchandise. The stores were
closed, the shutters fastened. Grass was growing
in the streets and tufts of oats were springing up
where the horses, a few weeks before, had munched
their provender. Here and there he met men and
boys, wandering listlessly, with sadness in their faces,
but yet behind the sorrow there was a determination
to endure to the bitter end.
Robert visited his old acquaintance, Henry Knox,
no longer in the bookstore at the corner of King
Street, opposite the Town House, but in a store of his
own on Cornhill. He passed a tailor's shop and a
harness-maker's before he came to Mr. Knox's book
store, where he was heartily welcomed.
" I remember the book which you purchased the
first time we met ; I hope you liked it."
"It is very entertaining, and has been read by
nearly everybody in Rumford, and is pretty much
worn out," Robert replied.
While talking with Mr. Knox, he saw a white-
haired gentleman pass the store. The next moment
he heard a bell jingling in the shop of the harness-
228 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
maker, then in the shoemaker's, and lastly in the tail
or's. Mr. Knox laughed as the gentleman quickened
his pace.
" Possibly, Mr. Walden, you do not understand
the ringing of the bells in succession. The gentle
man is one of the Tory councilors recently appointed
by Governor Gage. He has accepted the appoint
ment and the citizens are worrying the life out of
him. Each shopman has a bell which he jingles the
moment he spies a councilor, giving notice to the other
shopmen." Mr. Knox looked up at the clock. " It
is about time for the council to assemble in the Town
House ; quite likely you will hear the bells tinkle
again. More than half of those appointed by General
Gage have already resigned, and I do not doubt others
will ere long throw up their commissions. Not much
honor is to be gained by holding an office against
public opinion."
" It is not a pleasing sight the presence of so
many troops," Robert remarked.
" Nominally, we are under civil law ; but in reality
our civil rights are gone, and we are under military
government," Mr. Knox replied.
Two officers entered the store and were courteously
received by the bookseller, who showed them the latest
books received from London. He informed Robert,
in a whisper, that they were Major John Small and
Ensign De Berniere. Another gentleman entered, a
citizen, whose coat was covered with dust, as if he had
been long on the road. He was heartily welcomed by
Mr. Knox, who introduced him to Robert as Colonel
Israel Putnam of Connecticut.
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 229
" I think I have heard my father speak of you ; he
was a lieutenant under Captain Stark at Ticonderoga.
Perhaps you remember him," Robert said.
" Indeed I do remember Joshua Walden, and a
braver man never wore a uniform in the Rifle Rangers
than he."
The major of the king's troops laid down his book
and approached with outstretched hand.
" Well, I declare ! If here is n't my old friend
Putnam," he said.
There was mutual hand-shaking between Major
Small and Colonel Putnam, who had fought side by
side under the walls of Ticonderoga and at Fort Ed
ward.
" And so you are here to enforce the Regulation
Act," said Putnam.
" It is because you are rebellious," Small replied.
" You are attempting to subvert our liberties by
enforcing unrighteous laws. The Colonies exhibited
their loyalty to the king when we stood side by side
to drive out the French. We taxed ourselves to the
utmost. England has repaid but a very small propor
tion of the cost. We were loyal then, and we are loyal
now; but we never will submit to tyranny," continued
Putnam.
" The people of this town threw the tea into the
dock, and now they must pay for it. Those that
dance must settle with the fiddler," Small replied.
" Not one penny will we ever pay. Parliament and
the king have closed the port, bringing distress upon
the community ; but it has awakened the sympathies
of the country from Passamaquoddy to Savannah.
230 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Now, Small, you are an old soldier, and so am I ; we
have smelled gunpowder, and can afford to talk
plainly. You are here, five thousand or more, with
several thousand additional troops just ready to sail
from England. You have come to overawe us by
force of arms. You have changed the charter of this
Province ; if this, why not all the others ? Why do
you do it ? I say you, for you represent the king ;
you do it because you are determined to make the
Colonies subservient to the crown. You cannot bear
to have us manufacture anything this side of the sea,
and are determined to make us your milch cow. Let
me tell you that you won't succeed. You do not know
the spirit of the people. Let one drop of blood be
shed by the troops, and a mighty host of armed men
will close around you. I know you can fight, and so
can we ; if you don't think so, try it."
" Ha, ha ! Put, you are the same old flint, ever
ready to strike fire. We won't quarrel now. Come,
let us step down to the Bunch of Grapes, have a glass
of wine, and talk over old times."
Arm in arm they walked down King Street to the
tavern.
Early the following afternoon Miss Newville was
welcomed to the Brandon home.
" It is a long time since we have met," she said,
reaching out her hand to Robert. " I am pleased to
see you once more. I hope you are well. And how
is Rachel?"
Many times he had thought of her as he last be
held her, standing beneath the portico of her home in
the radiant light of the moon. Her parting words
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 231
had been an abiding- memory " Good-by, till we
meet again." Once more her hand was resting in
his. She was no longer a girl, but entering upon
womanhood. He told the reason of his being there,
to bring the gift of Rumford to the suffering poor.
She had many questions to ask about Rachel. Was
she still making cheese ? Had she many flowers ?
"I suppose Rachel's brother prepares the flower
beds as in former years," she said, laughing.
" Yes, I spaded them for her."
" Berinthia informs me that she has found her true
love."
" So it appears."
" I doubt not she is very happy."
" She seems to be ; she is singing from morning
till night."
" I am so glad. I only saw Mr. Stanley at the time
of the launching of the ship, you remember, but
thought him worthy of any woman's love. Do you
still have delightful times at quiltings and huskings ? "
" In the country, customs rarely change. The
young ladies still have their quilting parties. Rachel
will soon be getting her fixings, and we doubtless shall
have jolly times."
" I should like to be able to help her. With so
many things to care for, I do not suppose she finds
much time for reading?"
" Very little. Besides, we do not have many books
to read. ' The New Hampshire Gazette ' comes once
a week, giving us a little glimpse of what is going on
in the world."
" I forgot you have no bookstore with all the new
232 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
volumes printed in London, history, travel, poetry,
and novels, as we have here."
She said that Mr. Knox, the bookseller, had been
very kind to her, supplying her with the new books
arriving from London, and had just handed her the
poems of Oliver Goldsmith.
The afternoon waned.
" Shall we go up on the housetop and see the sun
set ? " Berinthia asked.
The harbor, the fleet of warships at anchor, the
distant ocean, the distant woodlands, made a beauti
ful panorama.
" When I see such beauty," said Miss Newville, " I
want to be an artist or a poet to give expression to
my feelings. See the purple and gold on the Milton
Hills, the light on the water, the russet and crimson
of the forests ! How beautiful ! " she cried, with a rich
bloom upon her cheek as she gazed upon the landscape.
The tap of a drum and the tramping of a regiment
along the street attracted her attention. " I am weary
of seeing scarlet uniforms," she said.
" Will you not make an exception of those who
call upon Miss Newville ? " Berinthia asked.
" No. I do not even care to see General Gage
or Earl Percy in their gold-laced coats. They are
delightful gentlemen, and frequent visitors in our
home. I find much pleasure in listening to Earl
Percy's description of things in London ; but I
should be better pleased were he to visit us as a citi
zen, laying aside his military trappings, the emblems
of arbitrary power."
The sun was sinking behind the western hills. As
LORD PERCY
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 233
the last beams faded from the gilded vane of Christ
Church, they heard the beating of drums and the
shrill piping of boatswain's whistles on the decks of
the warships. A cannon flashed on the bastion of
the Castle, and the boom of the gun rolled far away
as the Cross of St. George descended from flagstaff
and topmast to be furled for the night.
"It is the sunset gun ; the signal for taking down
the flags," said Berinthia.
" I often watch from my chamber window for the
flashing of the cannon," Miss Newville remarked.
"It is a beautiful sight ; but would be more ex
hilarating if the flag was what it ought to be," said
Robert.
The twilight had not faded from the sky when
Robert accompanied Miss Newville to her home.
Officers of the king's regiments lifted their hats to
her upon the way ; their attentions were recognized
with dignified grace. Robert saw scowls on their
faces as they glared at him, as if to challenge his right
to be her escort.
" The night is hot and the air sultry, and if you
please, Mr. Walden, we will sit in the garden rather
than in the house," she said.
They strolled beneath the trees bending with the
weight of ripening fruit, and seated themselves in a
rustic arbor. The early grapes were purpling above
them.
" I do not know, Mr. Walden, that I quite compre
hended your meaning when you said the flag would
be more beautiful if it were what it ought to be. I
think it very beautiful as it is."
234 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I did not have referenqe, Miss Newville, to the
texture or quality of the clpth, or the arrangement
of colors, neither to the devices, the crosses of St.
George and St. Andrew, but thought of it as a sym
bol of power. My father fought under it, and it has
waved in triumph on many battlefields ; but just now
it is being used to deprive us of our rights."
" Have you ever read the legend of St. George ? "
she asked.
" I have not, and I hardly know what the Cross of
St. George stands for."
" It is a beautiful story. I read it not long ago in
a book which I found in Mr. Knox's store. Would
you like to hear it ? "
" Please tell me about it."
" The story runs that ever so many years ago there
was a terrible dragon a monster, part snake, part
crocodile, with sharp teeth, a forked tongue, claws,
and wings. It could crawl upon the land or swim
in the water. Every day it came from its lair and
ate the sheep in the pastures around the old city of
Berytus. When the sheep were gone it ate little
children. The king of the city could think of no
thing better than to issue an edict requiring the selec
tion of two children under fifteen years old by lot, to
be given to the dragon. One day the lot fell upon
the king's daughter, the Princess Cleodolinda, a beau
tiful girl, and as good as she was beautiful. It was
a terrible blow to the king. He offered all his gold,
precious stones, glittering diamonds, and emeralds,
and half his kingdom, if the people would consent to
her exemption, which they wouldn't do. He had
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 235
made the edict ; they had given their children ; he
must give his daughter. Being king, he thought he
coidd take somebody's else daughter. That made the
people angry, and they threatened to kill him. Then
the princess showed how good and noble and true she
was. She said she would die rather than there should
be any trouble. It was a sad morning when she bade
her father and mother and all her friends good-by,
and went out from the city, all the people weeping to
see her in her youth and beauty, so calm, peaceful,
and resigned, walking in the green field, waiting for
the dragon. They saw the monster crawl towards
her. Just then they beheld a young man with a
shining shield and waving plume, on horseback, with
sword and lance, approaching. It was George of
Cappadocia, a brave Christian youth. ' Fly ! fly ! '
shouted the princess. ' Why should I fly ?' he asked.
' Do you not see the dragon ? He will eat you as he
will me.' ' I am not afraid of him, and I will deliver
you,' said he, rushing upon the dragon with his lance.
It was a terrible fight. The monster hissing, running-
out his tongue, snapping his jaws, striking with his
tail and sharp claws ; but the brave George kept up
the fight, striking his lance through the thick hide
and shiny scales, and pinning the writhing creature
to the earth. ' It is not by my own might, but God,
through Jesus Christ, who has given me the power to
subdue this Apollyon,' he said. At that, the whole
city accepted the Christian religion. In recognition
of the victory he put the sign of the letter X, repre
senting the cross, upon his flag. The king was so
pleased that, besides becoming a Christian, he offered
236 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
George all his gold and silver and diamonds and pre
cious stones ; but the prince would not keep them ;
he gave them to the poor."
"It is indeed a beautiful story," said Robert,
charmed by the narration.
" I suppose the legend represents the conflict be
tween wickedness and righteousness," added Miss
Newville.
" Did George become the son-in-law of the king ? "
Robert asked.
Miss Newville laughed heartily.
" If it were a story in a novel," she said, " of course
that would be the outcome of the romance. No ; he
went on his travels converting people to Christianity.
The Greek Christians kept him in remembrance by
adopting the letter X as the sign of the cross. When
Richard the Lion-Hearted started on his crusade to res
cue the holy sepulchre from the Moslems, he selected
St. George as his protector. He is the patron saint
of England. He stands for courage in defense of the
truth."
" That is what the Cross of St. George should stand
for, Miss Newville, but just now it represents tyranny
and oppression. It is a beautiful flag, the crosses of
St. George and St. Andrew combined, in red, white,
and blue. No other banner symbolizes so much that
is precious of what men have done, but the king and
his ministers are perverting it. St. George and St.
Andrew were representatives of justice and righteous
ness. They died for principles which in their nature
are eternal, which will remain, when we are gone. I
have taken pride in being an Englishman. The flag
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 237
thrills me. I like to think of the brave deeds that
have been done under it. No other banner means so
much. It stirs me to think of it as waving not only
in England, but here, in Canada, in South America,
and on the banks of the Ganges. Of course, the flag,
the crosses upon it, signify suffering, devotion, heroism,
bravery. It is these things that warm my blood."
" Go on, please, Mr. Walden. I want to hear
more," said Miss Newville as he paused.
" I have delighted in being an Englishman because
the flag stands for all I hold most dear, but I am con
scious that my love for it is not what it was. The
king and his ministers by their arbitrary acts, Par
liament by passing laws taking away chartered rights,
are alienating the affections of the Colonies. We are
not so meek that we are ready to kiss the hand that
smites us. The time may come, Miss Newville, when
the people this side the Atlantic will have a flag of
their own. If we do it will be a symbol of a larger
liberty than we now have. The world does not stand
still. I do not know what Almighty God has been
reserving this Western world for through all the ages ;
but it must be for some grand purpose. It is a great
land and it will be peopled some day. We have made
our laws in the past, and we shall not surrender our
right to do so. The king and his ministers are not
using the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew for
the good of all. The crosses should represent brother
hood, but they do not. I think the time may come,
though, when there will be such a flag."
Again he paused, and again Miss Newville begged
him to go on.
238 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I cannot tell when it will be, but I know what I
would like to see."
" Please tell me," she said earnestly.
" I would like to see the time when men will recog
nize their fellow-men as brothers, and when the flag
will stand for equality, unity, liberty, and brotherhood."
" Do you think such a time will ever come ? "
" I do not doubt it. The prophets in the Bible
have predicted it, and it seems to me that the human
race is advancing in that direction. Have you not
noticed that almost everything we prize has come
through sacrifice and suffering? I came here with
food because the people of this town are suffering.
The bags of corn which I have brought are an expres
sion of brotherhood, of unity, love, and good will. The
people all the way from the Penobscot to the Savannah
are acting from such motives. It is curious that Par
liament by passing a wicked law is uniting the Colo
nies as nothing else could have done. What the king
designed for a punishment, in the end may be a great
blessing."
" I see it, and I want to thank you, Mr. Walden,
for your words. You have made clear what hitherto
I have not been able to understand. Of course, you
must be aware that I hear many conversations upon
affairs in the Colonies. General Gage and Earl
Percy are frequent guests in our home, as are many
gentlemen who sympathize with the king and the
ministry rather than with Mr. Adams and Doctor
Warren. I do not see how the king, who they say
is kind-hearted, could assent to a law which would
bring suffering and starvation to so many people."
BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD. 239
She sat in silence a moment, and then went on.
" I like to hear you, Mr. Walden, speak of that
good time that is to come. I should like to do some
thing to hasten it. I feel that I am stronger for what
you have said. Shall we take a stroll through the
grounds ? "
Through the day he had been looking forward to a
possible hour when he could be with her alone, to
feel the charm of her presence. And now that it had
come, what should he say, how let her know she had
been an inspiration to him ; how since their first meet
ing his last thought at night and the first of the
morning had been of her ? Were he to say the thought
of her had filled the days with happiness, would she
not think him presumptuous ? They were widely
separated by the circumstances of life, he of the
country, a farmer, swinging the scythe, holding the
plow, driving oxen, feeding pigs ; she, on the contrary,
was a star in cultured society, entertaining high-born
ladies and gentlemen, lords, earls, and governors;
chance, only, had made them acquainted. She had
been very kind. No, he must not presume upon her
graciousness and tell her that his heart had gone out,
to her in a wonderful way. Many men had proffered
their love, but had been rejected. It was blessedness
unspeakable to be permitted to walk by her side, to
hear her voice, to enjoy her esteem, friendship, and
confidence.
The song-birds of summer had gone, but the crickets
were merrily chirping around them ; flowers were fad
ing, but fruits were ripening. Slowly they walked
the winding paths, stopping at times to gaze upon the
240 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
clouds, silver-lined, in the bright light of. the full-orbed
moon.
" I shall not soon forget this quiet evening with
you, Mr. Walden, nor the words you have spoken. I
have thought it was my foreboding, but now I can see
that there may be trying times before us, times
which will test friendships."
" I trust, Miss Newville, that I may ever be worthy
to be numbered among your friends."
" I know you will." After a moment's hesitation
she added, " The tune may come when I shall need
your friendship."
Her voice was tremulous. The nine o'clock bell
was ringing. They were by the gate leading to the
street.
" You go home to-morrow. Will it be long before
we shall see you again ? I may want such strength
as you can give," she said.
" I trust that in God's good time we may meet
again. How soon I may be here or what may bring
me I do not foresee ; but be assured, Miss Newville,
I shall ever be your friend."
" I do not doubt it. Good-by," she said.
She heard his retreating footsteps growing fainter.
" Oh, if he had only said, ' I love you,' " the whisper
on her lips.
" I could die for her ; no, I '11 live for her," he
said to himself, as he walked towards the Brandon
home.
XV.
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE.
ABEL SHRIMPTON, loyal to the king, hated Samuel
Adams and John Hancock and the Sons of Liberty,
holding them responsible for the troubles that had
come to the people. In Mr. Shrimpton's attractive
home, made beautiful by the presence of his daugh
ter, Tom Brandon had been a welcome visitor, but
the relations between Mr. Shrimpton and Tom were
changing.
" The Kegulation Act," said Tom, " which in fact
makes the king the government, deprives the people
of their liberties."
" People who abuse their liberties ought to be de
prived of them," Mr. Shrimpton replied.
" We are not allowed to select jurors. The law
takes away our right to assemble in town meeting, ex
cept by permission, and then we can only elect select
men to look after town affairs," said Tom.
" The people have shown they are not fit to govern
themselves," said Mr. Shrimpton. " They allow the
mob to run riot. It was a mob that smashed Chief
Justice Hutchinson's windows. Your gatherings un
der the Liberty Tree are in reality nothing but mobs ;
you have no legal authority for assembling. It was
a mob that assaulted the king's troops on the 5th of
242 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
March ; a mob threw the tea into the harbor, and I
strongly suspect that Tom Brandon had a hand in
that iniquity. The king stands for law and order.
The troops are here in the interest of good govern
ment, by constituted authority, to enforce the law and
put down riots."
" Just who had a hand in throwing the tea over
board no one can find out, but I am glad it was
done," said Tom.
" So you uphold lawlessness, Mr. Brandon ? "
" I stand against the unrighteous acts of Parlia
ment. We will not be slaves ; we will not be de
prived of our liberties. If King George and Lord
North think they can starve the people of this town
into submission, they will find themselves mistaken,"
said Tom.
" I hope he will compel every one of you to obey
the laws, and that whoever had a hand in destroying
the tea will suffer for it," Mr. Shrimpton replied.
Tom saw the smile fade from the countenance of
Mary as she listened to the conversation. Her
quick insight, and acquaintance with her father's
surly temper, enabled her to see what was withholden
from Tom's slower perception.
" Mary," said Mr. Shrimpton, after Tom took his
departure, " I want you to stop having anything to do
with Tom."
"Why, father?"
" Because I don't like him."
" But I do like him."
." No matter. He 's an enemy to the king. I
have good reason to believe he had a hand in throw-
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE. 243
ing the tea overboard. If he did, he is no better
than a thief. He willfully, wantonly, and with
malice aforethought stole the property of others from
the holds of the ships, and destroyed it. It was bur
glary breaking and entering. It was a malicious
destruction of property of the East India Company.
It was a heinous affair not mere larceny to be
punished by standing in the pillory, or sitting in the
stocks, or tied up to the whipping-post and flogged,
but an offense which, if it could be proved, would
send every one of the marauders to jail for ten or
twenty years. Now I don't want the name of
Shrimpton mixed up with that of Brandon. So you
can cut Tom adrift."
" But, father " -
" I don't want any buts. You will do as I tell
you if you know what is good for yourself."
" Have you not, father, said in the past that he
was an estimable young man ? "
" But he is not estimable now. He meets others
in secret to plot mischief. I have had spies on his
track. He is a lawbreaker, a mischief-maker, and
sooner or later will be in jail, and possibly may be
brought to the gallows. Now, once for all, I tell you
I will not have him coming here."
Mr. Shrimpton said it with a flushed face, setting
his teeth firmly together as he rose from his chair.
" Very well, father," said Mary, wiping the tears
from her eyes.
She knew how irascible he was at times, how he
allowed his anger to master reason, and hoped it
might pass away. Through the night the words were
244 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
repeating themselves. What course should she pur
sue ? Give up Tom ? What if he did help destroy
the tea ; was it not a righteous protest against the
tyranny of the king and Parliament ? He did not do
it as an individual, but as a member of the commu
nity ; it was the only course for them to pursue.
Tom was not therefore a thief at heart. Was he
not kind-hearted ?~ Was he not giving his time and
strength to relieve suffering? Had he not just as
much right to stand resolutely for the liberties of
the people as her father for the prerogatives of the
king? Must she stop seeing him to please her
father ? It would not be pleasant to have Tom call
upon her, and have her father shut the door in his
face ; that would be an indignity. Should she with
draw her engagement? Should she plunge a knife
into her own heart to please her father? Never.
Come what would, she would be true to Tom. She
would not anger her father by inviting Tom to con
tinue his visits, but there were the elms of Long
Acre, Beacon Hill, the market, and other places,
where from time to time they might meet for a few
moments. True love could wait for better days.
There came a morning when the people saw a
handbill posted upon the walls which said that the
men who were misleading the people were bankrupt
in purse and character. Tom Brandon's blood was
at fever heat as he read the closing words :
" Ask pardon of God, submit to our king and
Parliament, whom we have wickedly and grievously
offended. Let us seize our seducers, make peace
with our mother country, and save ourselves and
children."
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE. 245
He knew that the sentiments of the handbill were
those of Mr. Shrimpton, and suspected that his hand
had penned it. The rumor was abroad that the king
had sent word to General Gage to seize the two
arch leaders of the rebels, Adams and Hancock.
The following evening Tom and other Sons gathered
at the Green Dragon, laid their hands upon the Bible,
and made a solemn oath to watch constantly the move
ments of the Tories and soldiers, and give information
to Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Doctor Warren,
and Benjamin Church, and to no others.
There came a day when a great multitude assembled
in town meeting, in the Old South Meetinghouse, to
listen to Doctor Warren's oration commemorative of
the massacre of the people by the troops. Citizens
from all the surrounding towns were there to let Gen
eral Gage know they had not forgotten it ; besides,
they knew they would hear burning words from the
lips of the fearless patriot.
Tom Brandon and Abraham Duncan, looking down
from the gallery upon the great throng, saw Samuel
Adams elected moderator. He invited the officers of
the regiments to take seats upon the platform. Tom
wondered if they were present to make mischief.
The pulpit was draped in black. Every part of the
house was filled, aisles, windows, seats, and there
was a great crowd in the porches. Tom was won
dering if it would be possible for Doctor Warren
to edge his way through the solid body of men, when
he saw the window behind the pulpit opened by one
of the selectmen and the doctor, wearing a student's
black gown, enter through the window. The audience
246 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
welcomed him with applause. For more than an hour
they listened spellbound to his patriotic and fearless
words. At times the people made the building shake
with their applause. Some of the king's officers grew
red in the face when he alluded to their presence
in Boston to suppress the liberties of the people.
One of the officers of the Welsh Fusileers sitting
on the stairs was very insulting. Tom saw him take
some bullets from his pocket and hold them in the
palm of his hand to annoy Doctor Warren, but instead
of being frightened, he very quietly rebuked the offi
cer's insolence by letting his handkerchief drop upon
the bullets. Bold and eloquent were his closing words.
" Fellow-citizens," he said, " you will maintain
your rights or perish in the glorious struggle. How
ever difficult the combat, you will never decline it
when freedom is the prize. Independence of Great
Britain is not our aim. Our wish is that Britain and
the Colonies may, like the oak and the ivy, grow and
increase in strength together. If pacific measures fail,
and it appears that the only way to safety is through
fields of blood, I know you will not turn your faces
from your foes, but will press forward till tyranny is
trodden under foot and you have placed your adored
goddess Liberty on her American throne."
The building shook with applause when he sat down.
" It is moved that the thanks of the town be pre
sented to Doctor Warren for his oration," said the
moderator.
" No, no ! fie, fie ! " shouted a captain of the Royal
Irish Regiment, and the other officers around thumped
the floor with their canes.
