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THE JOHN HYDE TRADITION

By Miss Bernice Hull

    "In the town of Oxford on Bowers Hill in Revolutionary days, there stood a farmhouse owned and occupied by Mr. John Hyde. The chimney of this house was probably ten feet square and it boasted five fireplaces as well as a large brick oven where the family baking was done. Mr. Hyde had a son named John Salem Hyde. As the American army was seriously depleted, it became necessary to secure raw recruits, but John did not wish to enlist in the army. Armed and equipped with the required papers, the officers started out to secure him.
   One can easily imagine the family seated in the long kitchen before the fireplace, quietly chatting about the news of the day, when their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of horses' hoofs. Someone exclaimed, "It's the officers after John!" The officers asked in vain, for John had vanished like a spirit. After calling him, they began a search of the house from attic to cellar. The hunt became more exciting as members of the family joined in the search.
    Angered at their defeat, the officers went to the barn to continue their pursuit, but no trace of John did they find. Despairing of capturing him alive, they ran their bayonets into the hay mows, hoping at least to secure his body. The mother, growing frantic, called again and again to her son to give himself up. It was all in vain. With oaths and curses the officers finally mounted their horses and rode away.
    The great mental strain was more than the mother could bear,