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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 16, 1900)
IVPVi'WlW" """ "U. w A WOMAN'S A True Story of the American Revolution. heroJsmTi SvVsAAAvVwSNN'i) DIUKCTIiV after their wedding day young .Mr. ntid .Mrs. Fisher had gone (n their new home. It is true, tliis wits only a. nidu little building, but it wiik better tlmn most of the houses In North CiiHtle, iinil, indeed, hi nil Westchester enmity, N. Y., for 1lit mutter of Hint; and the young wife linil been Riiproinuly happy. There was tlio same rugged aspect to tlio country then as now, and the huge, moss-coveicd granite bowlders, thu wooded hillsides and winding valleys, and beyond all the glistening waters of tli'.; sound, provided a landscape upon uhleh .Mistress Fisher never tired of gazing. Hut the young people were not to bo left to the peaceful enjoyment of their new home. The war clouds which lind long been gathering broke in a Htorm, and among the first to respond to his country's eall was .Mr. Fisher. Enrolled in Maj. Paulding's band of palrlotR, he speedily became, one of Hie most trusted of Washington's scouts In the so-called neutral ground. Nut his young wife, left to herself, wbh as bold of heart as her husband, ond soon found many methods oT dis playing a courage and loyalty as utrong us his. After the battle at White Plains she had gone to the camp and nursed the wounded continentals with a care which endenred her to all the soldiers. and when Washington himself had en-' At one lime he had been traced by the redcoats, hoping to capture the bold scout, nnd not long after he had entered the house his enemies had surrounded the place and boldly called upon him to surrender. .Mistress Fish er, terrified but undaunted, had lifted the rough boards of the kitchen iloor nnd concealed her husband beneath them, and then, with an appearance of boldness she was far from feeling, had faced the soldiers and bidden them search the house a search which proved U'uivniling. At another time and the young wife could never repress the shudder which crept, over her nt the recollec tion he hnd been surprised by the band of Hliudberry, the most detested of all the torles in the neutral ground, and unable to escape had been seized by the men and bidden to give over the, gold which he was supposed to have concealed somewhere about the place. Whqn the young patriot had sturdily and steadily refused, his cap tors had led him forth into the yard and throwing a halter over one of the lower limbs of a tree had suspended him from it. Upon his repented re fusals to reveal the hiding place they tit last left him hanging dead, ns they supposed, and departed. The grlef Ktricken young wife had cut down the body of her husband, never once thinking that he was still alive, but to her inexpressible joy she had discov- MHUMMBHmceaH MISTRESS FISHER COVERED HIM WITH ASHES. camped near her homo she hnd pro vided for his tnble in suqh n mnnncr as to call forth thu thanks of thu great commander in words which were long nftcr cherished in the family. When the army had departed Bho returned to her home, but thu stirring expe riences in thu camp were to bo fol lowed by still moru stirring expe riences in the neutral ground. Prowl ing hands of torles and Hesslnns sent out from New York soon created a veritable reign of terror. Possessions were- stolen, homes were burned, and in thu. awful rage which wns begotten ered a faint fluttering iu the Wart, nnd through her onrcful nursing he wns soon restored and mare deter mined than ever to do his part in de fending his home and country against tho attacks of the Hessians audi the lawless bauds which had been quick to turn the struggle to tlutlr own ad vantage. And now Mistress Fishr was again expecting a visit from her husband. It was true, she Lad not receivwl any direct word from him, bub it had been long since she had seen him and some how she could not shake off the feel- of thu war it almost seemed as if ing that he would come that very aft ernoon. Again ami again sliu had left her work and gone out on the low piazza to gaze up and down tho road, but the sun hnd sunk lower in the sky, the night would soun come nnd still he had not appeared. She must be mistaken, she thought, and resolute ly strove to drive her fears and hopes alike from her mind. , Hut with all her efforts she could not succeed, and as thu long shadows began to lengthen she once moru left thu house to take her stand outside nnd satisfy herself that no one was in sight. As she passed through the doorway every mans nana was mtcu against his neighbor. StillyouHg Mistress Fisher remained alone in her home, cheered by the oc casional visits of her husband, ami on rare occasions tlceing to the shelter of Coney hill with her neighbors when it was reported that a larger band of marauders than usual was approach ing; but for the most part she stayed behind to gutUd her few possessions and defend her home. And she well knew that her presence was demand ed. At one time a force of red-coats had