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE. 247
Tom's blood was hot, as was the blood of those
around him. Some of the people under the galleries,
who could not see what was going on, thought the offi
cers were crying fire, to break up the meeting. Very
quietly Samuel Adams raised his hand. The people
became calm. The officers left the building, and the
town went on with its business. The people were
learning self-control.
When the meeting was over, Tom and Abraham
walked along Cornhill, and turned down King Street
on their way home. They saw a crowd around the
British Coffee House tavern, the officers who a little
while before had left the Old South Meetinghouse,
laughing, talking, and drinking their toddy. Tom
soon discovered they were having a mock town meeting.
One was acting as moderator, pounding with his cane
and calling them to order. They chose seven select
men and a clerk. Then one went upstairs and soon ap
peared upon the balcony wearing a rusty and ragged old
black gown, a gray wig with a fox's tail dangling down
his back. He bowed to those below, and began a mock
oration. He called Samuel Adams, Doctor Warren,
and John Hancock scoundrels, blackguards, knaves,
and other vile names. His language was so scurrilous,
profane, and indecent that Tom could not repeat it
to his mother and Berinthia. Those who listened
clapped their hands. Tom and Abraham came to the
conclusion that most of the officers of the newly ar
rived regiments were too vile to be worthy the society
of decent people.
Tom was boiling hot two nights later, at the treat
ment given Thomas Ditson of Billerica, who had come
248 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
to market. A soldier persuaded the guileless young
farmer to buy an old worn-out gun. The next moment
he was seized by a file of soldiers and thrust into the
guardhouse for buying anything of a soldier against
the law. He had only the bare floor to sleep on. In
the morning, Lieutenant-Colonel Nesbit ordered the
soldiers to strip off Ditson's clothes, and tar and
feather him.
It was a pitiful spectacle which Ruth Newville saw,
Colonel Nesbit marching at the head of his regi
ment, the soldiers with their bayonets surrounding a
man stripped to the waist, smeared with tar, covered
with feathers, the fifes playing, and the drums beating
the Rogue's March.
" It is disgraceful," she said, with flashing eyes, to
her mother. " Colonel Nesbit ought to be ashamed of
himself. If he ever calls here again, I '11 not speak
to him."
Fast Day came, and again the eyes of Miss New
ville flashed when she saw the king's troops parading
the streets ; the drummers and fif ers taking their sta
tions by the doors of the meetinghouses to annoy the
people, playing so loud they could scarcely hear a
word of what the minister was saying.
" Do you think, father, that General Gage will win
back the affections of the people, or even retain their
respect by permitting such outrages ? " Ruth asked.
" Perhaps it is not the wisest course to pursue.
Quite likely the officers of the regiments did it of their
own notion," Mr. Newville replied.
If Lord North and King George thought a show
of military force would overawe the people of Boston
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE. 249
town, they were mistaken. Possibly they did not
reflect that military repression might beget resistance
by arms ; but when the regiments began to arrive, the
Sons of Liberty resolved to prepare for whatever
might happen. They appointed a committee of safety
to protect the rights of the people.
Winter was over, and with their singing the birds
were making the April mornings melodious. The
Provincial Congress was in session at Cambridge, and
Samuel Adams and John Hancock had left Boston
and with Dorothy Quincy were with Reverend Mr.
Clark in Lexington. Abraham Duncan discovered
that General Gage had sent Captain Brown and En
sign De Berniere into the country to see the roads. 1
Sharp-eyed Sons of Liberty watched the movements
of the soldiers. They saw Lord Percy march his bri
gade to Roxbury, and return as if for exercise, with
no one opposing them.
" We can march from one end of the continent to
the other, without opposition from the cowardly Yan
kees," said the boasting soldiers.
Paul Revere, Tom Brandon, Robert Newman, and
a score of the Sons of Liberty were keeping watch of
the movements of the redcoats. They saw the sail
ors of the warships, and of the vessels which had
brought the new troops, launching their boats and
putting them in order. They knew General Gage
1 Captain Brown and Ensign De Berniere, March 20, visited Con
cord and Worcester and intermediate towns, dressed as citizens. The
vigilant Sons of Liberty were cognizant of all their movements and
notified the patriotic citizens, who had them under surveillance every
moment. Ensign De Berniere has written a narrative of the journey.
250 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
wanted to seize Samuel Adams and John Hancock,
and quite likely the military supplies which the com
mittee of safety had collected at Concord. Paul Re
vere rode out to Lexington on Sunday to see Adams
and Hancock, and let them know what was going on
in Boston.
"The launching of the ship's boat means some
thing," said Mr. Adams. " It looks as if the troops
were going to make a short cut across Charles River
instead of marching over Roxbury Neck."
" We will keep our eyes open and let you know
the moment they make any movement," said Revere.
" Quite likely Gage will set a patrol so you can't
leave Boston," said Hancock.
" I '11 tell ye what we '11 do. If the troops leave in
the night by way of Roxbury, I '11 get Robert Newman
to hang a lantern in the steeple of Christ Church ; if
they take boats to make the short cut across Charles
River, I '11 have him hang out two lanterns. I '11 tell
Deacon Larkin and Colonel Conant, over in Charles-
town, to keep their eyes on the steeple."
It was Tuesday morning, April 18. Abraham
Duncan wondered how it happened that so many
British officers with their overcoats on were mounting
their horses and riding out towards Roxbury, not in a
group, but singly, or two together, with pistols in
their holsters.
" We will dine at Winship's tavern in Cambridge,
and then go on," he heard one say.
He also noticed that the grenadiers and light infan
try guards were not on duty as on other days.
- THE MIDNIGHT RIDE. 251
He hastened to inform Doctor Warren, who sent
a messenger with a letter to the committee of safety.
It was evening when Richard Devens and Abraham
Watson, members of the committee of safety, shook
hands with their fellow members, Elbridge Gerry, Asa
Orne, and Colonel Lee at Wetherby's, bade them
good-night, and stepped into their chaise to return to
their homes in Charlestown. The others would spend
the night at Wetherby's, and they would all meet in
Woburn in the morning.
Satisfying to the appetite was the dinner which
landlord Winship set before a dozen British officers,
roast beef, dish gravy, mealy potatoes, plum-pudding,
mince pie, crackers and cheese, prime old port, and
brandy distilled from the grapes of Bordeaux.
" We will jog on slowly ; it won't do to get there
too early," said one of the officers as they mounted
their horses and rode up past the green, and along
the wide and level highways, towards Menotomy, pay
ing no attention to Solomon Brown, plodding home
ward in his horse-cart from market. When the old
mare lagged to a walk, they rode past him ; when he
stirred her up with his switch she made the old cart
rattle past them. The twinkling eyes peeping out
from under his shaggy brows saw that their pistols
were in the holsters, and their swords were clanking
at times.
" I passed nine of them," he said to Sergeant Mun-
roe when he reached Lexington Common ; and the
sergeant, mistrusting they might be coming to nab
Adams and Hancock, summoned eight of his company
to guard the house of Mr. Clark.
252 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Mr. Devens and Mr. Watson met the Britishers.
" They mean mischief. We must let Gerry, Orne,
and Joe know," Mr. Devens said.
Quickly the chaise turned, and they rode back to
Wetherby's. The moon was higher in the eastern sky,
and the hands of the clock pointed to the figure nine
when the officers rode past the house.
"We must put Adams and Hancock on their
guard," said Mr. Gerry ; and a little later a messen
ger on horseback was scurrying along a bypath to
wards Lexington.
In Boston, Abraham Duncan was keeping his eyes
and ears open.
" What 's the news, Billy ? " was his question to
Billy Baker, apprentice to Mr. Hall, who sold toddy
to the redcoats.
" I guess something is going to happen," said Billy.
" What makes you think so ? "
" 'Cause a woman who belongs to one of the red
coats was in just now after a toddy ; she said the lob
sters were going somewhere."
" Is that so ? "
" Yes ; and they are packing their knapsacks."
Abraham whispered it to Doctor Warren, and a few
minutes later William Dawes was mounting his old
mare and riding toward Roxbury. She was thin in
flesh, and showed her ribs ; and the man on her back,
who dressed calf-skins for a living, jogged along Corn-
hill as if in no hurry. The red-coated sentinels, keep
ing guard by the fortifications on the Neck, said to
themselves he was an old farmer, but were surprised
to see him, after passing them, going like the wind
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE.
253
out towards Roxbury, to the Parting Stone, then turn
ing towards Cambridge, making the gravel fly from
her heels as she tore along the road.
Berinthia Brandon, sitting in her chamber, looking
out into the starlit night, saw the faint light of the
rising moon along
the eastern horizon.
Twilight was still
lingering in the
western sky. In the
gloaming, she saw
the sailors of the
warships and trans
ports were stepping
into their boats and
floating with the in
coming tide up the
Charles. What was
the meaning of it?
She ran downstairs
and told her father
and Tom what she
had seen ; and Tom,
seizing his hat, tore along Salem Street and over the
bridge across Mill Creek to Doctor Warren's. The
clock on the Old Brick Meetinghouse was striking ten
when he rattled the knocker.
" The boats are on their way up the river with the
tide," he said, out of breath with his running.
Abraham Duncan came in, also out of breath.
" The lobsters are marching across the Common,
toward Barton's Point," he said.
Paul Revere's House.
254 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" All of which means, they are going to take the
boats and cross Charles River, instead of marching by
way of Roxbury," said the doctor, reflecting a moment.
He asked Tom if he would please run down to North
Square and ask Paul Revere to come and see him.
A few minutes later Revere was there.
" I 've already sent Dawes, but for fear Gage's
spies may pick him up, I want you to take the short
cut to Lexington and alarm people on your way ;
you '11 have to look sharp for Gage's officers. Tell
Newman to hang out the two signals."
Revere hastened down Salem Street, whispered a
word in the ear of Robert Newman, ran to his own
home for his overcoat, told two young men to accom
pany him, then ran to the riverside and stepped into
his boat. The great black hull of the frigate Somerset
rose before him. By the light of the rising moon he
could see a marine, with his gun on his shoulder,
pacing the deck; but no challenge came, and the
rowers quickly landed him in Charlestown. 1
1 In the Tales of a Wayside Inn, the poet Longfellow represents
Paul Revere as impatiently waiting beside his horse, on the Charles-
town shore, for the signal lights :
" On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere.
Now he patted his horse's side,
Now gazed at the landscape far and near,
Then, impetuous, stamped the earth,
And turned and tightened his saddle-girth ;
But mostly watched with eager search
The belfry tower of the Old North Church,
As it rose above the graves on the hill,
Lonely and spectral and sombre and still.
And lo ! as he looks, on the belfry height
A glimmer, and then a gleam of light !
He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,
But lingers and gazes, till full on his sight
A second lamp in the belfry burns ! "
From the narrative of Paul Revere in the archives of the Massachu-
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE. 255
Robert Newman, sexton, had gone to bed. The offi
cers of one of the king's regiments, occupying the front
chamber, saw him retire, but did not see him a min
ute later crawl out of a window to the roof of a shed,
drop lightly to the ground, make his way to the church,
enter, turn the key, lock the door, climb the stairs to
the tower, and hang the lanterns in the loft above
the bell. It was but the work of a moment. Hav
ing done it, he hastened down the stairway, past the
organ, to the floor of the church. The full moon was
flooding the arches above him with its mellow light ;
but he did not tarry to behold the beauty of the scene ;
not that he feared ghosts would rise from the coffins
in the crypt beneath the church, he was not afraid
of dead men, but he would rather the redcoats
should not know what he had been doing. He raised
a window, dropped from it to the ground, ran down
an alley, reached his house, climbed the shed, and
was in bed when officers of one of the regiments came
to make inquiry about the lanterns. Of course, Rob
ert, being in bed, could not have hung them there.
It must have been done by somebody else. 1
setts Historical Society, we learn that the signals were seen before
he reached the Charlestown shore :
" When I got into town, I met Colonel Conant and several others ;
they said they had seen our signals ; I told them what was acting,
and I went to get me a horse ; I got a horse of Deacon Larkirt.
While the horse was preparing, Richard Devens, Esq., who was one
of the Committee of Safety, came to me and told me that he came
down the road from Lexington after sundown, that evening ; that he
met ten British officers, all well mounted and armed, going up the
road."
1 Paul Revere in his narrative says " a friend " made the signals.
It has been claimed that John Pulling, and not Robert Newman,
hung the lanterns. The evidence favoring Newman and Pulling is
256 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Paul Revere the while is flying up Main Street
towards Charlestown Neck. It is a pleasant night.
The grass in the fields is fresh and green ; the trees
above him are putting forth their young and tender
leaves. He is thinking of what Richard Devens has
said, and keeps his eyes open. He crosses the narrow
neck of land between the Mystic and Charles rivers,
and sees before him the tree where Mark was hung
ten years before for poisoning his master. The bones
of the negro no longer rattle in the wind ; the eyeless
sockets of the once ghostly skeleton no longer glare
at people coming from Cambridge and Medford to
Charlestown, and Paul Revere has no fear of seeing
Mark's ghost hovering around the tree. It is for the
living Gage's spies that he peers into the night.
Bucephalus suddenly pricks up his ears. Ah! there
they are! two men in uniform on horseback beneath
the tree. He is abreast of them. They advance.
Quickly he wheels, and rides back towards Charles-
town. He reaches the road leading to Medford, reins
Bucephalus into it. He sees one of them riding
across the field to cut him off ; the other is follow
ing him along the road. Suddenly the rider in the
field disappears, going head foremost into a clay
pit. " Ha ! ha ! " laughs Revere, as the fleet steed
bears him on towards Medford town. He clatters
in each case circumstantial. Both were Sons of Liberty and intimate
with Revere. Newman was sexton in possession of the keys of the
church. It is said that Pulling obtained them ; that the suspicion
was so strong 1 against him he was obliged to leave the town secretly,
not daring to apply for a pass. Newman was arrested, but General
Gage could find no direct evidence against him. I have followed the
generally accepted opinion, favoring Newman.
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE. 257
across Mystic bridge, halts long enough to awaken
the captain of the minute-men, and then rattles on
towards Menotomy. 1
It is past eleven o'clock. The fires have been cov
ered for the night in the farmhouses, and the people
are asleep.
" Turn out ! turn out ! the redcoats are coming ! "
Paul Revere is shouting it at every door, as Bu
cephalus bears him swiftly on. The farmers spring
from their beds, peer through their window-panes into
the darkness, seeing a vanishing form, and flashing
sparks struck from the stones by the hoofs of the
flying horse. Once more across the Mystic on to
Menotomy, past the meetinghouse and the houses of
the slumbering people, up the hill, along the valley,
to Lexington Green ; past the meetinghouse, not halt
ing at Buckman's tavern, but pushing on, leaping from
his foaming steed and rapping upon Mr. Clark's door.
" Who are ye, and what d' ye want ? " Sergeant
Munroe asked the question.
" I want to see Mr. Hancock."
"Well, you can't. The minister and his family
mustn't be disturbed, so just keep still and don't
make a racket."
1 " After I passed Charlestown Neck, and got nearly opposite where
Mark was hung in chains, I saw two men on horseback under the tree.
When I got near them I discovered they were British officers. One
tried to get ahead of me, and the other to take me. I turned my
horse quick and galloped towards Charlestown Neck, and then pushed
for the Medford road. The one who chased me, endeavoring to cut
me off, got into a clay pond. I got clear of him and went through
Medford over the bridge up to Menotomy. In Medford I awaked the
captain of the minute-men, and after that I alarmed every house till I
got to Lexington." Revere's Narrative.
258 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" There '11 be a racket pretty soon, for the redcoats
are coming," said Paul.
" Who are you and what do you wish ? " asked
Reverend Mr. Clark in his night-dress from the win
dow.
" I want to see Adams and Hancock."
"It is Revere ; let him in ! " shouted Hancock
down the stairway.
" The regulars are coming, several hundred of them,
to seize you ! "
" It is the supplies at Concord they are after," cried
Mr. Adams.
A moment later other hoofs were striking fire from
the stones, and another horseman, -William Dawes, ap
peared, confirming what Revere had said.
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XVI.
THE MOENING DRUMBEAT.
" RING the bell ! "
Samuel Adams said it, and one of Sergeant Munroe's
men ran to the green, seized the bell-rope, and set the
meetinghouse bell to clanging, sending the alarm far
and wide upon the still night air.
In the farmhouses candles were quickly lighted,
and the minute-men, who had agreed to obey a sum
mons at a moment's warning, came running with mus
ket, bullet-pouch, and powder-horn, to the rendezvous.
They formed in line, but, no redcoats appearing, broke
ranks and went into Buckman's tavern.
Silently, without tap of drum, the grenadiers and
light infantry under Colonel Francis Smith, at mid
night, marched from their quarters to Barton's Point,
together with the marines under Major Pitcairn.
" Where are we going ? " Lieutenant Edward Gould
of the King's Own put the question to Captain
Lawrie.
" I suppose General Gage and the Lord, and per
haps Colonel Smith, know, but I don't," the captain
replied, as he stepped into a boat with his company.
It was eleven o'clock when the last boat-load of
troops reached Lechmere's Point, not landing on
260 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
solid ground, but amid the last year's reeds and
marshes. The tide was flowing into the creek and
eddies, and the mud beneath the feet of the king's
troops was soft and slippery.
"May his satanic majesty take the man who or
dered us into this bog," said a soldier whose feet sud
denly went out from under him and sent him sprawl
ing into the slimy oose.
" By holy Saint Patrick, is n't the water nice and
warm ! " said one of the marines as he waded into the
flowing tide fresh from the sea.
" Gineral Gage intends to teach us how to swim,"
said another.
With jokes upon their lips, but inwardly cursing
whoever had directed them to march across the marsh,
the troops splashed through the water, reached the
main road leading to Menotomy, and waited while the
commissary distributed their rations. It was past two
o'clock before Colonel Smith was ready to move on.
Looking at his watch in the moonlight and seeing how
late it was, he directed Major Pitcairn to take six
companies of the light infantry and hasten on to
Lexington.
From the house of Reverend Mr. Clark, Paul
Revere, William Dawes, and young Doctor Prescott of
Concord, who had been sparking his intended wife in
Lexington village, started on their horses up the road
towards Concord. From the deep shade of the alders
a half dozen men suddenly confronted them.
" Surrender, or I will blow out your brains ! "
shouts one of the officers.
THE MORNING DRUMBEAT. 261
Revere and Dawes are prisoners ; but Doctor Pres-
cott, quick of eye, ear, and motion, is leaping his horse
over the stone wall, riding through fields and pastures,
along bypaths, his saddle-bags flopping, his horse,
young and fresh, bearing him swiftly on over the mea
dows to the slumbering village, with the news that the
redcoats are coming. 1
" Tell us where we can find those arch traitors to
his majesty the king, or you are dead men," the threat
of an officer.
Paul Revere sees the muzzle of the pistol within a
foot of his breast, but it does not frighten him.
" Ah, gentlemen, you have missed your aim."
"What aim?"
" You won't get what you came for. I left Boston
an hour before your troops were ready to cross Charles
River. Messengers left before me, and the alarm will
soon be fifty miles away. Had I not known it, I
would have risked a shot from you before allowing
myself to be captured."
From the belfry of the meetinghouse the bell was
1 Longfellow in his poem has Revere riding on to Concord bridge.
" It was two by the village clock,
When he came to the bridge in Concord town."
Revere's account reads :
" We had got nearly half way ; Mr. Dawes and the Doctor stopped
to alarm the people of a house. I was about one hundred rods ahead
when I saw two men, in nearly the same situation as those officers
were near Charlestown. I called for the Doctor and Dawes to come
up ; in an instant I was surrounded by four. . . . We tried to get
out there ; the Doctor jumped his horse over a low stone wall and got
to Concord. I observed a wood at a small distance and made for
that. When I got there, out rushed six officers on horseback and
ordered me to dismount."
262 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
sending its peals far and wide over fields and wood
lands.
" Do you not hear it ? The town is alarmed," said
Revere.
" Rub-a-dub-dub ! rub-a-dub-dub ! rub-a-dub, rub-a-
dub, rub-a-dub-dub ! " It was the drummer beating
the long roll.
" The minute-men are forming ; you are dead men ! "
said Dawes.
The drumbeat, with the clanging bell, was breaking
the stillness of the early morning. The officers put
their heads together and whispered a moment.
" Get off your horses," ordered Captain Parsons of
the king's Tenth Regiment.
Revere and Dawes obeyed.
" We '11 keep this ; the other is only fit for the
crows to pick," said one of the officers, cutting the
saddle-girth of Dawes's horse, turning it loose, and
mounting Bucephalus. Then all rode away, dashing
past the minute-men on Lexington Green.
" The minute-men are forming, three hundred of
them," reported the officers to Colonel Smith, who was
marching up the road. 1
The bell and the drumbeat, the lights in Buckman's
tavern and the other houses, the minute-men in line by
the meetinghouse, had quickened the imagination of
the excited Britishers.
" The country is alarmed. It is reported there are
1 " We heard there were some hundreds of people collected there,
intending to oppose us and stop our going out. At five o'clock we
arrived there, and a number of people, I believe between two and
three hundred, formed on a common in the middle of the town."
"Diary of a British Officer," Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
THE MORNING DRUMBEAT. 263
five hundred rebels gathered to oppose me. I shall
need reinforcements." Such was the message of Colo
nel Smith to General Gage.
He directed Major Pitcairn to push on rapidly with
six companies of light infantry.
" Jonathan ! Jonathan ! Get up quick ! The red
coats are coming and something must be done ! " 1
Abigail Harrington shouted it, bursting into her
son Jonathan's chamber. He had not heard the bell,
nor the commotion in the street. Jonathan was only
sixteen years old, but was fifer for the minute-men.
In a twinkling he was dressed, and seizing his fife ran
to join the company forming in line by the meeting
house ; answering to their names, as clerk Daniel
Harrington called the roll.
John Hancock and Samuel Adams hear the drum
beat ; Hancock seizes his gun.
" This is no place for you ; you must go to a place
of safety," said Keverend Mr. Clark.
" Never will I turn my back to the redcoats," said
Hancock.
" The country will need your counsels. Others
must meet the enemy face to face," was the calm, wise
reply of the patriotic minister.
Other friends expostulate ; they cross the road and
enter a thick wood crowning the hill.
" Stand your ground. If war is to come, let it begin
here. Don't fire till you are fired upon," said Captain
John Parker, walking along the lines of his company.
1 There were two Jonathan Harringtons. The fifer to the Lexington
minute-men was sixteen years old. He died March 27, 1854, the last
survivor of the battle, and was buried with distinguished honors. See
Hist. Lexington.
264 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
The sun is just rising. Its level beams glint from
the brightly polished gun-barrels and bayonets of the
light infantry of King George, as the battalion under
Major Pitcairn marches towards Lexington meeting
house. The trees above them have put forth their
tender leaves. The rising sun, the green foliage, the
white cross-belts, the shining buckles, the scarlet coats
of the soldiers, and the farmers standing in line, firmly
grasping their muskets, make up the picture of the
morning.
Major Pitcairn, sitting in his saddle, beholds the
line of minute-men, rebels in arms against the sover
eign, formed in line to dispute his way. What right
have they to be standing there? King George is
supreme !
" Disperse, you rebels ! Lay down your arms and
disperse ! " he shouts.
Captain John Parker hears it. The men behind
him, citizens in their everyday clothes, with powder-
horns slung under their right arms, hear it, but stand
firm and resolute in their places. They see the
Britisher raise his arm ; his pistol flashes. Instantly
the front platoon of redcoats raise their muskets. A
volley rends the air. Not a man has been injured.
Another volley, and a half dozen are reeling to the
ground. John Munroe, Jonas Parker, and their com
rades bring their muskets to a level and pull the
triggers. With the beams of the rising sun falling
on their faces, they accept the conflict with arbitrary
power.
" What a glorious morning is this ! " the exclama
tion of Samuel Adams on yonder hill.
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' THE MORNING DRUMBEAT. 265
Seven minute-men have been killed, nine wounded.
Captain Parker sees that it is useless for his little
handful of men to contend with a force ten times
larger, and orders them to disperse.
The redcoats look down exultantly upon the dying
and the dead, give a hurrah, and shoot at the fleeing
rebels. 1
Jonas Parker will not run.
" Others may do as they will, I never will turn my
back to a redcoat," he said a few minutes ago. He
is on his knees now, wounded, but reloading his gun.
The charge is rammed home, the priming in the pan,
but his strength is going ; his arms are weary ; his
hands feeble. The redcoats rush upon him, and a
bayonet pierces his breast. He dies where he fell.
With the blood spurting from his breast, Jonathan
Harrington staggers towards his home. His loving
wife is standing in the doorway. He reaches out his
arms to her, and falls dead at her feet.
Caleb Harrington falls by the meetinghouse step.
A ball plows through the arm of John Comee, by Mr.
