The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-01-08

turn in q few days with the desired in.
formation. On reaching his quarters
he changed his military apparel for u
plain coun,ryman's suit, ripped the lin
ing Of his cooked hat under which he
placed his commission which he care
fully renewed, saying to himself:
81 think when Miss Rosa milford
sees my commission, as an officer in
his Mnjes,y's service, she will 10 long.
er refuse the hand Of Nathan Palmer. :"
The next morning he left the farther
British outposts u, Kinssbride, on horse
back, where General Tryon had uc.
companied him, TO pursue his exPedi-
,ion. 1t was a beautiful morning, and
he looked forward with all the unlicipa.
tions Of pleasure, and hope CLEANED
warmly in his breast, llc passed the
neutral ground without molcsta,ion, and
advanced into what was considered the
American districts without being iroub.
led by any Of The occasional travellers
on the road, although every one was
armed and Carried musket. Now
and then lie met nn American yeoman
or farmer with whom he was acquaint.
ed, that knew not Of his DETECTION for
he was born in that section Of the coun.
try, and residents within wide circle
were then considered rs neighbors. Late
in the afternoon he came within sight
Of the regular American outposts, when
he turned off the main rond bv mar.
row one that led TO mill md dwelling
on the banks Of small but rapid
stream.
Let ns for moment look into the
dwelling and notice lis inmates. One
was a girl Of about eigh,een, and fine
rustic beauty. engaged in some ,rifling
housework, bu, mainly listening 10 the
conversation OF q lively looking, brown.
7eomplexioned young man in a half
Imili,hry gnrb. II issepident9ba, wfiat,
| iibe said pleased I. has t;5F Sie look edl.t
hin from tiIne 10 time, as, ,she Tsmilcl
|sarcsil y,with fondness. These Two were
Rosa Milford, the miller's daughter,
and William I'ownlcy, ncighboring
farmers son, OH ensign in the Ameri-
can army lying near.
ards the mill on lorscbnck2"
Gas | live" SAID the young man, ':it
is your old spark, that sly rascal, Ma
thun Palmer, the Dominics nephew,
who despises him and cast him off. The
rogue, heard in private letter this
morning, lhn, he had enlisted in the re-
fugecs corps. If knew certain he
would swing for it. Depend upon it,
Rosa, he is here for no good purpose
"Do moi be seen, William. Leave
me to manage him."
The young man left by back door.
not out Of herring, us the tory lieulc-
nan, and spy entered by the front. He
advanced with bold step.
"Rosa, ] have bu, li,lc time TO spare,
and want your answer AT once. Read
that"
He took the commission from the
lining Of his hat, and placed it before
her.
"Some difference between holding
commission in King Georges ser
vice, and being ragged con,incnlal!'
"Nnlhan Palmer" said Rosa, stern.
ly,"i always d.sl,kcd you--now HATE
YOU" and she hu.,dcd him his com.
mission.
"Do you refuse to be my wife now?"
"Your wifc!" Leave the house, or
shall be.empted TO loose The dog at the
mill upon YOU"
"Good bye, Miss Rosa" he said,
grinding his teeth in anger. "Look 10
your fathers mi!ll-your honse--your-
self. ! will be avcngcdn' And he
mounted his horse, and rode swiftly
away.
Rosa fastened to tho back door 10 look
for her lover. He was just leaving for the
camp, and the wave of his hand indicated
that he knew Palner's crrand. Vie hasten
cd to the camp, had an interview with Put
nam, and the latter issued his private orders.
Palmer came into tho lines. that night with
the freedom of an old companion, and hav-
ing as he supposed accomplished his cr-
rand, was about taking his departure, when
he was arrested, and the fatal commission
was full proof Of his guilt as spy. After
brief trial he was ordered to be hung on
Puts gallows the next afternoon.
Before the hour of execution came, Try.
on who had heard of the arrest, sent in
flag. declaring it murder to hang mere
civilian who happened to be n royalist, and
threatened retaliation. He was not aware
that Palmer's commission hnd been found
upon his person. Putnam wrote back this
brief and memorable note
HEAD QUARTERS, Aug. 7, l777.
"!Sir: Nathan Palmer, lieutenant in
your Kings service, was taken in my
camp as spy. lie was tried rs spy; he
was condemned rs Il spy and you may rest
assured, sir, ho shall be hanged as a spy.
have the honor to he, etc.
ISRAEL PUTNAM.
His Excellcncy, Gen. Tryon.
p. S. Afternoon. He is hanged"
H. Such was "Old Pu,"-prompt to exc
cnie and decide. The hickory tree still re-
mains standing near Pcckskill
~ .fEs.s --sSes-. .-,~>~~N~>>-~
CURIoUs.--Wc were shown yesterday a
small gold ring, about two thirds OF an inch
iB diameter, which was found in the crop
| Of snipn that was shot by young gentle
man of this city on New Years day. The
snipe. no do,rbi, absorbed it under the i'm
preston 'ha. ii was a r'ngworm.-r Courier.