Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-04-19
The Fugitive Lieutenant.

freezing and starving at Valley Forge,
and the British army was rioting and
luxuriatingin Philadelphia that lame,
dirty, beggarly looking fellow, walking
with crutch, approached the north
ern outpost of the royal forces, and,
with simple, idiotic laugh and leer,
announced his intention of entering the
city and taking the British General
prisoner.
"Indeed! then I shall be under the
necessity of arresting you," said a
young subaltern, winking at some Of
his companions, and assuming a serl-
Gus air.
Gle he! ho !" laughed the idiot :;
F,.just you try it-that's ali.''
"Why, my good fellow, what would
you do?"
'Dor' exclaimed the other, drawing
himself up with an air of defiance
''why, I'd tell the great General Wash
lngtor."
Then I'm 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 suspi-
ciously, as if he feared he might meet
the General he was SO boldly going to
capture, but finally hobbled off toward
the city. With some such silly dia-
logue he got past the different sentries
who seemed to give him no thought be-
yond the amusement Of the time. BY
night he was fairly within the town,
and kept Oh his way, sometimes hum
ming sna,ches of old songs, and, in
general, not much noticed by any
Through one street after another he
continued 30 hobble forward, until he
came to ono Of great length, contain
ing a block Of three-story respectable
looking houses, which might have been
occupied by persons III middle circum-
stances. 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. A woman's head appeared
at the second story window.
"Won't you give me something to
eat, ma'am? I'm nearly starved, -
said the idiot.
"Ycs, poor fellow !" replied the wo-
man IN kindly tone, "in a minute I
will hand you something.'
Soon after lower shutter was push
ed back, and hand containing some
bread and meat was thrust out.
!'Mother," said a low voice.
"Gracious heavens - exclaimed the
female within, in an agitatcd tone.
"Hush," returned the bcggar in q
guarded whisper.
a moment after the door was thrown
open.
Eyes ma'am-thank you-don't care
if | do" as if in answer to an invita-
ton to come in, at the same time cross
ing the threshold with an apDearace Of
deep humiliation.
The moment the door closed behind
him the man dropped his crutch and
flung bis arms around the other, fairly
sobbing-
"Mother, dear, dear motherr'
"W William.' exclaimed the other,
pressing the ragged mendicant to her
heart, "oh my dear, William what is
the meaning Of this, ard how is it that
| ind you in this sad plight 20
II have passed the British lines in
this disguise, playing the fool to the
sentries. But tell me how YOU are,
dear mother, and how you fare in these
troublesome times 90
''Indifferently we'll, my son. The
British are our masters here but so
far / have little to complain of in the
way Of personal treatment. Proyis
ions are very scarce and high, and only
by the strictest economy shall / be able
to live through, if they continue to re-
tain possession Of the city any consid
cradle time. Your sister Mary is at
your uncle's in Delaware, and will
deeply regret that she has missed this
opportunity of seeing you,"
''Are You alone, mother %
"No; two English gentlemen are
boarding witE me.''
''Do they belong to the army: ?" in
quired the young man quickly, uneasi=
ly; "and are they in the house 90
''No; they appear to be private gen
tlemen of some means, and neither is
within at tpresent. But you look troub-
led; have you anything to fear, my
son?'
"If detected. / may be hung as q
spy" 49,
" Good heavens - exclaimed the
mother in alarm, "you terrify me. Are
you here without permission-without
pass:"
"Yes-did / not say l played the
fool to the sentries and got past them?'
''But | thought that was for your