, 1862-08-14
The Fugitive Lieutenant.

/ and starving at valley FOrge, and the British
army were Tiotng aud luxuriating in Philadel
phia, that lame, dirty, beggarly looking fellow,
walking with crutch, approached tho northern
outposts Of the royal forces, and, with a simple
idiotic looking laugh and leer announced his in.
tentiOn Of entering the city and taking the Brit.
ish General prisoner.
"lndeed, then shall be under the necessity
Of arresting you" said young subaltern, wink
ng at snme Of his companions, and assuming q
serious air.
"Hel he! he!" laughed the idiot, "just you
try it that's ALL"
"Why, my good fellow, what would you do"
"DOI" exclaimed the other, drawing himself
up with an air Of defiance" why, I'd tell the
great General Washington"
"Then TN afraid to enter upon your arrest,
so pass on you will probably find General Howe
prepared to receive you."
The idiot suddenly looked troubled, glancing
about him warily and SuspciouSly, as il he feared
he might meet the General he was 30 boldly GO
ing to capture, but finally hobbled off toward
the city. With some such silly dialogue he got
past the different sentries who seemed TO give
MIN no thought beyond the amusement Of the
time. By night he was fairly within the town,
aud kept on his way, sometimes humming
Snatches Of old songs, aud, in general, not much
noticed by any. Through one street after
another, he continued to hobble forward, until
he came to one u great length, containing n
block Of threo-stOry respectable looking houses,
which nigh have been occupied by persons in
middle circumstances. This street was not
lighted, and appeared deserted, so that when he
stopped before one the dwellings he was not
perceived. He knocked at the door. wO-
mans head appeared at the second story window.
"Won't you give the something to eat, una 'am
I'm nearly starved" said the idiot.
"YeS, poor fellow" replied the woman in a
kindly tone; Tin minute ! will have you some.
thing"
S0Jn after lower shutter was pushed back,
aud a hand containing some bread and meat was
thrust out
"MOther," said low voice.
"Gracious Heavensl" exclaimed the female
within, in an agitated tone.
"Hush!" replied the beggar in guarded
whisper.
A moment after the door was thrown open.
"YeS maam-thank you-don't care il do"
as il in answer toan invitation to come in, at
the same tune eros ing the threshold with an ap-
pearance Of deep humiliation,
The moment ille door closed behind him the
man dropped bis crutch, aud flung his arms
around the other, fairly sobbing-
"MOtherI dear, dear mOther!"
"William!" exclaimed the other, pressing the
dear William! what is the meaning Of thisl and
how is il that find you in this sad plightY"
81 have passed the British lines in this dis.
guise, playing the fool to the sentries. But tell
me how you are, dear mother, and how you fare
in these troublesome tinssI"
Indifferently well, my son. The British arc
our masters here; but so faf have little to CON.
plain Of in the way Of personal treatment Pro-
visions are very scarce and high, and only by the
strictest economy shall be able to live through
if they continue to retaln possession Of the city
any considerable time. Your sister Mary is a,
your unce's in Delaware, and will deeply regret
that she he's missed this Opportunity Of seeing
YOU"
Are you alone, mother"
mo; two English gentlemen are boarding
with me-"
"Do tn Y belong to the army?" inquired the
young man quickly, uneasily, "and are they in
the hOuSeI"
"No, they appear to be private gentlemen
with some means, and neither is within at pre-.
sent But you look troubled; have you any.
thing to fear, my sOnr"
AZ detected, may be hung as a spy"
"GOod heavens I" exclaimed the mother in
alarm; "you terrify me. Are you here with
out permiSsiOnG without pass 7"
"Yrs-,lld not say PLAYED the fool to the
sentries, and got past themr"
"But thought that was for your own amnse-
ment Oh, William, if YOU should be discov.
cred, Why did you venture in this mannerl'
"l could not get pass, and was SO anxious.
TO see you and Mary, that resolved to risk ALL"
"Quiek, then, come up stairs, and let us fix
up q hiding place at once, before any thing hap
pens. Oh, William, ! am so alarmed"
Both FASTENED to the third story, and after
considering several places decided that the loit,
IL, ,s..hN ko n,
for cOncealment, as the trap-doOr leading to il
could he fastened underneath, which would tend
to blind the search; while the young man, il
pressed, could escape to the roof and by means
Of long rope, fastened to the chinn y, could
lower himself either into the street or yard.
This would not insure his escape, hut Il waS the
best plan the two could think of, aud served to
render both less fearful Of detection and the Sc
rious consequences. Having provided the rope,
the mother hastened to bring up large quanti'
ties Of food, which he soon began to devOur with
a raveuous appetite, which showed he had told
no untruth, when, in the character Of beggar,
he had declared himself in state bordering OIL
starvation.
While he was eating, his mother piled him
with questions concerning the army at Valley
Forge, in which he had lieu,enant's commission,
anl which he had eft on furlnngh, and the an
swers of the young soldier depicted a state ol
,iestitution and suffering that caused his hCarer
to weep for very sympathy. Three thousand
soldiers were down on the sick list at one time,
aud without the cOmmon neeesSsaries Of life, had
persisted by hundreds while OF those capable
Of doing duty, scarcely any had blanket to
cover him at night, or food enough 10 keep soul
and body together. Pale, emaciated, ragged
and dirty, many with their bare feet upon the
frozen earth, they walked shivering through
the camp by day, and crowded themselves to.
gether by night, TO get what litlle warmth they
could frIm each others bodies-ihe most forlorn
and Wreiched set Of beings that ever . nation
called 10 arms.
"God help usI" calculated the mother IN =