Read Ebook: Peggy Owen and Liberty by Madison Lucy Foster Peck H J Henry Jarvis Illustrator

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Ebook has 1886 lines and 82596 words, and 38 pages

"I think I shall do justice to all such preparations," said the youth smiling. "I fancy that the most of us in the army would find little difficulty in keeping Peggy busy all the time."

"Hark!" exclaimed Sally. "I thought I heard some one call."

As the youth and the maidens assumed a listening attitude there came a faint "Hallo!" above the tumult of the wind. Sally ran to one of the windows that faced Chestnut Street, and flattened her nose against the glass in the endeavor to see out.

"'Tis a man on horseback," she cried. "He is stopping in front of the house. Now he is dismounting. Who can it be?"

"David, this is a surprise," exclaimed Mrs. Owen, coming quickly in answer to Sally's call, and reaching the sitting-room just as a tall man, booted and spurred, entered it from the hall. "Thee must be almost frozen after being exposed to the fury of such a storm."

"'Tis good to be out of it, wife," answered Mr. Owen, greeting her with affection. He stretched his hands luxuriantly toward the fire as Peggy relieved him of his hat and riding coat, and glanced about appreciatively. "How cozy and comfortable it is here! And what a merry party! It puts new heart into a man just to see so much brightness."

"We are to have pepper-pot, Mr. Owen," Betty informed him, drawing forward a large easy chair for his use while Sally ran to lay an extra plate on the table. "Doesn't it smell good?"

"It does indeed, Betty. The odor is delectable enough to whet the appetite to as keen an edge as the wind hath. Robert, 'tis some time since I have seen thee."

"I am on my first leave in three years, Mr. Owen. Are you on a furlough too, sir?"

"Nay, lad; I took one just after Yorktown, when I brought Peggy home from Virginia. General Washington, who, as thee doubtless knows, is still here in Philadelphia perfecting plans with Congress for next summer's campaign, hath sent for me to confer with him regarding the best means of putting down this illicit trade which hath sprung up of late. I do not know how long the conference will last, but it comes very pleasantly just now, as it enables me to have the comforts of home during this severe weather."

"When did you leave the Highlands, sir?"

"Four days since. The army had begun to hope that winter was over, as the ice was beginning to come down the Hudson. This storm hath dashed our hopes of an early spring."

"And must thee return there, David?" asked Mistress Owen.

"No; I am to go to Lancaster. This trade seems to be flourishing among the British prisoners stationed there. Congress had granted permission to England to keep them in supplies, and it seems that advantage is taken of this fact to include a great many contraband goods. These the prisoners, or their wives, are selling to the citizens of Lancaster and surrounding country. To such an extent hath the trade grown that it threatens to ruin the merchants of the place, who cannot compete with the prices asked. I am to look into the matter, and to stop the importation of such goods, if possible."

"'Tis openly talked that England will defer coming to terms of peace because she hopes to conquer us by this same trade," observed Robert Dale gravely.

"And is like to succeed if it cannot be put down," commented David Owen shaking his head. "All along the coast the British cruisers patrol to capture our merchantmen, and to obstruct our commerce. The Delaware is watched, our coasts are watched that we may not get goods elsewhere, or have any market for our produce. Unable to get what they want, our own people buy where they can without realizing the harm. 'Tis estimated from forty to fifty thousand pounds have been drawn by this means into New York in the past few months. If this continues the enemy will soon be possessed of all the hard money that hath come into the country through the French, and without money we can do naught. Our resources and industries have been ruined by the long war, and this latest scheme of England bids fair to undo what hath been accomplished by force of arms."

"And after Yorktown every one thought that of course peace was just a matter of a few months. That it would be declared at once," sighed Sally. "Oh, dear! It makes me sad to think the war is not over yet!"

"And I have been the marplot to spoil this merry company," said Mr. Owen contritely. "Let's declare a truce to the matter for the time being, and discuss that pepper-pot. Is't ready, lass?"

"Yes, father," answered Peggy rising. "And there is a good dinner beside. We will enjoy it the more for having thee with us."

She stopped abruptly as high above the noise of the wind the brass knocker sounded.

"More company," exclaimed Betty gleefully as Peggy started for the hall. "Peggy, thy small dinner bids fair to become a party."

PEGGY IS SURPRISED

"The state that strives for liberty, though foiled And forced to abandon what she bravely sought, Deserves at least applause for her attempt, And pity for her loss. But that's a cause Not often unsuccessful."

