The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-03-14

AAACAAVAAt VA SAAC ANCvOA u sVAAe
A surgeon N the American army relates
this story.
A simple girl was instrumentalin saving
Washington s life. 1t was about the mid
die of June, l776. and while the General
was in New York. waiting the approach OF
the British troops. that the girl came to
Francis, her present husband. whom
she considered in the light of a royalist,
and informed him, as secret she had over
heared, that there was plan in operation
among the government men to destroy the
rebel leader-as she termed the comman-
der-in- chiefly poison. which was to be
glentifully mingled with green peas. ia
vorite vegetable of his, on the following
day. at Richmond Hall, the headquarters,
where he was to dine. Francis went i'm
mediately to Washington, and ac quainted
him with the danger that threatened him.
The General, having listened with careful
attention, said
"My friead, l thank you, your fidelity
has saved my lite--to what reserve the al
mighty only knows. But now for yonr
own salty, L charge You to return TO your
house, and let not word Of what you ha, g
related to me pass your lips it would in
volye you 10 certain ruin ; and Heaven for
bid that your life should be forfeited or
endangered by your faith to me. l will
take the necessary steps to prevent, and at
the same time discover the instrument of
this wickeddevice.
The next day, about two hours before
dinner. he sent for his guard, told him of
the plot, and requested that he would dis
guise himself as female and 90 to the
kitchen--there TO keep strict watch on
the peas until they should be served for
the table.
The young man carefully observed the
directions he had received, and had not long
been upon his post before he unfortunate
L. H., another Of the Generals guards,
came to his door, looked ahxiously in and
then went away.
In afew minutes after he returned. and
approached the hearth where the peas
stood, and was about TO mingle the deadly,
substance. when he suddenly shrunk back
as though from the sting of the fork
tongued adder, his color changing to the
pale hue Of death, and his limbs quivering
appearantly with fear. evidently horror
stricken with his own purpose--but soon,
however, the operation OF the powerful in
element urged forward his hand. that.
trembling, streBed the odious bane, and he
left the kitchen overw helmed with cenili-
citing passions, remOrse and confusion.
"Herod sleeps no more--the cry hath
reached his heart ere the deed be accom-
pIishei. . said the youth or duty. inssavoiee
not devoid Of pity. as he looked sf.te the
wretch.
.'What T. H. ? said the General, sor-
rowfuly, upoa receiving the information, :"
Can it be possible So young. so fair, so
gentle lie would have been the last upon
whom a suspicion oflhat nature could have
fallen by right % counlenance. You have
done well. said he 70 the yonth before him.
Go Join your comrades. and be secret. !"
The Young man went accordingly, and
Washington returned to the piazza, whe re
several general officers were assem- bled,
among VIII ON was the hero Of Saratoga,
who was waiting for further instructions
from Congress before he departed for Csn
ada.
In few m:nntes dinner was announced,
and the party WAS ushered into a hand
some room, where sumptuous board was
spread, covered with all the delcacies of
the season.
Washington took his seat, and placed
General Gates on his right hand and Gen
eral Wooster on his left When the remain
der of the officers and company were seat
ed AMI eager to commence the duties OF
the table, the General said very impress
lively:
''Gentlmen, must request you to sus.
pend your meal for q moment. Let the
guard attend me-"
All was silence and amzement The
guard entered and formed line toward the
upper end Of The apartment.
Washington, having put upon his plate
spoonful OF the peas, fixed his eye, upon
I. FL.
''Shall eat Of this vegetable he asked
Tue youth turned pale, and became
dreadfully agiiatsd while he family uttered
Il don't know -
Here II. raised his hand, as if by an in.
voluntary impulse. to prevent their being
tasted. a Chicken was then brought in
that conclusive eA pertinent might be made
in the presence of all those Witnesses.
The chicken eat the peas, and immedi
ately died, and the wretched T. H. over.
come with horror and remorse fell fantinp
and was borne from the apartment