The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-11-30
An Unpublished Incident in the
Life of Gen, Putnam.

Princeton, New er>ey, during the win
ter Of l116, was the head quarters Of Gen
Israel Putnam, who, with small corps of
militia, held possession of the town while
the British were garrisoned at brunswick
distant fifteen or twenty miles eastward.
The relative position of the Colonies
and England at lhat period is well known;
yet, there are many little incidents of an
interesting nature, connected with these
times which have never been made pub
lie; ard in which, not unfreqnenty, the
brave American Generals took an active
part We have something OF this kind
in view, hich we will relate,
One DARK, clustering night near the
close Of January, Of the year above men
toned, man, wrapped in long sable
cloak, and closely muffied about the face,
came forth from a stately mansion on one
Of the principal streets in Princeton, and
passed off in an easterly direction, towards
Brunswick.
As he hurried forward hunck backed
individual crept away from dark nook
under the wall Of an adjacent building and
followed stealthiIY after him.
On went the pursued and the pur.uer,
treading the most secluded portions of the
town, until the former reached the front of
small white cottage, situated few rods
from the road and was almost entirely
enshrouded with the foliage of stately
trees, the branches of which, intermingled
above the roof. 1t was very dark, and the
air was filed with sleet, ye; lamp burn
ing in front of the residence, revealed the
outlines of the building and trees
The cloaked man paused a moment, and
gazed suspiciously around him, when he
discovered carriage with horses attached
standing not far away. lie then opened
the gate, entered the lawn, and thel. NOV
ed on towards the house with the evident
Intention of calling. Let us precede him
by a few moments.
In small nicely furnished apartment
"a wing room Of the cottage sat Young
lady some twenty years of age. She was
reading from a large volume, aided hy the
light Of globe lamp that stood upon the
centre table, before which she was seated
The apartment was filled with a refuIoent
light, yet the windows were closely mut
fled in order to give the appearance that
the inmates Lad retired
The young lady to whom we alIudq had
sat in the same position for at least two
hours, during which time her ewes appar
emily were fixed with a steady gaze on the
open book, but s',e had not turned over a
single leaf. Il was evident that her mind
wandered, and there were a number of
spots on the page, which appeared to have
been caused by tear drops. Upon a close
examination it would have been discover
ed, that her eyes were closed, and that her
eyelashes were moistened with tears, while
a few had trick,ed down her cheeks, and
fallen upon the open page.
While she was thus occupied the clock
struck the hour of twelve-midnight-
when she started up, closed the book, aud
laid it npon the table. That moment a
low rap was heard on the outside of the
door, and the next instant, the muffled in,
dividual whom we saw approaching the
house, entered the apartment.
Is he safe 2" she exclaimed advancing
toward the man, her voice tremulous, and
an unatterabe expression on her features.
:" Is Ellis safe Has he escaped 2"
Edna, there is nothing to hope" he
answered coolly. 4 have made use of
every means in my power to effect his re
lease, but have failed. lie was taken as a
spy, and has probably, ere this, suffered
according to the common usages of war;
40 God y sobbed the young lady, fall
ing on the floor and wringing her hands in
the most acute agony. " Must, o must
he die Is there no possible escape?"
Not The least - replied man in
the same frigid tone. 4 do beg of you
to be more calm, for you will injure your
own health, if YOU allow this matter to
trouble you 50 severely" and he attempt.
ed to assist her to rise
Her grief was Instantly checked, and
she sprung to her feet, The color had en-
tirely forsaken her features, and she stood
as a statute, with her large lustrous eye:
fixed in steady gaze upon the face of the
man before her.
Henry What do you mean :" she
stammered the moment she could com,
mand her voice. Have been deceived!
Have you selfish motives in this matter
Great God, Henry this is awful !"
These words caused a sudden tremor to
pass over the mans heart, and his cheek
to blanch. but the sensation was immedi-
ately subdued and bis countenance wore
its usual serenity.
Let US pause here, and make the reader
better acquainted with the peculiar posi-
ton OF these two persons, ere we proceed
any farther.
Col Ransford, an enthusiast in the cause
OF the colonies, and particular friend OF
Gen. Putnam, was the owner of the cot
tage to which ws have alluded His wife
had been dead two wears, during which
time, Edna-their only child, had superin
tended her fathers domestic affairs al
Willow Cottage" as the place was ia
miliarly called
Edna was rich in knowledge and good
ness OF heart, possessed of great beauty, and
bel worldly prospects were such as to at
tract the attention Of many suitors: vet
entertaining no poets for the arts of a
ce4ueffe she had studiously avoided giving
encouragements where her heart could moi
sympsthlze with the object.
/ There was one, however. As might have