The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-08-08
arc going to give him."
take him down." cried Sir Hugh, an
again Paddy was forgiven.
The Escape.

At the time the incident below narrated
occurred. the army under Washington, rag
Sed. i'll fed. and poorly paid. laied encamped
at Valley Forge. 1t was dark night in the
spring that followed that winter of hardships
and suffering. The pointed slcct drove b!
the huts of the soldiers, and the scntlncls
drew their caps over their eyes to protect
their faces, and would fiin screen their half
clothed forms from the driving blast. The
one pacing near the building occupied by the
commander-in-chicf. was Young man scarce
lv numbering over twenty years. but charac-
tcrZcd by the symmetry of his wcll-knit
frame, and his almost IIcrculcan strength.
For long hour had he walked back and
forth before the door, through the crc,iccs
of which the dim rays from 4 camp light
struggled now and then.
At midnight the door opened, and the
officers of the army emerged one by one
thcrcfrom, and retired to their several
quarters. No sooner had the last one disap-
pearcd Gro Washington came to the entrance,
and speaking to the sentinel called him to
enter. .Awed by the presence ofEis General,
but proud Of the honor conferred upon him,
/ the benumbcd soldier entered, and respect
fully approached the blazing fire. The door
being closed. Washington seated himself by
the table and said &:
Morton l have called upon YOU to execute
for me a dangerous mission, which | am
satisfied from the recommendations given of
You by Your officers. YOU are capable of per-
! forming ard for doing which YOU shall be
rewarded"
Sir" responded the Young man, IF the
task that YOU see fit to assign me is an
honorable one, and one that is calculated TO
benefit my country. l will checrfully perform
it, without fee or reward
"Noblv said" exclaimed Washngton.-
"Come tomorrow evening at this hour, and
YOU will find dissuises, instructions, and a
horse and money to dctray your expenses.
Good night
Il will be here, sir" replied the sentinel.
and retired to his head quarters.
The morrow night came, and with it.
punctual to the appointment. came Young
Morton. After short conference with his
comman'lant. he mounted fleet horse. and
with his baggage strapped behind him, sci
out upon his pcrilous mission.
Edward Morton six months before, had
left home and friends to take part in ,ha,
struggle then going on between tho colonies
and the mother country. Not for the hope
of gam. but with his patriot heart swcllin.
with pity for his country's need, did he join
the thin. but sturdy ranks, of the troops of
Congress.
On the banks Of the Schuvlkil. Was at ,ha,
tirrc situated al uld-rashloIied farm house
antique iii the exterior construction. but
showing around it an unmi>takcablc air of
comtnr; and substantial enjoyment At this
time. par, Of the British army were en-
campcl near this dwelling. they being upon
torayinS excursion.
Toward the cvcEin. of the followili. d;.v,
the Young ">py"-as We must now call him,
rode up to the door Of the buildin. men
toned. and throwing the bride over the
gate post, entered the house. \ Young yirl
me, him at the threshold. and though she
spoke not a word of welcome flushed check
and speaking glance, told more of welcome
than Il volume of words could have DONE In
the inner room. middle aged man sat, tn,
uncle of Mary Wilson-hcr fathers bro,he,
and under his guardianship she had bee,
placed. when made douhlv an orphan hv the
death of both her parents. Edward Morton
and herself had been plavmatcs together and
although five Years her senior. Vet she had
loved her manly lover Until the war broke
out. everything passed pleasantly and quietly
But when his country called. Morton lct,
his quiet home for the tented field and bus,
camp.
To guardian and niece his story WAS soor
told and an hour after, found Il S,l-brownc,
and iaxcn-haircd country lad. 10 appearance
pushing boldly into the camp of the enemy
with Il lot Of country produce in an old
wagon.
|, would have taken Il sharp eve to pierc.
the complicated disguise. and Il keen ear tc
have detected the voice of Morton. from thu
brawing nasal twang of the vcr,ant youth
Tro,tinS slowly into the camp. the spy hat
soon disposed of his stock. and. in turn. lat
i'll Il store of information, which. itsafrlv CON
vcycd To the right quarter. would incs,imahl,
benefit and aid the plans of Washington.
1t was late at night when Morton prepared
to leave, but it was not until he had bee,
urged to dispose of his horse. and not-wi,h
standing his many protcstatlons, he was obi
gcd to sell it to young officer. As he pass
Ell out of the door of the purchaser. he me-
an old acquaintance who had joined the Bri,
ish ranks. lie passed him. but the Tor,
turned and followed him.
Morton recognized him. bu, feeling >ccur,
in his disguise. passed on, vet having som,
miSSlvings. lie had gone some quarter of I
mile, when. hearing footsteps close bclnt
him, he inadvertently cast his eve over hi,
shoulder. The moon shonc bright in his fac,
and the Tory knew him at once, and sivin,
the alarm. quickly followed the fast rctrca,in.
spy. Morton. cncumbcrcd by his tight fit
ting suit of honrespun, was almost wiihin hi
grasp, when his pursucr called loudly upo,
him to stop. 1t was the las, word he eve
spoke, for Morton. dropping suddenly uro,
the ground close before him. sent him spraw
ing along the road, and springins up he quick
ly sent his knife to the hilt in his bosom. Th
shout of the Tory had been heard bv scvcra
of the British, and quickly mounting thci
horses. they were soon i'll close pursuit Tx
citing indeed was that chase, and the pur>,,
cd had well nigh escaped, by bctaking him
self to the woodlands and marshy place.
From the last clump of bushes. tkrougl
which he passed, the house of Wilson
; lay about half mile. To this spot he turn
cd his steps and was just passing the gate il
front of the house, VIII, n a horscman. ri,lin
i'll the road near by, deserted him. an
Immediately gave the alarm to his compa,
ions.
Scarcely two minutes had elapsed ere the
/ had surrounded the house, but Morton ha
flown and their search proved unavailing. a