The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-02-02
A Revolutionary kelic-An At.
tempt to Poison General WASH

4Scuss ~ W 4 oAsUs NSssSaoA W ssS"
.ington.
As soon as our travellers had
takcl seat At the fire in the room, u
smart looking young woman came to re-
ceive their co:nm,nis the surgeon OBJ
serving her, exclaimed:
why, blcs, my heart, can this b.
Polly u,ncy?"
"Tae sane, sir" replied the rosy
checked dame. with coqu.tsh courte-
sy. but Mrs. Polly Francis, now, at
your service"
"And did Blick sam make yen mas
ter Of his house AMI heart to prevent you
divulgiag secret that would have hang
cd him in all probability :"
:" lie IN ,fricd ne. il is true; but many
think he had q better reasoa than YOU
asst .ned." ana she a;scsi her eye, to the
mirror TINT hung opposite her.
THAT is rii>.ly eaou.h. returned the
surgeon. half persuaded on II sccomd
look OF the sruth 81 her arrangement.
Aud now. Mrs. Polly. or Mrs. Molly.
ii thu p!,ascs you better. prepare u
a dinner. aud will subscribe to all
you have said
"tpon which Mrs. Francis purscl ur
her pretty mouth, aud with another
glance at the mirror, retired from the
room with an mir OF consequence aris-
ing from selt-eslecin, which may be
doomed parlou,ble in IN ignorant beau
~ty. though rcprehcnsible in CiaOpatr.
As he door closed. the surgeon turn
cd to his companion aud said: THAT
simple girl WIS Instrumental in saving
the lie OF Washington. l may speak
OF il now. il can do no harm. 1t was
about the middle OF Juae, 1776, while
the General was at New Y ork waiting
the approach of the kings troops, that
girl ca,uc TO Francis. her present hus-
band, whom she considered in the light
Of royalst, and informed him of a Sc
crct she had overheard, that there was
u plan in operation among the govern
meat men to destroy their rebel leader
as she termed the chief
by poison, which was to be plentifully
mingled with green peas. favOrite veg
ctabIe of his. on the following day at
he was TO dine. Francis went immedi-
ately to Washington and acquainted him
with the danger that threatened him.
The general having listened with the ut
most attention, said:
MY friend. thank you; your fidcli-
ty has saved my life; to what reserve.
the Almighty alone knows. But now
for your safety; charge you to return
to your house, and let not word of
what You have said to me pass your lips !;
it would involve You in certain ruin !;
and heaven forbid that your life should
be forfeited or endangered by your faith
fulness to me. l will take the necessa-
nv stepsto prevent, aud, at the same time.
discover the instrument of this wicked
device"
The next day, about two hours before
dinner. he sent for one Of his guard. told
him Of the plot, requested that he would
disguise hmselfasa female, and go to the
kitchen, there to keep a strict watch
upon the peas, until they should be up
for the table.
The yonng man carefully observed
the directions he had received. and had
not been long upon his post Of duty be-
fore the unfortunate 7. H., another Of
the Generals guards, came to the door
looked. anxiously in and then passed
away. In a few minutes after he re-
turned and approached the hearth, where
the peas stood, and was about to mingi'
the deadly substances, when suddenl!
he shrank back as from the sting of thu
forked adder. his color changing to thu
pale hue of death. and his limbs appar
emily pa!sed with fear, evidently hOr
ror-strickcn with his own purpOse-bu
soon, however, the operation Of NOR
powerful Indictment urged forward hi
reluctant hand, that trcm bling, strewe,
the odiors bane, and he left the kitche
overwhc m ID with conflicting passion.
remorse and confusion.
"Harold sleeps no more the cry Ina
reached his heart ere the deed be accom-
plished," said the youth on duty, in
voice not devoid of pity, as he locke
after the se,f-condc mned wretch.
"What, L. H. said the commander
in.chief. sorrowfuily, upon receiving til
information "can it be possible; 8
young, so fair and gentle? He woul
have been the last person upon whom
suspicion Of that nature could have fal
en- by right of countenance. You HAY
done WELL" said he to the youth befoI
him, "go, join your comrades, and
secret
The young man went accOrdingl
and Washington went to the piazz
where sevaral general officers had q
semblcd, among whom was the hero
Saratoga, who was waiting for furth
instructions from Congress, before
departed for Canada. In a few momen
dinner was announced, and the par
was ushered into the handsome apai
ment, where sumptuous board w
spread, covered with all the dclicaci
of the season.
The ommander-in-chicft took his sc,
placing GENERAL Gates OIL his right hal
aud General Wooster on his left. VIII
the remainder CT the officers and comp
ny were seated au.! eager to common
the duties of the tat..e, the chief sal
"Gcntlemen, / must req nest you to 8,
mend your meal for few moments. /
the guard attend me-
Al - ...I ~