The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-06-13
The Patriotic Quakeress.

lue FdiFlOtiC xudkefeSS
While the American army remained enrarr-
ed at White Marsh, the British being in nos,as-
sion Of Philadelphia, Gen. Howe made .,,,,
vain attempts 10 draw Washington into an o.
gagement. An incident of female agencr
we'll remembered by many aged persons IT,, II,
house opposite the headquarters of Gen, Ho,ra
in the city, ttnanted by William and T,Hop
Darrah, members fthe Society of Friends, was
the place selected by the superior officers oftbs
army for private conferences, whenever !, v.s
necessary TO hold consultations. On the ah.,-
noon of the Cd of December, the British At,-
tant General called and informed the ui,,r.s.
that hr and some friends were 10 mppt ,hsrs
that evening, and desired that thu back rsor,
upstairs might be prepared for their reception,
''And be snrr, LYDIA be concluded, ,,lbat
yonr family are all IN bed at an early hour
When our guests are ready to leave the lous.
] viii myself give you notice, that You NAV
let Us out, and extinguish the fire and candies,
Having delivered this order, the Adp,art-
General departed. Lydia brtook hersylltoegt-
ting all things in readiness. But thp word,
she had heard, especially the injunction 10 r.
tire early, rang IN her ears and could not d.
vest herself of the FEELING that something Of in-
PoFtance was in agitation. The evening closed
in, and the officers came to The place Of Meet
ing Lydia had ordered all her family to bri,
and herself admitted the guests, after which she
retired to her own apartment
Bot sleep refused 10 visit her eyels. She
became more and more uneasy, and at last sid
from the bed, and taking of her shoes, passed
NJ 49, L. 81 -
try. Approaching cautiously the apartment in
which the officers were assembled, she applied
her ear TO The key-holr For few moments
she could distinguish but a word or tao amid
the murmur Of voices. At length there was
profound silence, and voice was heard rpa-
ding paper aloud. 1t was an order for the
troops to q0it the city on the night oi tbr 4tb
and march out to secret attack upon the 4
merican army at White Marsh.
lydia retreated softly 10 her room, and laid
herselfquiptly on the bed. Itseemed to her that
hnt few moments had elapsed, when there was
knocking at her door. She knew well what
the signal meant, but took no heed. 1t was r.
peatpd again and again and she then rose
quickly, and opened the door. 1t was the Ad-
iu'antGeneral who came to inform her they
were ready TO depart. lydia let them out,
fastened the house, and eXtinsuished the ighls
and Gre. Again she returned to her chamber,
but her mind was more disquirtrd than ever, Tor
she thought OF the danger that threatened i5r
lives of thousands of her countrvmen. Hrr
resolution at length was formed, and at dawn Of
day she walked her husband, and informed HIN
that flour was wanted for the use OF the boUs--
hold, and that it was necessary she should 60 70
! Frankford TO procure it. Taking The bag with
/ her, she walked through the snow, having 1Fs!
obtained written permission to pass thr bit
ish lines. She reached Frankfort, distant hour
or five miles. and deposited her bag at th1 MILL
Now commenced the dangers of her undrT'a-
king, for she pressed forward with all hast To-
wards the out posts of the American army
Her determination was to aPprse IenrT2'
Washington of the danger.
She was met on her way by an American Of
ticer, who had been selected by General WASH
ington to gain information respecting the move
mrnts Of the enemy. He inquired WHITTIER SIR
was going, and she disclosed the secret alter
having obtained from him solemn promise
not to betray her, since the British miEh' 'a"I
vengeance on her and her family. he lnahNf"
her tor her timely warning, and directed Der %
90 TO house near at hand where she mighi gs'
something to eat. But LYDIA preferred reluF"-
ing at once and did so, carving hef va VI
| -four, while the officer made all haste 10 Il"
Commander-in-chief. Preparations were III
medIately made to give the enemy h'''"S i
ception.
None suspected the grave, dpmure QUAKER"
of having snatched from the English the'l O."
ticiPated victory; but after the return oi ~.
British troops, loud knocking was nea,o ~ q.
Lydia'S door. The visitor was the Ao"'1",
General, who summoned her 10 his aPa'i"'",
locked the door with an air OF mystery a."
motioned her 10 seat. After moment oi .,
l-nce, he sad-"Were any OF your lan''y VI,
Lydia, on the night when received co"'i'"'
in this house %
"No," was the reply. "They all r''r''
eight O'clock"
"E, is very strange" said the officer, s.' -"
mused a few minutes "You, know Lto''
were asleep, for knocked at yonr door ',, ,,,o
times before you heard mr-yrt Is -,
that we were BETRAYED. am ahoss'H,. n.
loss to conceive who could have gwen ~.
formation of our intended attack 10 o,-,
Washington! On arriving near his F",sxr ,.,ons
ment we found his cannon mounted "N :,
under arms, and 50 prepared at every Po,,' |' :,
receive us, that we have been conPF''Ila H.,
march back without injuring our pnF'nt, =. g,-
parcel Of fools ~. Mrs. lEItet's DoneS'''
tory of the Reuolution.