The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-05-19
MISCELLANY.
THE sPY.

THE SPY.
1t was more than a hundred years ago, on a
bitter December night in the dark year of
| 1776 that three persons were earnestly engag-
ed in conversation, in 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
youth attired in the Continental uniform.
The topic upon which they conversed SEEM
ed to agitate them greatly.
The old man was especially nervous, and
while he was speaking there suddenly came a
great dash of the 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, with tremb-
ling voice
God be merciful to us all These are evil
times Methought l heard the rattle of
drums and musketry May the good God
defend us y
amen, said the young solder reverent-
ly.
Go on, daughter continued the old man,
addressing the girl. Tell us what this son
of Belial hath said to thee 7
1 will tell thee all, she answered with
tears in her eyes.
This man, Robert Esteleck, has been my
cross for years. He hath tortured me with
his attentions-claimed my heart and hand,
! oil I nd ;aal II
logged my steps everywhere. Have l not
told him that was thy betrothed p laying
her hand softly on the soldier. The wife of
thee, the brave Joseph Stamford He know
eth no honor. But to-day he telleth me I'M
less become his wife he will bring disgrace
and ruin upon me and mine. He tainted
| me. Heaven pity me- What can 1 do to
avert his pursuit To-day he hath even spok-
en- to me the evil
Say no more = calculated the soldier,
grinding bis chair back upon the polished
floor and shifting his sword hilt with the palm
of his hand. Peace, Alice, peace in Gods
name have heard enough-I know all =
This maddens me | This man, this monster
of Robert Esteleck, shall not escape me -
He shall not escape me He shall not live !
No. by heavens !
What is this? broke In the old man, with
an expression of anger. Mad words and
malice Man against man Is this thy talk
Prithee, let me have no more of it Leave
the wicked to God. Vengeance is mine, saith
the Lord
This rebuke brought q spell of silence upon
the place for a moment. In an instant after
wards there was great knock at the door.
It's the wind, cried the old man, with a
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 en-
tered the room.
YES verify, friend answered the man
peering at the new corners, then continuing,
Art thou not Captain Tamper P
THAT is my name, and present to you
Corporal Best
And your name is Abraham Shipper p
said the officer.
True true, said the old man and Cap
tain Tamper and Corporal Best are welcome
to shelter, God knows. Draw near the fire,
| friends
Il am sorry to say it's bad night, and bad
business brings us said the officer. There
was large meeting to-day at the Indian
Queen Hotel, on Fourth street, respecting
immediate action against spies, Tories and
friends of the King. Several were implicated.
| Among others, the Committee 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 outburst
from the Others of:
Joseph Stamford
The young soldier rose up, and bowling to
the officer. said excitedly:
AT your service, Captain Tamper JOS
eph Stamford is present. He salutes his SUI
perior officeri
You are suspected of being friend of
George III.
That for George the III r snapping his
fingers. George Washington for me =
You are accused of singing God save the
King In this house,
What?
This is strange broke 10 Alice.
We are true patriots all, Heaven be our
witness =
Does this look like loving the King !? said
the young soldier, touching his military coat
and sword. Ha ha It's good joke, Cap
tain.'
Friends excIaiming the old man, Pm a
man of peace, Quaker, a foe of foes, an enc
my of blood shedding, yet I am faithful tc
God and the American Union, and let no one
dare insult the flag of our rights in my house
l will fight for my hearth, my country and m,
God We are friends Of liberty here, mo-
SPIES