Lydia's Ride

CILY sweeps D e cember's blast Through the deserteü street, Drowiiing the sound of lootsteps last Over the crusted sleet. "Whcn shivers the cafalry steed in stall, And with freezlng bands The sontry stands Who faces the ntght and the wintrj squall I Snug on the hearths of the war-woa town, Britons the storm defy ; While 'neath the heavens' forbidding frown Washington's patriota lie, And dream of the homes they have left- for this 1 With regrets? Ah no; To their beds oí snow Come sweethearts auii wives with approring kiss. Cheerily fliokers the welcome log, Where Howe sits deep in thought; And his henchmen whisper over tbeir grog Of the battle that soon will be fought, When America's flag shall be torn to a shred, And the prayers of her sons Shall be drowned by the guns, And her hopes flnd a place with the w ounded and dead. Lydia stands at the guarded door; The sentry steals a kiss 1 Begs for another, and snatches a score, Thenasks: "My pretty miss, Wüat tempteth thee forth on so ruthless a nightí" Coyly lifting her eyes, "I must learn," she replies, "How to pass through your Unes at the dawning of light. "There's asack of meal at the Frankford mili, My mother's shelves are bare, And two of thy comrades will fare but ill lt the sack remaineth there I" "Eneugh !" cries the soldier. He passes within, To his General tells Of the need that impels, And returns with the ominous password: "We r win!" "Another taste of ttaose rebel llps: To loose thee yet were a sin ."' She boxes his ears and away she trips. And laugiiingly cries: "We win!" But her brave heart is weihed with a terrible doubt As she ponders each word That her quick ears hare heard From the two gullant "comrades'' whese ra, tions are '■oirt!'' Grey Bess Is saddled at break of day: With a song on her merry tongue She mounts to the saddle and canters away, As the sleet in her face is flun?;: A song from the bosoai that heaves for her kin- "Halt I" rings sharp ahead: "The password!" - His suid; "Bide on, pretty rebel- we win ! we win !" The slumbering flres are dlmly een, The last cold sentinel pa?sed; Her words are quick on the wind so keen, "Now f ast, myBessle, fast!" The mlll-light she sees o" er the snow-covered grass, Eelns her steed at the door j For an instant - no more, Amd she hears not the miller's "God bless thee, i mylass!" Daylight is growing- away : away ! Faster and faster still ! Bebéis and traitore and spies are they Who tarry too long "at the mlll." Trees, bushes amd flelds fade llke phastasiet brief: Then an ill-clad vidette. Looking bungrj and wet. ."British- attack- at sunset- ta-night !" That's all: then back 3he files: 'But Washington values those words arlght, [ And the tears are thickln hls eyes As be thinks of the sortle - the plan to surprisa, And wlth one sudden thrust Dash the Cause to the dust, Wlthits barefooted champions, never to risel Bugles ring sharp In the Quaker town, Kgiments qulokly form; One Titan blow for the King and the Crown I One mlghty blust of the storm ! A blaat that the. green leaves of Freedom shall par oh As the oases swoon In the desertas simoon ! Sirecco of steel, fix bayoneta- marcb I Looscd is the deathcloud when day is done, But on no drowsy foe: There looms the rifleman's ready gun; There is the match's glow Of the brave cannoneer who will own not defeat: Like statues they stand Fr the word of command, And-the troops of King Georee wheel about - in rctreat ! He who Colurnbia's life doth read Finds on the golden page Many a noble and deathless deed That Time shall never age: And within the biest volume of Liberty's pride Is a tale which must thrill Every patriot still- The valorous story of Lydia's Ride.