carried away with them the roan colt, which was her own special pridu she suddenly stopped and peered in- and property; but, undismayed, she had mounted tho other horse, which lind been left behind, and ridden straight to the Hiitlsh camp at .Mor risania, and with dashing eyes had de manded of the captain the return of her possessions The officer had laughed, and, moved perhaps by her very buldnci-s, had granted her re quest, She had left the camp leading the roan colt behind her. Of Into matters had become steadily worse. The visits of the marauders had increased, while those of her bus hand were less and less frequent. And, indeed, twice had he had such an experience that, eager as she was to ecu him, the young wife had tear fully, beggtd of him not to make the attempt tgaixr. tently before her. Down the road just where It left the woods she could see a man running swiftly toward her house. Her first thought was that it must be her husband, but why was he in sueVi haste? He as running desperately, and tho frequent glances he east behind him showed that he was in fear of some thing coming from that direction. In an agony of suspense Mistress Fisher clasped her hands and watched the man. She wtis tempted to seize the one gun in the house and go to his aid, but restraining the impulse, as she realized that the man was coming toward her, she paused and waited. Once he stum bled and fell nhd a low cry escaped thu waiting wo,num's lips, but in an Instant he-had regained his footing and dashed forward with Increased speed, On nnd on rnn the man, still casting occasional glances behind him, and soon she could see that lie was not her husband, but a neighbor, Mr. Httller, one of the stanclicst whigs in all the re gion. It was evident, however, thnthe was in trouble, nnd Mistress Fisher, relieved 03 she was to discover it was not her husband who was being pursued, wait ed with almost breathless eagerness for him to approach. He was nenr now, nnd she could ensily see that he waH la boring under great excitement; the perspiration poured in streams down his face nnd his alarm was evident in every movement. He was soon near the house, nnd as she thought he was going to pass without recognizing her, Mistress Fisher called: ".Mr. Hutlerl Mr. Hutler! What is it? What is it?" The fleeing man glanced up, and in stantly chnnglng his course, darted into the house nfter her. "What is it? What is it?" repeated the excited woman. "The toriesl the torles!" gasped the almost -exhausted man. "They're nfter me. They're close behind, mc! They'll get mc sure, Mistress Fisher, if you don't hide mei" Mrs. Fisher stepped to the door again and gazed down the road. Just emerg ing from the woods she could sec a band of men coming swiftly up the road, and her neighbor's words needed no further confirmation. Had they seen him turn into her house? She could not tell, but, satisfied that in nny event they would stop there to make inquir ies, if nothing more, the courageous woman instantly turned and once more faced the panting mnn in the room. "Hide me! Hide mc somewhere, nny- wliercl" lie pleaded. "Don't let them get me!" Mistress Fisher glanced hnstlly about the room. What could she do? Through the kitchen door she could see the hens fluttering in the ash heap. Beyond was the barn, nnd it wns useless to think of hiding there. And the tories were al ready approachingnnd would swm be in the house. "Here!" reclaimed the undaunted woman, selling a brush made of goose quills lying on the table. Tailing a knife Fhe qraickly cut several of the quilla loose. Then, cutting the feathered parts away, ulke blew the "pith" out of each and jomd four of them m the form of a long tube. She worked rap idly and with a desperation bom al most of despair, the mnn meanwhile watching her and not uttering n sound. As soon as si had the tube ready, she grasped the shovel, which was near the kitchen (low, nnd said: "Come! He quielM We haven't a minute- to spare." The man follow-sd her, not perceiving her purpose, but too frightened to ques tion or protest. Quickly Mistress Fish er ran to the ash heap and began tadig with fevetish hasto. Every moment -was precious r.ow, and' she Inbored desper ately, knowing that the fate of a life depended upon her efforts. As coon as she had made a Hole large cnouglnto satisfy her,.she dropped the shovel, and', taking the quill tube, said to her com panion: "Here! keep this in your mouth! NcwjuinpOn.and I'll hide yvjii. He sure nnd'keep.joar eyes and mwiUi closed. Qniolc!" Her purpose, wait clear now, and'' in stantly the man obeyed. Then Mistress Fisher covered him witli ashes, being careful to set thati the end of the tube was left free, and as soon as the labor was complete! she flung the shool to one side of thu linage and entered! tih kitchen, juatins the tories came upon, the piazza. Her heart was trembling,. though her- countenance was bold; as. she advanced to meet the band. "Who are you? What wish you bore?'" the brave woman demanded. "(live up that r.bel, Joe Butler;!' saifi the leader; "we saw him turn