Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1882-05-06
Stories, Sketches, sc,
CoRNWALLIsss BUCKLES.


49, Aa# fsfti&s .Estt
| am not quite sure Of dates, but
it was late in the fall, Z think, of
1777, that foragers from the Brit
ish camp in Philadelphia made a
descent upon the camp Of Major
Rudolph, south of that city, at Oar
by. Having supplied themselves
well with proyender, they were
about to begin their return march,
when one of the soldiers happened
to espy a valuable COW, which at
that moment unfortunately made
her appearance in the lane leading
to the barn yard +; and poor Sukey
was Immediately confscated for the
use of the company.
Now, this unfortunate COW hap
pened to be the pride of the farm,
and was claimed as the exclusive
property of Miss Anne Rudolph
the daughter of the .house-aged
twelve years. Ofcourse no other
animal on the estate was so impor-
tant as this particular COW, and her
confiscation by the soldiers could not
be tolerated for a moment. So, Miss
Anne made an impetuous dash for
her recovery, but finding the men
deaf to her entreaties and the ser
geant proof against the storms of
her Indignation, the high-spirited
child rushed over to the stables, sad
died her pony, and was soon gallop-
ing off toward the city, determined
to appeal to the commander-in- chief
of the British army, if nothing less
would save the life of her favorlte.
Meanwhile, poor Sukey trudged
along, her reluctant steps quickened
now and then by gentle prick with
the point of bayonet in her we'll
rounded side.
To reach the city before the forag-
ing party was the one thought of the
child, as her pony went pounding
along the old Chester road at a pace
that soon brought her within the
British lines. She was halted at the
first outpost by the guard, and the
occasion of her hot haste was de-
manded. The child replied:
II must see the General imme-
diately y
"But the General cannot be dis
tu-bed for every tritle. Tell me your
business, and if important, it will be
reported to him."
at is of great Importance, and l
cannot stop to talk to you. Please
let go my pony, and tell me where
to find the Generalr'
"But my little girl, | can not let
you pass until you tell me whence
you come, and what your business is
within these lines.o
~ come from Darby, and my bus
mess is to see the General imme-
diately! No one else can tell him
what | have to say y
The excitement of the child, to-
gether with her persistence, had its
influence upon the officer. General
Washington was in the nelghbor-
hood with his ragged regiments,
patiently watching his opportunity
to strike another blow for the liberty
of the colonies. The officer well
knew that the valuable information
of the movements of the rebels fire.
quently reached the British comman-
der through families residing in the
country, and still, in secret, friendly
to the Crown. Here might be such
a case, and this consideration deter
mined the soldier to send the child
forward to headquarters. So, sum
moning an orderly, he directed him
to escort the girl to the General.
1t was late in the afternoon by
this time, and CORVALLIS was at
dinner with number of British
officers, when "a little girl from the
country with a message for the Gen
eral, was announced.
"Let her come III at once" said
the General; and few moments
later Miss Anne Rudolph entered
the great tent.