Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-03

who had assumed opposite sides IN the contest
and instances were not uulrequent, when not even
the claims of near kindred. much less those Of mere
hepiessness, had suificed to protect defenceless
families from the unrelcnling hatred Of the tories.
"Are your parents willing that you should 60 up
on an errand Of this kind my boy 7" said Washing
ton al length.
81 have no mother-iny father knows not what
danger means when his country is to be saved"
Washington smiled sternly. "And you, your.
self arc not fearful Of what the British might do to
you, il they should seize you when going upon my
errands 7"
"If my father, and you, fear not for your lives,
why should | fear for mine 7"
"Well spoken, on my word-you are a brave
lad, !" said Washington Mr. Ashton tell you
how far wanted you to gol'
ooh, yes and have planned it ALL have two
three relatives along the road from here to West
Point, with whom | can stop at nigbt-all good
wings ] can assure you-and If any body questions
me ON my way | shall answer that | am going to see
my friends up the country"
at is good plan, very good one" said WASH
ngton, usingIy,-"anh none the worse for its
simpcity-you understand. OF course, my boy, that
the message shall give you is for the Of no
man, be he wing or tory, but the commandant at
West Point You understand thisp
81 UNDERESTIMATE" replied The disguised girl proud
ly.
"And that, threaten as they may, no one else is
10 see it, or know that you are entrusted with
any message Gimme p
LET them threaten or let them beg. they shall
find out nothing from me-" exc aimed she resoluie-
ly.
The General went 10 writing desk that stood
on the table, and took from il the hollow part of q
common quill in which he inserted small compact
roll very thin paperthen letting out few stitch
es in the roundabous that the girl wore, he conceal
ed the quill between the lining and the cloth in such
a manner, that nothing but accident or the most
careful inspection, could discover t---then with a
needle and thread he carefully though rather awk-
wardly sewed up the hole that he had made.
"You see, my boy. il is well to know how to do
ererythiagto well as 10 ride" said he smil-
ing,
Mary smiled too for she though, she could have
astonished him tile were il not for the danger OF
discovery in The use Of the needle.
"How will you be ready to start !" said the
General.
"Now," replied she
perhaps you had better wait for your dinner"
| 81 thought you wanted the errand done as quickly
| as possible"
Washington gave an approving look-"I only
wished to try you my boy, SAID he. Nov then,
be off-and may the blessing Of God 60 with you
Remember-be not over anxious, but be careful
Mary caught his hand and passed il to her lips
and hurried from the
~ strange boy but fine one !" said the hero
going 10 the window and gazing after her as she
rode swiftly up the road
/ Great was the asionishment Of Mr. Ashton when
upon returning unsuccessfully TO his home, the Gen
eraI informed him Of what had occurred in his alb
sence and greater has his surprise and anxiety
upon inquirng for his daughter trace Of heI
could be found TWAS not till he had himself visit
ed her chamber, and seen her clothes lying upor
the chair that suspicion of the truth suggested it
self. But when that suspicion was once aroused
corroboratiye circumstances convinced him that HI
was not mistaken. But while highly pleased at tn,
courage and patriotism Of his daughter and the ap
plause which her conduct called forth from Wash
ington, he was naturally anxious lest some inlurl
should befall her in her unprotected journey Sh,
was his only child, and since the death Of his wiz
which took place when Mary was but two years old
she had become doubly dear, il that were posi-
BILE, TO his heart. So strongly did his anxiety weigl
upon his mind, that, not even waiting to take
hasty meal, though he had eaten nothing since morn
ing he mounted his horse and pushed on after her
resolving to run himself the risk of capture, rattle
than TO remain quietly at homo when she nigh
possibly be in the midst of danger.
But leaving Mr. Ashton for time to his painful
forebodngs, let us turn for moment to follow tn
: path of his daughter.
; (ooNcLupED NEXT wEEK.)