White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-05-19

apprentice was generally addressed-was
the sport of all the young girls in the
neighborhooi. Yet she might have made
a good choice, for he bid fair to become
first rate mechanic, was a crack shot
with the rifle, and could out-run, or out
jump, as he expressed it himself, anything
that stood in two shoes. lie was firm
advocate of the American cause, and
when his boss was not by, and he could
gain listeners ear, he would express his
admiration for Washington, in the high
est terms.
1t was in the latter part Of December,
and close upon dusk, when young man,
attired in the uniform of an ensign in the
Continental army, and mounted upon a
powerful grey horse. rode up to Squire
Hutton's smithy, and requested that his
animal might be Shod Immediately.
Friend, thou seemest to be in some
what of hurry" was Squire Hutton
reply, glancing at the stranger "and as
Malachi is busy foddering the cattle, and
l have promised to have neighbor Park
er's wheel tired in half an hour, perhaps
thee had better apply at the next shop,
which thee will find about a mile and a
half further along on the straight road to
Brunswick, and"
ga plague on neighbor Parker and his
wagon wheel !" said the young man, i'm
patiently. Gas you have stated, however,
l am in hurry, and bear important des-
patches to Washington, whom 1 under
stand is on his way to attack our enemies
at Princeton. May Heaven favor the
right cause r'
"Amen," said the smith, earnestly.
"But as have informed thee before, it
will be impossible to attend to the shoe
ing of thy beast to night 1t is nearly
dark, and / seldom protract my labors
after nightfall."
The stranger musel a moment, and
then muttering to himself: at is not
possible that can have been misinform-
ed )" drew paper from his pocket, and
handed it to Squire Hutton.
"What is this 90 he exclaimed.
Something that it would not be poll
tic to let every one peruse in these times;
but l have heard that you are stannch
man in the cause of King George. and l
can trust you. The exigencies of my
case will not admit of delay. My horse
muSt be shod, and l must be within the
British Camp. at Trenton. by to morrow
morning."
The old smith, with an air of surprise,
wiped his glasses to peruse the document,
and by the last fading light of day. rec
ognized 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 a rough ride of it,
friend the roads are in bad condition,
and the wind will blow cold and bitter
in thy face. l observe the whole of thy
journey"
The stranger remarked that he had
learned to laugh at such adventures in the
camp of the soldier.
cay, friend, but the night will be black
as pitch, an hour later, and if thy beast
is not surc-footed, thee will scarcely reach
Trenton by sunrise. However, will see
that thou art well prepared for thy jour
ney. A good cup of tea equal to that the
foolish rebels wasted in Boston harbor,
made by my wife Dorothy. and a few
warm biscuits prepared by my daughter
Mary, will refresh thee greatly, previous
to thy long ride"
Thanks. kind sir, for thy hospitality,
and be assured that it will be remember
ed to our commander-in-chief. My bus
mess is urgent, for if 1 reach Trenton by
sunrise, the plan 1 now bear about my
person, will place the rebel army wholly
in our power"
"Sayest thou so ?" said the smith,
rubbing his hands joyfully; "then, in
deed, we have no time to lose. Halo,
Malachi; ali, here thou art. Run up to
the house, and tell. Dorothy that my friend
Ensign Spencer of the Continental army
is going to sup with us. He has impor-
tant documents for the benefit of the
American cause. and must be in the
American camp by tomorrow morning.
Thou canst shoe this horse, while l ex-
tend to him the Inequalities" and Squire
Hutton. taking the young man by the arm.
ushered him, in few moments, into the
presence of his wife and charming daugh-
ter
Meanwhile, Malachi, who had eyed the
stranger very closely. lit lamp, and be-
gan to ply the bellows.
"WeIl," he exclaimed to himself, elf
this don't beat all natur. Thought there
was sumthin in the wind, when that crit
ter halted at our place SO l just stopped
foddering the cattle, and sneaked up to
the back side of the shop to listen. SO
if he gets to Trenton hy sunrise tomorrow
morning, the American party will be IN
the hands of the British If you are
there by that time, by. Judas, Malachi
Doolittle don't know nothin' about shoe
ing. Whoa You critter; can't you
stand still moment, while the irons are
getting hot; it's no wonder you're so rest
less with such load of sin as you are
about to carry. My boss is traitor to
his country, and Pm going to cut my IN
dentures tonight, and join the American
army. Who knows but that | may come
back captain, marry Mary Hutton, and
then strike bee-line for old Massachu-
sets. But must hurry this job through,
for would not like the boss to inspect