Laura Secord, the Heroine of 1812 | Page 6

mention the affair, and unless asked would never say any thing about it."
This noble-minded and heroic woman died in 1868, aged ninety-three years. She lies in Drummondville Churchyard, by the side of the husband she loved so well. Nothing but a simple headstone, half defaced, marks the place where the sacred ashes lie. But surely we who enjoy the happiness she so largely secured for us, we who have known how to honour Brock and Brant, will also know how to, honour Tecumseh and LAURA SECORD; the heroine as well as the heroes of our Province--of our common Dominion--and will no longer delay to do it, lest Time should snatch the happy opportunity from us.
S. A. C.
TORONTO, 4th August, 1887.
NOTE.--The headstone of Laura Secord is three feet high, and eighteen inches wide, and has the following:
HERE RESTS
LAURA,
BELOVED WIFE OF JAMES SECORD,
Died, Oct. 17, 1868.
Aged 93 years.
The headstone of her husband has the following:
IN MEMORY OF
JAMES SECORD, SENR.,
COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS,
Who departed this life on the 22nd day of Feb., 1841,
In the 68th year of his age.
Universally and deservedly lamented as a sincere Friend,?a kind and indulgent Parent, and an affectionate Husband.
LAURA SECORD:
THE HEROINE OF THE WAR OF 1812.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

British:
LAURA SECORD, the Heroine, wife of James Secord.
ELIZABETH SECORD, widow of_ Stephen Secord, the Miller at St. David's_.
MARY, a girl of thirteen, daughter of James and Laura Secord.
CHARLOTTE, her sister.
HARRIET, her sister.
BABETTE, the maid at the Mill.
A WOMAN, the keeper of a roadside tavern at Beaver Dams.
JAMES SECORD, _a wounded militia officer, home on sick leave, husband of_ Laura Secord.
LIEUTENANT FITZGIBBON, a British officer holding the post at Beaver Dams.
MAJOR DE HAREN, a British officer lying at_ St. Catharines with his command_.
COLONEL THOMAS CLARKE, A Canadian militia officer.
SERGEANT GEORGE MOSIER, an old Pensioner, and_ U. E. Loyalist _of 1776.
MISHE-MO-QUA (The Great Bear), a Mohawk Chief.
JOHN PENN, _a farmer (Harvey's Quaker)_.
GEORGE JARVIS, a Cadet of the 49th Regiment.
A_ Sergeant _of the 8th Regiment.
A_ Sergeant _of the 49th Regiment.
JAMES CUMMINGS, a Corporal of Militia.
ROARING BILL, a Private in the 49th Regiment.
JACK, a Private in the 49th Regiment.
Other_ Soldiers of the 49th, 8th, or King's Own, and 104th Regiments_.
Militiamen, Canadians.
Indians, British Allies, chiefly Mohawks.
TOM, a child of six, son of the Widow Secord.
ARCHY, a little Boy at St. David's Mill.
CHARLES, a boy of four, son of_ James _and Laura Secord.
Other_ Boys _of various ages from eight to sixteen.
American:
COLONEL BOERSTLER, an American officer.
CAPTAIN MCDOWELL, an American officer.
PETE and_ FLOS, _slaves.
A large body of American soldiers, infantry, dragoons and artillerymen.
LAURA SECORD: THE HEROINE OF THE WAR OF 1812

ACT I.
SCENE 1.--Queenston. A farmhouse.
John Penn, a Quaker, _is seated on a chair tilted against the wall_. Mr. Secord, _his arm in a sling, reclines on a couch, against the end of which a crutch is is placed_. Mrs. Secord, occupies a rocking-chair near the lounge_. Charlie, a little fellow of four, is seated on her lap holding a ball of yarn from which she is knitting_. Charlotte, _a girl of twelve, is seated on a stool set a little in rear of the couch; she has a lesson-book in her hand_. Harriet, _a girl of ten, occupies a stool near her sister, and has a slate on her lap. All are listening intently to the_ Quaker, who is speaking.
Quaker. The midnight sky, set thick with shining points, Hung watchingly, while from a band of gloom?That belted in the gloomier woods, stole forth?Foreshortened forms of grosser shade, all barred?With lines of denser blackness, dexter-borne.?Rank after rank, they came, out of the dark,?So silently no pebble crunched beneath?Their feet more sharp than did a woodchuck stir.?And so came on the foe all stealthily,?And found their guns a-limber,