in here-.'" "Think you I viould give him up. 52" he were bore?" "You've got fciim here somowhere-. Now, give-lllm enrpr!" shouted the lead er, flourishing a pistol ns he s-pokt. Mistreui- Fislter felt strnnily sick and faint,, but,, still striving to keep up her bold appearance, said: "Kvuepyuur pistol to. frighten children with; you shall not) intimidate me! If you want to give up your chase and look for my neighbon Hutler here, it is. your priv ilege. "I'is not the first time defense less women in Westchesten county have had tihoir homes invaded by hirelings!" "Csiiib on, boys!" callod the leader, restoring his pistol to his belt and tunning to his followers as hu spoku. "She hid that rebel husband of hers uader the kitchen floor, and perhaps .Joe Hutler is there now!" In a moment the search was be gun. Tlio loose Ixaards of the floor were torn away, but no "rebel" was found beneath them. Then into tho cellar, into every room and closet, tearing apart the beds and overturn ing chairs and tables in their efforts. Thu men searched the house, hut the missing man could not hu found. "Some of you go out to the barn," siild the leader, at last. "I'll stand here and keep my eye on both pluees," he added, as ho stepped upon the ash heap. .In an agony of fear M'stross Fish er watched and waited. "Would he dls cover the preseneo of thu man con cealed beneath his ieet? The mo ments dragged on like hours, hut at I last tho search was abandoned and with many threats ngninsl her "rebel husband" nnd the whig who for tho present had escaped them the men de parted. The woman waited until a half hour had gone and then, taking her shovel, began to dig into tho ash iicap ngain. Soon she had freed her neighbor from his hiding place, but what a spectacle he presented! Al most too exhausted to stand, streaked with the ashes, and almost blinded ni well, it was long before he wns re stored. Hut at last, by the aid of soap and water and such simple means as were in the house, he was made ready to return to his home or go to the camp, as lie deemed best. As he stood on the piazza he said: 'I thought 1 was a dead man when I crawled into that nsh heap. I was thinking of the words of the preach er 'Dust to dust, ashes to ashes.' " "Out of the ashes you came to life again," responded .Mistress Fisher, folemiily. "So may it be with our country and with us all." And tho true-hearted woman stood in the door way and wntched her neighbor until he disappeared in the forest. Everett f. Tomlinson, In Congrcgationalist. IRRIGATION. The UcclKnntlon of .Arid I.ainl What (lie Government la Uulncc The Ceiinun Ofllec. 3, n & . mm ss mi fpoof- F YOU please,, you may laud George up to tho skloa, As the mnn who won battles and no7er told lies. You may tell op his virtues In story and song; How ho careruU sifted tho right from tlio wronu: Of his wisdom tn counsel, his bravery. In war; How he drove the grim British away from our shore. You may cherish forever his hat and hJ 8 word, And up to tho sl;tca our bravo Washington. laud. Long, long may vre hold him aa cxamplo to youth, For honesty, temperance, courage awU truth. While wo gaze with delight oin a struct u re grand, f Let us honor the bullderwho draw out tho nlan. And added, throushi years of inflnito care, Small stone upon, stone, firmly 11 Inj; thotn there; Jnd though this ma be but a girl's point of view, let us give credit Trtiore- ii i certainly duo, And pluck from hl3.1aurlone leaf for an other, S three cheers for ourGcge, and four for' bin mother. Margarot S. Undonwood,ln Youth's Coa panlon. t Washington, D. C, Feb. G. The rcela mntion of arid lands, which wns a prominent feature of food-producing operations in India, China, Egypt nnd Mexico many centuries ago, is now re ceiving more attention from the United States government thnn ever before. In congress, the house has appointed a strong standing committee on irri gation, with a chairman nnd umnjority of its members interested in or repre senting irrigable sections. In the sen ate, the committee on reclamation of irid lands is similnrly constituted. These committees listen to the de mands of the people and formulate leg islation when it is intended to add to the resources of nature quite aB sub stantially as if large areas of prolific territory were being acquired from tlio outside. The olhccrs of the geologlcnl survey ore mnking an extended investigation of the quantity and constancy of water supplies in irrigable districts; locating and surveying sites uvailable for per manent impounding reservoirs; ineaH uring the wastes from seepage,' evap oration and unchecked floods, and gen erally determining or comparing: the rallies of different methods- of irriga tion, nnd the utility of different) sources of wnter supply. The census ofllec, confining) itself etrietlj' to exnet facts and conditions, is supplementing these efforts-of the government by making a census of irri gation walls, dams, reservoirs, springs, canals nnd ditches, and the cost nnd character thereof; of ownership, vol ume and constancy of water sources; of