Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-10-20

ATTEMPT TO POISON wasHiNGroN


themselves. The inn keeper, whose name was
Francis was a Liberty man, and was commonly
called Black Sam, from the swarthy hue of his
complexion. He had kept similar establish
msnt in the "broad street. Of New York, which
was awhile the center Of attraction TO all the
bachelors and gay-minded gentlemen far and
near-drawn thither not alone by the ;wit and
good humor Of the dark host, but by the al
lowed excellence and unauthorized quality Of
his viands and liquors; and, be It remembered,
Black Sam was great hero in his way--for
hundreds Of brawny wights had he laid upon
their backs; unnumbered were the smooth Vol
tartan noses he had converted into huge masses;
and many, very many a star-beaming eye had
be bedinmed by the mighty influence of his
magical power-yet, notwithstanding all this,
Black Sam was allowed to possess good will for
all mankind, and for his friends q generosity
of feeling seldom equaled by any Of his call
ing, or any other interested caterer of the
good things of this life. i
Ha moved to Springfield when the British
army had taken possession of the city, follow
ing the footsteps of the retreating Americans
and preferring to deal with his half max ed and
suffering countrymen, rather than to remain
where be was and grow rich beneath the pa
tronsge of loyalty.
As soon as our travellers had taken their
seats at FIRE in room Of the inn, smart
looking young woman came to receive their
commands-ths surgeon observing her, ex-
claimed: -
why, bless my heart can this be Polly
Honey?' :
1.-The same, SIR" replied the rosy-cheeked
dame, with a coqustish courtesy, ''but Mrs.
Molly Francis now, at your service"
And did Black Sam make you mistress of
his house and heart to prevent you divulging
secret that would have hanged him in all
probabilityH' -.-F.-
" He married me, it is true; but many think
he had hat III
she raised her eyes to the looking glass that
hung opposite her. o..
"That is likely enough" returned the sur
geon, half persuaded, on a second look, of the
truth Of her argument "And now, Mrs. Polly,
If that please better, go and prepare dinner,
and will subscribe to all you have said"
Upon which Mrs. Francis pursed up her
pretty mouth, and with another glance at the
mirror, retired from the room with an air Of
consequence arising from self-esteem, which
may be pardonable in an ignorant beauty,
though reprehensibls in a Cicero.
As the door closed, the surgeon said to his
companion: .---rs o.
"That simple girl was instrumen tai in saving
the life Of Washington. / can speak of it now,
it can do no harm. 1t was about the middle
OF June, l776, and while the General was in
New York, waiting the approach of the kings
troops, that the girl came to Francis, her
present husband, whom she considered in the
Iu,
secret she had overheard, that there was plan
in operation among the government men to
destroy the rebel leaders, she termed the
eommander-in-chisf-b poison, which was to
be plentifully mingled with green peas, a
fayorite vegetable of his, on the following day,
at Richmond Hill, the headquarters, where he
was to dine. Francis went Immediately to
Washington, and acquainted him with the
danger that threatened him. The General
having listened with the most careful atten-
tion, said:
Ny friend thank you your fidelity has
saved my life-to what reserve the Almighty
only knows. But now for your own safety I
charge you to return to your house, and let not
q word of what you have related to me pass
your lips; ii would involve you in certain ruin;
and Heaven forbid that your life should be
forfeited or endangered by your faith to me- 1
will take the necessary steps to prevent and at
the same time discover, the instrument of this
most wicked device
" The next day, about two hours before din =
ner, he sent for his guard, told him Of the plot,
and requested that be would disguise himself
as female, and 60 to the kitchen-there to
keep a strict watch on the peas until they
should be served for the table.
The young man carefully observed the di-
rections he had received and had not long been
upon his post, before the unfortunate T. H. 1,
another Of the Generals guards, came to his
door: looked anxiously in and then went away.
In few moments after be returned and
approached the hearth where the peas stood.
and was about to mingle the deadly substances,
when he suddenly shrunk back as though from
the sting of the fork -tongued adder, his color
changing to the pale hue q death, and his lin bs
apparently with fear, evidently horror stricken
with his own purpose-but soon, however, the
operation Of the more powerful Indictment
urged forward his hand, that trembling,
s,rewed the odious bsne, and be left the kitchen.
overwhelmed with conflicting passions, remorse
and confusion.
"Harold sleeps no more-the cry hath
reached his heart ere the deed be accom-
plished, +" said the youth on duty, in voice mot
devoid Of pity, as he looked after the wretch
What T. H.?' said the General. sorrow
fully, upon receiving the information: can il
be possible-so young, Sd fair, so gentle. He
would have been the last upon whom a suspi-
cion Of that nature could have fallen by right
of countenance. You have done we'll, said
he to the youth before him. 'Go join your
comrades, and be secret
"The young man went accordingly. and
Washington returned to the piazza, where sew
eral general officers were assembled-amony
whom was the hero Of Saratoga who was wait
ing for further instructions from Congress be-
fore he departed for Canada. =
"ln q few minutes dinner was announced.
and the party ushered into a handsome room.
where sumptuous board was spread covered
with all the delicacies Of the season -. :
washington took his seat, placed Gen q ates
on his right hand and Gen. Wooster on his left
When the remainder Of the officers and compsnv
were seated and eager to commence the duties
of the table, the General said very impressiyely.
"'Gentlemen, must request you TO suspend
your meal for moment. Let the guard at
tend me-
'All was sileEce and smazement. The guard
entered and formed a line towards the upper
end Of the apartment.
Washington having put upon his plate
spoonful Of the peas, fxed his eye upon r. n
q Shall eat Of this vegetable2' BE asked.
.fhe youth turned pale, and became dread
falIy sgitated, while he family uttered
al don't know ts.sa'uo sT rk-
a Here H. raised his hand, as n By an inyol-
untary impulse, to prevent their being tasted.
A chicken was then brought in, that eonelu-
sive experiment might be made in the presence
OF all those witnesses.
=" The animal eat Of the peas, and imme-
dlately died, and the wretched T. III overcome
with horror and remorse, fell fainting, and
was borne from the apartment" ra rgsr.
lNCONcEfvABLF D0yERy-Tha Nexu ynrk Sup