Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-09-03
The Fugitive Lieutenant

freezing and starving at Valley Forge, and
the British army were rioting and luxuria
ting in Philadelphia. that u lame. dirtv
heggarly iouklng fellow, walking with a
c.utch. approached the northern OUTPOST of
the Royal forces, and with a simple, idiotic
laugh and leer, announcing his Intention of
entering the city aud taking the British
General prisoner.
"lndeed?-theL I shall he under the ne
cessiIy Of arresting youp' said Young
subaitern, winking at some of his com pam
ions, and assuming a serious air.
ala ha - laughed the idiot lust
you try 1t, that's all"
why my good fellow, what would YOU
do?"
Doc" exclaimed the other, drawing
himself up with an air of defiance, why
ia tell the great General Washington"
Then | am afraid to venture on your
arrest So, pass on-yOu will probably
find General HIVE prepared to receive
you"
The idiot suddenly looked troubled.
glaDcing about him warIly and suspiciuusly
as if he feared he might meet the General
he was SO boldly going to capture. but fina!
ly hobbled ii toward the city With some
SUCH dialogue he got past she different sen
tries, v hn seeOed to give him no thought
beyond the amusement of tune. By night
he was fan ~ within tile town, and kent on
his way, sometimes humming snatches of
I'D Songs, aud IN general not much noticed
by any, Through one street after another
he Continued IT, hubbie lOrw ard till he came
to uTe OF no great length, Containing a
hlrck Of three story, respectable locking
houses, which might be occupied by per
sons In mIddIirg circumstances. THIS
street was not lighted, aud appeared desert.
1 ed so that when he stopped before one of
| the dwellings he was not preceived He
knocked OF the door, ard a woman's head
appeared at the second story window.
Went you give me something to cat.
ma'am? I'm nearly starved !" said the
idiot
Yes, poor fellow !" replied the woman.
- kindly tone ''iu minute | will hand
YOU s"Inethirg'
Som after II lower shutter was pushed a
little back, and hand, containing some
bread aud meat was thrust out
Mother !" said a low voice.
Gracious heaven !" exclaimed the fe-
male within. IL an agitatrd tone.
Hush - returned the beggnr ia u guard
ed Whisper.
a moment after the door was thrown
open.
Yes, ma'am-thaak you-don't care if
l do, said the beggar, as if in reply to an
invitation to come in, at the Same time cross
ing the threshold with an appearance Of
deep humility.
The moment the door closed behind him,
the man dropped his crutch and threw his
arms around the other, fairly sobbiug.
'Muther dear. dear mother!"
"Wjlliaml" exclaimed tue other. press
ing the ragged mendicent to her heart; "oh,
my dea-, dear William what is the mean
ing OF this ard how Is 1t find you here in
this sad plight2"
disguise, playing the fool to the sentries.
But tell me bow you are. dear mother, aud
how You fare in those troublous times ?"
"lndiferently well, my son. The Brit
ish are our masters here, but go far | have
little to complain of in the way If personal
treatment Provisions are scarce and high
and only by the strlctest economy shall
BE able to live through. If they continue to
retain possession Of the city any consider
able length Of time. Your sister Mary is
at your uncle's in Delaware, and will deep.
ly regret that she Las missed this opportu-
nifty of seeing you.
Are you alone, mother? ?"
mo, two English gentlemen are board
ing with me-"
"Do they belong to the army ?" inquired
the young man, quickly aud uneasily; land
are they now in the house,"
No they appear to be private gentlemen
of sumo means, and neither is within at
present But you looked tIoubled-have
Mt 20
IF detected / may be hung as a spy."
Good heavens p exclaimed the mother.
in alarm; you terrify me! Are you here
without permission without lass ?"
"Yes-did not say 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"
Il could not get a pass. and | was so
anxious to see you and Mary that resolved
to risk all "
Quick, then, come up stairs, and let US
fix upon a hiding place at once, before
anything happens Oh, William | am SO
alarmed 7"
Both FASTENED up stairs TO the third
story, and. after considering several places
uecloeu tDat the lOit Close uuCer the rOol
might be the best for concenlment. as the
trap door leading to it could be fastened
underneath. which would tend to blind
search while the young man, if pressed,
could escape to the roof, and. by means of
a long rope, fastened to the chimney. could
lower himself into either the yard or the
street. This would not insure his escape,
but it was the best plan the two could think
of, and served to render both less fearful of
detection and the serious consequences.-l