THE STRANGE SCHOONER
On the morning when Mr. and Mrs. Pierce started for home, Rose and Anne went to Mistress Mason’s shop on an errand. As they walked along the street Rose exclaimed suddenly: “Anne, look! There is one of father’s best friends!” And Anne looked up to see a gentleman, wearing a cocked hat and red cloak, coming toward them. He was very erect and his wig was tied with a narrow ribbon.
“Good-morning, Mistress Rose,” he said, and Anne thought to herself that his voice was very kind and pleasant.
“Good-morning, Mr. Adams,” Rose responded. “This is Anne Nelson from Province Town.”
The friendly smile now rested on Anne. “Let me see; was there not a little maid from Province Town who helped the cause of Liberty by carrying a message to Newburyport?” he asked, clasping her hand.
Anne looked up at him and smiled. “I went with Uncle Enos,” she answered.
“So you did! And now you are a visitor in Boston, as I am myself, for my family are now living in Dedham,” he responded pleasantly, and, with a friendly message for Mr. Freeman, he bade the girls good-bye, and walked on.
“That is Mr. Samuel Adams,” explained Rose; “he came from Philadelphia but a few days ago. He signed the Declaration of Independence, Anne. And father says had it not been for Samuel Adams ’twould have been years before Congress would have come to so great a decision.”
“And to think he knew of me!” said Anne.
“He knows of everybody who helped even a little bit toward American independence,” said Rose. “Mr. Adams goes back to Philadelphia in September. ’Twill be a fine thing to write in your book, Anne, that you have spoken to him,” said Rose, “and very likely your father will be pleased to have you go and stay with Mrs. Pierce. It’s so much nearer Boston than Province Town, and the Pierces have such a pleasant house.”