water-rights, sales and rates; of the ncreage, quantity and value of irrigated! crops; of unreclaimed but irrigable land areas, etc. IMostof this work isbe ingnccomplished by means of schedule sent through the mails in advance of tlio main field work, which the law say shall be done in June, 1000. Director Merrram deemed snch a course warrant ed bj the estimated increase in irriga tion wulls to 12,01)0 and the ditches and! oanala to 15,000 during the past teiv yeair,. whichi means that probably more that 100,000 producers are now raising; 'crops and hwrds abundantly on landai tvhichv.withouit irrigation, were desolate and valueless. Preliminary returns to the censum office from irrigators and irrigations companies aire quite satisfactory, and the dmeotor neques-ta that all who have roceuwjd or may receive hereafter schedules- from the-department do their best' to acuwor the-several questions therein.- nnd rctuiia t'ile bleaks at their earliest' convaniencc. Also,. that irrigators wlic hnve not received, will write and ask), to be supplied with schedules. The re que&tiwill bo-complied with by returns mail. In fhi' wmy, accurate statistics r.ill Do scoured of aai industrial feature' which) in effijeb, ia- equal to adding sev eral productive 3tates to the. domain of i nation whose staple food supplies already dominate the markets of thor world. i'.v ifa-vu Time. Arnold man who was cook nt a west ern oampiwumt ly thtt name of Hunch Grans. Ho- lind! His- own way of looking at things. On ono occasion the camp was to be.movd.aloii3 the stream, and Hunch pnltcd up the outfit preparatory to tlio Hitting.. "Got a match, Hunch?" nsJed onrr of the party, for he had rolled up it. big uitpurittu ajtd wanted to light it. The old rmh's- fingers went to. his. ves-Upocfent;. tlien he-paused and looked thoughtful. ISvideaily no mutch) was. far.theoming. Hut suddenly Huneh showed his. originality of thought.. Withoiub a. -word hie climbed into thc wagon and started to pitch oil' his loud... Bedding;, te-uts, kettles sailed out on the grass, lne petitoner lor mo maieiu "Vnxlilnntin' Answer, The Father oft ilii (Jtountry was a shrewd observer of mcn and he undor-i stood feminine charaa'iur pretty well, too, as witness the fallowing leticr w7ittcn about a 3;oung- lady who vus lrontcinpluting Qisouoxiu marriage. It , vas evidently iinnospii&e to some np :3cal for his advice that Washington t -a rote: "For myowik paxt. 1 never did, I nor do I belicve-I ovttu' shall, give ad , vice to a womamwho. is-setting out on 'a matrimonial voyages. First, because I never could advitxi one to marry without her own ooimcnt, and, second ly, because 1 know a it to no purpose to advise her toi refrain when she has obtained it. A. woman, very rarely asks an opinion or.ruquanea advice on such an ocension till her resolution is formed, and thon ih is with the hope and expect ndian oft' obtaining a. sanc tion, not thuii she- means to hie gov erned by yourf disapprobation, that she applies. IiiiUiword, the plain English of the application may e summed up I booked at Itim in amazement. Had he,. in tnese wcrtm: "i vcisii you to tninK ROno ra2V? wfev, what is the matterr as I do; b-it if, unhappily, yea differ ,with yo,u wiia"nre you do,ng?" lie, irom me iMnopittion, my nenrn 1 must ,n...e&- Bimch slopped throwing out coiifess, i&-fixed and I have gone too. far to retmoti'" Troy Times. KIVIHDNT -VOIUu. 1 " 1 This cuto UtU boy with hi list In hlc ey Said: "In ordr to be a grsat man I'll chop down a tree;" but, twlxt you and 1110, Ills dad didn't approve, of tho plan. ii I. 1.. 1 . 9W. ,,,, , a Ami Aluriu a Holiday. Teacher Now, children, what did George Washington do for his ooun tiy? Chorus of CUUCrcn He had u blrth duy. Puck. the goods, and replied, in a sbnv drawl: "Whwh it's like- this. Whrn you re quested that ijiateh, 1 suddenly hap pened1 to recall that them combustibles, nllvfi lurks in the last pouket. T got a coat nnd waistcoat in t'ic bottom o! this wngon, and I'm reaehin' down fop that Inst pocket first, just to save time."" And be proceeded to thraw off the rcsi of the load. Youth's Companion. Yen What A good story is goin the rounds at Harvard college concerning a last year's graduate, a dutiful son and an industrious student, yet withal a-somewhat literal youth. At tho beginning of his concluding ycar, his father, who was just setting out for Europe, said to him: "Now, Harry, you get your degree, nnd I'll send for you to, como. ever nnd travel all summer." llarry wns delighted. "Father," said he, "I will." Hu studied faithfully all tho collcgpyear, and in June went through with flying colors. Then he cabled his father: "Yes." Hut the father, alnsl had forgotten his impulsive offer. Ho mused over the message, wondered, nnd then eablod back: "Yes, what?" The son was in turn perplexed, but being a wclhtrnined lad, ho did not re main long in the dark, and fired by dutious zeal, cabled bauk: "Yes, sir." Letters' of rxplnnntion followed, and ho wa.5 permitted to make tho "grand, tour," Youth's Companion. V y Y Y J-M...-,