The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-12-03


smoke cigar, and look over the daily pa
pers. The two men always returned to
the cafe, but the widow frequently occu-
pied chair near me.
One evening, when was half an hour
late in taking my seat, found her chair
vacant of everything except memoran-
DUN book. l could discover nothing of
the widow, and it twas but the work of
moment to pocket the memorandum and
return to my room. There are readers
who will feel contempt for me after this
statement, but with that have nothing to-
do. I admitted at the start that was a
spy, and am making these articles mere
statements of facts. Spies may have honor
in their actions Or may not-circumstances
have great deal to do with this. Perhaps
my offence was no greater than the offence
of her who had been making notes of my
news.
About twenty pages of the little book had
been written over, and as have it before
mo now, make the following extracts;,
JANUARY 19th.-Sent letters to five of
our friends to-day. Sent them by the same
friend as before. The information will en-
able our folks to thwart the movements, l
hope.
JANUARY 20th.-Sent two more letters
to-day, full of valuable information. Two
of our spies left today having incurred
suspicion. We have, however, a number
left, who are securing all the news ahoat,
"JANUARY 23d-Elliott has been warn
ed away, but will not go. He will change
his programme. Celia and Orphia left to-
day to carry the letters through. They
will have no trouble in reaching Centerville.
Mr. Stevens brought us several letters to-
day. Our people are sanguine of victory
when spring opens"
Something had been written almost every
day, and turning over the leaves, I found
this entry;
"JANUARY 26th.-A clerk in the War
Department is coming here tomorrow as a
boarder. Mr. Payton thinks we will be
able to get much valuable news from him. p"
There were figures and jottings on other
leaves, to show that the woman had taken
my exaggerated statements for the foun-
dation of several letters which she had dis
patched through to the Confederates. In
fact, during the two hours in which look
ed the book over before locking it up, /
l learned more of the Confederate spy sys-
tenn in Washington than / ever knew be-
fore. The book itself was proof enough to
warrant the arrest of the whole party, but
/ determined to wait a while longer
wanted to catch dozen others, if possible.
AS stated in the book, it was an easy
matter for the young ladies to pass through
the lines to Centerville. All they had to
do was to secure pass, very easy matter
in those days for any resident of Washing
ton, who would affirm that they had friends
beyond the lines. 1t was also easy enough
for any of the farmers or milkmen to act
as mail carriers Acting on this assump-
tion, determined to watch the milkman a
little had seen him enter the house two
or three times, had once detected the widow
holding confidential conversation with
him, and made up my mind that he was
the "Mr Stevens" mentioned in the book
He came every morning about eight
o'clock We had breakfast at nine, and as
near as could learn, the widow was never
out of bed until half past eight. If he left
any letters, he must leave them with the
servant girl, or on the hall table.
The next morning was at the head o.
the hall stairs when the man rang the bell
In moment more the girl went to the
door, pail in hand. Three minutes after
she came back, and I saw small package
in her hand. She turned it over two OF
three times, seemed as if she would like tC
open 1t, and then stopped down and hid il
under the hall-tree, and went off to the
kitchen. In less than minute / hat
slipped down, secured the package, anC
was back in my room. AS expected, the
package was bundle of letters, seven il
all, and each one written by some one in thu
Confederate army, or by secession citizeI
beyond the lines. They spoke of receiving
information from the lady and her spies
mentioned the arrival of the daughters, anC
one writer advised the lady to be pruden
and discreet, and collect all the informa
tion possible. al'.H
1t was certain that the book and the let
ters would be missed, and did not .knoy
but that l might be suspected. wa
therefore late at breakfast that morning
the men having gone away before entered
the dining-room. One glance at the lad.
assured me of her trouble. She was pail
and nervous but her conversation did mo-