The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1871-02-16

TIN FUGITIVE LIEUTENANT

nv = OSAtAN v - LII r " - " n N
II was while the American arm,
was freezing and starving ut vall,,
Forge. aud the British rioting M |
iuSuriating io Philadelphia, THAT a
lurnc dirty beggnrly looking fellow
walking with a cruteh, approached
the northern out ost Of the Royal ior.
ces. aud. with a simple, idio'ic laugh
and leer, announced his intention o
entering the CITY and taking the Brit
ish General prisoner.
Indeed ?-theu l shall be under
the necessity of arresliog you" saic
a young subalteru, winking at som,
1t his companion,, aud assuming q
serious air.
He . he ! he ~ laughed tn, IDIOT
Just you try il ani that's all"
Why, my good fellow, what would
you de- -
"Do ?" exclaimed the other. draw.
ing himself up with M air Of dei
anre ; "why, I'D tell tho great Gen
cral Washington
Then am afraid to venture on
your arrest. So pass on--you will
probably liul General Howe prepar-
ed to receive YOU"
The idiot suddenly looked troab led,
..lanciug about him warily and suspi-
ciously. as il he feared he might NEE,
the general he was so boldly going to
capture, but finally hobblej Of to-
ward the city. With some such silly
dialogue he got past tho different
'enrries, who seemed to give bin M
thought beyond the amusement of
the time. BY night he was fairly il
town, and kept on his way, some.
times humming snatches of old songs
and in general not noticed much b,
any. Through one street to another
he continued to hobble forward, til
he came to one Of no great length
containing block Of three story, res
pectable looking houses, which Nigh,
be occupied by persons in middlinl
circumstances. This street was no
lighted, and appeared deserted, $,
that wheo DO stopped before ono Of
the dwellings, he was not perceived
He knocked at the door, and a wo.
mans head appeared at the second.
story window.
Wont you give mo something ie
cat, ua'am +? I'm nearly starved 7
aid the idiot.
"Yos, p"or fellow r. replied the NO.
man 10 u kinily tone /; Ina minute
I will hand you something"
Shorty after = lower shutter va.
pushed lIitIe back, and n hand, coa
lsining some bread AMI meat was
thrust out
Mother !" said o low voice.
Gracious heaven r. exclaimed
The female within. in ap agi,atec
tone.
Hush ~ returned the beegar, iu
guarded whisper.
Iu q moment after the door va
thrown open.
Yes, ma'am-thank you'll don
care if l do" said the beggar, as ifin
reply to ap invitation to come In, a
The same time crossing the threshold,
with an appearance Of deep humility.
The moment the door was closed
behind him, the man dropped bis
cruich aud threw his arms around ID,
vther, fairly sobbinR.
Mother I dear. dear mot her r.
I" will'au r exclaimed the other
prsssias The ragged mssdicsnt 10 he'
heart "oh, my dear. dear William
what 4 tho meaning Of this : and how
u i ! God you in this sad plight p
II have passed the British lines ID
this disgaiss, playing the fool to th'
CENTRES. But tell me how you are,
lear mother, and how you fair 10 thess
sioublpus times ?"
1"Indiisreutly we'll, my son. The
British srs our masters here. but 50
'ar ! have MttIs 70 complain Of in th,
way Of personal treatment. Provis
Ions ere scarce and high. sad ooly
By the striotest eeouomy shall [ be Q.