172
THE TRIUMPH AT PLATTSBURG
he would be done by. Well, as I was saying, ye came oft to the mill with your grist, and ye came often without any grist at all, and by my troth you soon wore out your welcome, for I found out that Lucy my handmaid was the attraction. Ha! laddie, say I not true?
Corporal. Why now I reckon you had some reason for you[r] suspicion.
Andre. Ah! let Andre alone for seeing as far into a millstone as he that picks it. I had taken a fancy to the lassie mysel, and with my old mither's consent, will make Lucy, Mrs. Maeklegraith, before we are many days older.—So, corporal, our feud's at an end.
Corporal. But have you Lucy's consent out and out?
Andre. Why you simpleton, do you think she could refuse Andre Maeklegraith? I should like to see the lassie who would turn her back upon a man of my substance.—Take another pinch o' sneezer. Take it, you're welcome, and should be glad to see you at the mill again when Lucy and mysel are bone of one bone—but not till then, mind ye.
Corporal. You are what I call a shocking polite feller.
Andre. Let Andre alone for that, he kens bravely how to conduct himself in a beseeming manner in all company. But where is General Macomb; I have come here in person to speak to the general himself.
Corporal. You speak to the general; you?
Andre. Yes, Andre Maeklegraith the miller would speak to General Macomb. What's wonderful in all that? We live in a free land, man, and it would be strange indeed if the voice of the lowly could not reach the ears of those above them.
Corporal. And what would you say to the general?
Andre. An affair of interest, but as he is not here I will even open my budget to you. Some scouts of the enemy have appeared in the neighborhood of my mill, and as I am afraid they may set fire to my property, and in one hour consume the rakings and scrapings of many toilsome years, of a painstaking man, I would just ask the general to be so obliging as to send a company or two to protect me and mine from the fire and sword of the invader.
Corporal. And you think that he will grant your request?
Andre. Think, man! Hoot, hoot awa! how can he get over it? Does not your constitution protect every man, rich and poor, in the peaceful enjoyment of his property, and if you let an honest citizen suffer in this manner, how can you hope for emigration?
Corporal. Why now there is something in that.
Andre. Something.— A mickle deal. Let him refuse my reasonable request, and by the cross of Saint Andrew, I'll come John Doe and Richard Roe over him.
Corporal. And do you wish the soldiers to guard Lucy also? If you do, I'm your man.
Andre. And do you think Andre daft or dighted, to set a fox to take care of his pullet.—She would be in good hands, by my truly.—No, no, if they only keep the Philistines out of the mill, they may let me alone to take care of the lassie. Come, show me the way to the general's headquarters that I may speak to him with my own tongue, for I never liked doing things by deputy. Come along, Doctor; never look so gloomy, man; my jest was a keen one, it must be allowed, but heed it not, it broke no bones, and if it had, you have the skill to make all whole again.—
(March. Exeunt.)
Scene 2. A street in Plattsburg.
(Enter Elinor followed by Mrs. Drench.)
Mrs. Drench. Why do you leave us? and whither are you going, Miss Elinor?
Elinor. I have already told you, to the enemy's camp, to seek a husband who, I fear has deserted me. Six weeks have elapsed since I heard from him—My foreboding heart tells me that a fearful destiny awaits me,—O! Stanley, I did not merit this cruel treatment at your hands.
Mrs. D. Let him go for a good for nothing fellow as he is.
Elinor. Alas, you did not know him or you would not speak thus harshly. He appeared to me to be the very soul of honor.—
Mrs. D. And so they all appear until they are found out. Never trust to appearances.
Elinor. He had been taken prisoner, and while on his parol, he boarded at my