Monroe's doorway.
The Britishers are wild with excitement, and re
morselessly take aim at the fleeing provincials. They
have conquered and dispersed the rebels. Colonel
Smith joins Major Pitcairn, and, glorying over the
easy victory, they swing their hats, hurrah for King
George, and march on towards Concord.
1 " We then formed on the Common, but with some difficulty. The
men were so wild they could hear no orders. We waited a consider
able time, and at length proceeded on our way to Concord, which we
then learned was our destination." "Diary of a British Officer,"
Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
XVII.
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.
ROGER STANLEY, asleep in the old farmhouse on
the banks of Concord River, was aroused from slumber
by his mother.
" Roger ! Roger ! the meetinghouse bell is ringing ! "
she shouted up the stairs to him.
With a bound he was on his feet, raised the window
and heard the sweet-toned bell. He understood its
meaning, that the redcoats were coming. Quickly
putting on his clothes, he seized the powder-horn and
bullet-pouch which his father carried at Louisburg.
" You must eat something, Roger, before you go,"
said his mother.
A moment later and his breakfast was on the table,
bread and butter, a slice of cold beef, a mug of cider.
" There 's no knowing when I shall be back, mother,
for if the war has begun, as I fear it has, I shall be
in the ranks till the last redcoat is driven from the
country."
" I know it, Roger. Your father would have done
just what you are doing. I know you '11 do your duty.
You won't show the white feather. Here 's some lunch
for you," she said, putting a package into his knap
sack.
" Good-by."
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BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.
267
Her arms were about his neck ; tears were on her
cheeks as she kissed his lips.
He ran across the meadow to the village. The
minute-men and militia were gathering. In the still
ness of the morning they could hear the report of
guns far away, and knew that they of Sudbury and
Acton were hearing
the alarm. People
were hurrying to and
fro in the village,
of flour into
carts, removing
the supplies pur
chased by the
committee of
safety. Rever
end Mr. Emer
son was there
with his gun and
powder - horn.
Many times
Roger had listened to his preaching. It was gratify
ing to see him ready to stand in the ranks with his
parishioners. He told the women not to be fright
ened, and smiled upon the boys who took off their
hats, and the girls who courtesied to him.
Route of the British to Concord.
268 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
They heard, far away, the drumbeat of the advan
cing British.
No messengers had arrived to inform the minute-
men of Concord what had happened at Lexington ;
for Doctor Prescott did not know that British muskets
had fired a fatal volley.
From the burial ground Roger could look far down
the road and see the sunlight glinting from the bayo
nets of the grenadiers, as the red-coated platoons
emerged from the woodland into the open highway.
Major Buttrick with the minute-men and Colonel
Barrett with the militia formed in line by the liberty
pole.
" Prime and load ! " his order.
Roger poured the powder into the palm of his hand,
emptied it into the gun, and rammed it home with a
ball. Never had he experienced such a sensation as
at the moment. He was not doing it to take aim at
a deer or fox, but to send it through the heart of a
fellow-being if need be ; to maintain justice and lib
erty. He could die in their defense ; why should it
trouble him, then, to think of shooting those who were
assailing what he held so dear?
" I am doing right. Liberty shall live, cost what
it may," he said to himself as he poured the priming
into the pan.
On in serried ranks came the British.
" We are too few, they are three to our one. We
must cross the river and wait till we are stronger,"
said Colonel Barrett.
They were only two hundred. They filed into the
road, marched past the Reverend Mr. Emerson's house
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA. 269
to the north bridge, crossed the river, and came to a
halt on a hill overlooking the meadows, the village, and
surrounding country. They could see the British divid
ing, one party crossing the south bridge and going
towards Colonel Barrett's house to destroy the supplies
collected there ; another party advancing to the north
bridge. Roger saw groups of officers in the grave
yard using their spy-glasses. A soldier was cutting
down the liberty pole. Other soldiers were entering
houses, helping themselves to what food was left on
the breakfast-tables or in the pantries. Colonel Smith
and Major Pitcairn rested themselves in Mr. Wright's
tavern.
" I '11 stir the Yankee blood before night, just as I
stir this brandy, " said Pitcairn, stirring the spirit in
his tumbler with his finger.
A party of British crossed the south bridge, made
their way to Colonel Barrett's house, and burned the
the cannon carriages stored in his barn.
Roger was glad to see Captain Isaac Davis and the
minute-men of Acton march up the hill to join them.
Captain Davis was thirty years old. He had kissed
his young wife and four children good-by.
" Take good care of the children, Hannah," he said
as he bade her farewell.
Twice a week he had drilled his company. He was
brave, resolute, kind-hearted. His men loved him be
cause he demanded strict obedience. They had stopped
long enough at his home for his young wife to powder
their hair, that they might appear neat and trim like
gentlemen when meeting the British. They were
thirty-five, all told. Keeping step to Luther Blan-
270 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
chard's fifing of the White Cockade, and Francis
Barker's drumming, they marched past the men from
Concord and formed on their left.
THE WHITE COCKADE.
=t=;
^
-0 -
=
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA. 271
" Order arms ! " They rested their muskets on the
ground and wiped the perspiration from their fore
heads.
Men from Westford, Lincoln, and Carlisle are arriv
ing. They are four hundred now. The officers stand
apart, talking in low tones. The redcoats had
crossed the bridge to the western bank.
" Let us drive the redcoats across the river," said
Captain Smith.
"I haven't a man that is afraid," said Captain
Davis.
He was heavy-hearted in the early morning when
he kissed the young wife and took the baby from the
cradle in his arms, but is resolute now.
" Attention, battalion ! Trail arms ! Left in front !
March ! " Luther Blanchard pipes the tune, and the
battalion the men of Acton leading descends the
hill.
The redcoats had recrossed the river and were tak
ing up the planks of the bridge. A moment later
muskets flash beneath the elms and maples along the
farthest bank and there is a whistling of bullets in
the air. Roger's heart is in his throat, but he gulps
it down. Another volley, and Captain Davis, Abner
Hosmer, and Luther Blanchard reel to the ground.
Never again will Hannah receive a parting kiss, or the
father caress the baby crooning in the cradle. 1
" Fire ! For God's sake, fire ! " shouts Major But-
trick. Roger cocks his gun, takes aim at the line of scar-
1 " The fire soon began from a dropping shot on our side, when
they and the front company fired almost at the same instant."
" Diary of a British Officer," Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
272 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
let beneath the trees and pulls the trigger. Through
the smoke he sees men throw up their arms and tum
ble to the ground. The scarlet line dissolves, the
soldiers fleeing in confusion. No longer is Roger's
heart in his throat. His nerves are iron and the hot
blood is coursing through his veins. King George
has begun the war ; no longer is he his subject, but a
rebel, never more to owe him allegiance.
The forenoon wore away. The British were return
ing from Colonel Barrett's, having destroyed the cannon
carriages, thrown some bullets into a well, and broken
open several barrels of flour. It was past noon when
they formed in line once more to return to Boston.
" We will head them off at Merriam's Corner," said
Colonel Barrett.
The planks which the British had removed from
the bridge were quickly replaced. The minute-men
crossed the stream, turned into a field to the left, and
hastened over the meadow to the road leading to Bed
ford. It was past three o'clock when they reached Mr.
Merriam's house. Roger saw the British marching
down the road. Suddenly a platoon wheeled towards
the minute-men and brought their guns to a level.
There was a flash, a white cloud, and bullets whistled
over their heads. Once more he took aim, as did
others, and Several redcoats fell. Before he could
reload, the serried ranks disappeared, marching rapidly
towards Lexington. The minute-men hastened on,
and at the tavern of Mr. Brooks he sent another
bullet into the ranks of the retreating foe. 1
1 " We set out upon our return. Before the whole had quitted the
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA. 273
" Scatter now ! Get upon their flank ! Pepper
'em from behind walls and trees ! " shouted Colonel
Barrett, who saw that it would be useless to follow the
retreating enemy in battalion order, but each man,
acting for himself, could run through fields and pas
tures and keep up a tormenting fire.
Acting upon the order, Roger and James Heywood
ran through a piece of woods towards Fiske Hill.
They came upon a British soldier drinking at a well
by a house.
" You are a dead man," shouted the redcoat, rais
ing his gun.
" So are you," said Heywood. Their muskets
flashed and both fell, the Britisher with a bullet
through his heart, and Heywood mortally wounded.
From -rock heap, tree, fence, and thicket the guns of
the minute-men were flashing. The soldiers who had
marched so proudly, keeping step to the drumbeat in
the morning, were running now. No hurrah went up
as at sunrise on Lexington Common. There was no
halting at Buckman's tavern, where they had fired
their first volley. Their ranks were in confusion.
Officers were trying to rally them, threatening to cut
them down with their swords if they did not show a
bold front to the minute-men, but the Yankees seemed
to be everywhere and yet nowhere. Bullets were
coming from every direction, yet the British could see
no men in line, no ranks at which they could take aim
or charge with the bayonet. They were still twelve
town we were fired on from houses and behind trees, and hef ore we
had gone half a mile we were fired on from all sides, but mostly from
the rear, where the people had hid themselves in houses till we passed."
" Diary of a British Officer," Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
274 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
miles from Boston, and their ammunition failing.
They were worn and weary with the all-night march,
and were hungry and thirsty. The road was strewn
with their fallen comrades. The wounded were in
creasing in number, impeding their retreat. Their
ranks were broken. All was confusion. Every mo
ment some one was falling. 1 Blessed the sight that
greeted them, the brigade of Earl Percy, drawn up
in hollow square by Mr. Munroe's tavern, with two
cannon upon the hillocks by the roadside. They
rushed into the square and dropped upon the ground,
panting and exhausted with their rapid retreat.
Roger halted a few minutes on Lexington Green,
where the conflict began in the morning. He saw the
ground stained with the blood of those who had fallen,
crossed the threshold where Jonathan Harrington
had died in the arms of his wife. Across the Common
the house and barn of Joseph Loring were in flames,
set on fire by the British.
Earl Percy's troops were ransacking the houses a
little farther down the road. In Mr. Munroe's tav
ern they were compelling old John Raymond to bring
them food, and because he could not give them what
they wanted, sent a bullet through his heart. 2
1 " They were so concealed there was hardly any seeing them. In
this way we marched between nine and ten miles, their numbers increas
ing from all parts, while ours was reducing by deaths, wounds, and
fatigue, and we were totally surrounded with such an incessant fire
as it is impossible to conceive. Our ammunition was likewise near
expended." " Diary of a British Officer," Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
1 " We marched pretty quiet for about two miles, when they began
to pepper us again. We were now obliged to force almost every house
in the road, for the rebels had taken possession of them and galled us
exceedingly ; but they suffered for their temerity, for all that were
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA. 275
Once more the British were on the march.
Roger, rested and invigorated, ran through a
pasture, crouched behind a bowlder, rested his gun
upon it, and sent a bullet into the ranks. He was
delighted when Doctor Joseph Warren came galloping
over the hill. The doctor said he left Boston in the
morning, rode to Cambridge and Watertown, then
hastened on to Lexington. He was glad the minute-
men and militia had resisted the British. While
talking with Roger and those around him, a bullet
whizzed past the doctor's head, knocking a pin from
his ear-lock.
The rattling fire of the minute-men was increasing
once more, answered by volleys from Percy's pla
toons. The British, smarting under the tormenting
fusilade, angry over the thought that they were being
assailed by a rabble of farmers and were on the de
fensive, became wanton and barbaric, pillaging houses,
and murdering inoffensive old men.
Roger was delighted to hear from Jonathan Lor-
ing, one of the Lexington minute-men, how his sister
Lydia, fearing that the British would steal the com
munion cups and platters belonging to the church of
which her father was deacon, took them in her apron,
ran out into the orchard, and hid them under a pile
of brush.
found in the houses were put to death." " Diary of a British Officer,"
Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
Earl Percy made the tavern of Mr. Munroe his headquarters.
" A party entered the tavern and, helping themselves, or rather
compelling the inmates of the house to help them to whatever they
wanted, they treacherously and with ruthlessness shot down John
Raymond, an infirm old man, only because he, alarmed at this rough
ness and brutal conduct, was about leaving the house to seek a place
of greater safety." Hudson's Hist, of Lexington.
276 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Pitiful it was to see Widow Mulliken's house in
flames, wantonly set on fire by the red-coated
ruffians.
Roger saw a soldier deliberately raise his gun, take
aim, and send a bullet through the heart of Jason
Russel, an old gray-haired man, standing in his own
door. Again, at closer range, he took aim at the
retreating column.
His indignation was aroused as he listened to the
story told by Hannah Adams, a few minutes later.
She was in bed in her chamber, with a new-born babe
at her breast, when two redcoats entered the room.
One pointed his musket at her.
" For the Lord's sake, do not kill me," she said.
" I am going to shoot you," the soldier replied,
with an oath.
" No, you must n't shoot a woman," said the other,
pushing aside the gun, " but we are going to set the
house on fire, and you must get out."
With the babe in her arms, she crawled down
stairs and into the yard.
The soldiers scattered the coals from the fireplace
around the room, and left, but the older children ran
in and put out the flames.
At Mr. Cooper's tavern was a ghastly sight ; upon
the floor lay the mangled bodies of Jason Wyman
and Jesse Winship, two old men, who had come from
their homes to learn the news. They were drinking
toddy, when the head of Earl Percy's retreating
troops arrived, and fired a volley into the house. The
landlord and his wife fled to the cellar. The British
swarmed into the tavern, mangled the bodies of the
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA. 277
two old men with bayonet thrusts, and scattered their
brains around the room.
In the morning Roger had felt some qualms of
conscience as he took aim at the scarlet line of men
by Concord River, but now to him the redcoats
were fiends in human form. It gave him fresh cour
age to see Samuel Whittemore, eighty years old,
come running with his musket, taking deliberate aim,
firing three times, and bringing down a redcoat
every time he pulled the trigger. But a soldier
leaped from the ranks, ran upon and shot the old
man, stabbed him with his bayonet, beat him with
the butt of his musket, leaving him for dead. 1
Roger swung his hat to welcome Captain Gideon
Foster of Danvers, and his company, who had marched
sixteen miles in four hours, coming upon the British
at Menotomy meetinghouse. A moment later they
were in the thick of the fight.
It was a thrilling story which Timothy Monroe had
to tell, how he and Daniel Town send fired, and each
brought down a redcoat, and then ran into a house ;
how the British surrounded it, and killed Townsend ;
how he leaped through a window and ran, with a
whole platoon firing at him, riddling his clothes with
bullets, yet escaping without a scratch.
Again Roger rejoiced when he learned that before
Earl Percy reached Menotomy a company of men
had captured his baggage wagons, killing and wound
ing several British soldiers, and that the attacking
party were led by Reverend Philip Payson, the min
ister of Chelsea.
1 He was not dead, however, but lived many years.
278 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
It was almost sunset when Roger held his horn up
to the light once more, and saw there was little more
than enough powder for one charge, and that there
were only two bullets in the pouch. He decided to
put in all the powder and both bullets for his parting-
shot. Another half hour and they would be under the
protection of the guns of the frigate Somerset. The
minute-men were getting so near and were so deter
mined that Earl Percy ordered the cannon to unlim-
ber and open fire, while the soldiers, almost upon the
run, hastened towards Charlestown.
Roger, having reloaded his gun, made haste to
overtake them. Looking along the road, he saw a
crowd of panic-stricken people men, women, and
children fleeing from their houses. The picture of
the scene of Menotomy had stamped itself into his
memory. This last shot should be his best. Not
now would he crouch behind a fence, a tree, or
bowlder. He would confront the murderers like a
man. He walked deliberately forward. He was by
a farmhouse, so near the last file of soldiers which
had halted to ward off the minute-men a moment,
that he could see the whites of their eyes. He aimed
at the cross-belt of a man in the middle of the file,
and pulled the trigger. He caught a glimpse of a
man falling, but found himself reeling to the ground.
A bullet had pierced his breast. The British passed
on. A woman came from the house, and looked
down into his face.
" A drink of water, please marm," he said.
She ran to the well, sank the bucket into it,
brought a gourd full, and came and crouched by his
head while he drank.
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA. 279
" Thank you, marm."
He looked up into her face a moment.
" I think I am going," he whispered.
She pillowed his head upon her arm, laid back the
hair from his manly brow, and fanned him with her
apron.
" Please tell her," he whispered.
"Tell who?"
She bowed her head to catch the word.
"Tell Rachel."
The mild blue eyes were looking far away. A
smile like the light of the morning came upon his
face. One more breath, and he was one of the forty-
nine who, during the day, gave their lives that they
might inaugurate a new era in the republic of God.
XVIII.
BESIEGED.
THOMAS GAGE, governor, commanding his majesty's
forces in America, was sitting in the Province House,
greatly disturbed in mind. The expedition to Con
cord had not resulted as he expected. The troops
had marched out bravely, destroyed a few barrels of
flour, disabled half a dozen old cannon, burned some
carriage wheels, but had returned to Boston on the
run like a flock of sheep worried by dogs. The
Tories had informed him that a couple of regiments
could march from one end of the continent to the
other, but the events of the preceding day were open
ing his eyes to a far different state of affairs. Till
within a few hours the country had been at peace :
farmers following the plow ; blacksmiths hammering
iron ; carpenters pushing the plane. All had changed.
Thousands were under arms, gathering at Cambridge
and Roxbury. The Colonies were aflame, not
only Massachusetts, but New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, and Connecticut. The troops which marched
to Concord so proudly were back in Boston, not all :
twenty-three had been killed, two hundred wounded
and missing. Eighteen of the officers had been killed
or wounded. Governor Gage could not gainsay the
fact that the citizens were victors. They had followed
BESIEGED.
281
the troops to Charlestown till nightfall, like a swarm
of angry hornets. A great army was closing around
him, cutting off his supplies. No more fresh beef
or mutton would be for sale in the market ; no teams
would bring potatoes and cabbages for the soldiers.
Province House.
What would King George say ? What would the min
istry think ? What would they do ? How would the
people of England regard his administration of affairs ?
The unexpected had happened He had not dreamed
of such an uprising. What course should he pursue ?
282 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
All Boston was in commotion. People were packing
their goods on carts, loading them on boats to flee
from the town. Women were wringing their hands,
children crying, fathers walking the streets with care
worn faces, not knowing whither to go or what to do.
Officers were gathering at the Province House await
ing orders and talking of what had happened, and
smarting under the thought that the retreat had been
a flight and almost a panic. It was a humiliating
reflection that disciplined soldiers had been put upon
the run by a rabble of countrymen. Earl Percy, after
a sleepless night, weary and travel-worn, was gladly
welcomed by Governor Gage. He told the story of
the retreat.
"If it had not been, your excellency, for my timely
arrival, I fear few of Lieutenant-Colonel Smith's
troops would have escaped, as they were completely
exhausted, their ammunition gone, and the men upon
the run. I am free to say that I was completely
astonished. I formed my brigade in hollow square,
and his men threw themselves on the ground with
their tongues lolling from their mouths," he said.
" It is plain that you marched none too soon," the
governor replied.
" I cannot account for such a sudden uprising. I
saw very few rebels. There were no organized bodies
of rebels to be seen, not more than twenty or thirty
in a group ; but they were all around us, firing from
fences, rocks, trees, ditches, houses. If we charged
and drove them, they were back again the moment we
resumed our march. I must admit they were brave
and persistent. They were like so many wasps,"
said the earl.
BESIEGED. 283
" I learn," said the governor, " that several thou
sand armed men have already gathered at Cambridge
and Roxbury. A loyal citizen informs me they have
been arriving through the night in great numbers. It
seems probable that we are to be hemmed in by the
provincials for the present, and must make prepara
tions accordingly."
Fast and far the alarm had gone. Twenty-four
hours and it was one hundred miles away, and Robert
Walden of Rumford with bullet-pouch, powder-horn,
and musket was on his way, as were Colonel John
Stark, Captain Daniel Moore of Derryfield, and hun-'
dreds of others in New Hampshire, Israel Putnam,
Thomas Knowlton of Connecticut, and their fellow-
citizens, all animated by one thought, to resist the
armed aggressions of the myrmidons of the king.
There was a brave heart behind Rachel's quivering
lips when she pressed them to Robert's.
" Roger is sure to be there. Tell him I think of
him every night before I go to sleep." Little did
they know that he was being borne to his last resting-
place on the banks of the winding river.
Robert was glad to learn when he reached Medford
that John Stark was to be colonel of the New Hamp
shire troops.
Tom Brandon was working day and night to help
people obtain passes from General Gage and leave the
town. More than five thousand closed their houses
and took their departure. 1 The governor would not
1 For a week after the affair at Lexington and Concord, Governor
Gage refused the request of the people to leave the town, but the
growing scarcity of provisions compelled him to permit their departure.
284 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
allow any one to take their guns or swords, or any
thing- which would in any way contribute to the suc
cess of the provincials.
The soldiers from Rumford, having unbounded con
fidence in Robert Walden, elected him lieutenant.
When General Artemus Ward, commanding the troops
at Cambridge, asked Colonel Stark if he had a trust
worthy young man whom he could recommend to exe
cute an important order, Lieutenant Walden was se
lected and directed to report at general headquarters.
He was kindly received and informed he was to
negotiate with the British for an exchange of prisoners.
Mounted upon his horse, Lieutenant Walden rode
to Charlestown Neck, and from thence to the top of
Bunker Hill to obtain a view of Boston and the har
bor. He saw the warships were swinging at anchor
in the stream. Across the river were the silent streets
of the besieged town. He could distinguish the home
of Captain Brandon, and the Green Dragon Tavern,
its doors closed. It was not these buildings, however,
that most interested him, but a mansion on the slope
of Beacon Hill, with its surrounding grounds, - the
Newville home. The window of Miss Newville's
chamber was open, the curtain drawn aside. His spy
glass made it seem very near. How would she greet
him were they to meet again ? Would she be changed
by the changing circumstances ? Would she, daughter
of a loyalist, deign to notice him, a rebel? Blessed
vision ! A figure in white appeared at the window.
It was she for whom he could lay down his life, if
need be. Oh, if he could but reach out his hand to
her, hear once more the voice that had thrilled him
BESIEGED. 285
in the past ! She stood by the window, looking upon
the flowers blooming in the garden. The vision was
but for a moment, for the window was soon closed
and the curtain drawn. He descended the hill, rode
through the village to the ferry landing, displaying a
white flag. It was answered by the waving of an
other on the deck of the Lively warship. Then a
boat brought a lieutenant of the fleet to the shore.
"Who are you and what do you want?" the curt
question of the Britisher.
" I am commissioned by the commander-in-chief of
the provincial army to ask if it will be agreeable to
General Gage to make an exchange of prisoners?"
" The rebel army, you mean."
" I said provincial, but if it suits you any better to
think of the Americans as rebels, I will not object.
We are rebels against tyranny and oppression, as I
trust we always shall be. We have several officers of
the king's troops in our hands, and you have some of
our men. If an exchange is desired by General Gage,
I am empowered to arrange the details," Robert said
with calm dignity.
The Britisher bowed, and the boat pulled back to
the ship, returning again after a time with an officer
commissioned to make arrangements for the transfer.
The sun was nearing the hour of noon, three days
later, when Lieutenant Walden, accompanied by Gen
eral Putnam, Doctor Warren, and a detail of soldiers,
conducted the British officers and men to the ferry
landing, meeting Major Moncrief and other British
officers, with the provincial prisoners in their keeping.
The British soldiers, with tears upon their faces,
286 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
thanked Doctor Warren for the kind treatment they
had received. The Americans had no thanks to give
for what they had received 011 the strawless floor of
the jail, the prison fare for food. Lieutenant Walden
had engaged a dinner in the tavern. The landlord set
forth his choicest wine. Putnam and Moncrief , being
old acquaintances, chatted of the days at Ticonderoga
while partaking of the viands and quaffing glasses of
madeira.
"While the white flag is waving we will not let
our differences mar the pleasure of the hour," said
Doctor Warren, who delighted the company with his
wit. Dinner over, there was a shaking of hands,
expressions of personal good-will, and courteous salutes.
With the furling of the white flag they were enemies
once more.
Ships were arriving from England bringing Gen
eral William Howe, General Henry Clinton, and
General John Burgoyne, with several thousand troops
to carry on the war. Every morning Miss Newville
heard the drums beating the reveille and in the even
ing the tattoo. Many officers called at the hospitable
home of Honorable Theodore Newville to enjoy the
society of his charming daughter, who received them
with grace and dignity.
With no fresh provisions in the market, the dinners
given by Mr. Newville to the generals Howe, Clinton,
and Burgoyne was not so elaborate as that to Lord
Upperton, but more appetizing than those on ship
board while crossing the Atlantic. It was a plea
sure to General Howe to escort Miss Newville to the
dining-room, sit by her side, and listen to a voice that
BESIEGED. 287
charmed him by its purity and sweetness. A lady so
highly endowed, and with such grace of manner, would
adorn any home, even the drawing-room of her ma
jesty the queen.
