The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-02
A SPY'S STRATAGEM.
How a British officer Secured Infor-
nation of Washington's Army.

Early in the winter of 1870 Washing
tons army was encampcd at Norris
town; and about twenty miles west of
that place was the residence of Squire
John kitchell, one of the most widely
known and unyielding patriots of north
ern New Jersey. His farm and dwell
ing bordered on the main road; and one
evening, late i'm Novem ber the usual
family worship had Just closed, his
wife and his daughters had retired up
stairs, and the squire was quatling his
nightcap of sweet cider, when his ear
caught the hoof beats of horse outside.
Presently n step sounded on the
stoop; and when the squire unfastened
the door his flaring candle shone fit
fully upon the long beard and blue
capped clonk of stranger. The new
conner, somewhat bent by the weight of
apparently sixty years, asked the favor
of a nights hay for his horse and, for
himself, only permission to rest in the
barn beside him; for his purpose was
TO depart before sunrise. He was on
his way 10 the American army with
supplies, he said. and his laden wagon
was but half days journey behind
him, He supported his request by
showing pass which allowed Capt.
Job Spring, with his team, IA safe pas
sage to the army and return to the
Delaware river
To all this the so uirc replied that he
was welcome To such quarters for him.
self and horse as he could find in the
barn. Taking n lantern, he led the
way, adding that in one OF the stalls he
had, an hour before, given lodging 10 u
young man about TO join the patriot
ranks, and that his farmland, Black
Tom, also slept in the hay near by.
After seeing the stranger and his road
ster fairly accommodated, the squire
babe him good night and returned TO
his homestead.
IL was AZ least an hour after md
night when the repose of the sleeping
household was rudely disturbed by the
tramp of horses and the voices of
body of men demanding admittance.
The alarmed inmates hastily answered
the summons
esquire Kitchell. you are my pris.
oner!" cried the leader of the party.
"Who arr you, sir, and where is your
warrant"
1--WE are all true blue and belong To
the Sussex militia, and here is the war
rant of the county committee To arrest
you Tor communicating secretly with
King Georges commander In New
York"
"Poohl Pooh" lightly exclaimed the
squire. Every body knows l am
good wing; aud when you bring me be-
fore Gen. Washington he'll just laugh
at you and tell you to go about better
business"
"well, you won't 60 before Gen.
Washington, and we have no time Co
waste any words. Wen just search
your house and then escort you safely
90 our county jail ut Newton"
"Here's more OF 'em, leftenantv
cried couple of troopers, hastily
entering, in charge of Capt job Spring,
together with the young man who had
occupied stall near him. and Black
Tom, the farmland.
"Strap the Niger fast behind one OF
the men and see that he don't escape.
Squire, you and these other two will
NO into the parlor and keep quiet there
along with your family. while we
search upstairs for your reasonable
papers. Sergeant place sentinels
around the house and one outside this
parlor door, aud see that no one leaves
The room"
Then the leader and his men rushed
ipstairs To begin their search