Harding High School - Quiver Yearbook (Marion, OH)

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The Black Eyed Rebel Charlotte During the Revolutionary War, Washington had to send important dispatches to the Revolu- tionary soldiers by messengers. Very often these message bearers had to go through the towns held by the Redcoats. Now one lad. disguised as a country boy, had to pass through his own home town, in which lived a pretty black-eyed girl. The Redcoats had found out that this country boy was carrying word to the Rebels, and so had this girl, for she knew that he had left home with Washington's forces, and his presence there in disguise could mean only that he was a spy or a messenger. The latter she found to be true. She also knew that the Redcoats suspected him. She must warn him, but she could not hope to get iim alone without arousing suspicion. Finally she thought of a plan. She ran to a huckster's cart and made her appearance among the crowd with a basket of apples, and announced that she had turned peddler. 4: 25: :gc The group of red-coated soldiers laughed and drew closer in curiosity. So did the country boy dressed in homespun. And no wonder, for a pretty black-eyed girl had hopped upon an up- turned box and was offering for sale some rosy apples. What new bit of dare-deviltry was about to be enacted by this prankish Miss? She answered the soldiers jest for jest, but who could know how troubled she was, for these red-coated Britishers were soldiers of Cornwal- lis. The black-eyed girl knew they had been warned that the country boy was, in truth, a mes- senger from General Washington. bearing im- portant dispatches, and that the red coats were crowding about to seize the lad. Thepapers must never fall into the hands of the enemy, but how could she save them, sur- rounded as they were? The situation called for keen thinking. WML Johnston Suddenly she smiled and showed her charming dimples. The soldiers and watchers smiled too, and crowded closer, for the girl was a great fav- orite in the little village. She beckoned him nearer, but he hung back and timidly refused to buy her apples. With many a joke and jeer the soldiers bade him buy the apples. The boy re- fused. Then the black-eyed girl, with a naughty smile, called to the boy. Mlf you have no money to pay for the apples, buy them for a kiss. How the crowd did laugh and cheer the daring girl. The country boy, perhaps because of a warning glance from the black eyes, or perhaps stung by the taunts of the watchers, stepped closer. Five apples for Five kisses, laughed the girl, and bent near him teasingly. Nor did the Red Coats hear the whispered warning, so busy were they exchanging jokes and comments among themselves. The black-eyed girl reached out a splendid ap- ple to the blushing boy, then, smack, she bent and kissed him. How the watchers yelled, each time louder than the last. as five apples found their way into the boy's pockets and five kisses found their way to his Hery face. Then the laughter of the crowd hushed, as a beefy red-and-gold officer pushed them back and laid rough hands upon the country boy. Then and there, they searched him, tearing his clothing to shreds. But the precious dispatches, the discov- ery of which would have cost him his life, as well as the lives of many of Washington's brave men, were not to be found. How could the Britishers know they were hid- den upon the wildly beating heart of the loyal lit- tle black-eyed rebel girl, for something beside kisses and apples had passed between them dur- ing this scene. And this story is true. I know, because the black-eyed girl and the country boy were far- distant grand parents of mine.