The home of Mrs. Martha Duncan, with its shrub
bery and garden neatly kept, was selected by General
Howe as a residence. He hoped it would not greatly
inconvenience her ; he would gladly remunerate her
for any trouble he might make. It would be a plea
sure to have her for a hostess. His own servant
would attend to his personal wants.
" Of course, mother," said Abraham, " we cannot
prevent him from taking possession of our home ; we
may as well make the best of it, accept the inevitable,
and spoil the Egyptians if we can. He seems to be a
gentleman, a man of honor, and will, doubtless, pay us
well. Besides, possibly we may learn something that
can be turned to good account, if we keep our eyes.
and ears open, and our wits about us."
" It will be only a plain table, my lord, I can provide.
Since the provincials have closed around us, the mar
ket has been bare of provisions," said Mrs. Duncan.
" I am aware of it, madam, but I doubt not you
will be able to furnish appetizing food, possibly a joint
of roast mutton from the flocks of sheep accessible to
us on the islands in the harbor, a fresh mackerel or
cod. We are not yet shut in from the sea, and possi
bly we may soon have free access to the surrounding
country, for I hear there is much discontent among the
provincials, and their numbers are rapidly melting
away, now that the first excitement is over," responded
Lord Howe.
288 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Possibly I may be able to provide early vegeta
bles, lettuce, dandelions, greens, asparagus, and
water-cresses, my lord, if you will allow my negro ser
vant, Cato, to pass the patrol to Charlestown," said
Mrs. Duncan.
" I will give him such permission," he replied, writ
ing a pass, directing the sentinels along the wharves,
and the marine patrol in the harbor, to pass the
negro servant, Cato.
Not only Cato, but Mrs. Duncan and her son, Abra
ham, ship-carver and artist, were attentive to the wants
of General Howe, receiving shining guineas in return.
It was a pleasure to the British commander, just ar
rived from England, to talk with a young gentleman
so well informed and of such attainments as the son of
his hostess.
" I dare say, Mr. Duncan, you are quite well ac
quainted with the country around Boston ? " said his
lordship.
" I have been up the Charles and Mystic by boat
many times, my lord, and visited Cambridge to enjoy
the festivities of Class Day, and the orations of gradu
ates at Commencement. I have rambled the Roxbury
fields and pastures for strawberries, and am pretty
well acquainted with the various localities."
General Howe spread out a map and asked many
questions in regard to the surrounding hills, valleys,
woods, and cleared lands. He was surprised to see
how well Mr. Duncan could sketch them in with his
pencil upon the map which Ensign De Berniere had
drawn. Lord Howe introduced him to Generals
Pigot and Clinton, who were pleased with the intelli
gent replies to their questions.
BESIEGED. 289
There came a day in June when Abraham heard
General Howe say to the other commanders that the
Charlestown Hills ought to be occupied at once, for
fear the rebels might seize them. Were they to do
so, Boston might be bombarded, and the ships driven
from their anchorage.
" Doctor Warren and General Ward ought to know
that," Abraham said to himself.
There were only a few words in the letter which
Abraham Duncan tucked under the cuff of Cato's
coat-sleeve the next morning, when he stepped into his
boat to cross the river and gather young asparagus
and water-cresses for General Howe's dinner. Cato
was directed to hand the slip of paper to Deacon Lar-
kin's negro, Jim, who would know what to do with it.
Faithful and true to their kind-hearted masters
were Cato and Jim, passing the letter from hand to
hand, till it reached Doctor Joseph Warren in consul
tation with General Artemus Ward and the committee
of safety in Cambridge.
" Bunker's Hill is to be occupied at once." l
That was all, except an ink blot.
" It is authentic, from a trustworthy Son of Lib
erty," said Doctor Warren.
" It has no signature," said General Ward.
" Therefore is not treasonable. Besides, it does not
state who is to occupy Bunker's Hill, the British or
ourselves," the doctor replied.
1 The two eminences in Charlestown were named Breed's and Bun
ker's Hill respectively, that upon which the redoubt was constructed
was Breed's Hill ; the rail fence behind which the troops from New
Hampshire fought was on the slope of Bunker's Hill.
290 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" How do you know it is genuine from the writ-
ing?"
" No ; the hand is disguised. Nevertheless, I know
the writer. He informs me that the British intend to
take possession of Charlestown Heights." 1
" Are you sure it is authentic information ? "
" I have no doubt of it. The writer is in position
to learn what they intend to do. He is a very quiet
man, but has his eyes and ears open. It is not the
first time he has shown his devotion to our cause.
You say he has not signed it ; true he has not written
his name, not even the initials, yet his signature is
upon the sheet, the insignificant ink-blot. It would
not be accepted as testimony in a court-martial, but
it is sufficient for me," said Doctor Warren.
With the letter came a copy of a proclamation is
sued by General Gage. No longer were the selectmen
of any towns in the Province of Massachusetts to have
anything to say. Martial law was to supersede civil
authority. The provincial soldiers were rebels and
traitors who must lay down their arms at once and go
home, if they would hope for pardon ; but there was
no pardon for Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who
must pay the extreme penalty of the law for inciting
the people to rebel against their kind and lenient
king.
" We ask no favor of King George ; he began the
war, we will end it," said the soldiers as they read
the proclamation.
1 General Gage at the outset saw the value of Charlestown Heights
from the military standpoint, but was not able to make any move
ment to take possession of the ground till the arrival of his reinforce
ments.
XIX.
BUNKEE HILL.
IF the British regarded Charlestown Heights of
such importance, why should not the provincials seize
them ? It must be done. Twilight was still linger
ing on the western horizon when the troops selected
for the expedition paraded on Cambridge Common.
Colonel William Prescott was to command them. He
had fought at Louisburg, and was cool and brave*
With uncovered heads the regiments stood in front
of the meetinghouse while Reverend Mr. Langdon,
president of the college, offered prayer. Lieutenant
Walden, having been upon Bunker Hill, led the way,
followed by soldiers from Connecticut and Massachu
setts, and two carts loaded with picks and shovels.
They marched in silence. Lieutenant Walden con
ducted them across the Neck and up the slope of the
Hill. It was nearly midnight before it was decided
just where Colonel Gridley should mark out the con
templated fortifications. 1 Lieutenant Walden con-
1 The orders to Prescott contained no definite instructions in regard
to which of the hills should be fortified, and the veteran engineer,
Gridley, doubted whether it would be best to begin the works on the
highest eminence, or the lower one, nearer the shipping. It seems
probable his intention was to construct works on both hills, but a lack
of picks and shovels compelled him to confine his work to the single
redoubt on Breed's Hill.
292 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
ducted Captain Nutting and ten sentinels to the
ferry landing. They were but a little distance from
the frigate Somerset at anchor in the stream. Far
ther up, towards Lechmere's Point, were the Glasgow,
Cerberus, and Symetry. Down the river, off Moul-
ton's Point, lay the Lively and Falcon.
Leaving the sentinels to guard the shore, he rode to
the summit of the hill, where the men were hard at
work, delving in silence with pick and spade. There
were not sufficient implements for all, but when one
was out of breath, another took his place, and before
the first glimmer of dawn appeared, the trench had
been made breast deep.
" Four o'clock and all 's well ! " came from the sen
tinel on the Somerset, but a moment later a sheet of
flame and a white cloud burst from the side of the
Lively, and the roar of a gun broke the stillness of
the morning.
The thunder rolled far away, arousing the British
army, the people of Boston, General Gage, and Lord
Howe from their slumbers. Berinthia Brandon, from
her chamber window, beheld the warship Lively
shrouded in smoke. Upon the green hill, where, the
day before, the farmers had been swinging their
scythes, and where the partially cured hay was lying-
in windrows, she could see a bank of yellow earth.
Again the thunder of the guns jarred her window, but
at a signal from the Somerset the firing ceased.
Before sunrise all Boston was astir, moving towards
Copp's Hill, gazing from windows and roofs upon the
growing fortifications. Generals Gage and Howe
ascended the steeple of Christ Church and looked at
BUNKER HILL. 293
the embankment with their telescopes. 1 A little later
officers were hurrying along the streets with orders to
the several regiments to be ready to march at a mo
ment's notice. Drums were beating; battalions mov
ing towards Long Wharf, the selected rendezvous,
from whence the troops were to be transported in
boats to Moulton's Point, ascend the hill, and send the
provincials flying from their chosen position.
Such was the information brought to the Brandon
home by Abraham Duncan.
" You will have a splendid chance to see the battle
from the housetop," he said to Captain Brandon.
Cannon carriages were rumbling through the street,
passing the Brandon home, wheeling into the burial
ground, and coming into position. The gunners
loaded the pieces and lighted their port fires, waved
their lint-stocks, and touched them to the priming.
Flames and smoke belched from the muzzle of the
guns with deafening roar, sending the missiles upon the
fortification.
While the cannoneers were reloading the guns,
Berinthia, upon the housetop with a telescope, saw a
man leap up from the intrenchment and stand in full
view upon the bank of earth, swinging his hat and
shaking his fist.
" Oh father ! mother ! it is Tom ! He 's swinging
his hat ! Just see him ! " she cried.
Again the cannon flamed, but with the flashing
Tom leaped back into the trench and was safe from
the shot.
1 The headquarters of General Gage were in the house of Mr. Gal-
loup, on Hull Street, a stone's-throw from Christ Church The house,
a two-story wooden building with a gambrel roof, is still standing
(1895).
294 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I 'm glad he 's there. He 's got the true stuff in
him," said Mr. Brandon.
" I 'm afraid he '11 be killed ! " exclaimed Mrs. Bran
don, manifesting the mother's solicitude and love.
" I glory in his pluck," said Berinthia.
People came from other sections of the town to be
hold the impending battle.
" May we presume to trespass upon your hospitality,
Captain Brandon," asked Mr. Newville, " and, if you
have room, see this approaching contest from your
housetop ? "
" Certainly. We give you and your family hearty
welcome. We doubtless shall see it from different
political standpoints ; you are truly loyal to the king ;
my sympathies, as you know, are with the provincials,
but that shall not diminish our personal friendship or
my hospitality," Captain Brandon replied, escorting
Mr. and Mrs. Newville and Miss Newville to the top
of the house and providing them seats.
The forenoon wore away ; Mrs. Brandon was busy
preparing a lunch, and Chloe soon had the table elab
orately supplied with ham, tongue, the whitest bread,
appetizing cheese, doughnuts, and crumpets. The
company partook of the collation, drank each a glass
of wine, and then ascended to the roof again.
Berinthia informed Ruth that Tom was in the re
doubt. She had seen him through the telescope,
standing on the embankment and waving his hat.
Lieutenant Robert Walden, at the moment, was
five miles away, in Medford town, delivering a message
to Colonel John Stark to hasten with his regiment to
Bunker Hill.
BUNKER HILL. 295
The meetinghouse bell was ringing the hour of noon
when the drummer beat the long roll for the parading
of the regiment. The men filed past the quarter
master's tent and each received a gill of powder in his
horn. And then with quickened step they crossed
the Mystic and hastened along the road.
With the shot from the Symetry screeching around
them, tossing the gravel in their faces, the men from
New Hampshire crossed the neck of land, ascended
the hill, and came into position by a low stone wall
surmounted by rails. Lieutenant Walden's com
pany was nearest the Mystic River. Captain Daniel
Moore's came next in line. The regiment with Colo
nel Reed's New Hampshire regiment extended to the
foot of the hill, in the direction of the redoubt.
" You will inform Colonel Prescott that I have
arrived with my regiment and am in position," said
Colonel Stark.
Riding towards the redoubt, Robert saluted General
Putnam, who, mounted on a white horse, was going
along the lines, telling the men to keep cool, save their
powder, and aim at the cross-belts of the British.
It was a pleasure once more to meet Doctor War
ren, who had been appointed general, but who had
come as a volunteer to take part in the battle.
Colonel Prescott thanked Lieutenant Walden for
the information sent by Colonel Stark. He did not
doubt the men from New Hampshire would be as true
as they were in the battles of Louisburg and Ticon-
deroga. 1
1 There is no evidence that Colonel Stark was directed to report to
Colonel Prescott or any one else ; neither is there any evidence to
296 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Dismounting from his horse and giving it in charge
of a soldier, Lieutenant Walden walked along the
trench, looked over the embankment upon the British
troops landing at Moulton's Point and forming in two
columns, one of which, he concluded, was intending to
march along the Mystic to gain the rear of the redoubt
and cut off the retreat of those within it. If such
were the contemplated movement it would be mainly
against the regiments of Stark and Reed. The other
body of troops seemed to be forming to advance di
rectly upon the redoubt.
While he was thus gazing, a hand clasped his arm ;
turning, he beheld Tom Brandon.
" I 've been wondering if you would n't be round
here somewhere," said Tom.
" And I have been wondering where you would be,"
Robert replied.
" And so you are a lieutenant ? " queried Tom,
looking at the epaulet on his shoulder. " I congrat
ulate you."
" The whole family are on the roof to see the
battle," he continued.
" Perhaps you can bring them a little nearer with my
telescope," said Robert, handing him the instrument.
Tom rested it on the embankment and looked to
wards the house.
show that Putnam was in command. We only know that Prescott
was directed to occupy Charlestown Heights. Later in the war
Putnam, by virtue of his rank, would have been in command, or pos
sibly Warren, but Warren was there only as a volunteer, having been
appointed general the day before the battle. It seems probable that-
no one exercised supreme command, but Prescott, Putnam, Stark, and
Reed acted individually with their separate commands, as the exi
gencies of the moment demanded.
BUNKER HILL. 297
" There 's a crowd of 'em on the roof," he said,
" father, mother, and Berinthia There 's a man with
a white wig, Mr. Newville, I guess ; and there 's a
girl talking with Berinthia Ruth Newville."
With quickened pulse Robert adjusted the glass to
his vision. Others than those mentioned by Tom
were upon the roof, but one figure alone engaged his
attention. Oh, if he could but know how she re
garded the impending battle ! Possibly since the
events on Lexington Green and at Concord bridge her
sympathies had been with the king. No, he could
not think it. The instincts of one so noble, good,
and large-hearted must ever be opposed to tyranny
and oppression. Whether favoring or opposing the
course of the Colonies, what matter to him ? What
probability of their ever meeting again? If meet
ing, would she ever be other than an old acquaint
ance ? Never had he opened his heart to her ; never
by word or deed informed her that she was all the
world to him. To her he would be only a friend of
other days.
He could see a tall man in a general's uniform
walking along the British lines. He halted, took off
his cocked hat, stood erect, and said something to the
soldiers. He concluded it was General Howe, telling
them they were a noble body of men, and he did not
doubt they would show themselves valiant soldiers.
He should not ask them to go any farther than he
himself was willing to go. Robert and Tom could
hear the cheer which the soldiers gave him.
The columns began to march, that commanded
by General Howe along the bank of the Mystic ; that
298 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
by General Pigot straight up the hill towards the
redoubt.
Robert ran to the spot where he had left his horse,
but it was not there. He hastened down the slope,
past the Connecticut troops under Colonel Knowlton,
and reported to Colonel Stark, who was directing his
soldiers to take up a rail fence in front of his line
and reset it by the low stone wall, and fill the space
between the fences with hay from the windrows.
" It will serve as a screen," he said.
Stepping in front a short distance, he drove a stake
in the ground.
" Don't fire till the redcoats are up to it," was his
order.
The sun was shining from a cloudless sky. They
upon the roof of the Brandon home saw the scar
let columns of the British moving along the Mys
tic and towards the redoubt, the sunlight gleaming
from their muskets and bayonets, the flags waving
above them, the men keeping step to the drumbeat ;
the great guns of the fleet and those on Copp's Hill
flaming and thundering ; white powder-clouds floating
away and dissolving in thin air. They saw puffs of
smoke burst from the heads of the advancing columns
and heard the rattle of muskets. Cannon-shot
plowed the ground and tossed up the gravel around
the redoubt. Only the six cannon of the provincials
were replying. Nearer moved the scarlet line. Again
a rattling volley, with no answering musket shot from
fence or embankment. What the meaning of such
silence ? Suddenly a line of light streamed from the
river to the foot of the hill, and like the lightning's
BUNKER HILL. 299
flash ran along the embankment and round the re
doubt. A rattle and roar like the waves of the sea
upon a rocky shore came to their ears across the shin
ing waters. Men were reeling to the ground, whole
ranks going down before the pitiless storm. The
front ranks had melted away. For a few moments
there was a rattling like scattered raindrops, and
then another lightning flash, and the British were flee
ing in confusion.
Mr. Newville clenched his hands.
" I fear the king's troops are discomfited," he said.
Mrs. Newville with a long-drawn sigh covered her
face with her handkerchief as if to shut out the un
welcome spectacle.
" The redcoats are beaten ! " Berinthia exclaimed.
"It is too soon to say that, daughter. The battle
is not yet over ; the king's troops would be cowardly
were they to give up with only one attempt."
Like a statue, her hands tightly grasping the balus
trade, her bosom heaving with suppressed emotion,
Ruth gazed upon the spectacle, uttering no exclama
tion. Taking the telescope, she turned it upon the
scene, beholding the prostrate forms dotting the newly
mown fields. It was not difficult to distinguish Lord
Howe, the centre of a group of officers. He was evi
dently issuing orders to re-form the broken lines.
Colonels, majors, and captains were rallying the dis
heartened men. In the intervals of the cannonade
from the fleet a confused hum of voices could be
heard, officers shouting their orders. Beyond the
prostrate forms, behind the low stone wall and screen
of hay were the provincials, biding their time. Offi-
300 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
cers were walking to and fro, one middle-aged, with
a colonel's epaulets, evidently commanding the troops
nearest the Mystic River. A subordinate officer of
manly form was receiving orders and transmitting
them to others. Where had she seen one like him ?
Long she gazed with unwonted bloom upon her cheeks.
Again the scarlet lines advanced, the foremost
platoons halting, firing, filing right and left, that
those in the rear might reach the front. Unmindful
of the bullets pattering around him, the young officer
walked composedly along the provincial line, from
which came no answering shot. Seemingly he was
telling the men to wait. Suddenly, as before, the
screen of hay became a sheet of flame, and the scarlet
ranks again dissolved like a straw in a candle's flame,
whole ranks reeling and falling, or fleeing to the place
of landing.
Mr. Newville groaned aloud. Again Mrs. New-
ville covered her face. Captain Brandon, Mrs. Bran
don, and Berinthia, out of respect to their guests, gave
no sign of exultation ; but from windows, roofs, door
ways, and steeples, like the voice of many waters, came
the joyful murmur of the multitude, revealing to Gen
eral Gage, up in the tower of Christ Church, the sym
pathy of the people with the provincials.
No exclamation of satisfaction or disappointment
fell from the lips of Ruth, still looking with the tele
scope towards the provincial line by the Mystic, and
the manly figure of the officer receiving instructions
from his superior.
There was a commotion among the troops in the
burial ground before them.
BUNKER HILL. 301
" Fall in ! Fall in ! " General Clinton shouted.
They hastily formed in column and marched down the
steep descent to the ferry landing. From the tower
of Christ Church, together with General Gage, Clin
ton had seen the discomfiture of Lord Howe and Gen
eral Pigot, and, with three hundred men, was hastening
to reinforce them, stepping into boats and crossing the
river.
The people on the housetops needed no telescopes
to see what was going on across the stream. Slowly
the lines re-formed, the men reluctantly taking their
places. They who had fought at Ticonderoga, who
had won the victory on the Plains of Abraham at
Quebec, never had faced so pitiless a storm.
" It is downright murder," said the men.
They upon the housetops could see the British offi
cers flourishing their swords, gesticulating, and even
striking the disheartened soldiers, compelling them to
stand once more in the ranks. Twice they had ad
vanced, encumbered with their knapsacks, in accord
ance with strict military rule ; now they were laying
them aside. There were fewer men in the ranks than
at the beginning of the battle, but the honor of Eng
land was at stake. The rabble of undisciplined coun
try bumpkins must be driven from their position, or
the troops of England would be forever disgraced.
General Howe had learned wisdom. He had thought
to sweep aside the line of provincials behind the low
stone wall, gain the rear, cut off the retreat of those in
the redoubt, capture them, and win a notable victory.
He had not expected such resistance, such a destruc
tive fire as had greeted the light infantry along the
302 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
banks of the stream. In the two attempts, he had dis
covered the weak place in the provincial line, the
space between the redoubt and the low stone wall. In
planning the third movement, he resolved to make
a feint of advancing once more towards the wall,
but would concentrate his attack upon the redoubt,
and especially upon that portion of the line least de
fended.
The summer sun, shining from a cloudless sky, was
declining towards the western horizon. It was past
four o'clock before the lines were ready. Once more
the guns of the fleet hurled solid shot and shells upon
the redoubt. Captain Brandon, looking from his
housetop down upon the guns almost b'eneath him,
saw a gunner ramming an inflammable shell into the
cannon. The shell, with smoking torch, screamed
across the river, aimed not at the bank of yellow earth
on Bunker Hill, but at the houses in Charlestown.
" They intend to burn the village," he said.
Soon flames were bursting from window, doorway,
and roof. The wind, blowing from the south, carried
sparks and cinders to the adjoining houses, glowing in
the summer heat. A wail of horror from the people
rent the air.
" That is mean, cruel, wicked, dastardly ! " ex
claimed Ruth, with flashing eyes. " It 's inhuman.
I shall hate the man who has ordered it." l
Through the previous stages of the conflict no
word of approval or disapproval had escaped her lips.
1 The only defense of the British for the destruction of Charles-
town is the assertion that the advancing troops were fired upon by
provincials secreted in one of the houses on the outskirts of the town.
BUNKER HILL. ' 303
" Ruth ! Ruth ! Don't say that ! " Mr. NewviUe
cried, astonished by such an outburst of indignation.
" If General Gage were here I would say it to his
face. What have those people done that their homes
should be destroyed ? They are not fighting the bat
tle. Does he think that by burning the town he will
frighten those men in the redoubt into submission?
Were I one of them, I would die before I would sur
render."
Her eyes were flashing. In her earnestness she
had removed her hat. The gentle breeze was fanning
her heated brow. She stood erect, a queen in her
dignity and beauty. Never had Mr. and Mrs. New-
ville dreamed that there was such pent-up fire in her
soul, such energy, fearlessness, and instinctive com
prehension of justice and right. Captain and Mrs.
Brandon, Berinthia, and all around gazed upon her
wonderingly and with admiration.
The fire was sweeping on, leaping from building
to building, licking up houses, stables, and workshop,
reaching the meetinghouse, kindling the shingles on
its roof, the clapboards upon its walls, bursting from
doors and windows, climbing the spire to the gilded
vane, burning till beams and timbers gave way ;
then came the crash, a single stroke of the bell
tolling as it were a requiem.
Under the cloud from the burning town the scarlet
lines once more advanced, not towards the screen
of hay, but in the direction of the redoubt. With
the glass Ruth saw the manly figure she had seen
before, seemingly receiving instructions from his su
perior officer, and running towards the threatened
304 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
point of attack. The scarlet lines were mounting the
breastwork. Men were firing in each other's faces;
thrusting with the bayonet. She could see a stal
wart provincial in his shirt-sleeves beat out the
brains of a Britisher with the butt of his musket, and
the next moment go down with a bayonet through
his heart. The manly figure was in the thick of the
melee, a half dozen redcoats rushing upon him.
His sword was flashing in the sunlight as he parried
their bayonets, keeping them at bay. Guns flashed,
and the white powder-cloud shut out the scene.
When it cleared, he had gone down, and the red
coats were swinging their hats. Their shout of vic
tory came across the waters. Those around saw Ruth
clasp her hand upon her heart.
" They are beaten, and he is shot ! " she cried, sink
ing into Berinthia's arms.
"Who's shot?" her mother asked. There was no
answer from the quivering lips.
" The excitement is too much for her," said Mrs.
Newville, as they bore her to Berinthia's chamber.
XX.
WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT.
TOM BRANDON, lying upon the green grass where
the provincials had halted after the retreat, recalled
the events of the day with his fellow soldiers, espe
cially the last struggle. He had fired away his pow
der, as had many others. He had no bayonet, and
could only defend himself with the butt of his gun.
He remembered how bravely Doctor Warren behaved,
telling the men to keep cool ; how he took bandages
from his pockets, and bound up the wounds of those
disabled at the beginning ; how a Britisher shot him
down and stabbed him with a bayonet. As for him
self, he hardly knew what he did, except to fight till
almost the last of his comrades left the redoubt, when
he leaped over the breastwork, and walked towards
the British, approaching the western side as if to
give himself up, then turned and ran as fast as he
could, with the bullets whizzing past him. 1 He won-
1 The experience of Tom Brandon was that of Eliakim Walker of
Tewksbury, Mass., as narrated by him to the author :
" I had fired away nearly all my powder before the last attack. I
fired and was reloading 1 my gun, when I heard a hurrah behind me.
