Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-03-01
Cornwallis' Buckles.

foIaging party from the British camp In
Philadelphia n ade q descent upon the
farm Of Major Rudolph, south of that city,
at Darby. Having supplied themselves
well with provender, they were about to
begin their return march, when one OF the
soldiers happened to espy a valuable COW,
which al that moment unfortunately made
her appearance ID the lane leading to the
barn-yard, and poor Sukey was i'm
lmediately cophscaied for the use OF the
company
Now this unfortunate cow happened TO
be the pride Of the farm, and was claimed
as the exclusive property Of Miss Anne
Rudolph-the daughter of the house
aged I2 years. OF course, no other AMI
NAL on the estate was SO important as this
particular COW, and her confiscation by
the soldiers could not be tolerated for q
moment. So, Miss Anne made an impet-
uous dash for her recovery, but finding the
men deaf to her entreaties and the ser
geant proof against the storms of her in
dignation, the high spirited child rushed
over to the stables, saddled her pony, and
was soon galloping off toward the city,
determined to appeal 10 the commander
In chief Of the British army, if nothing
ass would save the life OF her favorite.
Meanwhile. poor Sukey trudged along,
her reluctant steps quickened now and
then by gentle prick with the point OF
q bayonet in her well-rounded side.
To reach the city before the foraging
party, was the cne thought of the child,
as her pony went pounding along the old
Chester road at pace that soon brought
her within the British lines. She was
halted st the first outpost by the guard,
and the occasion of her hot haste was de-
manded. Tue child replied:
81 must see the general immediately
"But the general cannot be disturbed
for every triie. Tell ME your business,
and if important, it will be reported tc
him.
at is OF great importance, and 1 canno
stop to talk to you Please let go ths
pony, and tell me where to find the gen
erall"
"But, my little girl, I cannot let you
pass until you tell me whence you come
and what your business is within thest
lines
81 come from Darby, and my business
10 to see the general Immediately. No ont
else can tell him what have to say!"
The excitement of the child, togethe
with her persistence, had its influences
upon the officer. General Washington
was in the neighborhood, with his ragged
regiments, patiently watching his oppor
tunity to strike another blow for the lib
erty of the colonies. The officer wei
knew that valuable information of tn
movements of the rebels frequently reach
ed the British commander through fami
lies residing IL the country, and still, Il
secret, friendly to the Crown. Her
might be such a case, and this con
slderation determined the soldie
to send the child forward to head
quarters Summoning an orderly, he di
rected him to escort the girl to the gener
A.
Ii was late in the afternoon by Ihi
time, and Cornwallis was at dinner with
number of British officers, when "a li;tl
girl from the country with a message 70
the general, was announced.
'.Let her come in at once" said III
general; and few moments later Mis-
Anne Rudolph epte red the great tent.
For moment the girl hesitated, over
come, perhaps, by the unexpected brillian
CIV of the scene. Then the spirit of he
"Redwolf' ancestors asserted itself, and Il
her, Cornwallis in ful dinner costume
surrounded by his brilliant companions
represented only the power that coulC
save her fayorite from the butchers knife
..Well, my little girl, 1 am Genera
Corvallis" said the gentleman, kindly
"Nhat have you to say to me p
Il want my cowi'
Profound silence reigned for a moment
then came a simultaneous burst of uproar-
ious laughter from all the gentleTer
around the table. The girls face redden.
ed, but she held her ground, and her Sc
features and her flashing eyes convinced
the general that the child before him wa!
of no ordinary spIir.
A few words of encouragement, pleas
antly spoken, quickly restored the equs-
nimity of the girl. Then with ready tact
the general soon drew from her conciss
narration of her grievance
''Why did not your father attend tC
shss hET for ,1li, yopl' . 49,. -, ,o,,,o -o,u
''And have you no brothers for such al
errand, instead of coming yourself into ,
British osmp?"
.Both of my brothers are away; but
General Corvallis" cried she, impatient
ly, -'while you keep me here talking they
will kill my COW !"
''So-your brothers are also away from
home. New tell me, child, where can they
be found?
.'My oldest brother, Captain John Ru
dolph. 10 with General Gates
'.And your other brother. where is he p
captain Michael Rudolph is with Har.
ry Lee" The girls eyes fairly blazed as
she spoke the name Of gallant Light
horse Harry Lee" Then she exclaimed,
'.But, General, my cow!'
'.Ab, ha one brother with Gates and
one with Lee. Now," said the general,
severely, where is your father:"
HE was with General Washington, y
frankly answered the little maiden; but
he is prisoner now"
$50, 50. Father and brothers all in
the Continental army! | think, then,
YOU must be little rebel"
"Yes, sir, if you please-I am a little
rebel. But want my cow"
"Well! you are brave, straightfor-
ward little girl, and you shall have your
COW and something more. too" Ther,
stopping forward, he detached from his
gsrters q pair of brilliant knee buckles,
which he laid in the child's hands. Take
these" he said, land keep them as a
souvenir Of this interview, and believe
that Lord CORVALLIS can appreciate cour-
age and truth, even in a little rebel"
Then, calling an orderly, he instructed
him to go with the child through the came
IN search of the cow, and when he should
find the animal, to detail man to drive
her home again. So Miss Anne returned
In triumph with her COW. And those spark
ing knee buckles are still treasured by
her descendants as memento of Cornwall
lis and the Revolution.
They Can Bust.