Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-11-25
From the Literary Companion.
John Putnam, the Spy.

ously INTO village OF halt dozen rude dwell
ings, in the Northern part of New York, ana
hailing the decripit looking inn-keeper, cried
out, simultaneously, with many barbaric oaths
Halloa, old wine bibber. hast thou noted
any cheating lying, and sneaking pedlar al
thy door to-day"
"By my spurs." pompously added Capt
Dick, the elder of the two, "we have ridden
these last thirty in yain If the scoundrel be
not caught lurking in this hamlet Hast thou
seen him, Boniface? Speak, man, we be in
haste bid thee answer, by the Kings com
mand"
The hesitating landlord held on to the
horsepost, replied, "Sirs, | be half deaf, yet
methinks l guess your meaning. Be We gal
liant troopers of his majesty after a stray ped
lar, ch? What would ye with him 2"
+ "Sdeath the rascally grey-beard question
ethus. :" interrupted the younger fthe horse
men, a bragadocial private, and wheeling his
steed around, he touched the tavern keeper
rather roughly with his gloved hand, and
continued-"W desire no questioning old
dotard. Hast thou seen the pedlar? We
would know this, and right quickly too
40, be not rough, l pr'thee. a pedlar,
sayst thou? Had he a pack"
Pack or no pack hast thou seen him."
fercely cried Dick.
"Patience, masters; but my memory is
treacherous, and | must reflect. A pedIar!
With staff, did We say"
"Tll break thy skull with staff, if thou
befool us" said the bully, striking at the old
man, who rather nimble for his looks, leaped
out of the troopers reach.
The captain then seriously threatened vio-
lence, and sternly demanded reply. As if
frightened into submission, he then hesta-
tingly said, "G-yea-yea-now bethink
myself | did observe "sneal,ing pedlar"
pass here this morning on foot, and in extreme
haste"
(Which way (which road took he?" ex-
claimed both the others.
THAT" deliberately answered the man,
pointing to Travelled lane, that led from the
one in which they stood.
art sure! Ifthou lie to us, by ST. George
thou shalt be hung at thine own door like a
sign"
LAY, an that be not the road, thou mayst
hang me" observed Bonitace.
40 horse, then he is SIX hours in advance;
to horse, and breyet to the one Of us that
catches the first sight of the spy." shouted
Capt Dick aud rapidly they dashed away,
leaving clouds Of dust behind them. But ere
they had gone twenty yards, the inn-keeper
shook his frame like q strong man, and NUT
tered-"Ay, when they catch me they may
hang me-" He then glanced cautiously around
and quickly entered the house.
Meanwhile, Capt. Dick and his companion
spurred their beasts to a race that would have
injured animals unused to their hardy life
Mile after mile was left behind until III three
hours they had covered every step that man
coul have walked in a whole day. Then,
unsuccessful, they thought Of returning.
The Internal rebel hath eluded us. We
calculated that he would hasten on to the
camp of Washington. We are misled, or
have passed him secreted in the forests"
"Perhaps that inn-keeper deceived u.s.
Methought he was not SO imbecile as he pre-
tended"
by my souls salvation thou hast hit it I,
Dolts asses that we are, Did'st not note
the nimbleness of his leap when thy hand was
lifted against him! Judas, how will this
william triumph! Ride back-for life, ride
like hghtning."
Nay, not back If he be the SPY, he hath
taken the other, and sent us fools errand on
this \ league hence, we passed 4 by-path
that doubtless intersects the highway, some
distance to the west, along the rive"
well, that be our direction. Ecod how
we have idlcd; nor would ha' credited the
clown with such wit"
'.Ay, an now that | suspect him, recolle.t
the quictude Of the village. The place was
solitary. Nor even prohered the man taste
Of his wine"
Ugh. dil'st note his keen eye"
"True-hke the spy's own black as jet;
twas he himself curse him. But surely our
beasts need batting after 50 long a ride, and
|, faith, feel like tasting of my flask"
Mind it not now, WaIt;-we must cap
ture that fellow, an we starye ourselves and
stall our steeds. On, on, five hundred pounds
and a breyet Thine be"
"The gold for me Captain"
"Aud | the breyet,-done This ride shall
cost tie pedlar dear"
Here we 90. Tally no. Five hundred
pounds
Silence, Wolf; once uponhis scent wemust
surprise the fugitive"
"Ay, quiet will be, five hundred pounds :.
Joye It's enough to reward the taking Of two
spies. Up, my gallant nag" he continued,
slappiur lis horses neck, thou shalt be sta
bIed fortnight, if thou dost thy duty"
/ However, the path was much longer than
they imagined. Darkness came on, and long
after nightfall they were compelled to rest
! themselves and their beasts, at a log house
and barn that opportunely lay in their way,
After couple OF hours, they pursued their
object, and at length emerged on the high
road. upon which, as they conjcctured the
/ fugitive was a league in advance OF them,
fastening toward the American rendezvous.
/ John Putnam, who had SO easily duped
/ his pursuers, at the deserted hotel, deserted
because of a late foray and numerous attack
upon it by the British, was indeed hurryina
along the turnpike, with a pack upon his
. L. Is1l u4nr the