I looked round and saw the redcoats leaping 1 over the breastwork.
I saw a man beat out the brains of a Britisher with the butt of his
gun ; the next moment they stabbed him. Seeing I could n't get out
that way, I jumped over the breastwork and ran towards Pigot's
men, a rod or two, then turned and ran as fast as I could the other
306 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
dered if Lieutenant Walden had escaped unharmed.
He walked a little way to Colonel Stark' s regiment
to inquire.
" I fear," said Captain Daniel Moore, " that Lieu
tenant Walden has been killed. During the day he
took a conspicuous part. He was sent by General
Ward to summon us from Medford. He carried
several messages from Colonel Stark to Prescott and
Putnam, and was with the men of his company at
times. He was with us Just before the last assault,
and hastened towards the redoubt a moment before
the redcoats swarmed over it. I fear the worst,
for he was very brave."
The people of Boston never had beheld such a
scene as that of the day following the battle. The
sun shone from a cloudless sky, but its rays fell upon
the smouldering ruins of once happy homes ; upon
dying and dead soldiers ; upon men groaning in
agony as they were transported across the Charles to
houses taken for hospitals. The wounded rebels
thirty-six in number were laid upon the bare floor
of the jail. They were to be treated as felons, and
given prison fare.
Although the genial rays of the sun shone into the
spacious apartments of the Province House, they
gave no comfort to Thomas Gage, commander-in-chief
of his majesty's forces in the Colonies. He was
chagrined over the outcome of the battle, the losses
sustained. His own officers were criticising the plan
way. The bullets whizzed past me, or struck the ground around
me. I reached a rail fence, and pitched over it. A bullet struck a
rail at the moment. I fell on the other side, laid still till I got my
breath, then up and legged it again, and got away."
WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT. 307
of attack. The soldiers said he had slaughtered their
comrades. The people were condemning him for
having burned Charlestown. He was conscious that
he had gone down in the estimation of those who had
given him loyal support. He knew that his military
reputation had suffered an eclipse. Women were
denouncing him as cruel and inhuman. The convic
tion came to General Gage that he was shut up in
Boston, and that any attempt upon the position of
the rebels at that point, or upon the hills beyond
Charlestown, would result in disaster.
It was cheering news to Tom Brandon and all the
soldiers of the provincial army, a few days later, to
learn that Congress, sitting in Philadelphia, had
selected George Washington of Virginia to command
them. His coming was evidence that all the Colonies
had united to resist the aggressions of the king. He
fought bravely to drive the French from the valley
of the Ohio, and saved the army in the battle near
Fort Du Quesne. General Gage had been with him
in that engagement, but now they would command
opposing armies.
It was a beautiful summer morning, the 3d of
July, when the regiments in Cambridge and some of
the troops from Roxbury assembled on the Common
at Cambridge to receive General Washington. Tom
Brandon saw a tall, broad-shouldered man, sitting
erect on a white horse, wearing a blue uniform
trimmed with buff, accompanied by General Putnam,
General Ward, and a large number of officers, ride
out from General Ward's headquarters and take posi
tion under a great elm-tree.
308 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Attention, the army ! " shouted General Ward.
The officers repeated it, and every soldier stood
erect.
" Salute your commander, Major-General George
Washington ! "
The soldiers presented arms, the fifes began to play,
Where Washington assumed Command.
the drums to rattle. General Washington lifted his
hat, bowed right and left, drew his sword from its
scabbard, and rode along the line. The soldiers saw
dignity, decision, and energy, yet calmness, in all his
movements. They knew he had a great plantation on
the bank of the Potomac River in Virginia ; that he
could live at ease and enjoy life in hunting and fish
ing at his own pleasure, but he had left all at the call
of Congress to take command of the army. His com-
WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT. 309
ing gave them confidence and made them more than
ever determined to drive the redcoats out of Boston.
They kept such a strict guard that the British could
not obtain fresh provisions, neither could the inhabit
ants of the town. In the home of Captain Brandon,
the only meat to be had was the salt pork and beef in
the cellar, or the flounders caught by Mark Antony,
fishing from the wharves.
Even General Gage could have io great variety
of food. In contrast to this, Tom Brandon and his
fellow soldiers were living luxuriously, having fresh
beef three times a week, with flour, peas, beans, rice,
potatoes, onions, cabbages, turnips, beets, spruce beer,
and grog, and plenty of tobacco.
Tom took his turn standing guard, and found plea
sure in chaffing the lobsters on picket, telling them
what he had for dinner. A thought came to him,
to write a letter and hire a redcoat to take it to his
father. He wrote about the battle ; how he saw the
family on the roof of the house, from the redoubt,
just before it began ; how he escaped ; how Robert
Walden went down in the thick of the fight and prob
ably had been buried with the others somewhere on
Bunker Hill. The Britisher gladly agreed to take
the letter to Copp's Hill for the plug of tobacco which
Tom gave him.
Mark Antony, the following afternoon, wondered
what the soldier who was rattling the knocker on the
front door might want.
" Here 's a letter for your master, Captain Brandon.
One of the rebs gave it to me. Maybe it 's from his
son," said the soldier.
310 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
"A letter from Massa Tom," shouted the negro,
dancing into the sitting-room.
Captain Brandon thanked the soldier, and told
Mark Antony to mix a toddy for him.
It was gratifying to know that Tom was safe, but
sad the information that Lieutenant Walden was
numbered among the killed.
The fair brow of Ruth Newville through the sum
mer months had been growing whiter day by day.
" I fear she is not well," said Mr. Newville.
" The battle, the burning of Chaiiestown, the
terrible spectacle was too much for her nerves," Mrs.
Newville replied.
" Ought we not to call in the doctor ? "
" No, she is not sick ; you know how sympathetic
she is. Don't you remember what she said when she
saw the town in flames, even speaking disrespect
fully of General Gage, and swooning when the king's
troops won the victory. The burning of so many
houses has unstrung her nerves. I trust she will soon
get over it. Since the battle she has spent most of
her time in her chamber and has pleaded indisposi
tion when gentlemen, especially officers, have called."
" Miss Ruth wants you to come up de stairs to her
chamber," said Pompey, when Berinthia called at the
Newville home to show her the letter Tom had written.
" So you have heard from Tom ? "
" Yes, and he says that Robert Walden was killed
at the very last of the battle."
" It is as I said. I saw him go down and their
feet trample him in the dust ! "
WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT. 311
" Was it Robert you saw ? "
"Yes. With the telescope I had seen him all
through the battle, walking unharmed where the bul
lets were flying thickest."
" You did not tell us you saw him."
" No. I did not want to alarm you."
" And you saw him when he was killed ? "
" I saw his sword flashing in the sunlight as the
men in scarlet closed around him. A half dozen were
thrusting with their bayonets, and yet he kept them
at bay till they shot him."
Tears had wet her pillow, but none glistened on
her eyelids now. Through the sleepless hours she
had seen the stars go down beneath the western hori
zon ; in like manner something bright and shining
had gone out of her life. The stars would reappear ;
but that which had made it beautiful to live never
would return. The words " I love you " would never
be spoken by a voice forever silent.
Berinthia kissed the tremulous lips.
" I see it now, Ruth, dear ; you loved him."
"Yes, I loved him. He was so noble and true,
how could I help it ? He never said he loved me, and
yet I think down deep in his heart he had a place for
me. I never have confessed it before, not even to
myself. I say it to you, because I should die if I
could not have some one to whom I could tell my sor
row. Let it be our secret, ours alone."
Through the sultry days of August the streets
were silent, except the beating of drums as other
regiments arrived, or as soldiers dying from wounds
or disease were borne to their burial. The distress of
312 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
the people could but increase. The provincials
wounded in the battle were still held as felons in the
jail. They were dying very fast. ' It was a spirited
letter which the British commander received from
General Washington, informing him that unless the
prisoners were treated more humanely, British prison
ers would be dealt with accordingly. 1
Many times Abraham Duncan asked permission to
see the prisoners confined in the jail, that he might
minister to their needs and do something for their
comfort and welfare, but as often had he been refused
by the gruff red-coated sergeant in charge. Once more,
after learning what General Washington had done,
he asked permission, received a pass from the provost-
marshal, and was admitted. He saw the floor was
covered with prostrate forms, men with sunken eyes,
emaciated hands, a few with old quilts beneath them,
others upon the bare planks. There were festering
wounds and cheeks hot with the flush of fever. Some
of the sufferers gazed upon him wonderingly, others
heeded not his coming. One, whose uniform was still
soiled with the dust of the battlefield, lay with closed
eyes, minding not his presence.
" His wound has about healed, but he is going with
fever. He was fine-looking when brought here the
day after the battle, but he is about done for. After
to-morrow we shall have one less to exchange with Mr.
Washington," said the sergeant.
1 Reverend Andrew Eliot, minister of the New North Church, re
mained in Boston. The following is from a letter to Samuel Eliot
under date of September 6, 1775 : " I am at length allowed to visit
the prisoners. They are only eleven out of thirty." Proceedings
Mass. Hist. Soc. vol. xvi.
WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT. 313
Abraham stooped and parted the matted beard
from the fevered lips, and laid back the tangled hair
from the brow. The eyes wearily opened, gazed lan
guidly, then wonderingly.
" Do you know me ? "
The words were faintly spoken.
" Know you ! What, Robert Walden ! "
There was not strength in the arm sufficient to lift
the weary hand. Abraham grasped it, looked one
moment at the closing eyes, and hastened from the
room. Breathless with running, he reached the Bran
don home, telling the story.
" We must have him brought here instantly ; he
must not die there," said Mr. Brandon, who accom
panied Abraham to the jail, only to find that the ser
geant in charge could not permit the removal. Sadly
they returned.
" I must tell Ruth about it," said Berinthia, putting
on her bonnet and hastening from the house.
Ruth was sitting in her chamber. A strange, yet
sweet peace had come into her soul. The heart that
had struggled so sorely was at rest. She was repeat
ing to herself the words spoken by the world's best
friend, " My peace I leave you ; not as the world
giveth, give I unto you."
The summer birds were no longer singing ; the swal
lows had gone. The melocotoons were no longer upon
the trees, neither the early pears and ripening apples ;
the soldiers had plucked them. Her father's face was
growing grave ; her mother's step less elastic. There
was sorrow and desolation around her, and yet she was
happy. She saw Berinthia walking up the path.
314 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Come right up," the cheerful invitation from the
chamber window.
" Oh, Kuth, I 've something to tell you. He 's
alive!"
"Who?"
" Robert a prisoner in the jail."
She told the story; he was still breathing, but dy
ing. Her father had been to get him, but no prisoner
could be removed without an order from General Gage.
" We will go to the Province House," said Ruth
quietly, rising and putting on her bonnet.
Her calmness, the manifest quiet, the business-like
procedure of Ruth, amazed Berinthia. They hastened
to the governor's home. General Gage received
them courteously. He was pleased to welcome Miss
Newville to the Province House, and recalled with
pleasure the evening when he had the honor to escort
her to her father's hospitable table.
"I have a favor to ask," said Ruth, "which I am
sure your excellency will be pleased to grant. One of
your prisoners, Lieutenant Robert Walden, in the jail,
is a cousin of my friend Miss Brandon. I learn that
he is far gone with fever and seemingly has not many
hours to live, and I have come to ask if you will
kindly permit his removal to her home ? "
" Most certainly, my dear Miss Newville ; it gives
me pleasure to do this little office for you and your
friend," he replied.
General Gage touched a bell and a sergeant entered
the apartment.
" Sergeant, take two men of the guard, with a bier,
and accompany these ladies to the jail to remove one
WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT. 315
of the sick prisoners, as they shall direct. See to it
that the man is gently handled. Here is the order of
delivery for the officer in charge."
" You are very kind, General, and I thank you not
only for Miss Brandon, but for myself," said Ruth.
Never before had the people living along Hanover
Street seen such a spectacle as that a few minutes
later, a sergeant in advance, two soldiers bearing a
rebel officer, worn and wasted by disease, his life ebb
ing away, and two ladies looking anxiously to see if
the flickering life would last a little longer.
In Tom's chamber the soiled uniform was removed,
the matted hair laid back, the parched lips moistened,
the unconscious invalid clothed in linen white and
clean. A doctor came, bowed his ear to Robert's
breast to catch the beating of the heart, and moistened
the parched lips.
" Fever has burned him up. The tide is nearly out.
It is only a question of a few hours," he said.
Through the night, Ruth, sitting by his bedside, in
the cahn and stillness, heard the clock strike the pass
ing hours. At times she heard, through the open
windows, the faint ripple of the surf rolling in from
the restless sea. Soon for him the waves of life would
break upon a shoreless ocean. It was her hand that
fanned him ; that wiped the death-damp from his fore
head ; dropped the refreshing cordial on his tongue ;
held the mirror to his nostrils to ascertain if still,
perchance, he breathed. The tides of the ocean had
reached their farthest ebb and were setting towards
the flood once more, bringing sweet and refreshing
odors from the ever-heaving sea. The night winds
316 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
were drying the dampness from, the marble brow.
Day was dawning, its amber light flowing along the
horizon. The fluttering heart was beating more
strongly ; more deep the breathing.
" Oh, 'Rinthia ! He is n't going ; he 's coming back.
God has heard my prayer," said Ruth.
The sun was rising, and its rays streaming into the
chamber. The closed eyes slowly opened and gazed
wonderingly. Where was he ? What the meaning
of this flood of light? No longer straggling beams
through iron-grated windows, no longer the bare floor
and earth-polluted garments, but linen white and clean.
Was it an angel bending over him, whose eyes of
love and infinite tenderness looked into his own?
Was it one of the seraphim that pressed her lips to
his, that dropped tears upon his cheeks? Were there
tears in Heaven ? Surely this must be Paradise !
The eyes closed, the vision faded, but the angel still
was fanning the fevered cheeks.
As shone the face of Moses, the lawgiver of Israel,
when he descended from the Mount of God, so the
countenance of Ruth Newville was illuminated by a
divine radiance when once more she entered her home.
During the night she had been transfigured.
" What has happened, daughter ? " her father
asked.
"Where have you been? what is it?" the excla
mation of the mother, gazing with wonder and amaze-*
nient upon the face of her child.
" Sit down, please, and I will tell you. I must go
back to the beginning. Do you remember a day, six
years ago, one September afternoon, when I came
WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT. 317
into the house greatly agitated? and when you
asked, as you have now, what had happened, I would
not make reply ? "
"Yes, Ruth, and you have been a mystery to me
ever since that afternoon," said Mrs. Newville.
" I would not tell you then that I had been insulted
by ruffian soldiers, that a stranger had rescued me
from their clutches, for I knew it would trouble you.
Who the gentleman was I did not know. I only saw
he was noble and manly. I thanked him and has
tened away. Right after that we had our last gar
den party, to which 'Rinthia brought her cousin, Mr.
Walden, when I discovered it was he who rescued
me."
" Mr. Walden ! " Mrs. Newville exclaimed.
" A noble young man ! I always liked his appear
ance," said Mr. Newville.
" Why did n't you tell us about it, Ruth, so we
could have shown him some attention ? " Mrs. New
ville asked.
" It is not too late to do it now, mother."
She told the story, that he was a lieutenant, a pris
oner, wounded, hovering between life and death ; how
she had brought about his removal from the jail to
the Brandon home, watched over him during the
night, wondering if the next moment would not be the
last ; that just before sunrise the tide had turned and
he was going to live.
" You saving him ! Wonderful ! " Mrs. Newville
exclaimed.
" It is just like you, daughter," said the father,
clasping his arms around her and kissing her lips.
318 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
"I will go and help care for him, even if he is a
rebel," said Mrs. Newville.
" Ruth, daughter," said the father, when they were
alone, " did you keep that to yourself because you
thought it would trouble us to hear that the soldiers
of King George were vile ruffians ? "
" Yes, father ; I knew your loyalty to the king, and
I would not disturb it. I did not want to pain you.
And do you wonder I have hated the sight of a red
coat ever since? But, father dear, it was not the
assault of the villains that led me to sympathize with
the provincials, as you know I have done, but the
conviction that they were in the right and the king and
his ministers in the wrong. I can understand why
you and mother do not see the conflict as I see it.
Your high sense of honor, your oath of allegiance to
the king, your position as an official, have made you
loyal and true to King George, and you cannot see the
side espoused by the people. This attempt of the
ministry and king to subdue them by force of arms,
by burning their houses, by treating them as felons,
as they have Robert Walden, thrusting them into
jail, allowing them to die uncared for, will fail ; jus
tice and right are on their side. I know it pains
you, father dear, to have me say this, but I could
not, even for the sake of pleasing you, be false to my
self."
" I would not have you be false to yourself, my
child, but always true to your convictions, no matter
what may happen." He drew her to him and tenderly
caressed her.
" I see it now, daughter. For a long while I have
WHEN THE TIDE WAS GOING OUT. 319
not been able to comprehend you, but it is plain at
last."
They sat in silence, her head pillowed on his breast,
his arm around her.
" Ruth, daughter, I suspect you have not told me
all ; you need not unfold anything you may choose to
keep to yourself, but I can understand that a very
tender feeling may have sprung up between Mr.
Walden and yourself."
" He never has said that he loved me. You would
not have me ask him if he does, would you, father
dear ? " she said playfully, patting his lips with her
fingers.
" I understand, daughter. Things of the heart are
sacred and not to be talked about," he replied, kiss
ing her once more and feeling as never before the
greatness and richness of the treasure he had in her.
" Ah ! I see," he said to himself as he paced the
room. " It is all clear, now, why Lord Upperton and
the rest of them have had no chance."
XXI.
THE ESCAPE.
THE October days were bright and clear, but the
sun shone upon a home invaded by sickness. In the
Brandon home, Lieutenant Walden was slowly recov
ering. Mrs. Brandon was an invalid, worn down with
care and anxiety. Life upon the sea, hardship, and
exposure had brought rheumatism to the joints of
Captain Brandon, who was only able to hobble with
his cane. One countenance in the home was always
bright and cheerful ; there was ever a smile upon
'Rinthia's face. Abraham Duncan was the ever
helpful friend, not only ministering to their wants but
giving information of what was going on, that Gen
eral Gage had been called to England, and General
Howe was to succeed him as commander.
" The British soldiers," said Abraham, " are not
sorry to have Gage go ; they are ready to throw up
their caps for General Howe, who showed his bravery
at Bunker Hill, while Gage looked on with his spy
glass from the steeple of Christ Church. The soldiers
think Gage has been too kind-hearted in permitting
you to have charge of Lieutenant Walden. Rebels
are not entitled to mercy."
There came a night in October when the people
were awakened by the thunder of cannon and the
THE ESCAPE. 321
rattle of muskets. In the morning Abraham said
that a party of Americans came down Charles River
in flatboats and on rafts, and opened fire upon the
troops encamped on the Common. Only one or two
were injured, but it gave the British a great fright.
The sound of the strife stirred Robert's blood. He
wanted to be there, to take part in driving the red
coats into the sea. The thought nerved him ; but
when the uproar died away, he found himself weak,
with his tongue parched and his blood at fever heat.
Would strength ever come ? Would he ever be able
to take part again in the struggle for freedom ?
Day after day there came one to see him, the sound
of whose footsteps was more inspiring than the roll of
the drums, the touch of whose hand gave him strength,
whose presence was a benediction. She sat by his side
and read to him from the poets ; told him pleasant
stories ; laid her soft hand upon his brow. When he
was a little stronger, she and 'Rinthia supported his
faltering steps up the stairway to the roof of the man
sion, where he could sit in the sunshine, gaze upon the
beautiful panorama, inhale the life-giving air from the
hills, and the odors wafted from the sea. Across the
Charles was the line of yellow earth behind which he
went down in the melee. Upon the higher hill were
the new and stronger fortifications constructed by the
British. The fields, where so many of the redcoats
were cut down by the fire of the New Hampshire
men, were dotted with white tents. At the base of
the hill were the blackened ruins of Charlestown. On
Prospect Hill were the earthworks of the provin
cials. He could not discover any fortifications on
322 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Dorchester Heights, and wondered why either Gen
eral Washington or the British commander had not
taken possession of such a commanding position.
The Americans ought to seize it ; for, with cannon
planted there, they could drive the warships from the
harbor. He doubted if General Washington knew
the value of the position. He was able now to go up
and down the stairs without assistance ; a few more
days, and he would be strong and vigorous. Then
what ? He was a prisoner, and had not been paroled.
If the British were to learn he was getting well, would
they not be likely to send him on board one of the
ships and pack him off to Halifax ? Even if they did
not take such a course, how could he remain there
doing nothing. Oh, if he could only be with the
army again ! But were he to go, he must say good-by
to her who had saved his life. Why not remain and
enjoy the blessedness of her presence ? But would
she not think him wanting in manliness ? On the
other hand, if he were to make his escape and go back
to the army, would he not in a sense be lifting his
hand against her father and mother in his efforts to
drive the British from Boston ?. More than that, was
it not becoming plain, that were the British to go, the
Tories must also go? for the bitterness between those
who stood for the king and those who supported Con
gress was deepening. Mr. Newville sided with the
king ; he was holding an office under the crown. If
the British were driven out, he would be compelled
to leave, and in all probability his estate would be
confiscated. If he himself were to make his escape to
the army, would he ever again behold the face of
THE ESCAPE. 323
Ruth Newville, ever again see the love beaming from
her eyes, or feel the touch of her hand ? How could
he go and leave her with such uncertainty before him ?
And yet, would it not be ignoble to remain ? If he
could get away, was it not his duty to do so ? Was
not his country calling him ?
Captain Brandon learned that General Howe had
issued a proclamation threatening with death any one
who might attempt to escape without a permit from
himself. " More than this," said Mr. Brandon, " he
has issued another proclamation for us to organize our
selves into companies to preserve order. He will fur
nish us with arms and supply us with provisions the
same as the troops receive. We are commanded to re
port to Peter Oliver within four days. Being stiff in
the joints, I shall not comply. Besides, I don't intend
to leave such fare as you give me, Berinthia, for the
salt' junk and tainted pork doled out to the soldiers."
Once more there was a familiar step in the hall,
and Ruth entered the room. The rich bloom of other
days was once more on her cheeks, the old-time smile
illumining her countenance. Her quick perception
detected a mind disturbed. They sat down by the
fire. She laid her hand in his, and leaned her head
upon his shoulder.
" What is it ? " she asked, smoothing the troubled
brow.
" I have been thinking that I am still a prisoner,
liable to be seized at any moment and sent far away
or put in confinement. What ought I to do ? Shall
I attempt to escape, run the chance of being shot, or
captured and executed, as threatened by the procla-
324 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
motion ? If I make the attempt and succeed, possi
bly we may never meet again," he said with faltering-
voice.
" Never meet again ! Why not ? "
Planning the Escape.
" I may be captured and hanged. If I reach the
army, I shall do what I can to drive the British from
Boston. If we do, the probabilities are that your
father, holding office under the crown, will be obliged
to leave the Colony ; and his daughter "
THE ESCAPE. 325
He could say no more. His lips were quivering,
and tears coursing his cheeks. Her hand wiped them
away ; and her arm pillowed his bowed head.
"You are all the world to me. It is for you to
say. Shall I go, or shall I stay ? " he said.
The words were faintly spoken.
" Go, and God be with you. If it be his will, we
shall meet again."
Oh brave heart ! The world's redemption rests
with such as you !
The busy brain of Berinthia planned the way.
The British had seized all the boats along the
wharves, and sentinels were guarding them, but there
was an Indian canoe in the loft of the shipyard.
Abraham Duncan would put it in trim and render
all possible assistance.
No tears dimmed Ruth Newville's eyes when she
bade him good-by and gave him a parting kiss. Not
till she was in the seclusion of her own chamber were
the fountains unsealed. Alone, she gave way to grief,
to be comforted by her faith in One Unseen.
Many soldiers had deserted, so every night, at sun
down, sentinels patroled the wharves, and boats manned
by sailors and marines kept vigilant watch in Charles
River and far down the harbor. Robert must go to
the shipyard before sundown and remain secreted till
well into the night. The new moon would go down at
nine o'clock ; the tide then would be half flood. What
route should he take ? Were he to go directly up the
Charles River to join the army at Cambridge, he must
run the gauntlet, not only of three or four of the war
ships, but of the marine patrol in the river and the
326 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
sentinels on both banks. If he were to strike eastward
toward the Mystic, he would encounter the guard in
that direction and the warship Scarborough anchored
in the channel. The route up the Charles was most
direct and inviting, though beset with greatest danger.
