Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-13
ELEANOR IRVING, HEROINE,
Florence n. Spofford.
Central Park School.

Florence n. Spofford.
Central Park School.
The revolutionary war had begun. The
noble patriots were striving for victory
over their powerful adversary, Great
Britain.
Capt. Irving had been among the first
to raise company and join the continent
tai army. He left ON his little farm an in
valid wife, two small children, and an elder
daughter
Eleanor Irving was pretty, black
haired, dark-eyed girl, of II years, a girl
of true Yankee spirit and grit and in
tenSely patriotic. In her fathers absence
she was left to care for her mother. broth
er, and sister, also having charge of the
farm.
The Irvings lived about two miles from
Trenton, with no servants but an old negro
woman-Aunt 'Liza-who had lived with
them for twenty years. For some time
there had been stationed at Trenton some
HesSians under command of Col. Rail- They
were very Incorporate and negligent of
their duty.
One day during the latter part of Novem-
Der party of officers riding by stopped for
| dinner. An officer In gorgeous regimen
tails aighted from his horse and knocked
at the door. Eleanor answered
The officer said, removing his hat:
| Good morning. am Colonel Rail- COM
mander of the Hessians, and have called
to see if you will give me some dinner
| Eleanor was surprised, and was tempted
| to tell him no, but IN an instant she had
| formed plan of action. She invited them
in, asking her mother to entertain them
while Aunt Liza, with her help pre-
pared the dinner During their stay,
| Eleanor, by her witticisms and pleasant
manners, seemed to attract a young lieu
tenant, who invited her to visit the camp
She accepted the invitation. He said he
would procure pass and call for her.
After they had gone she told her moth
er her plan. Mrs. Irving was timid, but
Eleanor was determined. Lieut. Drew
called for Eleanor to visit the camp Thurs
day. After this his calls were frequent.
News came that Washington was retreat
ing
On Christmas morning Lieut.. Drew
rode up dismounted from his horse,
hltched it to bush, and meeting Eleanor,
said:
Il, with a companion, have been detailed
to carry dispatches to CORVALLIS, and he is
to meet me here.
am so glad you came to bid me good
by, but ain It you afraid of having them
taken away from you or losing them?"
They will have to fight to get them
Showing her brace of pistols, and, be-
sides, have a fleet horse.
Where do you carry the dispatches p
In my inside vest pocket.
Meanwhile she had been petting the
beautiful animal, and wondering how she
could get the dispatches. Suddenly a
| 1os, - l. Ill
cracking hickory nuts the night before; she
found some in her pocket. Why not put
one under the sadde-cloth, and when he
bears his weight on the stirrup the horse
will rear and throw him. and in the con-
fusion she would secure the dispatches and
escape to Washington.
They had some further conversation and
she slipped the nut quietly beneath the
saddle. His companion appearing, he at
| tempted to mount. The sensitive animal
plunged and threw him heavily to the
ground. Quick as flash she had secured
| the dispatches, leaped into the saddle, and
ridden for life. His companion, realizing
that something was the matter, gave
chase. The pursuer, seeing that he could
not overtake her, began firing at her. On
reaching the river she fearlessly plunged
in. The noble horse struggled across, and
when within few feet of shore a soldier
rushed forward and called:
"Halt! Who goes there?"
"a friend .
Advance, friend, and give the counter
sign"
Il have none, but | wish to see Gen.
! Washington Immediately.
She was escorted to headquarters where
she was received by Washington. She
I
knew about the Hessians. Through this
information Washington was enabled to
present to his countrymen the victory of
! Trenton as Christmas present.