Amy E Blanchard

“ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing. It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl. He was in a fury. One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone. ”

“ Then Rhoda arose in a towering rage. “You are a detestable creature! I wish I had never seen you. If I were a man, I’d—I’d fight a duel with you, and—”
“Kill me?” said James, leaning toward her. “You can slay me now with your killing glances if you will. ’Deed, Miss Rhoda, I do love to make you mad. You are always running down Maryland, you know, and calling us fire-eaters, and it just does me good to make the sparks fly. ”

“ It must be said that she did rather needlessly enlarge upon the terrors of the occasion when Lutie was the listener, and the eyes of that sable maiden grew bigger and bigger as Lettice described Admiral Cockburn’s appearance: a great big man, as tall as a locust tree, with fiery red hair and blazing eyes and a long beard that blew out like the tail of a comet; so he appeared to Lutie’s vision, her imagination adding hoofs and horns; and he became the theme of Jubal’s perorations, taking the place of “Poly Bonypart” as a bugaboo to scare the children and the more timid girls. ”

“ But at this moment the prostrate man on the porch, who by painful effort had dragged himself to the sill of the door, feebly raised the pistol he held, fired, and Rhoda was free to rush out of the open door into the darkness.
Those inside were sobered down. “Here, men, search the house,” said the leader, sternly. “Fire on any one who dares to stand in the way.”
“What shall we do! What shall we do!” Lettice moaned in despair. But Betty had rushed upstairs to her baby, and Rhoda was not in sight. ”

“ Patsey, too, had retreated from her home to a safe distance, and was with friends in Washington. She had begged Lettice to go with her, but Lettice had refused, saying that she would be better content in a quiet place, where the merry ways of her little nephew would bring her more solace than could anything else. She devoted much time to the little fellow, who grew more and more winsome every day, and was so adored by Betty’s parents that he was in danger of being spoiled. ”

“ Her aunt spoke reprovingly.
“I don’t care.” Rhoda’s cheeks were flushed. “It is true. It is a dreadful, dreadful thing to murder men for saying they will not countenance a war with England.”
“It is a dreadful thing,” returned her uncle, “but we have many wrongs to avenge. Our poor seamen have been flogged to death, have been as brutally treated as this mob has treated the Federalists, and a desire for vengeance which will not be satisfied with less than an eye for an eye, is the motive power which has controlled these late horrible scenes. ”

“ Let the future take care of itself. ‘Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,’ you know. You have seen evil enough, poor Letty. Good night and sweet dreams;” and she left Lettice to think over all this new situation.
Volunteers were tramping into the city; preparations were going forward for a brave defence, and when Lettice laid her head upon her pillow, it was to dream of future alarms and start up more than once with a little cry. Once Betty heard her and came in to bend gently over her. ”

“ And Lettice, who had surprised Rhoda by telling how she could take a ditch, was not ready to cross the street to join the crowd.
“There can’t be any danger,” said Rhoda.
“Oh, but there is. See there, Rhoda, they are throwing stones at the windows. Oh, I see, it is the house which Mr. Hanson now occupies, since they tore down his printing-press. Oh, this is dreadful! Come, Rhoda, run, run; the crowd is growing larger; we’ll be caught in the midst of it.” ”

“ Lettice regarded him gravely. “I am not so sure about that,” she rejoined. “I don’t really know all about it, but I don’t think the British have any right to steal our sailors.”
“And what do you think of the letters-of-marque and reprisal? And will you favor me with your opinion on carrying trade and the constructive blockade?”
Lettice looked bewildered, and Mr. Clinton laughed. “I did but tease you, fair demoiselle. ’Tis not for ladies to bother their heads about such things; what concerns them more is a question of a becoming gown or a new dancing step. ”

“ The departure of the foe seemed also to be the signal for the cessation of the tempest, for the setting sun shone forth, and the mutterings of thunder died away with the echoing tread of marching feet.
“Free, at last!” cried Lettice, when it became known that the redcoats had really gone.
“Yes, but not safe. We’re not out of the woods yet,” her brother told her. “Every man of us must fight those fires, or the little that’s left will go. Run in and stay with the Ingles, Lettice. Mr. Baldwin and I must go.” ”

“ Not one of the three in the house thought of sleep, for from time to time the crackle and blaze of some new fire, the roar of the devouring element, announced that one or another building had been sacrificed to the revengeful lust of the enemy. Up and down the streets swarmed the redcoated soldiers, ransacking, shooting wildly, without reason or conscience, at any who dared venture forth not uniformed as were themselves. ”

“ Surely her father loved her too well to let her be miserable all the days of her life. Perhaps, after years and years of waiting, when her lad should have become a rich man through some unexpected means, her father would consent; meantime she would try to be happy, and she could at least think of him, even if she didn’t see him.
If there was happiness and peace at Sylvia’s Ramble, so there was a great joy in the home of the fair bride. Such a glad ending to a sad year. Her Joe’s wife! Faithful, loving Patsey had no other thought ”

“ I do not think they were thinking of either of us.”
“No, I did not notice them, I wasn’t looking; besides, Rhoda doesn’t love James’s politics any more than I do yours.”
“Politics? What have sweet lasses like you to do with politics? Let the men settle the affairs of the nation, and let the maidens rule in the court of love, where they are more at home.”
Then Lettice sighed and did not draw her hand away. ”

“ Betty returned.
“Every man is needed. With so little success on the frontier, reverses at sea, and this vandal, Cockburn, ready to destroy and pillage along these shores, it is every man’s duty to be at his post, if he is able to get there.”
“Yes, I suppose so,” Betty sighed. “That is what William says. With his father and uncle on the frontier, his brother gone to join Barney, and with the plantations running to waste down here, they all have no word but duty.”
“And that is right,” Lettice spoke up. “It is to protect their women and their homes that they go.” ”