During the day Abraham placed the canoe beneath
the wharf of the shipyard. Bidding his friends
good-by, with an overcoat to protect him from the cold,
Robert made his way to the shipyard, secreting him
self in one of the buildings just before the hour for
placing the sentinels. The young tide was already
setting up the bay, and a gentle wind blowing from
the east, alike favorable for the execution of his plan ;
but with the sea-breeze came the fog, thick and
dense, shrouding ship and shore. He rejoiced in the
thought that it would cover all his movements and
hide him from observation. But upon reflection
there was another serious and disquieting aspect ;
how should he make his way and by what objects
could he mark out his course? Would he not run
upon the boats of the marine patrol and be hailed by
the sentinels on the Boyne, Somerset, and other ves
sels of the fleet ? He must run the chances and do
the best he could.
The sentinels had been set along the wharves.
The soldier guarding the shipyard was pacing his
beat immediately in front of Robert's hiding-place.
A thought came ; why not seize his musket and have
a weapon of defense ? .Noiselessly Robert opened the
door ; stealthy his step ; one wrench, and the weapon
was his, greatly to the astonishment of the surprised
and frightened soldier, who saw his own bayonet
THE ESCAPE. 327
pointed at his breast and heard the click of the gun-
lock.
" Don't fire ! Don't fire ! " stammered the soldier.
" Take off that belt and cartridge box ! "
The soldier obeyed the peremptory order.
" About face ! "
Accustomed to obey orders, he faced as directed.
" March ! "
Again he obeyed, taking the regulation step as if at
drill, Robert following a short distance, then halting
while the soldier continued the march. With the
musket and cartridge box well filled, Robert seated
himself in the canoe. He knew the Boyne with
seventy guns, Preston with fifty, Phoenix, Lively,
Scarborough, Empress of Russia, and several other
smaller vessels of the fleet were anchored at different
points. He had noted their positions during the day,
but in the darkness and fog could make no calcu
lations in regard to them. The flowing tide would
be his only guide. By drifting with it, he would be
borne to the Cambridge shore of the Charles, to
General Washington's army, providing he could dodge
the ships, floating batteries, and picket boats. Using
the paddle, he struck out from the wharf, peering into
the mist, his ears open to catch the faintest sound.
" Boat ahoy ! "
The startling shout seemed to come from the sky.
Looking up he saw the great black hull of the Boyne,
recognizing the vessel by her triple tier of guns.
He was almost beneath the bowsprit.
" Round to under the stern or I '11 fire," said the
voice.
328 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Aye, aye, sir ! " Robert replied.
While drifting past the ship, so near that he could
touch the hull with his hands, he was deciding what
to do. Reaching the stern, with a stroke of the pad
dle the canoe whirled under it, then shot up the other
side of the ship into the teeth of the tide, back once
more to the stern, and while the puzzled sentinels on
the deck were wondering what had become of the
canoe he was disappearing in the fog, the success
of his strategy giving zest to his enterprise. He had
kept his bearings as best he could, but was not quite
certain of his position, as he drifted once more.
" Boat ahoy ! Who goes there ? "
The challenge came, not from overhead, but from
the fog before him. A backward stroke arrested his
movement. Again the hail and no reply.
" Up with the anchor ! Out with your oars ! "
Evidently he had drifted upon one of the boats
anchored in the ferry- way. Paddling away, he sud
denly heard the swash of waves, and found himself
approaching a wharf, but on which side the river he
could not say.
" Boat ahoy ! Halt, or I '11 fire," the hail that came
to him.
Peering into the mist, he saw the dim outline of a
soldier raising his musket.
" Hold on. Don't fire. Please point me in the
direction of the Boyne," said Robert.
The sentinel lowered his musket as if saying to
himself, " This must be one of the officers of the fri
gate who has been on shore having a good time."
" The Boyne is right out in that direction," said
THE ESCAPE. 329
the sentinel, pointing with his musket, "but my orders
are not to let any one pass along the wharf after ten
o'clock without they give the countersign."
" All right ; always obey orders. I '11 come to the
wharf."
Robert could hear the dip of oars in the fog, and
knew it must be the patrol boat pursuing him. He
paddled towards the wharf as if to give the counter
sign, but the next moment shot under it as the other
boat approached.
" Boat ahoy ! " he heard the sentinel shout.
" Ahoy yourself ! We are the patrol. Have you
seen a canoe ? "
" Yes, and the man inquired where the Boyne was
lying, and disappeared quicker than greased lightning
when he heard you coming."
Robert was making his way, the while, amid the
piles of the wharf. He knew the tide must be near
its full flood, for he had to crouch low in the canoe,
and the barnacles upon the piles were nearly covered
with the water. He doubted if the patrol could fol
low him. Should he remain secreted? No. They
might light a torch and discover him. Noiselessly he
paddled amid the piles to the farther side of the wharf,
and then glided from its shelter along the shore,
screened from the patrol by the projecting timbers,
and was once more in the stream. He could no longer
be guided by the tide or drift with it. The wind had
died away. It was blowing from the east when he
started, but now only by waving his hand could he
ascertain its direction. Whether it had changed he
could not know. It was a welcome sound that came
330 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
to his ears the clock on the Old Brick Meetinghouse
striking the hour. He thought of Ruth, asleep in her
white-curtained chamber so near the bell, and of her
goodness, her brave heart, that bade him go. The
tones came to him over his right shoulder, when they
ought to be over the left. He must be headed in the
wrong direction. It was not easy for him to reason
it out ; yet, if he would reach Cambridge, he must
turn squarely round. It was plain that he had not
made much progress. He knew that several warships
and floating batteries and picket-boats must be lying
between his position and the Americans, but he must
go on. Suddenly a dark object loomed before him,
and a hail as before came from the deck of a ship.
" Come alongside, or I '11 fire."
What should he do ? He saw a blinding flash. A
bullet whizzed over his head, and the report of the
musket awoke the echoes along the shore. It was
from the stern of the ship. Again, a flash from the
bow, and a bullet pattered into the water. Suddenly
the light of a torch brought into full view a marine
holding it over the side of the vessel. Another ma
rine by his side was reloading his musket. A thought
came they had opened fire upon him ; why not pay
them in the same coin. Dropping the paddle, he
raised the musket he had wrenched from the sentinel.
The torch revealed the form of him who held it,
a man with weather-beaten features, hard and cold.
He was so near that it would be easy to send a bullet
through his heart. Should he do it? Why not?
Had he not been down to death's door through brutal
treatment from the redcoats ? Why not take revenge ?
THE ESCAPE. 331
No, he could not quench life forever, bring sorrow,
perchance, to some household far away ; but he would
put out that torch. He ran his eye along the gun-
barrel, pulled the trigger, and sent the bullet through
the upraised arm. The torch fell into the water, and
all was dark.
" We are attacked ! Beat to quarters," was the
shout on the ship.
He heard the roll of drums. Men leaped from their
hammocks. There was hurrying of feet, rattling of
ropes, and shouting of orders. Again a musket flashed
and a bullet pierced the canoe, reminding him he was
near enough to the ship to be seen. A few strokes of
the paddle and he was beyond their aim. Suddenly
he discovered the canoe was filling with water through
the hole made by the bullet. Several minutes passed
before he could find it, in the darkness ; the canoe
gradually sinking the while. When found, at last,
he thrust in his finger and reflected what next to do.
It was plain that the leak must be stopped, but how ?
He could not sit with his finger in the hole and drift
wherever the tide might take him. Removing his
finger, he woidd soon be sinking.
" Ah ! I have it," he said to himself. It was but
the work of a moment to cut a bit of rope from the
coil at his feet and thrust it into the opening, stopping
the leak.
But the canoe was water-logged ; how should he get
rid of it ? To scoop out with the paddle would at
tract attention and bring the whole patrol to the spot ;
there was a better way.
" I '11 use my hat for a bucket," he said to himself.
332 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
He bailed the canoe and reloaded the musket, drift
ing the while. Where he was he could 'not determine.
Suddenly a musket flashed, high up in the air, and a
bullet fell into the water by his side. He could see
the faint outline of topmasts and yardarms, and the
figure of a man upon the shrouds. He aimed as best
he could and pulled the trigger.
" I 'm shot ! " were the words that came to him
through the mist.
" Give 'em the six-pounder with grape," said a voice,
followed by a blinding flash, a swish in the water, the
roar of a cannon. It had been fired at random, and
he was unharmed. Once more he used the paddle,
wondering what next would happen.
What the meaning of that flash in the distance ?
What that plunge in the water not far away ? What
that deep, heavy roar reverberating along the shore ?
Surely it must be a shot from General Washington's
cannon. And now all around he heard voices, and
boatswains' whistles. Soon the great guns of the
warships were flashing ; shot were plunging into the
water, and shells bursting in the air.
" I have kicked up a big racket," said Robert to
himself as he listened to the uproar.
What should he do ? The tide was beginning to
ebb. Why not go with it down the harbor, reach one
of the islands, wait till daylight, and then shape his
course, instead of attempting to pass the pickets pa
trolling the river with everybody on the alert. While
the cannon were flashing he drifted with the ebbing
tide. Another dark object suddenly loomed before
him, but no hail came from its deck. Plainly it was
, THE ESCAPE. 333
one of the transports. Another, and still no hail.
The cannonade was dying away ; suddenly, bells all
around him were striking. He must be in the midst
of the fleet of transports ; it was four o'clock, the
hour to change the watch. He heard once more the
bell of the Old Brick, he could tell it by its pitch.
Wind, tide, and the meetinghouse bell enabled him to
calculate his position : he could not be far from the
Castle ; he resolved to make for Dorchester Heights.
Day was breaking and the fog lifting. In the dawn
ing light he shaped his course. No patrol challenged
him. Through the rising mist he discerned the out
line of the shore and heard the gentle ripple of waves
upon the beach. To leave the canoe was like bidding
good-by to a faithful friend, but with cartridge-box
and musket he stepped ashore and soon found himself
upon the spot which he had scanned with the telescope
from the Brandon home.
It was plain that he had not miscalculated its value
as a military position, that cannon planted there
coidd plunge their balls upon the great fleet of trans
ports, or upon a vessel attempting to enter or depart
from the harbor. He descended the western slope of
the hill, reached a narrow path leading across the
marsh land, and made his way to Roxbury, to be
warmly welcomed by General Nathanael Greene.
" You must tell General Washington about Dor
chester Heights. I am going to dine with him to-day,
and you must go with me," said General Greene, who
informed Robert that Lieutenant Robert Walden was
supposed to have been killed about the same time that
Doctor Warren fell.
334 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" But I am here and ready to give an account of
myself," Robert replied.
It was a pleasure to be in the saddle once more,
to ride with General Greene along the works which
his troops had constructed,, They dismounted at the
house of Mr. Vassall in Cambridge, where General
Washington had established his headquarters. The
Washington's Headquarters.
commander-in-chief was pleased to welcome him and
listen to his story.
" I think, General Washington, that if cannon
could be planted there the British fleet could be
driven from the harbor. It is a high hill and very
commanding. Troops ascending it would do so in the
THE ESCAPE. 335
face of a plunging fire from those on the summit. It
occurred to me while standing there, that if hogsheads
were to be filled with stones and sent rolling upon
an assaulting force, it would be an effective means of
defense."
" You must dine with me to-day, Lieutenant Walden.
I want Colonel Knox, who commands the artillery, and
who is to be here with his estimable wife, to hear what
you have to say."
It was a pleasure to meet Colonel Henry Knox
and Mrs. Knox.
" We all thought you went down in the melee at
Bunker Hill, and yet here you are," said Colonel
Knox.
" Yes, and ready to do what I can to drive the red
coats into the sea."
Mrs. Knox was delighted to hear from her old-time
associate, Berinthia Brandon. She said that Tom
was giving a good account of himself. There were
tears in the eyes of all when he told them how Miss
Ruth Newville had used her influence, she the daugh
ter of a Tory, to save him.
" That is the noblest type of womanhood," said
General Washington. " Perhaps," he added, " you
may wish to visit your parents for a few days, but a
little later I shall desire you to assist Colonel Knox in
executing an important trust."
" I am ready to do what I can in any capacity for
which I am fitted," Robert replied.
A flag of truce went out from the headquarters :
among the letters to people in Boston was one directed
336 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
to Miss Ruth Newville. The red-coated officer who
inspected the letters read but one word.
Safe."
To her who received it the one syllable was more
than a page of foolscap.
XXII.
BRAVE OF HEART.
THE king's plan to punish Boston because the East
India Company's tea had been destroyed was not
working very satisfactorily. Ten thousand troops
were cooped up in the town with little to eat. They
could obtain no fresh provisions. Lord North was send
ing many ships, and the ship-owners were asking high
prices for the use of their vessels; for the Yankee
skippers of Marblehead, Captain Manly and Captain
Mugford, were darting out from that port in swift-
sailing schooners, with long eighteen-pounders amid
ships, and the decks swarming with men who had
braved the storms of the Atlantic and knew no fear,
capturing the ships dispatched from England with
food and supplies for the army. The ministers had
paid twenty-two thousand pounds for cabbages, pota
toes, and turnips ; as much more for hay, oats, and
beans ; half a million pounds for flour, beef, and pork.
They purchased five thousand oxen, fourteen thou
sand sheep, and thousands of pigs, that the army
three thousand miles away might have something to
eat. There were plenty of cattle, sheep, and pigs
within fifty miles of Boston, but General Howe could
not lay his hand on one of them. The winter storms
were on, and the ships sailing down the Thames or
338 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
from Bristol Channel had a hard time of it before
losing sight of the hills of Devon. The people along
the Cornwall shores beheld the seashore strewn with
carcasses of cattle, sheep, and pigs, tossed overboard
from the decks of foundering vessels. The few
cattle that survived the six weeks' tossing on the sea
were but skin and bones when the ships dropped
anchor by Castle William.
In contrast, Tom Brandon and the soldiers under
General Washington had plenty of good food. It
was a tantalizing handbill which Benjamin Edes
printed on his press at Watertown.
Tom Brandon, on picket at Charlestown Neck,
hailed the Britisher a few rods distant.
" How are you, redcoat? "
" How are you, rebel ? "
" Say, redcoat, if you won't pop at me, I won't at
you."
" Agreed."
" Would n't ye like a chaw of tobacco, redcoat ? "
" I would n't mind."
" All right. Here 's a plug with my compliments ;
't ain't poisoned. Ye needn't be afraid of it," said
Tom, tossing it to him.
The Britisher opened the paper and read :
American Army, English Army.
1. Seven dollars a month. 1. Three pence a day.
2. Fresh provisions in plenty. 2. Rotten salt pork.
3. Health. 3. The scurvy.
4. Freedom, ease, affluence, 4. Slavery, beggary, and want.
and' a good farm.
Other pickets besides Tom were tossing the hand-
BRAVE OF HEART. 339
bills to the Britishers. Abraham Duncan, going
here and there along the streets, saw the redcoats
reading them, and night after night soldiers disap
peared, never again to shoulder a musket in the ser
vice of the king.
Shut up in the town with nothing to do, the troops
became lawless, breaking into houses and plundering
the people. In vain were the efforts of General Howe,
by severe punishments, to prevent it ; giving one sol
dier four hundred lashes on his bare back ; another
six hundred ; hanging a third.
Hard times had come to the people of Boston. In
the autumn, General Howe had issued a proclama
tion, threatening with execution any one who should
attempt to steal away from the town without his con
sent; but now he would gladly have them go, only
they must obtain permission. He could not supply
them with food, neither with fuel. He gave the
soldiers leave to rip the boards from the Old North
Meetinghouse, and cut its timbers into kindlings.
After much hacking they leveled the Liberty Tree,
not only to obtain the wood, but to manifest their
hatred of the tree. Not being able to feed the people,
he sent three hundred and fifty from the town, land
ing them at Point Shirley, to make their way over
the marshes to Lynn as best they could. Others were
directed to go.
" We shall not go. I do not propose to let the
redcoats make themselves at home in this house,"
said Berinthia to the sergeant who asked if the fam
ily would like to leave the town.
" What will you live on ? Butcher Thurbal, whom
340 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
General Howe has appointed to take charge of all
the cattle, says he has but six left, and here it is De
cember, with winter only just begun. You will starve
before spring," the sergeant replied.
" We have a little flour, and there is a kit of
mackerel ; a layer of pork is still left in the barrel.
We will not go till the last mouthful of food is gone,"
Berinthia said resolutely.
The knocker rattled.
" One of Massa Genral Howe's ossifers," said Mark
Antony.
A young lieutenant entered ; but seeing a fair-faced
young lady he removed his cap.
" I would like to see the mistress of the house," he
said.
" I am mistress. What is it you wish ? "
" I come to inform you that Colonel Hardman de
sires to occupy these premises for himself and staff,
of which I have the honor to be a member. I am
directed to inform you that you can have twenty-four
hours to effect your removal." 1
" Colonel Hardman desires to take our house, does
he?"
" That is his wish."
" Has he ordered you to take possession of it for
him ? "
" No, he has directed me to inform you of what he
intends to do, that you may make preparations at once
for your removal."
1 Under date of September 13, 1775, is the following from the
letter of Reverend Andrew Eliot to S. Eliot : " Every house is now
taken as the officers please. General Clinton is in Mr. Hancock's, Bur-
goyne in Mr. Bowdoin's."
BRAVE OF HEART. 341
" You will please say to Colonel Hardman that we
cannot accede to his wish."
It was said with such firmness and quiet dignity
that the lieutenant was amazed. He waited to hear
some reason why she would not comply with the de
mand. She stood silent before him, composedly look
ing him in the face. Not being able to find words to
reply, the lieutenant bowed stiffly and departed.
"You haven't got through with Colonel Hard-
man," said Abraham. " He likes the looks of this
house, evidently. He is a new officer just arrived."
" He will find that an American girl can make some
resistance to force," Berinthia replied.
Once more the knocker rattled, and the lieutenant
entered.
" I believe I have the honor to address Miss Bran
don," he said, bowing.
" That is my name."
" I am extremely sorry, Miss Brandon, to be obliged
to execute an order of this kind, but I am directed by
Colonel Hardman to take possession of these premises,
as you will see by this order," he said, handing her a
paper.
" By what right does Colonel Hardman seize these
premises ? "
" Well, really I suppose because you are a
a rebel, you know," the lieutenant replied.
" How does he know that I am a rebel ? "
" I don't mean exactly that. Of course, you are
not in arms personally against his majesty, King
George, but then, the people are, you know."
" You mean, that because the king's troops began
342 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
a war, firing upon the people at Lexington and Con
cord, your colonel proposes to turn me, my invalid
father and -mother, out of our home, that he may take
possession and live in comfort."
" It is awfully bad business, Miss Brandon, but I
can't help it, you know."
" I do not doubt, sir, that it is mortifying to you,
personally, to be compelled to execute an order of
this sort. Please say to Colonel Hardman that this
is our home, and we shall not leave it voluntarily. If
he desires to occupy it, he will do so only by force of
arms."
The lieutenant took his hat, not knowing what to
make of a young lady so calm and self-possessed, who
did not cry or wring her hands.
" Oh, Euth, you are just the one I want to see,"
said Berinthia, as Miss Newville entered a few min
utes later. " Just look at this ! Colonel Hardman
proposes to turn us out of doors, that he may take
possession of our home."
" Are n't you going to protest ? "
" I have protested."
" Are n't you going to do something ? "
" What can I do ? "
" We will see. General Howe is to dine with us
this afternoon, and I have come to get you to help me
entertain him and the others. We will ask him what
he thinks of such arbitrary action on the part of his
subordinate officer."
" I will be there to hear what he has to say," Be
rinthia said.
The hard times and the want of fresh provisions
BRAVE OF HEART. 343
ruffled the temper of Phillis in the Newville kitchen.
No longer could she baste a fat turkey roasting by the
fire, or a joint of juicy beef, and yet the dinner she
was preparing for his excellency General Howe, and
Mr. Newville's other guests, was very appetizing,
oysters raw and fried, clam soup, broiled halibut, fresh
mackerel, corned beef and pork, plum-pudding and
pie.
Lord William Howe, commander-in-chief of his
majesty's forces in America, was a gentleman, polite,
affable, who delighted to make himself agreeable to
beautiful ladies. At Bunker Hill he had shown the
army that he coidd be brave on the battlefield. The
other guests were Brigadier-General Timothy Ruggles,
appointed commander of the militia, loyal to the king,
and Captain John Coffin of his staff. General Howe
solicited the honor of escorting Miss Newville to the
dinner-table ; Captain Coffin, possibly preferring the
society of the girl with whom he often had romped to
that of the mother, offered his arm to Berinthia, leav
ing to General Ruggles the honor of escorting the
hostess.
" The state of the times," said Mr. Newville, " does
not enable me to provide an elaborate repast, but
Phillis has done her best with what she had."
" I am sure your dinner will be far more elaborate
.than anything I have upon my own table," said Gen
eral Howe. " There being no fresh provisions in the
market, I have to put up with salt junk."
" Do you think the present scarcity of food will
continue long?" Ruth inquired.
" I trust not. It will be some time before the gov-
344 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
ernment supplies reach me from England, but I have
dispatched vessels to Halifax and the West Indies,
which, with fair winds, ought to be here in the course
of a week."
" It is tantalizing to know there are abundant sup
plies of vegetables in the farmers' cellars, not twenty
miles away, that droves of cattle and sheep come to
Mr. Washington, and we cannot get a joint of mutton
or a cabbage," said Mr. Newville.
" If the provincial pirates do not intercept the ves
sels, we shall have fresh provisions soon ; but they are
a daring set of rebels who live down towards Cape
Ann. A schooner darted out the other day from
Marblehead, and captured the brig Nancy and a rich
cargo which I could ill afford to lose, two thousand
muskets, one hundred thousand flints, thirty thousand
cannon-balls, and thirty tons of musket-balls, and a
thirteen-inch mortar. I understand Mr. Washington
is greatly elated by the capture, as well he may be."
" Cannot Admiral Graves protect the transports ? "
Mr. Newville asked.
" Perhaps a little more enterprise on the part of
the marine force would be commendable. The pro
vincials, I must admit, show far greater zeal than^ is
seen in the king's navy."
" It is commonly remarked that the navy is not
doing much," said General Ruggles.
"The army, although it is not marching into the
country, is far more active, judging from the firing
which I hear through the day," Berinthia remarked.
General Howe scanned her face, wondering if there
was not a trifle of sarcasm in the words. He knew
BRAVE OF HEART. 345
he was being criticised by the Tories for his inactivity ;
that Admiral Graves and the officers of the navy were
asking when the army was going to scatter Mr. Wash
ington's rabble.
" I was relying upon the muskets captured in the
Nancy," said General Howe, " to supply the gentle
men in General Robertson's command; also the loyal
Irish Volunteers under Captain Forest, and the Fenci-
bles under Colonel Graham, and those whom Colonel
Creen Brush, a loyalist from New York, expects to
raise. I am greatly gratified by this exhibition of
loyalty on the part of the citizens. Doubtless other
vessels will soon be here with arms, provided that au
dacious Captain Manly does not slip out from Marble-
head and nab them while the warships are getting up
their anchors. I have sent several ships along the
shore to obtain supplies if possible, but it seems the
madness of the people in revolting against our gracious
sovereign is widespread. I learn there are many who
are still loyal, but who do not dare to sell provisions
through fear of their neighbors."
" I do not doubt it," General Ruggles remarked.
"If it were not for the presence of the troops, we who
are loyal would have a rough time. Even as it is, I
see scowls upon the faces of my old-tinie friends when
ever I go along the street."
" Since I accompanied your excellency to Bunker
Hill and manifested my loyalty," said Captain Coffin,
" and especially since I have taken part in organizing
the loyal citizens to aid in upholding the government,
I find some of my former friends, notably some of the
young ladies, shutting their doors in my face."
346 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I suppose you can hardly wonder at it ? " Ruth
remarked.
"Why should they? I have not changed. Every
body knows how I have stood from the beginning,"
the captain replied.
" It is not that Captain Coffin is not as agreeable
and entertaining as ever, but they regard the king as
attempting to deprive the people of their rights and
liberties ; the appeal to arms has been made ; if you
actively support his majesty, do you not cut yourself
off from their society ? Can you expect them to be
as gracious as in former days ? " said Berinthia.
" Perhaps not, from the standpoint you have taken ;
but it is rather uncomfortable to have a young lady
who has welcomed you to her fireside pass you by on
the street as if you were a cold-blooded villain."
" It comes to this," said Ruth. " One cannot be
loyal to the king, neither to liberty, without suffering
for it. Miss Brandon's brother Tom had to give up
his lady-love because he sided with the provincials.
Young ladies shut the door in Captain Coffin's face
because he adheres to King George. If his majesty
only knew the disturbance he is making over here in
love affairs, perhaps he would withdraw the army."