Peggy was nearly blinded by the sudden rush of snow and wind that followed the opening of the great front door, and so for the moment did not recognize the two, a man and a woman, who stood there on the steps.

"Will ye enter, friends?" she asked courteously. "'Tis a fearful storm!"

"That it is, Peggy. We are mighty glad to reach shelter. Come, Fairfax! I told you that we should be welcome."

"Nurse Johnson," shrilled the girl in delight. "Why, come right in. Welcome? Of course thee is welcome. And thou also, Friend Fairfax. Why, we were speaking of thee but now. Mother, 'tis Friend Nurse, from Virginia."

"Come in, Friend Johnson," spoke Mrs. Owen warmly, coming in haste from the sitting-room. "Thee must be cold. 'Tis dreadful weather. Let me help thee with thy wraps."

"I was getting pretty cold," acknowledged Nurse Johnson. "We were on our way to the Jerseys, where my sister hath taken a farm. We thought to get to Burlington to-night, but the storm made traveling so difficult that I told Fairfax that I made no doubt you would put us up until 'twas over."

"'Twill give us great pleasure, Friend Nurse--I should say, Friend Johnson," answered Mistress Owen graciously. "We have heard Peggy talk of thee so much that we have fallen into her way of speaking of thee."

"Continue so to call me, Mrs. Owen. I like it," declared Nurse Johnson heartily.

"Peggy, see thou to the dishing up of the dinner, while I attend our friends," spoke her mother. "We were just on the point of taking it up when ye came," she explained. "Hot pepper-pot will warm ye better than anything."

"Isn't that our Silent Knight?" queried Betty, in a shrill whisper as Peggy was passing through the room.

"Yes, Betty. Shall I place him by thee at table?"

"See how she is priming for conquest," remarked Sally as Betty, nodding acquiescence, began unconsciously to smooth her hair. "She must tell us every word he says; must she not, Robert?"

"Of a verity," smiled the young man, his amusement plainly visible.

"I think thee has met with every one, Friend Nurse," observed Mrs. Owen entering at this moment with the new arrivals. "David ye know, of course. Sally and Betty ye met last year. Robert? No; ye do not know him. Robert Dale, of the army, Nurse Johnson. And this is Fairfax, her son, Robert. Ye should be good friends, as ye have both fought for the country."

"Thou hast forgot to give Robert his rank, Lowry," spoke Mr. Owen as the young men shook hands. "Friend Johnson, have this chair. Thou wilt find it easy and quite comfortable."

"Thy pardon, Robert," exclaimed Mrs. Owen. "I do not always remember that thou art Major Dale."

"I do not always remember it myself, madam," returned the youth modestly. "And I wish to be Robert to you always."

"How these children grow!" exclaimed Nurse Johnson sinking into the easy chair with a sigh of content. "It hardly seems possible that Fairfax is more than a boy; yet here he is a captain in the army."

"A captain?" ejaculated Peggy in surprise.

"Yes; it does seem strange, doesn't it? You see he served with the militia in Virginia during the last few years, and I presume would have stayed with it; but his uncle, my sister's husband, persuaded him to enlist with the regular army. He said that if he would enroll himself among the New Jersey troops he would get him a commission as captain, which he did. That is one of the reasons we are going to New Jersey."

"Thou wilt find it very comfortable here on the settle, Captain Johnson," spoke Betty sweetly, drawing her skirts aside with such an unmistakable gesture that Fairfax, flushing hotly, was obliged to seat himself beside her.

Peggy's glance met Sally's with quick understanding.

"I will help thee, Peggy," said Sally, rising. "Nay; we do not need thee, Mrs. Owen. Didst ever see Betty's equal?" she questioned as they reached the kitchen.

Peggy laughed.

"Sally, she will never make him talk in the world," she declared. "Thou and I will have a good laugh at her when 'tis over. 'Twill give a fine chance to tease."

"'Tis just like a party," cried Betty as, a little later, they were gathered about the table. "'Tis charming to meet old friends! And everybody is here save thy cousins, Clifford and Harriet, Peggy. Oh, yes! and Captain Drayton."

"Captain Drayton is to go to Lancaster too, I understand," remarked Mr. Owen. "Did thee know, lass?"

"No, father. I thought he was still with General Greene. He returned to him after Yorktown."

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