“ It was on the morning of August 7, that William came hurriedly in, saying: “The British are making for our shores! I must hurry off, Betty. Don’t look so terrified, my love. I trust we shall not suffer from the attack, but the militia are ordered out, and James and I must go. Here, Lettice, take these papers and put them in safe hiding somewhere; they are valuable. I ought to see to it myself, but I shall not have time. If anything happens, get over to Uncle Tom’s as quickly as possible. I fancy Aunt Martha can hold her own, and there is strength in numbers.” ”

“ Learn to be a good housewife, and be pretty and amiable, and you’ll do.”
“No, but I’ll not do,” Lettice persisted. “I am not going to let that Boston girl make me feel as small as a mouse, and I don’t mean to sit as mum as an owl while she entertains the gentlemen with her knowledge of affairs. She’ll be having them all desert our side yet.”
Her father laughed. “That’s the way the crow flies, is it? My little lass is like to be jealous, and she’ll have no one stealing her swains from her. ”

“ I want to know why we shouldn’t have war. When I listen to Rhoda, she fairly persuades me that we would be a blundering, senseless lot, to war with a great nation like England. She has such a big navy, and we have none to speak of, Rhoda says, and she laughs when I say we won’t let ourselves be beaten. ”

“ But her brother had no sooner left the room than Lettice flew out by the back way, ran to the stable, flung the saddle on her horse, and was off like a shot. She would take no risks. Down the road she galloped, and dashed up before the porch where Rhoda was sitting alone.
“Lettice!” cried Rhoda, coming hastily forward, “what are you doing here? Is there no one with you? Have you brought bad news?” ”

“ It was so good to be at home again; to see the table set with the familiar dishes, and Speery standing there with a green branch beating away the flies. Speery giggled gleefully as she caught sight of the figure which had paused before the door. “Law, Miss Letty, yuh is a gran’ young lady, sho ’nough,” she said. “I mos’ skeered to speak to yuh.”
“You needn’t be, Speery,” Lettice replied, her eyes wandering over the dark mahogany furniture, and returning to take in the details of old silver and India china upon the table. “Is that one of Miss Betty’s wedding presents—that pitcher? ”

“ A warm color came into the face of the girl sitting on her horse ready to welcome them, and she slid down, before James could help her, to be heartily kissed and embraced by Lettice, who said: “I am dying to hear the neighborhood news, and, Patsey dear, there is so much to tell you, and I have brought a new sleeve pattern, and oh, tell me, have the gowns come home yet?”
“They are on the way,” Patsey told her. “Who is the young lady, Lettice?”
“That is Rhoda Kendall, my Aunt Martha’s niece, from Boston. I see Brother James is already making his manners to her.” ”

“ Lettice, however, was not to stay in Washington, for after the coach had rattled over the newly laid pike, and she had dimly discerned the white walls of the unfinished Capitol, she was helped down from her seat and entered a hackney coach, which was driven up and down hill, over Rock Creek, through mud and mire, until it arrived in Georgetown, a more habitable place than that which they had just left. ”

“ But never mind, my love, I wouldn’t make myself unhappy over it; love finds a way. And would you take your Yankee lad single-handed?”
“Now, Betty, you will joke. Yes,”—she hid her face on Betty’s shoulder,—“I would, I really would.”
“I said you would be a New Englander yet. I shall have to hand you over to Aunt Martha to-morrow and let her teach you how to bake beans.”
“But there’s no need. You see, he’ll not ask for me.”
“Nonsense; wait till the war is over. What about Robert Clinton, Lettice?” ”

“ There may be other things to learn, and we’ll take your maid as a punishment to you for defying his Majesty’s servants. We will leave your loyal man to your tender mercies.”
Lettice laid her hand on Lutie’s shoulder. “I’d rather you’d leave the maid, sir. It seems to me the man is more devoted to your cause than mine.”
“Oh, Jubal, save me, save me!” Lutie wailed.
“Stop that noise,” said the captain, sternly. “Here, boy, I want you. We’ll have a lark, my men. The man shall fight for the maid. ”

“ Lettice is a brave girl and a tender-hearted one, even if she is a bit too impulsive.”
Jamie’s eyes beamed at this praise of his dearly loved sister from one who was always chary of her compliments; and when Rhoda expressed her determination to go at once to see Lettice, he gladly offered to be her escort. “I wish you were well out of here and safe in Boston,” he said. “With that terrible beast of a Cockburn infesting our shores, and every man feeling it his duty to be off with the militia, our homes are illy protected. Your father should not allow you to remain here.” ”

“ Aunt Martha doesn’t encourage extravagance in dress.” Lettice drew down the corners of her mouth and dropped her eyes in a little prim way, while Betty laughed.
“Nonsense! she is an old Puritan. It is natural for girls to like pretty things, just as it is for babies to want to catch at something bright. Isn’t it, my pretty?” And Betty gave her cooing baby a hug, as he vainly tried to clutch the shining chain his mother had been dangling before him. Lettice smiled and surveyed her dainty little figure complacently, then held out her hands for the baby. ”

“ Hopkins remarked, with a little severity.
“To be sure I would,” Lettice laughed, as she walked off. “Sometimes I feel as if I must be saucy to Aunt Martha,” she said to her cousin. “Tell me about Rhoda, Cousin Joe. Is she pretty? What does she look like?”
“She is fair, with light hair and blue eyes. She is rather slight, and is quiet in her manner. She does not talk very much unless she is deeply interested, and then she is very earnest.” ”