" Of course he would," exclaimed General Howe.
" I don't believe that side of the question has ever
been laid before him. I am sure, Miss Newville, if
you were to go as special envoy and present the case,
showing him how the sword is cutting young heart
strings asunder, he would at once issue an order for
us to pack up and be off, that the course of true love
might run smoothly once more."
BRAVE OF HEART. 347
The company laughed heartily.
" Perhaps," continued General Howe, " we may
have to pack up any way, for want of something to
eat. Before I succeeded to the command, General
Gage seriously thought of evacuating the town, but
had not enough vessels to transport the troops. I
could not, when I was invested with the command,
send a portion away; to do so would invite an attack
upon those remaining."
Berinthia saw a startled look upon Mr. Newville's
face.
" Do you think, your excellency, the time will ever
come when his majesty's troops will take their depar
ture?"
" I trust not ; but this rebellion, which we thought
would be confined to this Province, has become a
continental question. Neither the king nor his min
isters anticipated it, but it is upon us, and we shall
be obliged to treat it in all its vastness. Large rein
forcements are to be sent. An agreement is being
made to employ several thousand Hessian troops, and
everything will be done to put down the rebellion."
"I expect to see," said General Ruggles, "the
army of Mr. Washington crumble to pieces very
soon. I hear that the Connecticut troops demanded
a bounty as the condition of their staying any longer,
and when it was refused, broke ranks and started for
their homes."
"So I am informed," General Howe remarked,
"though, to tell the truth, two thousand fresh men
came from the New Hampshire province to take their
places. I must say the provincials, thus far, have
348 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
shown commendable zeal and persistence in maintain
ing the rebellion. They have constructed formidable
earthworks on Cobble Hill, so near my lines that they
have compelled the warships to drop down the river
to a safer anchorage."
" If by any chance the town should be evacuated,
what think you, your excellency, those of us who are
loyal to the king ought to do?" Mr. Newville asked.
" That is really a very difficult question to answer.
Your loyalty and that of all ladies and gentlemen
who stand by the king undoubtedly will make you
obnoxious to the rebels. The bitterness is increasing.
I fear you will not be shown much leniency."
" Would you think it strange, your excellency, if
they were not lenient ? " Ruth inquired.
" Why should they not be, Miss Newville ? "
"Would they not be likely to regard those who
support the king as their enemies ? "
" Why should they ? You have not taken up arms.
Of course, General Ruggles and Captain Coffin might
be regarded as obnoxious, and would have to take care
of themselves."
" But will they not say we have given moral sup
port to their enemies, and is not moral support likely
to be as heinous in their sight as the taking of arms ?
If we ask them to be lenient, will they not inquire if
the king's troops were merciful when they set Charles-
town on fire ? " Ruth asked.
A flush came upon the face of General Howe. Al
though he commanded the troops at Bunker Hill, he
had not ordered the burning of the town. General
Gage was responsible for that act. He felt a little
BRAVE OF HEART. 349
uncomfortable over the question, for the latest news
papers from London told him the people of England
condemned the destruction of the homes of so many
inhabitants.
" I am free to say it was rather hard on them thus
to have their homes destroyed without a moment's
notice," he replied.
" Will not," Ruth inquired, " the provincials think
his majesty's forces were wanting in leniency when
they recall what was done at Falmouth a few days
ago, where the inhabitants were given only two hours
to remove from the town ? Not one minute over that
would Captain Mowatt grant them, though women
went down on their knees before him. Was it not
inhuman for him to fire bombs among the panic-
stricken multitude, setting the buildings on fire,
destroying the homes of five hundred people? If
his majesty's officers do these things, what may we
not expect from the provincials, should it ever come
our turn ? "
"We will do what we can, Miss Newville, not to
have it your turn."
" I do not doubt it, my lord ; but I was thinking of
possible contingencies."
Again Berinthia noticed a flush upon the face of
General Howe.
" I will admit, Miss Newville, that in war the un
expected may sometimes happen, and possibilities are
not comforting subjects for contemplation. I do not
anticipate disaster to the troops under my command."
" Shall we drink the health of our gracious sover
eign? " said Mr. Newville.
350 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
The others drained their glasses, but Miss New-
ville's and Berinthia's were not lifted from the table.
" What, daughter ! What is the meaning of this ?
Not drink the health of the king ! " Mr. Newville
exclaimed.
" No, father. I could drink to his own personal
welfare, wish him health, happiness, and long life, but
pur drinking to the sentiment means approval of his
government. I cannot do that. I never can think it
right to burn 'the homes of innocent people without
a moment's warning, as was done at Charlestown.
The people of Falmouth never had done anything
against the king except to prevent Captain Mowatt
from loading masts and spars on board his ship for
the use of the king's navy. That was their offense,
and yet the town was wantonly destroyed. I cannot
think such a course is likely to restore the alienated
affections of the people to the king. More, I fear the
contingencies of war may yet compel us to suffer be
cause of these unwarranted acts."
Mr. Newville sat in silence, not knowing what to
say. He had been outspoken in his loyalty. He
never had contemplated the possibility of failure on
the part of the king to put down the rebellion, but if
General Howe were to evacuate Boston, what treat
ment could he expect from the provincials ? The
words of Ruth brought the question before him in a
startling way.
" Those are my sentiments, also," said Berinthia.
" I see, Miss Brandon, that you are of the same
opinion, which, of course, I expected in your case, but
hardly from Miss Newville," said Captain Coffin.
BRAVE OF HEART. 351
" Yes, I am of the same way of thinking," Berin-
thia replied.
" You will not, ladies, decline to drink the health of
the queen, I trust ? " said General Howe, as Pompey
refilled the glasses.
" Oh no, I will drink it with pleasure. The queen,
of course, does not stand for mismanagement, as does
the king, and we will not spoil our dinner by talking
about the sad events," Ruth replied.
General Howe entertained them with an account of
his boyhood days, his service with General Wolfe at
Quebec, how the troops climbed the steep river bank
at night and won the battle on the Plains of Abraham.
Captain Coffin laughed with Berinthia and Ruth over
good times he had enjoyed with them. Yet all were
conscious that spectres unseen had come to the ban
quet. The ghost confronting General Howe was whis
pering of starvation, of possible humiliation .through
forced evacuation; the one glaring at Mr. and Mrs.
Newville told of a possible departure from their home,
to become aliens in a foreign land.
" May I ask Miss Newville to favor us with music ? "
said General Howe, when they were once more in the
parlor.
" With pleasure, your excellency," said Ruth, seat
ing herself at the harpsichord and singing " The Frog
he would a-wooing go," " The Fine Old English Gen
tleman," and then with a pathos that brought tears
to the eyes of the commander-in-chief, "True Love
can ne'er forget."
During the dinner, and while Ruth was singing, they
could hear the deep reverberations of the cannonade.
352 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
The provincials in Roxbury were sending their shot
at General Howe's fortifications on the Neck, and his
cannon in reply were thundering towards the works
at Cobble Hill.
" Miss Newville," said General Howe, " I cannot
express my thanks to you for your entertainment.
While listening to your charming melodies I have
been thinking of the strange, incongruous accompani
ment, the uproar of the cannonade, but I have, in a
measure, been able to forget for the moment the
worries and perplexities that surround me. I trust I
may be able to do something to add to your happiness
some day." He rose to take his departure.
" Thank you, your excellency ; I am glad if I have
been able in any way to make it a pleasant hour to
you and General Ruggles, and my old acquaintance,
Captain Coffin. Your excellency can add much to
my happiness and that of Miss Brandon. One of
your subordinate officers, who I think has not been
long here, Colonel Hardman, has notified Miss Bran
don that he is going to take possession of her home
to-morrow and turn her and her invalid parents out of
doors. Berinthia, you have the colonel's order, I
think?" 1
Berinthia took the document from her pocket and
handed it to General Howe, who ran his eye over it
and seemed to be thinking.
" Is your father loyal to the king, Miss Brandon? "
he asked.
1 " I am by a cruel necessity turned out of my home ; must leave
my books and all I possess, perhaps to be destroyed by a licentious
soldiery." Andrew Eliot to Thomas Hollis, Proceedings Mass. Hist.
Society, vol. xvi.
BRAVE OF HEART. 353
"In the same sense that I am, your excellency.
You know that I did not drink the health of the king
because I protest against the course he is pursuing
towards the Colonies ; my father does the same."
" You have a brother, I think, in the provincial
army ? "
" I suppose that Tom is there. He did what he
could to defeat your excellency at Bunker Hill. Pos
sibly it was his bullet that went through your excel
lency's coat. He attempted to defeat the king's
troops just as they attempted to defeat him. and suc
ceeded. You give your allegiance to the king; he
gives his to liberty, and is fighting for it just as con
scientiously as your excellency is fighting for King
George and the crown."
" As your father sides with the provincials, and as
your brother is in arms against our most gracious
sovereign, may I ask if you can give any good reason
why my subordinate officer should not take possession
of your home ? "
"Pardon me, may I ask if your excellency will
kindly favor me with any good reason why my par
ents should be driven from their beds in midwinter,
that one of the king's officers may have comfortable
quarters ? Does your excellency think such a course
of conduct will tend to restore to the king the alien
ated affections of his late subjects ? "
" Then, Miss Brandon, you do not consider your
self, at this moment, one of his subjects ? "
" I do not. I cannot own allegiance to a sovereign
who burns the homes of an inoffensive community,
standing for their rights and ancient liberties."
354 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" I admire your frankness, Miss Brandon, as I do
that of Miss Newville. Have you a pen at hand ? "
Ruth brought a pen and ink-horn ; General Howe
wrote upon the document, and handed it to her.
" I cannot go back on my promise to do something
for you, Miss Newville, to add to your happiness and
Miss Brandon's, and I trust I never shall do any
thing that will lead you to think I am insensible to
the claims of humanity," he said, bowing, and taking
his departure.
Berinthia read what he had written :
It is hereby ordered by the general-in-chief com
manding his majesty's forces, that Miss Brandon shall
be allowed to remain in possession of her home till
this order shall be countermanded.
HOWE, Major-General.
In bright uniform, with stars upon his breast,
Colonel Hardman, accompanied by the members of
his staff, knocked at the door of the Brandon home.
Mark Antony was unceremoniously pushed aside, and
the officers entered the hall.
"You can inform the lady of the house, nigger,
that Colonel Hardman and staff have come to take
possession of the premises and "
The sentence was not finished, for Berinthia,
queenly in her dignity, stood before him. Colonel
Hardman, obedient to etiquette, removed his hat. It
was not an old woman, wrinkled and toothless, but a
young lady, calm and self-possessed, confronting him.
" Is this Colonel Hardman ? "
BRAVE OF HEART. 355
" I have the honor to bear that name, lady."
" You have come to take possession of my house ? "
"That is my errand. I trust it will not greatly
inconvenience you. I see you have my order of yes
terday in your hand, and so are not unprepared for
my coming."
" It is your order, and I am not unprepared, as
you will see," she said, handing him the paper.
He read the writing, bit his lips, grew red in the
face, returned the document, bowed stiffly, and left
the hall, followed by his astonished suite.
" Outwitted by a petticoat," he muttered, with an
oath, as he passed down the street.
XXIII.
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS.
IT was as if one had risen from the dead, when
Robert Walden once more entered the old home.
Father, mother, Rachel, all, had thought of him as
lying in a grave unknown, having given his life
for liberty. It was a joyful home. All the town
came to shake hands with him. His father and
mother were older, the gray hairs upon their brows
more plentiful, and sorrow had left its mark 011
Rachel's face ; but her countenance was beautiful in
its 'cheerful serenity.
A few days at home, and Robert was once more
with the army, commissioned as major upon the staff
of General Washington. Colonel Knox the while was
transporting the cannon captured by Ethan Allen at
Ticonderoga across the Berkshire Hills to Cambridge
fifty guns mounted on sleds, drawn by one hundred
oxen.
The commander of the army had not forgotten
what Major Walden had said about the military
value of Dorchester Heights. The cannon were
placed in position, but not till winter was nearly
over were the preparations completed for the bom
bardment of Boston.
When the sun set on the afternoon of March 2d
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS. 357
little did Lord Howe and the ten thousand British
soldiers imagine what was about to happen. Sud
denly from the highlands of Roxbury, from Cobble
Hill, from floating batteries in Charles River, cannon-
balls were hurled upon the town. Bombs exploded
in the streets ; one in a guard-house, wounding six
soldiers. The redcoats sprang to their guns, to give
shot for shot. Little sleep could the people get,
through the long wearisome Saturday night. During
Sunday the lips of the cannon were silent, but with
the coming of night again they thundered. General
Howe was wondering what Mr. Washington was in
tending to do, not mistrusting there was a long line
of ox-carts loaded with picks and spades, bales of
hay, and casks rilled with stones; the teamsters wait
ing till Major Walden should give a signal for them
to move.
While the cannon were flashing, General Thomas,
with two thousand men, marched across the marshes
along Dorchester Bay and up the hill overlooking the
harbor. Major Walden gave the signal, and the
farmers started their teams, those with picks, and
spades, and casks following the soldiers ; those with
hay halting on the marsh land, unloading, and piling
the bales in a line so as to screen the passage. Major
Walden, General Rufus Putnam, and Colonel Grid-
ley hastened to the summit of the hill in advance of
the troops. Colonel Gridley marked the lines for a
fortification ; the soldiers stacked their arms, seized
picks and spades, and broke the frozen earth. The
moon was at its full. From the hill, the soldiers
could look down upon the harbor and see the warships
358 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
and great fleet of transports, with masts and yardarms
outlined in the refulgent light. Eobert expected to
see a cannon flash upon the Scarborough, the nearest
battleship ; but the sentinel pacing the deck heard no
sound of delving pick or shovel. Walden piloted the
carts to the top of the hill, and placed the casks in
such position that they could be set rolling down the
steep at a moment's notice. The soldiers chuckled at
the thought of the commotion they would make in the
ranks of the redcoats, were they to make an assault
and suddenly see the casks rolling and tumbling,
sweeping all before them !
General Howe was astonished, when daylight
dawned, to see an embankment of yellow earth crown
ing the hill overlooking the harbor.
" The rebels have done more in a night than my
army would have done in a month," he said, after
looking at the works with his telescope. What should
he do ? Mr. Washington's cannon would soon be
sending shot and shell upon the warships, the trans
ports, and the town. The provincials must be driven
from the spot at once ; otherwise, there could be no
safety for the fleet, neither for his army. He called
his officers together in council.
" We must drive the rebels just as we did at Bun
ker Hill, or they will drive us out of the town. There
is nothing else to be done," said General Clinton.
General Howe agreed with him. A battle must be
fought, and the sooner the better. Every moment
saw the fortifications growing stronger. But what
would be the outcome of a battle ? Could he embark
his army in boats, land at the foot of the hill, climb
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS. 359
the steep ascent, and drive the rebels with the bayonet ?
At Bunker Hill there was only a rabble, regiments
without a commander ; but now Mr. Washington
was in command ; his troops were in a measure disci
plined. That he was energetic, far-seeing, and calcu
lating, he could not doubt. Had he not transported
heavy cannon across the country from Lake Cham-
plain to bombard the town? Evidently Mr. Wash
ington was a man who could bide his time. Such
men were not likely to leave anything at haphazard.
One third of those assaulting Bunker Hill had been
cut down by the fire of the rebels. Could he hope
for any less a sacrifice of his army in attacking a more
formidable position, with the rebels more securely
intrenched ? It was not pleasant to contemplate the
possible result, but an assault must be made.
From the housetop, Berinthia saw boats from
the vessels in the harbor, gathering at Long Wharf.
Drums were beating, troops marching. Abraham
Duncan came with the information that four or five
thousand men were to assault the works and drive the
provincials pell-mell across the marshes to Roxbury.
At any rate, that was the plan. He was sure it would
be a bloody battle. Possibly, while General Howe
was engaged at Dorchester Heights, Mr. Washington
might be doing something else.
Neither General Howe nor any one within the
British lines knew just what the provincial comman
der had planned, that the moment the redcoats
began the attack, General Israel Putnam, on Cobble
Hill, between Charlestown and Cambridge, with four
thousand men, would leap into boats, cross the
360 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Charles, and land on the Common ; that General Na-
thanael Greene with a large force would advance from
Roxbury, and together they would grind the British
to powder, like corn in a mill.
It was mid-forenoon when Major Walden escorted
General Washington across the marsh land and along
the path to Dorchester Heights. The troops swung
their hats and gave a cheer when they saw their com
mander ascending the hill. He lifted his hat, and
thanked them for having constructed such strong in-
trenchments in so short a time.
" It is the fifth of March," he said, " and I am
sure you will remember it is the anniversary of the
massacre of the Sons of Liberty."
In Boston drums were beating, regiments marching ;
but suddenly the wind, which had blown from the
west, changed to the east ; and the sea waves were
rolling up the bay, making it impossible for the Som
erset, Scarborough, Boyne, and the other ships, to
spread their sails and take position to bombard the
works of. the rebels ; neither could General Howe em
bark the troops upon the dancing boats. The clouds
were hanging low, and rain falling. Not till the wind
changed and the sea calmed could there be a battle ;
General Howe must wait.
Night came ; the rain was still pouring. The pro
vincials wrapped their overcoats closely around them,
kindled fires, ate their bread and beef, told stories,
sang songs, and kept ward and watch through the
dreary hours.
Morning dawned ; the wind was still east, and the
waves rolling in from the sea. With gloom upon
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS. 361
his brow, General Howe with his telescope examined
the fortifications. Could he hope to capture them?
Doubtful. Exasperating, humiliating, the reflection
that Mr. Washington was in a position to compel him
to evacuate the town. Only a few days before, Ke
had written Lord Dartmouth he was in no danger
from the rebels ; he only wished Mr. Washington
would have the audacity to make a movement against
him ; but now he must pack up and be off, give up
what he had held so long, and confess defeat. What
would the king say ? What the people of England ?
He did not like to think of what had come. But he
must save the army. What of the citizens who had
maintained their loyalty to the king? Should he
leave them to the tender mercies of the exasperated
provincials whose homes had been burned ? He could
not do that. If Theodore Newville, Nathaniel Coffin,
or any of the thousand or more wealthy citizens were
willing to remain loyal, if they were ready to become
aliens and fugitives and exiles, he must do what he
could for them.
" What is it, husband ? " Mrs. Newville asked as
Mr. Newville entered his house, and she beheld his
countenance, white, haggard, and woe-begone.
" What has happened, father ? " Ruth asked, lead
ing him, trembling and tottering, to his chair.
" It has come," he gasped, resting his elbows on his
knees and covering his face with his hands.
" What has come ? " Mrs. Newville inquired.
" The end of the king's authority in this town."
" What do you mean ? "
362 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" The army is going, and we have got to go."
" Go where ? "
" I don't know ; only we have got to leave this
home, never to see it again, and be aliens the rest of
our lives," he said, groaning and sobbing.
" Why must the army go ? " Mrs. Newville ex
claimed.
" Because General Howe cannot stay. The provin
cials are in a position to sink his ships and set the
town on fire with their bombs."
" Can't General Howe drive Mr. Washington from
the hill just as he did at Charlestown ? "
"He was going to do it yesterday, but the sea
wouldn't let him, and now it is too late."
"He must do it, and I will go and tell him so.
Leave our home and become wanderers and vaga
bonds ? Never ! " she cried with flashing eyes.
"It is decided. Orders have been issued. The
fear is that the provincials may open fire upon the
fleet and sink the ships before the army can get away."
" Why did n't General Howe take possession of the
hill, and prevent the provincials from doing it ? "
"The Lord knows, and perhaps General Howe
does, but I don't. I have seen for some time what
might happen, and now we have it. We have got to
go, and God help us."
Mrs. Newville,- overwhelmed, tottered to a chair.
" So this is what Sam Adams and John Hancock
have done. I hate them. But why must we go?
Why not stay ? We have as good a right to stay as
they. Give up our home ? Never ! Never ! "
With flashing eyes, and teeth set firmly together,
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS. 363
she rose, and took a step or two as if ready to con
front a foe.
" We cannot stay," said Mr. Newville. " We have
given our allegiance to the king ; I have held office
under the crown, and the Great and General Court
will confiscate my estate, and we shall be beggars.
More than that, I probably shall be seized and thrown
into jail. There 's no knowing what they will do.
Possibly my lifeless body may yet dangle from the
gallows, where murderers have paid the penalty of
their crimes."
Mrs. Newville wrung her hands, and gave way to
sobs and moans. Ruth had stood a silent spectator,
but sat down now by her mother, put an arm around
her, and wiped away the tears coursing down her
cheeks.
"I haven't told you all," said Mr. Newville.
" General Howe threatens to burn the town if Mr.
Washington opens fire upon the ships."
" General Howe threatens that ? " exclaimed Mrs.
Newville.
" Yes ; John Scollay and several of us have asked
General Robertson to intercede with Howe. He has
done so, but Howe will make no promise. He has
permitted a flag of truce to go out to Mr. Washington
to let him know if the British are molested he will
set the town on fire. If Mr. Washington is the
kind-hearted man they say he is, probably he will
not make an attack. He wants to compel Howe to
get out and to have the town spared. We are not
the only ones who will suffer, but everybody who has
stood for the king will have to go or take the con-
364 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
sequences when the provincials march in. They will
be implacable in their retaliation for the burning of
Charlestown and Falmouth, and for the destruction
of the Old North Meetinghouse, the desecration of the
Old South, and the pulling down of hundreds of
houses. They will confiscate the property of every
one who has adhered to the crown, and make them
beggars, or send them out of the Province, or perhaps
do both. We may as well look the matter squarely
in the face, for we have got to face it."
It was spoken with quivering lips. Several vessels
had been designated on which the friends of the king
might embark for Halifax, the only port near at hand
where they could find refuge. He looked around
the room, gazed mournfully at the portraits of his
ancestors on the walls, at the rich mahogany furni
ture, the mirrors above the mantel reflecting the
scene. In the dining-room was the buffet with its
rich furnishings. Upon the stairs was the clock,
its pendulum swinging as it had swung since the days
of his boyhood. Upon the sideboard were the tea-
urns used on many convivial afternoons and evenings.
Whichever way he turned he saw that which had con
tributed to his ease, comfort, and happiness. Looking
out of the window, he saw the buds were beginning to
swell upon the trees under the genial rays of the sun.
The bluebirds and robins had arrived and were sing
ing in the garden. A few more days and the grass
would be springing fresh and green, the asparagus
throwing up its shoots, the cherry-trees white with
blooms, the lilacs and roses perfuming the air ; but
never again was he to sit beneath the vine-clad arbor
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS. 365
as he had sat in former years, listening to Nature's
symphony rehearsed by singing birds ; never again
was he to see the coming of ecstatic life in bud and
blossom. He must bid farewell forever to all the
enchanting scenes, pull up by the roots, as it were, all
cherished things. What should he take ? What leave
behind? There would be little room on shipboard
for the richly carved mahogany chairs, sideboard, sofa,
portraits of his ancestors. What use would he have
for them in exile? How dispose of them? Who
would purchase them ? No one. How would he live
in a foreign land ? How occupy his time ? His man
sion was his own ; he was possessor of other houses
and lands, but all would be seized. He could take
his silver plate, his gold and silver coin ; not much else.
" Oh dear ! oh dear ! has it come to this ! " Mrs.
Newville exclaimed, " when we might have been far
away, having everything heart could wish ! "
She cast a reproachful look upon Ruth.
" Oh, if you had only done as I wanted ! "
A gentle hand wiped the tears from the mother's
face.
" Mother, dear, the past is gone, never to return.
If it were to come again, bringing Lord Upperton,
my answer to him would be as it was. We will let
that pass. I know your every thought has been for
my welfare and happiness. I trust I have not been
ungrateful for all you have done for me and for all
you thought to do. I have not seen things as you
have seen them. You have been loyal to King
George ; you could hardly do otherwise with father
holding an office under the crown. I have given my
366 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
sympathies to the provincials, because I believe they
are standing for what is right. My heart has gone
out to one who, I doubt not, is over on yonder hill in
arms against the king. I know the greatness of his
love, that he will be always true to me, as I shall be
to him."
The hand was still wiping away the tears ; she was
sitting between her father and mother, and laid the
other hand upon the father's palm.
"Through these winter nights, dear father and
mother, while hearing the cannon and the bursting
shells, I have been looking forward to this hour which
has come at last."
Tears stood in her eyes, and her voice became trem
ulous.
" We have come to the parting hour. You will go,
but I shall stay, stay to save the house, so that, by
and by, when the heat of passion has cooled, and the
fire of hate is only ashes, when the war is over and
peace has come, as come it will, you can return to the
old home."
" Leave you behind, Ruth ! "
" Yes, mother."
" To be insulted and abused by the hateful rebels !
