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Many Flags
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
August 13 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - July 28 2005 : 12:07:13 PM
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The year being 1766, Many Flags and Three Tales were traveling west and after crossing the great river they dropped south to a haunt from years past; a place of rest which they had not visited for seven years, not since they had scouted for the British crown, attached to their cousins’ company of 77th Grenadiers.
Dill’s Tavern it was called; owned by Mr. Dill, a small structure where crossroads from some small villages met, from Hanover and Gettysburg on the road to Carlisle. The tavern held good memories for Flags and Tales, and although very small, the Dill family had always made them and their cousins Malcolm, Davey and the other Highlanders welcome back in 1758 and 1759.
The two brothers: one in clout and the other in breeches, one moccasined and the other booted, rifles sloped across shoulders, one in beaten tricorn, the other in old bonnet; they moved confidently down the wagon trail leading to the small tavern.
Several children played around the front door, the sun was already high in the sky, and several men in frocks lounged outside with mugs of ale. Leaning in the doorway was a man of medium height, a bit grizzled, and of medium age, his worn keeper’s apron tucked into his breeches. A grin spread quickly across his face when he saw the two brothers approach.
“Sure, and can it be me own eyes are naye deceivin’ me! ‘Tis truly the brothers of the Allemaengel. Where in the devil’s lair have ye been these last several years? And, ye haven’t changed a bit!”
A short but stout lady of the same age as the man stuck her head out the door. “Hush, James! Don’t be usin’ old Scratch’s name in front of the children! You young ones, out of here! I’ve got some things for you to do out back.”
The children took off at a run, probably to disappear before their mother found the work for them to do. Mrs. Dill turned to the two brothers. “You two are like spirits, you know. Showing up when least expected. Actually, we’ve thought of you lately. Husband! Didn’t we find something that we thought belonged to those Scotch cousins of theirs?”
“Ahh. Ye are right, mother. Would ye two like a pint while I get the piece for ye to eye?”
Flags and Tales were a bit mystified. They certainly agreed to the pint and stepped inside the tiny tap room. A few more children went running out a back entrance when they saw Mr. and Mrs. Dill escorting the two brothers inside. Mr. Dill went behind the large plank that acted as the bar and drew two pints for the lads. Then, he rustled around on a shelf and finally exclaimed, “Here ‘tis!”
He laid on the bar a piece of brass. Tales lowered his mug and picked up the piece. He approximated it was about 2 inches long and one inch wide. About 1/3 of the bottom 2 inches was narrowed to 1/3 of an inch with curled ends. Above that, where it flared back out to the upper 2 inches it again had curled up ends as if to hold the piece in place on something else. The end of the piece ovaled and was curled in. A stamped crown was on the widest part and where it narrowed was more stamping of ornate design and feathering.
Tales’s index finger fit in perfectly where the piece ovaled and curled in. “A curiosity, indeed. Brother Flags, what do you make of this? In all my wanderings I have never seen a piece like this used? I don’t believe it is for a musket or rifle?”
Many Flags took up the piece, turning it over and over, examining it closely. “Ich kenne nicht. I never saw the Highlanders carry such a piece. But, it certainly has the King’s crown on it and it certainly looks like a piece from military kit. Herr Dill, are you sure this was left by our cousins?”
The tavern keeper nodded. “Mother”, as he addressed his wife, “didn’t one of the children have this in his pocket after the Highlanders were last here in ‘59?”
“Sure, I found it in young John’s waistcoat pocket one day, I believe the last time those Scotch soldiers were here. I whipped his bottom for stealin
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Bookworm
Colonial Militia
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
February 10 2004
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - July 29 2005 : 08:12:51 AM
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| Can't help you with the mystery item, I'm afraid, since, as my husband will be the first to tell you, technology of this or any age is definitely not my forte. But what I can and will do is stop by the Klases' bookstore (as if I needed a reason) and buy a ticket for the rifle. (Is it just my imagination, or does Larry Klase bear some resemblance to Seamus?) The Dill Tavern is indeed a fine-looking building, and worthy of the best restoration money can buy. |
Bookworm
"I've gotten so fascinated with the eighteenth century, I'm going to stay there." -- David McCullough
"Nothing to it, brother." -- Barack Obama |
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Monadnock Guide
Council of Elders
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
March 14 2005
Status: offline
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Posted - July 29 2005 : 3:39:42 PM
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| Very well done, you have a talent. From the description, I can't help unfortunately. If it's possible maybe a picture would help. It almost sounds like something to keep tension on small lines of some kind. Best of luck with the restoration, sounds like quite a project. |
you can keep "The Change" |
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Gadget Girl
Gatherer of Gathering Gadgets
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - August 01 2005 : 11:03:53 PM
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Ohhhhhh, I'm in a Happy Place!!!!!
Deeeep bow to Many Flags!!!! |
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Sjt. Malcolm MacWilliam
Pioneer
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
September 11 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - August 02 2005 : 7:56:19 PM
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| GG,.....tis good to hear from you, Lass!! I also read the post of me cousin Many Flags. But, mum's the word on the mystery brass. See if he can figure it out on his own or with the help of our comrades. As Uncle Quasi would say..."heee, heee, heee....Pax Aye!" I'm sitting here with Uncle Angus.....he has come out of the shadows for just a wee bit of time to have a bit of port with me. Mother Ewe sits at his feet as she eyes her wooly brood laying a bit off from us. A few grunts in Gaelic from the old gentleman is enough to tell me that he is quite satisfied with life at the moment. I have told him I am off to Bushy Run this weekend with the lads. Uncle Angus does not like that place. He "sees" things when he traverses through that area.....things from 242 years ago. And so it goes. Pax Aye to you, Lass!! Malcolm |
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Mystery Brass - 1766
