The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-05-27


Of King George, and can trust you. The
| exigencies Of my case will not admit of delay.
My horse must be shod and must be within
the British camp, at Trenton, by tomorrow
morning."
The old smith, with an air of surprise, wiped
his glasses to peruse the document, and by
the last fading light of. day, recognized the
well known signature of Lord CORVALLIS.
He instantly grasped the stranger by the
hand. and said that, for the cause Of King
George, he would neglect every other job of
work in the shop.
"But thee will have rough ride of il, friend
the roads are in a bad condition, and the wind
will blow cold and bitter in thy face. I OBJ
serve the whole Of thy Journey"
The stranger remarked that he had learned
to laugh at such adventures in the camp OF the
soldier. a.. ..
SAY, friend, but the night will be black as
pitch an hour later, and if thy beast is not
sure footed, thee will scarcely reach Trenton
well prepared for thy journey. good cup
of tea, equal 10 tina. the foolish rebels wasted
in Boston harbor, made by my wife Dorothy,
and few warm biscuits prepared by my
daughter Mary, will refresh thee greatly, pre-
vious to thy long ride"
'sThanks, kind sir, for thy hospitality, and
be assured that il will be remembered to our
commander-in-chief NV business is urgent.
for if reach Trenton by sunrise, the plan
now bear about my person will place the rebel
army wholly in our power"
'Savest thou so?'' said the smith, rubbing
his hands ioyfuly; s'then indeed we have no
time to loose. Halo, Malachi; ah. here thou
art. Run up to the house, and tell Dorothy
mental armv is going to sup with us. He has
important documents for the benefit of the
American cause, and must he in the American n
camp by tomorrow morning. Thou canst
shoe this horse, while extend TO him the hos
pitalities;" and Squire Hutton, taking the
young man by the arm, usherei him in a few
moments INTO the presence of his wife and
charming daughter.
Meanwhile, Malachi, who had eyed the
stranger very closely, lit lamp, and began to
ply the bell ows.
"Wsll." he exclaimed to himself, s:if this
don't beat all natnr. thought there was sum-
thin in the wind, when that crittur halted at
our place; so | just stopped foGdering the cat
lie. and sneailed no to the back side Of the
shop to listen. So if he gets to Trenton by
sunrise tomorrow morning, the American
party will be in the hands of the British If
YOU are there bv that time, by Judas, Malachi
Doolttle don't know nothing about shoeirg. -
Whoa-you critter; cant you stand still mo-
ment, while The irons are getting hot? IT'S no
wonden vou're so restless with such bad of
sin s you are about 10 carry. NY boss is a
traitor TO his country. and Pm going to cut my
indenturrs tonight aid join the American
army. Who knows but that may come back
captain, marry Mary Hutton, and then strike
bee-lne for old Massachusetts,. But must
hurry thus job through. FOR I would not like
the boss to inspect nv work tonight. There"
he added as he drove the last nail, ''vou will
cast off pair of them shoes about five miles
t'other side of Brunswick; ard then if I can't
catch you, Ensign Spencer, on my old Sorrel,
wish may be blowed mp in powder mill. -
Big with intentions for the benefit of the
American cause, Malachi fastened the horse,
and closing the shop door, wended his way to
the house
The wind blew keen and cold, and the sky
was overcast with dark clouds.
'sShould'n: wonder if we had two foot of
snow before tomorrow morning." said Mala-
chi to himself, ''and rather, by darn sight,
go to an apple bee or quilting party with
Mary Hutton tucked under my arm. than take
journey to Trenton tonight. However. what
can't be cured must be endured, as my old
schoolmarm used to say, when she piled the
birch; so all you've got 10 do, Malachi Doo-
little is to play possnm, and not give the Brit
isher too big start"
He found the kitchen empty, for Ensign
Spencer being considered in the light Of an
especial guest, the supper table was set in the
parlor.
:;Rot his pictur! he will be making love TO
Mary next,o said Malachi, uneasily; "But if
he does I'l paw him off in his own coin. All,
here is his pistols and heavy riding coat
Well now Malachi DooIittle, I don't think il
would be unwholesome to your constitution to
jerk the priming out OF them barkers. for fear
matters might come to rough and stumble. -
So here goes" and suiting the action to the
word, the strangers weapons were instantly
placed in harmless condition.
When the apprentice entered the parlor, he
found Dorothy Hutton and heI daughter Mary
in high glee and rood humor The supper
was over, but the stranger seemed to be at
tracted to the smiths parlor by the bright eyes
of Mary, and looking twice out of the window
into the cold, bleak night, he gave shudder
as if loath to depart on his journey
! Tall Malachi devonred his supper in moody
silence; but notwithstanding his discomfort al
the notice the young officer took Of Mary, he
made fearful inroads on the Johnny cake and
sausage. A genuine Yankee is seldom so deer
in love that he forsakes his victuals; and such
was certainly tall Malachi's case.
! When there was no excuse for longer delay
| the apprentice was deputed to fetch Spencer's
horse to the door, and thanking his host and
hostess for their kind attentions, and bestow-
| ing kiss npon the blushihg cheek of Mary