Never ! "
" I shall not be insulted. I am sure I shall be
kindly treated. Do you think my old friends will do
anything to annoy me ? Why should they, when they
know that I myself am a rebel ? Mr. Sam Adams has
always been my good friend. Have I not sat in his
lap in my girlhood? Are not Lucy Flucker Knox,
Dorothy Quincy, and Abigail Smith Adams my
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS. 367
friends? Has not Mr. John Hancock danced with me?
Have I done anything that should cause them to turn
against me ? Pompey and Phillis will be here to care
for me. And now, dear father, I have one or two
requests to make. This is your house, but I want you
to give it to me, make out a deed and execute it
in my name ; and one thing more, I want you to give
me a bill of sale of Pompey and Phillis, so that I
shall be absolute mistress here. T^hen the Colonies,
by their valor and the righteousness of their cause,
have become independent of the king, when the last
cannon has been fired, in God's good time you will
come back and find me here in the old home."
Mr. Newville sat in silence a moment, then put his
arm around her and drew her to him.
" Oh Ruth, daughter, you are dearer to me this
moment than ever before. Your clear vision has seen
what I have not been able to see, till now, the
possible end of this conflict. The provincials are
stronger than I supposed them to be, the disaffection
wider, and the king is weaker than I thought. It
never seemed possible that an army of ten thousand
men could be forced to evacuate this town, but so it
is, and I must go. I will not be so selfish as to ask
you to go. I know your love has gone out to Robert
Walden. I have no right to ask you to thrust a sword
into your own loving heart. I do not doubt he will
protect you with all the strength of a noble manhood.
This house shall be yours, together with Pompey and
Phillis, who will be as dutiful to you as they have been
to your mother and me. You speak of our coming
back, but when we once leave this house we never shall
368 DAUGHTERS OP THE REVOLUTION.
behold it again ; nor shall we ever look again upon
your face unless you come where we may be. Where
that will be, God only knows ; we shall be fugitives
and wanderers without a home. Your mother and I
will not long need an earthly home. Such a wound
as this goes down deep into our souls, Ruth."
He could say no more, but hid his face in his hands
to hide the agony of a breaking heart.
" Father, have ^ou forgotten who it is that feeds
the ravens and cares for the sparrows ? Will He not
care for you? Of one thing you may be sure, so soon
as it is 'possible to do so I shall seek you wherever you
may be : and now we will prepare for your going."
She kissed the tears from his face, cheered the de
sponding mother, and began to select whatever would
most contribute to their comfort.
Abraham Duncan, as he walked the streets, beheld
men with haggard faces and women wringing their
hands and giving way to lamentations. In their loy
alty to the king, they never had dreamed that the
provincials could compel a disciplined army to quit
the town. They had been informed that with the
opening of spring the rebels would be scattered to the
winds. In their loyalty they had organized them
selves into militia and received arms from General
Howe to fight for King George. As by a lightning
flash all had been changed. Those who had thus or
ganized knew they would be despised by the provin
cials and hardly dealt with ; that houses and lands
would be seized and sold to make restitution for the
burning of Charlestown and buildings torn down in
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS. 369
Boston. They who had lived in affluence, who had
delightful homes on the slopes of Beacon Hill, must
leave them. All dear old things must be sacrificed
and family ties ruthlessly sundered. Fathers had
sons whose sympathies were with the provincials ;
mothers, other than Mrs. Newville, had daughters
whose true loves were marshaled under flags floating
on Dorchester Heights. Had not Colonel Henry
Knox sighted the cannon which sent the ball whirling
towards the early home of his loving wife, the home
where her father and mother and sisters were still
living, which they must leave ? The sword drawn on
Lexington Common was severing tender heartstrings.
There was a hurly-burly in the streets, drums
beating, soldiers marching, a rumbling of cannon
and wagons, the removal of furniture. Eleven hun
dred men and women were preparing to bid farewell
to their native land and homes.
The final hour came. Pompey had seen the trunks
and boxes safely stowed upon the ship in which Mr.
and Mrs. Newville,' Nathaniel Coffin, the king's
receiver-general, and Thomas Flucker were to find
passage. With a cane to steady his tottering steps,
Mr. Newville took a last look of the home where his
life had been passed ; the house in which his eyes first
saw the light ; where a mother, many years in her
grave, had caressed him ; where a father had guided
his toddling steps ; the home to which he had brought
his bride in the bloom of a beautiful maidenhood;
where Ruth had come to them as the blessing of God
to make the house resound with prattle and laughter,
370 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
and fill it with the sunlight of her presence ; make it
attractive by her grace and beauty, the soul beauty
that looked out from loving eyes and became, as it
were, a benediction. He was to go, she to stay. God
above would be her guardian.
Mrs. Newville walked as in a daze from parlor to
chamber, from dining-room to hall and kitchen.
Was she awake or dreaming? Must she leave her
home, the home that had been so blissful, so hos
pitable? Was she never again to welcome a guest
to that table, never hear the merry chatter of voices
in parlor or garden? Oh, if Sam Adams and John
Hancock had only been content to let things go on as
they always had gone ! If Ruth had only accepted
Lord Upperton's suit ! Why could n't she ? What
ought she to take, what would she most need?
What sort of accommodations would they find at Hali
fax ? Why could n't Ruth go with them ? It was the
questioning of a mind stunned by the sudden stroke ;
of a spirit all but crushed by the terrible calamity.
" I have put in everything I could think of that
will in any way make you comfortable, mother dear,"
said Ruth, mentioning the articles.
" I 've put up some jelly and jam for ye, missus,"
said Phyllis.
Berinthia Brandon and Abraham Duncan came to
bid them farewell, and to help Ruth prepare for their
departure.
It was Ruth's strong arm that upheld her mother
as they slowly walked the street on their way to the
ship. It was a mournful spectacle. Not they alone,
but Mr. Shrimpton and Mary, Nathaniel Coffin and
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS. 371
wife and John, and a hundred of Ruth's acquaintances
were on the wharf preparing to go on board the ships.
" This is what has come from Sam Adams's med
dling," said Mr. Shrimpton. " May the Devil take
him and John Hancock. They ought to be hanged, and
I hope King George will yet have a chance to string
'em up curse 'em ! I 'd like to see 'em dangling
from the gibbet, and the crows picking their bones,"
he said, smiting his fists together, walking to and fro.
He was bidding farewell to home, to the house
in which he was born. He had farms in the county,
wide reaches of woodland, fields, and pastures. The
provincials would confiscate them. In his declining
years all his property was to slip through his fingers,
and he was to totter in penury to his grave.
" I shall enlist in the service of the king and fight
'em," said John Coffin, who had shown his loyalty by
accompanying General Howe to the battle of Bunker
Hill.
" And I hope you '11 have a chance to put a bullet
through the carcass of Sam Adams," said Mr. Shrimp-
ton.
It was his daughter's hand that guided him over
the gang-plank to the deck of the Queen Charlotte.
" Let me put this muffler round your neck ; the air
is chill and you are shivering," said Mary, gently
leading him.
With chattering teeth and curses on his lips for
those whom he regarded as authors of his misfortunes,
Abel Shrimpton, led by his daughter, descended the
winding stairs to the cabin of the ship.
" Here are the rugs and shawls, mother, and here
372 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
is the wolf -skin, father, to wrap around you," said
Kuth.
They were in the stifling cabin, the departing loyal
ists sitting as in a daze, stupefied, stunned by the
sudden calamity, wondering if it were not a horrid
dream.
To Mary Shrimpton and Ruth Newville it was no
phantom, no hallucination, but a reality, an exigency,
demanding calm reflection, wise judgment, and prompt,
decisive action. They had talked it over, each in
the other's confidence.
" You must go and I will stay ; you will care for
them all ; I will look after things here. This war
will not last always. You will all come back some
time," said Ruth, her abiding faith rising supreme
above the agony of the parting.
" I will care for them," had been the calm reply of
Mary.
" Oh, missus ! I can't bear to have ye go, you 's
been good to me always. I 'se packed a luncheon for
ye," said Phillis, kneeling upon the floor, clasping the
knees of her departing mistress, crying and sobbing.
"Oh, massa and missus, old Pomp can't tell ye
how good ye 've been to him. He '11 be good to Miss
Ruth. He '11 pray for de good Lord to bless ye, every
night, as he always has,"- the benediction of the
slave kneeling by Phillis's side.
Long and tender was the last embrace of the mother
and daughter, of the father and his beloved child.
With tears blinding her eyes, with tottering steps,
Ruth passed across the gang-plank. A sailor drew
it in, and unloosed the cable. The vessel swung with
SUNDERING OF HEARTSTRINGS 373
the tide from its moorings, the jib and mainsail
filled with the breeze, and glided away. The weeping
crowd upon its deck saw Ruth standing upon the
wharf, her countenance serene, pure, and peaceful,
with tears upon her face, gazing at the receding ship.
Those around her beheld her steady herself against
the post which had held the cable, standing there till
the Queen Charlotte was but a white speck dotting
the landscape in the lower harbor, then walking with
faltering steps to her desolate home.
XXIV.
IN THE OLD HOME.
" HERE, Miss Ruth, I lias a cordial for ye. Drink
it, honey," said Phillis as Ruth sank into a chair.
" Don't be down-hearted, Miss Ruth ; old Pomp will
take keer of ye."
" I do not doubt it. You and Phillis have always
been good to me, and now I have something to say to
both of you. Would you like to be free, Pompey ? "
" Would I like to be free, Miss Ruth ? " the negro
asked, hardly knowing what to make of the question.
" Yes, would you like to be free, to own yourself,
to come and go as you please ? "
"'Deed I would, Miss Ruth. Massa and missus
was always very good to old Pomp, but 'pears I would
like to be myself."
She rose and took Pompey and Phillis by their
hands.
" Your old master has given you both to me, and
now I give you to yourselves. You are both free now
and forever," said Ruth.
" Free ! Miss Ruth ! Did you say we is free ? "
" Yes, you are no longer slaves ; you can go and
come, now and always ; you are your own."
" Oh, Miss Ruth, old Pomp never will leave ye,
never. Old Pomp free ! 'Pears like de New Jerusa-
IN THE OLD HOME. 375
lem has come," said the negro, sinking upon his knees,
kissing her hand and bathing it with tears.
" Oh, Miss Ruth, honey, I has held ye in my arms
when ye was a little baby, toted ye in de garding when
de flowers was bloomin', rocked ye to sleep when ye
was pinin' ; I 've seen ye grow to be a woman, and
now ye is my missus tellin' me I 'm free. I '11 cook
de chicken and de johnny-cake for ye till I can't cook
no more," said Phillis, clasping Ruth in her arms,
with tears rolling down her cheeks and laughter bub
bling from her lips.
The foresight that had seen the probable departure
of the British troops was forecasting the immediate
future ; that the interval before the arrival of General
Washington's army would be one of peril, from vaga
bonds, camp-followers, and the ragamuffins enlisted
by Green Brush, commissioned by General Howe to
organize a battalion of Tories. Through the day the
British regiments were sullenly taking their departure.
Pompey informed Ruth that the vagabonds had begun
to plunder the stores and break into houses.
" Dey won't git into dis yeer house, honey. I 'se got
de water b'ilin' hot in de kitchen for 'em," said Phillis.
Ruth did not doubt a mansion like hers would
attract the villains, and determined to defend herself
against all intruders. General Howe was going on
shipboard; no longer would she recognize his author
ity or that of any subordinate officer. Years before,
her father had been member of a battalion of horse
men. The pistols he carried then were in a closet.
Pompey brought them, fixed the flints, oiled the locks,
and found a horn of powder, but no bullets.
376 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Perhaps it is just as well, Pompey, for if I were
to have a bullet, I might kill somebody, and I would
not like to do that," she said.
" If ye are goin' to shoot, better shoot to kill, Miss
Ruth," said Pompey.
" I never have fired a pistol, Pompey ; how do you
doit?"
" I '11 show ye, missus," said the negro, putting
some powder in the pan and cocking the pistol.
" Now, Miss Ruth, you jes' pull de trigger and it
will flash."
They were in the kitchen. Ruth pointed the weapon
toward the fireplace and pulled the trigger. There
was a flash and a bang.
" O Lord ! Missus ! " shouted Phillis, dropping on
the floor.
" 'Pears, Miss Ruth, like she 's been loaded all
dese years," said Pompey, his eyeballs rolling in as
tonishment.
" It appears I have found out how to fire," said
Ruth, laughing. " But how do you load it ? " she asked.
Pompey poured a charge of powder into his hand,
emptied it into the barrel, and rammed it down with
a wad of paper.
" We have n't any bullets, but we can use gravel-
stones or dried peas or a tallow candle. I 've seen a
candle fired right through a board, Miss Ruth," he
said.
" We '11 load them with powder now ; perhaps we
shan't need anything else," Ruth replied.
In the gathering darkness Phillis saw a redcoat re
connoitring the grounds. He rapped upon the door
IN THE OLD HOME. 377
leading to the kitchen. She did not unloose the
chain, but opened it sufficiently wide to talk with the
fellow.
" What d' ye want ? " she asked.
" I want to come in."
" What d' ye want to come in for ? "
" To see if ye have anything belonging to the king.
People have seized the king's property and taken it
into their houses."
" We have n't anything belonging to King George."
" Open the door or I '11 break it down."
" Go away. Dere can't no lobster come into dis
yeer kitchen," said Phillis, attempting to close the door.
But she saw the muzzle of a gun thrust into the open
ing. Her hands grasped it. One vigorous pull and
it was hers, and the villain was fleeing.
" I 'se got it ! I 'se got de villin's gun. Wid
de pistils, de musket, and de b'ilin' water we '11 fight
'em ! " she shouted.
Ruth, keeping watch, saw a squad of men. One
of them rattled the knocker.
" What do you wish ? " she asked, raising a window.
" I am commissioned to search for property belong
ing to the crown."
" Who are you ? "
"I am a lieutenant in the command of Colonel
Brush."
" I do not recognize your authority, neither that of
Colonel Brush nor General Howe, who has taken his
departure."
" I shall be under the necessity of entering by force
if you do not open the door."
378 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
" You will do so at your peril."
" Break down the door, men ! "
The soldiers pounded with the butts of their nius-
kets, but the panels did not yield.
" Smash a window ! "
A bayonet was thrust through a pane, and the glass
rattled to the ground ; the butt of a musket smashed
the sash, and a pair of hands grasped the window-sill.
Memory recalled a day when two soldiers assaulted
her ; from that hour a redcoat had been hateful.
She seized one of the pistols. Remembering what
Pompey had said, she picked the lighted candle from
its socket and thrust it into the weapon. The ruffian
was astride the window-sill. There was a flash, a
loud report, and he dropped with a thud to the ground.
From the balcony came a flood of boiling water
upon the astonished ruffians.
" I '11 give it to ye, b'ilin' hot ! " shouted Phillis.
The ruffians saw the muzzle of a gun pointed towards
them from the window, and the stalwart form of
Pompey as he raised it to take aim. The astonished
villains fled, leaving Ruth, Pompey, and Phillis vic
tors in the encounter.
Morning dawned fair and beautiful. The robins
and bluebirds were singing in the garden. Ruth
heard again the beating of drums, the blast of bugles.
General Washington was entering the town. By his
side rode Major Robert Walden.
What surprise ! A white handkerchief was waving
from the balcony of the Newville home. She was
there, more beautiful and queenly than ever before !
IN THE OLD HOME. 379
Not an alien, not an exile, but loyal to liberty, to
him ! He must leap from his saddle and clasp her
in his arms ! No. He must accompany his great
commander in the triumphal entry. That accom
plished, then the unspeakable joy.
There came an evening when the Newville home
was aglow with lights, and Pompey was bowing low
to General and Mrs. Washington, Generals Greene,
Putnam, Thomas, to colonels, majors, captains, coun
cilors, the selectmen of the town, Reverend Doctor
Cooper, Colonel Henry and Lucy Knox, Captain and
Mrs. Brandon, Berinthia, Abraham Duncan, Major
Tom Brandon, Rachel Walden ; young ladies in the
bloom of maidenhood, matronly mothers, fathers reso
lute of countenance, all rejoicing that the redcoats
were gone.
Down from the chamber, passing the old clock on
the stairs, came Major Robert Walden, in bright,
new uniform, and Ruth Newville in satin, white and
pure.
Reverend Doctor Cooper spoke of the bravery of
the bridegroom in battle, the manliness of character
that fitted him for fighting the battle of life. Tears
came to many eyes as he pictured the love of a
maiden who rescued her beloved, swept by life's ebb
ing tide far out towards a shoreless sea.
They who stood around beheld the countenance of
the bride transfigured as she pronounced the words,
" to love, to honor, and cherish him."
Amid the general joy, one heart alone felt a mo
mentary pang. Never might Rachel whisper such
380 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
words to him whose last thought had been of her,
who had given his life that liberty might live.
Once more food was to be had from the market-
men around Faneuil Hall joints of beef, pigs, sau
sages, chickens, turkeys, vegetables and fruit, brought
in by the farmers of Braintree, Dedham, and Rox-
bury. Fishermen once more could sail down the
harbor, drop their lines for cod and mackerel on the
fishing ground beyond the Outer Brewster, and re
turn to the town without molestation from a meddling
town major.
With joyful countenance and conscious dignity,
Pompey perambulated the market, inspecting what the
hucksters had for sale.
" I want de juiciest j'int, de tenderest, fattest
turkey, de freshest eggs right from de nest, 'cause de
'casion is to be Missus Ruth's weddin' dinner," he said.
Many banquets had Phillis prepared, but never one
like the dinner for Miss Ruth on her wedding day.
" I 've roasted de turkey and sparrib for Massa
Ginerel Howe and Massa Ginerel Clinton, but dey
ain't of no 'count 'side Massa Major Walden and
Massa Ginerel Washington, 'cause dey drive de red
coats out of Boston. Miss Ruth fired de pistil and
I scaldid dem with de b'ilin' water. He ! he ! he ! "
she laughed.
It was a pleasure to stuff the turkey, to turn the
joint of beef roasting 011 the spit, mix the plums in
the pudding, and mould the mince pies for Ruth and
her friends.
" Miss Ruth told me to go free, and now she "s
Missus Ruth Walden. He! he! he!"
IN THE OLD HOME.
381
The laughter bubbled from her lips.
It was a joyful party that sat down to the dinner.
The toasts drunk were not the health of George III.
and Sophia Charlotte, but the health of General
George Washington, the Continental Congress,
The Dinner-Party.
Major Robert "Walden, and, more heartily than any
other, long life and happiness to Ruth Newville
Walden.
Years have gone by, years of sorrow, privation,
and suffering to those who, through their loyalty to
King George, and their inability to discern the signs
382 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
of the times, have been exiles from the land that
gave them birth, whose property has been seized by
the Great and General Court of Massachusetts. The
days are long to Mary Shrimpton in the little cabin
at Halifax. The great estates once owned by her
father are no longer his. Her once beautiful home
has been sold to the highest bidder. Only with her
spinning-wheel can she keep the wolf from the cabin
door. Parliament has been talking of doing some
thing for the refugees in Nova Scotia, but the com
moners and lords are three thousand miles away, and
the people of England are groaning under the burden
incurred by the fruitless attempt to subdue the Colo
nies. The struggle is over. Lord Cornwallis has
surrendered his army to General Washington at
Yorktown, and commissioners are negotiating a peace.
Through the years Abel Shrimpton, unreconciled to
life's changes, has been cursing Samuel Adams and
John Hancock for having led the people to rebel
against the king, not seeing that Divine Providence
was using them as instruments to bring about a new
era in human affairs. When the curses are loudest
and most vehement, Mary's gentle hand pats his lips,
smooths the gray hairs from the wrinkled brow, and
calms his troubled spirit. Pansies bloom beneath
the latticed windows of her cabin home. Morning-
glories twine around it. Swallows twitter their joy,
and build their nests beneath the eves. Motherly
hens cluck to their broods in the dooryard. The fare
upon the table within the cabin is frugal, but there is
always a bit of bread or a herring for a wandering
exile. When women pine for their old homes, when
IN THE OLD HOME. 383
homesickness becomes a disease, it is Mary Shrimp-
ton who cheers the fainting hearts. As she sits by
her wheel, she sings the song sung by the blind old
harper Carolan, who, though long separated from his
true love, yet recognized her by the touch of her gentle
hand :
" True love can ne'er forget.
Fondly as when we met,
Dearest, I love thee yet,
My darling one."
Tom Brandon said he would be true to her. The
war is over ; surely if living he will come. Though
the thick fog at times drifts in from the sea, shutting
out the landscape and all surrounding objects, though
the rain patters on the roof, and the days are dark
and dreary, her face is calm and serene, glorified by
a steadfast faith and changeless love.
The time has been long to the occupants of the
cottage across the way. Though little gold is left in
the purse, there is ever room for hungry refugees at
the table of the king's former commissioner of im
posts. The locks beneath his tie-wig are whiter than
they were, the furrows on his brow have deepened.
Officers of the army and navy in Halifax, once guests
in his home on the slope of Beacon Hill, sometimes
call upon him, but the great world has passed him by.
Old friends, fellow exiles, at times gather at his fire
side, talk of other days, and of what Parliament may
possibly do for them.
Time has left its mark upon the face of her who
sits by his side. The soft, brown hair, has changed
to gray. Plans of other days have not come to pass.
384 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION,
Disappointment and grief have quenched ambitious
fire. Father and mother are separated from a
daughter beloved. How could Ruth ever become a
rebel, disloyal to her rightful sovereign ? What pos
sessed her to turn her back upon Lord Upperton,
upon the opportunity to become a peeress of the
Home of the Exiles.
realm ? Oh, the misery that has come from such
waywardness! What has become of her? Will
they ever again see her ?
With the flag of the new nation the banner of
crimson stripes and fadeless stars flying at her mast
head, the ship Berinthia Brandon, Major Tom Bran-
IN THE OLD HOME. 385
don owner, comes proudly sailing into Halifax har
bor. The anchor dropped, he makes his way to the
vine-clad cabin, listens a moment by the latticed win
dow to hear a sweet voice singing words that thrill
him.
" Dearest, I love thee yet,
My darling one."-
He lifts the latch. There is a cry of delight, and
Mary springs to his arms.
" I said I would come, and I am here."
" I knew you would, Tom. Ever since a ship
arrived bringing the news from Yorktown that Corn-
wallis had surrendered, I have been expecting you."
" How do you do, father ? " said Major Tom, hold
ing out his hand to Mr. Shrimpton.
" I ain't your father," the surly reply.
" But you are to be, as soon as I can find a minis
ter. The past is past. I 've come to take you and
Mary to your old home. When it was sold, I bought
it ; you are to go back to it and live there. It is to
be our home."
There is astonishment upon the cold, hard face,
which relaxes its sternness ; the chin quivers, the lips
tremble, tears roll down the cheeks of the gray-
haired exile. Through the years he has nursed his
hate. But there is no sword so sharp, no weapon
so keen to pierce the hardened human heart, as
kindness. He has hated Samuel Adams, John Han
cock, and Tom Brandon ; and this is Tom's revenge.
His old home to be his own once more ! No longer
an exile ! To sit once more by the old fireside,
through the kindness of him whom he had turned from
386 DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
his door ! His head drops upon his breast ; he sobs
like a child, but reaches out his arms to them.
" Take her, Tom. I 've hated you, but God bless
you ; you were right, and I was wrong."
No longer hard-hearted, cold, and animated by hate,
but as a little child he enters the doorway leading to
the Kingdom of Heaven.
A man of stalwart frame, a woman radiant and
beautiful, with a little boy and girl, are standing by
the door of the humble home across the way ; fellow-
passengers with Major Tom on the Berinthia Bran
don. Mr. Newville opens the door in answer to the
knock, to be clasped in the arms of Ruth. Great the
surprise, unspeakable the joy, of father, mother, and
daughter, meeting once more, welcoming a worthy
son, taking prattling grandchildren to their arms.
" We have come for you, and we are all going home
together. You will find everything just as it was
when you left," said Ruth.
Once more there were happy homes in Boston,
that upon Copp's Hill, where Berinthia and Abraham
Duncan cared for the father and mother ; that where
Tom and Mary Shrimpton-Brandon made the passing
days pleasant to Abel Shrimpton, loyal no longer to
King George, but to the flag of the future republic ;
and that other home, where Major Robert Walden
and his loving wife, with queenly grace, dispensed
unstinted hospitality, not only to those distinguished
among their fellow-men, but to the poor and needy,
impoverished by the long and weary struggle for in-
IN THE OLD HOME. 387
dependence of the mother land. Abel Shrimpton and
Theodore Newville were no longer exiles, but citizens,
acknowledging cheerful allegiance to the flag of the
confederation, through the fealty to liberty by the
Daughters of the Revolution.
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