Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-04-01
The Spy.

1t was more than: hundAed years ago,
on bitter December night in the dark year
of l776, that three persons were earnestly
engaged in conversation, in room of Il
house on Second street, opposite Christ
Church. in the city of Philadelphia. The
dimly fiaring light of wax candle re-
vealed the group as they sat by the table
an old man, beautiful young woman and
a youth attired in the Continental uniform.
The topic upon which they conversed
seemed to agitate them greatly. The old
man was especially nervous, and while he
was speaking there suddenly came great
dash of sleet against the window, and the
startling crash of a banging shutter, that
caused him to start with a look of alarm,
and lose the thread of speech. When he
resumed, he SAID tremulousIy:
God be meIciful to us all These are
evil times MethoughtI heard the rattle
of drums and musketry!| = May the good
God defend us :"
amen" said the young soldier. rev.
erenuy. =
$50 on, daughter.n continued the old
man, addressing the girl. Tell us what
this son of Belial hath said to thee!"
twill tell thee all, answered the young
woman, with tears in her eyes.
''This man, Robert Esteleck hath been
my cross for years! He hath tortured me
with his attentions-claimed my heart and
hand, although / spurned and despised
him, and doggCd my steps everywhere.
Have l not told Lin that l was thy be-
trothed? ?' laying her hand softly on the
soldier. "The wife of thee, the brave
Joseph Stamford! He knoweth no honor.
But TO- day, he telleth me unless / become
his wife he will bring disgrace. and ruin
upon me and mine. He taunted me-said
to me, beware of me if thou rouseth me y
Heaven pity me- What can do to avert
his pursuit, his calumny2 To-day he hath
even spoken to HE the evil
''Say no more!" calculated the soldier,
grinding his chair back upon the polished
floor, and smitIng his sword hit with the
palm of his hand. 'Peace, Alice, peace
in Gods name I'have heard enough Il
know all This maddens me. This man,
this monster of a Robert Esteleck shall not
escape me He shall not escape me. He
shall not live. No, by heavens !"
.- "W hat is tins p broke in the old man,
with an expression of anger. Mad words
and malice Man against mani Is this
thy talk2 Prithee, let me have no more Of
it! Leave the wicked to God. 'Vsn-
geance is mine, saith the Lord. )"
This rebuke brought spell of silence
upon the place for a moment In an in
slant afterwards there was great knock at
the door.
"It's the wind, "cried the old man, with
face of terror.
The knocking continued louder and
louder:
Alice. and the young soldier, running
with one impulse to open the door, there
entered two dripping figures.
"a bad night" said one of them as he
entered the room.
''Yea, verify, friend!" answered the
man, peering at the newcomers, then con-
tinuing, "Art thou not Captain Tamper?"
''That is my name, and present to you
Corporal Best, at your service.
''And your name is Abraham Shippen,
if mistake not ~ said the officer
''True, true" said the old man; ''and
Captain Tamper and Corporal Best are
welcome to shelter, God knows. Draw
near the fire, friends.
81 am sorry to say its bad night, and
bad business brings us, " said the officer.
''There was large meeting to day at the
Indian Queen Hotel, on Fourth Street, re-
specting immediate action against spies,
Tories, and friends of the King. Several
were implicated. Among others, the Com
mittee of Safety gives us the name OF one
Robert Esteleck."
,''Ah!" broke in the young soldier.
"And one Joseph Stamford
! A scream from Alice. A sudden out
burst from. the others of, 'Joseph Stam-
ford!'
The young soldier rose up, and bowling
J to the officer, said excitedly: SAT your ser
vice, Captain Tamper! Joseph Stamford
is present. He salutes his superior off.
cert"
/ ''You are suspected of being a friend Of
George HIP
''That for George the III ~ swapping his
fingers. "George Washington for me!''
''You are accused of singing God save
! the King In this house"
"What?"
''That is strange, broke in Alice.
"We are true patriots all, Heaven be our
witness!"
docs this look ike loving the King?'