“SUSAN DELIBERATELY TIPPED HER CUP, THROWING THE TEA, UNTASTED, ON THE GRASS”
“The spirit of the Colonies,” said the Royal Governor smiling. “I foresee that we shall have to tame it.”
But in spite of his mocking words Susan saw that more than one of the guests who claimed the cause of the Colonies their own set down their tea and drank no more of it. The first laughter died away. There was a thoughtful quiet during the remainder of the party.
Years and years ago it was, but the brave rebellion of little Mistress Susan has come down to the children of to-day in story as one of the helps in the winning for America of her independence.
[The Deacon’s Grasshopper]
On their way to and from school, the boys and girls of old Boston cast curious glances toward the shop of Deacon Shem Drowne.
It was over one hundred and fifty years ago, and they were Colonial children. The boys wore short coats and long trousers, and the little girls long, plain skirts almost touching the tops of their shoes. When it rained, as it often did in the long chilly days of late winter, they wrapped themselves in heavy capes and ran between the drops, for they had no umbrellas.
But rain, or no rain, Samuel, and Abigail and the others could not pass the deacon’s tiny window. Through it they knew they might have a peep at his strange craft. Even the sound of his hammer thrilled them.