The Cairo evening bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1868-1870, 1869-02-08
An Attempt 20 Poison washington.

In the summer of l1I1, when the American
army was in New York, a girl Of the city
went to her lover one Francis, aud commu.
nicated to him a secret she had overheard. a
plan that was in operation among the govern
ment men TO destroy the American command
erin chief, by poison which was to be plenti-
fully distributed with green peas, n favorite
vegetable of his, on the following day at Rich
mond Hill headquarters whore he was to dine.
Franci. was thorough Wing, although sup
posed TO be friendly TO the loyalst, went i'm
mediately to Washington and acquainted him
with this diabolical plan for his destruction.
Washington having listened with attention
said:
my friend, I thank you. Your adelity
has saved my life; TO what the reserve the Al
mighty knowsl But now for your safety;
charge you TO return TO your house and let
not word pass your lips. 1t would involve
you in certain ruin, and Heaven forbid that
your life should be forfeited or endar gered by
your faith TO met l will take the necessary
steps TO prevent and at the same time dis
cover, the instrument Of this wicked device"
The next day about two hours before din
ner, he sent for one Of his guards, and told
him Of the plot, and requested that he would
disguise himself Ms n female and 90 to the
Kitchen there to keep strict watch upon the
peas, until they should be. served up for the
liable.
The young man carefully observed the di.
rections he had received, and had not been
long upon his post of duty before young man
another Of the guard, came anxiously TO the
door OF the kitchen, looked in, and passed
away. In few minutes after, he approached
the hearth, where the peas stood and
was about to mngle the deadly substance,
when suddenly he shrulk back ms though
from the sting of the fork-tOngued adder;
his color changed TO the pale hue Of death,
and his limbs apparently palsied with fear,
evidently horrorstruck with his own pur.
pose but soon, however. the operation Of
more powerful Indictment urged forward hi,
reluctant hand that tremblinglv strewed the
cdious banc, and left the kitchen overwhelmed
with conflicting passions, remorse and confu-
sion.
Harold sleeps no more; the cry has
reached his heart ere this deed be accom-
plished, said the youth on duty. in voice Of
pity a. he looked upon the self-condemned
wretch.
What Harold q said the COMMANDMENTS
chief, sorrowiully, upon receiving the infor-
nation can II lie possible 40 young. so
fair and gentle. He would have been tho
last person upon whom suspicion Of tina, ma
ture could have fallen, by right of counten-
ance. You have done we'll, said he 10 the
youth before him. go Join your comrades
and be secret.
The young man went accordingly and
Washington returned 20 the piazza, where
several officers had assembled, among them
the hero Of Saratoga, who waited further or
ders from congress before he departed for
Canada. In n few moments dinner was an
nounced, and the party usherel into hand
come apartment where the -umptuous board
was spread, covered with all the delicacies OF
the season.
The commander in-chief took his seat. plA-
eng General Gates on his right and General
Wooster on his left. when the remainder OF
the officers and company were seated, and
eager 10 commence the dutie. Of the table. the
chief said impressiyely:
"Gentemen, | must request you 10 suspend
your mea! for u few moments. Let the guard
attend me-
Al! Was silence and Amusement. The guard
entered, and formed in line toward the up
per end ofthe apartment
washington, having put on his plate a
spoonful Of peas, fixed his eyes steadily on the
guilty man, and said
Shall cat of this yegetable2 q
The youth turned pale and became dread.
fully agitsted, while his trembling lips family
uttered:
IL don't know
Shall eat Of these p again demanded
Washington, raising some on a knife.
Here Harold elevated his hand. as If by an
involuntary impulse, to prevent their being
tasted, chicken was then brought in that
scohciusive experiment might be made in the
presence OF all those witnesses. The fowl ate
OF the peas and Immediately died and the
"retchcd criminal, overcame with terror and
reinorse fell fsinting, and was borne from the