The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-03-23

other. lie COulu WOrK MS ears like
horse. He could cramp his hands until
they seemed to have been drawn all out
of shape by rheumatism. He could
make it appear that he had squint in
either eye, and could raise his eyebrows
clear up into his hair. He farm
er's son, genial, good hearted and brave,
and he was never tired of doing some
thing to amuse us.
Soon after Heintzelman made his re-
connoissance from in front of Alexan-
dria down to Centerville, he sent for
Dan Harrison, and the result of the
interview was that Dan was engaged by
the government as spy. His curious
physical structure and his natural cool
ness and bravery fitted him for such
dangerous work, and L may say that
for three years he was accounted the
most successful and daring spy in the
service.
One lonely rainy night in the begin
ming of 1872, Dan Harrison set out to
work his way into the Confederate in
trenchments around Centreville, charged
to see everything that might be turned
to value to the Federal cause. Dan had
no particular make up except the dress
of a Virginia farmer, and no story TO tell
except that he was when he got there)
within the Confederate lines to secure
some sort of compensation for three
horses seized by party of Confederate
raiders. Circumstances might alter his
plans and his story, but if SO he would
have something else at his tongues
end.
hespy left the Federal outpost and
headed directly for Centreville. He met
with no adventure that night, lay In the
woods all next day, or advanced under
cover of them, and at dark again took
the highway. He knew that danger
lurked in every fence corner for one
who skulked along, and he therefore put
bold face on the matter and walked
briskly forward, passing quite number
of negroes and several white men with
out being disturbed. Just then many
slaves were trying to reach the Federal
lines and the fact got Dan into trouble.
About nine o'clock, as Dan stepped
briskly along, patrol consisting of
three men sprang from behind the
bushes and confronted him, supposing
at first to be negro, when, finding that
he was white man, the leader of the
patrol began asking him questions and
insisting on prompt replies. For some
reason Dan thought best to change his
plans. Dropping his left shoulder and
humping up his back, he replied to
their questions in whining, drawling
voice, in imitation of half wit.
Laid for Niger and captured a
fool!' growled the leader, as Dan began
to ask silly questions and dance around.
WELL L suppose we'd better give
him kick and let him CO." remarked
the leader. 6 He don't know enough to
be soldier, and we'd better hurry him
along"
Il don't know about that, remarked
the third man, who had all along been
silent. 81 don't know of any fool in
the neighborhood, and we shouldn't let
this chap go until we have had closer
look at him. Here, you internal idiot,
do you know any one around here 20
"Missus Brown = Missus Brown %
replied Dan, using the first name that
came in his way.
"Well, it's only step down thar"
said the man, "and If she knows him,
it's all right"
So there was Mrs. Brown close at
hand. No one could have been more
surprised than the spy, and he feared
that he had gotten himself in bad
scrape. There was no chance for him
but to go along, and go he did, amusing
the men for quarter of a mile with
strange antics and silly talk. Mrs.
Brown was a widow, living in COM
Portable though small farm house, and
Dan was marched straight to her door.
She was woman about fifty years of
age, with a kind face and motherly
ways.
Widder Brown began the leader
of the party, as he put his hand on the
spy, I've captured this fool down the
road thar. He acts and talks like fool,
but we want to be sure he isn't tricking
us. He says he knows you. If you
know him that's all we want.''
''Missus Brown know Tommy"
chuckled Dan, as he boldly entered the