The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-11-09
Ladies Department.
II Want MY Cow"

IA story that will interest our
readers. The Rudolphs were then
AMI are now Cecil county family
I am not quite sure of dates. but
it was late in the fall, / think, of
1777, that foraging party from the
British camp in Philadelphia made a
descent upon the farm of Major Ru-
dolph, south of that city, at Darby.
Having supplied themselves well
with provehdsr, 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
confiscated for The use of the COM
pany.
Now, this unfortunate cow happen.
ed to be the pride of the farm, and
was claimed as the exclusive prop
erty of Miss Anne Rudolph-the
daughter of the house-aged twelve
years. OF course, no other animal
on the estate was SO important as
this particular COW, and her confsca-
ton by the soldiers could not be tol
Grated for a moment. So Miss Anne
made an impetuous dash for her re-
coyery, but finding the men deaf to
her entreaties and the sergeant proof
against the storm of her indignation,
the high spirited child rushed over to
the stables, saddled her pony, and
was soon ga!loping 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 favorite.
Meanwhile, poor Sukey trudged
along, her reluctant steps quickened
now and then by gentle prick with
the point of a 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 bounding
along the old Chester road at 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-
mande'. The child replied:
81 must see the General i'm
mediately.'
bat the General cannot be dis
turbed for every trifle. Tell me your
business, and if important, it will be
reported to him.
ut is of great Importance, and |
cannot stop to talk to you. Please
let go my pony. and tell me where to
find the General"
But, my little girl, l cannot let
you pass until you tell me whence
you come and what your business is
within these lines.'
"I come from Darby, and my GUS
mess is to see the General imme-
diasely. No one else can tell him
what / have to say"
The excitement of the child.
together with her persistence, had
its influence upon the officer. Gen.
eral Washington was in the neigh
borhood, with bis ragged regiments,
patiently waiting the opportunity to
strike another blow for the liberty OF
the colonies. The officer well knew
that valuable information of the
movements of the rebels frequently
reached the British commander
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 a number of British officers,
when "a little girl from the country
with message for the General" was
was announced.
"Let her come in at once,' said
the General, and few minutes later
Miss Anne Rudolph entered the great
tent.
For a moment the girl hesitated