Demoine courier., 1855-08-16

eeTsdhb eAcited Htue SURPRISE. Iaking
the bag with her, she walked through the
snow, having stopped first a, Lead guar.
iers. -o6tainted access 10 General Howe,
and aecured his permission p pass The
British.lines.
The feelings OF a vile and mother
one whose religion was that Of love. and
whose life was bns a quiet round Of do
messic du.ies-bound on an enterprise SO
hazardous, and uncertain whether her
life might not be the forfeit. may be bet
ter imagined than described. Lydia
reached Ffankford. disiant four or five
miles, and deposited her bag ., the mill.
Now commenced the dangers oe her
undertaking. for she pressed forward with
all haste towards the oulposis Of the A..
merican army. Her determination was
10 apprise General Washington Of the
danger.
She was met on her way by an Amer
lean officer, who had been selected by
General Washington to gain information
respecting the movements Of the enemy !.
According to some authorities, this was
Lieut.. Col. Craig, of the light-horse.-
lie Immediately recognized her. and in.
CURED whilher she was going. In reply
she prayed him TO alighs and walk her;
which he did, ordering his men to keep
in sight. To him she disclosed The sc
cret, after having obtained from him a
solemn promise not 20 be.ray her indi.
yidually, since The British might take
vengeance an her and her family.
Tbs officer thanked her for her timely
warning. and directed her 10 90 10 a
house near a, hand, where she nigh, pc,
something to eat. Blu, Lydia preferred
returning at once, and did so, while the
officer made All haste TO the commander.
in.chief. Preparations were immediate.
y made to give the enem. a fitting re-
ception.
With a heart lighiened and 6l!ed with
'hankfulness. the intrepid woman pur-
sued her way homeward. carrying the
bag Of Aeur which had served as The os-
'ensible object of her journey. None
susPected the grave, demure Quakeress Of
having snalched from the Epglish their
anticipated victory. Her demeanor was
as usual, quiet. orderly and subdued, and
she attended 10 the duties of her family
with her wonied composure. But her
heart beat, as. late ON the appointed
night, she watched from her window the
departure of the army-on what secret
expedition bound she knew 100 WELT
She listened b~reathlessly to the sound Of
their footsteps and the tramping Of hor.
SEES. ill il died awny in the distance, and
silence rsigped through the city.
Time never appeared to pass 80 slow.
y as during the interval which elapsed
between the marching gu. and the return
Of the British troops. When a, last O.
distant roll Of the drum proclaimed their
approach; when the sounds came nearer
and NEARER. and Lydia, who was watch
ing At tho widow, saw the troops pass in
martial order, the agony of anxiety she
felt was 0 much for her strength, and
she resreated from her poet. NOT daring
10 ask a question, or manifest the leas,
curiosity A. to the event.
A sudden and loud knocking al her
coor was not calculated 10 lessen her ap
p%rehensions. She felt that the safety Of
her fairly depended on her self passion
at this critical moment. The visitor was
the Adju,ant General, who SUNNI oned
her 10 his apartment. With a pale cheek
but composed. for she placed her trust IN
q higher Power, Lydia obeyed the sum
mons.
The officers face was clouded, and his
expression stern. lie locked the door
with an air Of mystery when Lydia eL.
tered, and moiioned her TO a seat. After
a moment Of silence, he said
"Were any Of your family up. Lydia,
on the night when | received company in
this house?"
"No." was the undertaking reply
''They all retired al eigh. O'clock"
III. is very strange" said the officer,
and unused a few minutes. "You, 1
ksow, Lydia. were asleep, for l knocked
at yoor door three times before you heard
me--yet it 10 certain tina. we were be
trayed. am altogether a. . loss to con.
ceise who could have given the infor-
nation Of OUT intended attack 10 Gen.
Washington. On arriving near the en-.
campmen. we found his cannon noun.
ed, his troops under arms, AID 10 prepa