Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-10-03
THE FUGITIVE LIEUTENANT.

It was while the Amerieas army was
freezing and starving at Wiley Forge,
and the British army wasIrioting and
luxuriating in Philadelphis. shat lame,
dirty. beggarly looking feafw. walking
with cruteh. approached he northern
outpost OF the Royal forces and. with
simple, idiotic laugh and her. announ.
ced his intention Of enteringthe city and
taking the British General prisoner.
Indeed? then / shall be under the
necessity of arresting your said young
subaltern, winking at some Of his COM
panions. and assuming a serious air.
'Hel hel.hel' laughed she idiot; Just
you try it. that's all. -
why. my good AssSk. What would
you dog
'Do?' exclaimed the e5other. drawing
himselfup with an airof defiance; why
I'd tell the great General Washington.
Then I am afraid to venture on your
arrest. So. pass on-you will proba-
bly, find General Howe prepared to re-
ceive you.'
The IDIOT suddenly looked troubled,
glancing about him waEiE and suspi-
ciously, as If he feared kd might meet
the General he was so Boldly going to
capture. but finally hobblsd off toward
the city. With some szeh silly dia-
logue he got past the diHAent sentries,
who seemed to give him ne thought be-
yond the amusement of he time. By
night he was fairly within Che town. and
kept on his way. sometimes humming
snatches of old songs, and. in general,
not much noticed by any. Through
one street after another be continued to
hobble forward till he came to one Of
no great length. containing block of
three story, respectable looking houses.
which might be occupied by persons in
circumstances. This street
was not lighted. and appeared deserted,
so, that when he stopped before one Of
the dwellings, he was not perceived
He knocked at the door, and woman's
head appeared at the second story win
dow.
Wont you give me something to eat,
ma'am? I'm nearly staryedP said the
idiot.
Yes, poor fellowl' replied the wo.
man, in kindly tone; 'in q minute l
will hand you something.
Soon alter .aslower shntterwas push.
ed asiittle back. and hand. Containing
some bread snd meat, was thrust out.
-. .Matherlssaid q low voice
'Gracious Heayeul' exrlaimed the
female within. iq g sglls sse leas.
guarded whisper.
A moment after the door was thrown
open.
Yes, ma'am-thank you'll don't
care if 1 do said the beggar, as if in
reply to an invitation to come in. at the
same time crossing the threshold, with
an appearance of deep humility.
The moment the door closed behind
him, the man dropped his crntch and
threw his arms around the other, fairly
sobbing.
'Motherl dear. dear motherp
William exclaimed the other, pres
sing the ragged mendicant to her heart;
'oh. my dear, dear Williaml what is the
meaning Of this? and how is it | find
Won here in this sad pliohtp
Il have passed the British lines in this
disguise. playing the fool to the SEN
tries. But tell me how you are, dear
mother, and how you fare in these
times?'
'Indifferently well, my son. The
British are our masters, here, but, so
far, l have little to complain Of in the
way of personal treatment. Provis-
ions are scarce and high, and only BY
the strictest economy shall l be able to
live through, if they continue to retain
possession Of the city any considerable
length Of time. Your sister Mary is at
your uncle's in Delaware, and will deep
ly regret that she has missed this op-
portunity Of seeing you
'And are you alone, mother?
No; two English gentlemen are
boarding with me-
DO they belong to the army" inquir-
ed the young man, quickly and unea-
silly; and are they now in the house?
NO; they appear to be private gen
tlemen Of some means, and neither is
within at present. But you look troub-
led--have you any thing to fear, my
son?'
'Ifdetected, 1 may be hung as spy
Good heayensr exclaimed the moth
er, in alarm; you terrify me! Are you
here without permission? without q
pass?'
'Yes-did I not say 1 played the fool
to the sentries. and so got past them?
But / thought that was for your
own amusement. Oh, William, if you
should be discovered! Why did you
venture in this desperate manner?
i could not get pass, and l was so
anxious to see you and Mary that re-
solved to risk ALL
Quick, then, come up stairs. and let
us fix upon a biding-place at once. be-
fore any thing happens! Oh, William,
I am so slarmedP
Both hastened up stairs to the third
story and, after considering several
places, decided that the loft close under
the roof, might be the best for conceal
ment. as the trap-door leading to il
could be fastened underneath, which