“He?—Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Why look at him, lady: Besides, can you go there yourself anyhow? Why you’re ready to drop now! Better go in and let the old woman put you to bed and give you some breakfast.”
“It is true I’m very stiff and weary—having ridden all night. But I must reach Washington without delay; there is one I care about under sentence of death. If I reach there in time, I may get a reprieve and save him. I must go to-day.” Catherine spoke this, frequently pausing for breath. When she ceased—
“Some of her ‘lations gwine to be hung, an’ she gwine to see President Madison to get him off! May depen’, that’s it!” whispered one farm laborer to another.
“Can you let me have a horse to take me there to-day? I will pay twice—ten times his value,” said Catherine, raising her heavy eyelids to the old farmer’s kind face.
“Lady, I’ll let you have another horse in two hours from this, on condition that you go in to my old woman and take some refreshment, and lie down to rest for that time. And not a minute sooner, and not on any other terms whatsoever, even if it was your father was going to be hanged—would I let you have a horse; because I see very clearly that, unless you take some rest, you will drop down dead before you get a mile farther on your road.”
“It is true—it is the voice of Providence, I think—I thank you very much; I will rest. Please take care of my poor pony.”
“He shall be looked after, lady. Take my arm.” And the worthy farmer drew Catherine’s arm within his own, and carefully and respectfully supported her to the house, where he gave her into the charge of his wife, saying, “Here, wait upon this lady, honey! be a mother to her, honey! for she’s sorrowfully in want of one.”
The farmer’s wife placed her in a stuffed chair, drew off her gloves, untied her hat and removed it, unfastened her spencer, and asked her if she would have breakfast, which was just ready to go on the table.
“No, thank you. You are very kind. The Lord reward you. But—rest, I want only rest,” said Catherine, ready to swoon, for the sense of fatigue was growing upon her.
“Yes, rest, that’s all she wants, or rather that’s the most she wants now! Put her to bed! let her sleep for two hours, and have a cup of strong coffee and a broiled chicken ready for her when she wakes. That will set her up again, and help her to reach her journey’s end,” said the kind-hearted man.