The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-06-29
THE REFoRMER RRAFTLEBoRo. VT FRIDAY JUNE 20, 1894

"a.
2 ''Sir Richard, ann ashamed of her ,ashame,
{ OF her, sir. It's II joke OF hers, Sir Richard
! All! You leave her with me until tomorrow
? ! will arrange matters, Sir Richard"
! Sir Richard bowed once more. After h,
: had gone Mr. McFarlane flew into perfec
passion
lie damned the Continental army with al
the oaths he could command. Dorothy mad'
J no answer. Finally he went of to his room
yelling out threats Of condign punishment OF
the way, and Dorothy went to hers, wher
her heart would break. II was after mid
night when she slipped the brass bolt on thu
J door Mr.. McFarlane's passion had mean
time worn of until he slept peacefully
Dorothy found her way in the
darkness to the kitchen, where She
lighted II candle and sat down TO wait A soft
rap at the door made her start and then
brought smile of expectation to her face. A
moment later n stalwart young man held hel
in his arms. lie looked little like the officer
he was If one were to take the poor clothes he
wore us u criterion of Judgment but the pale
earnest, firm face bespoke the soldier in nc
doubtful terms.
ibid you think me II long time coming, my
dear!'
Il only feared they might capture you. All
was right"
| "Yes."
He had braved the danger of being cap
tured and hanged as spy to spend an hour
he had been one of the weathiest of the
young men of Philadelphia. Now his fortune
was all gone for the cause of liberty. In ST.
lence he pressed his sweetheart close to him,
and lifting her face looked into it earnestly.
| Two hours had elapsed before she babe him
| % Last axli ubt Shonl1 still fuI hin, in ~
city. As she drew away from his embrace
she took the little black bag lying upon the
table and gave it to him. There were 200 gold
sovereigns in the bag for the starving soldiers
at Valley Forge. Once more he drew her
into his arms and kissed away the tears that
were in her eyes.
There was tramp of feet outside, the door
was rudely opened, and Il red coated officer
appeared at the door.
81 apprehend you as a.spy,'he said gruffiy.
Behind the officer half dozen bayonets
glstened
drew his sword out from under his faded
coat and faced them with determination.
General Washington was resting his head
upon his hand and gazing at the fire and Mis-
tress Washington was sewing button on the
generals greatcOat when Colonel Jetfres was
announced.
$50 you are going to spend the night with
the enemy. cOlonel?'
81 am, sir" said the young man who stood
before him, hat in hand,"a tomorrow night
/ shall return with something substantial"
81 understand it is a woman who is helping
you"
AT this Mistress Washington looked up in
surprise. "General!' she said warningly.
''SOme women, mean, my DEAR" he con-
tinued as he reached across the table and took
her hand in his own. "Women are the worst
spies we have to deal with l cannot let you
go on this mission until am sure that there is
no danger"
"There is none, SIR" was the confident
answer
''You may co. said Washington after
pause. ''May you be successful
After the young man had passed out the
general turned to his wife.
"If it were not for the courage of such men
as Colonel Jetfries, should almost cease to
hope"
.Jetlries had no intention of being captured
alive. He had raised his sabre to strike at the
officer, and the muZZles of the guns were
pointed at his face. The officer now spoke in
conciliatOry tone.
I'VE will take you before the general. If
nothing discriminating is found upon you, we
,an at the most only hold you as Il prisoner"
Il am no spy. but | prefer death to impris-
Dorothy threw her arms about his neck
LET them take you," she begged. 81 pray
'ou do. know Gen. Howe, and ! will plead
With him for your release. So, for my sake,
or my sake"
He hesitated for moment, and then ans
yered. with an effort and with a tone almost
naudible: "For your sake will. Here, gen.
lemen, is my sword"
Lord Howe had been drinking until long
liter midnight with some of his generals. and
ne felt that Il half mile walk in the frosty air
night ease the pain in his head which made
men. accompanied by woman. pass out of
he gate in front of Merchant McFarlane's
''Halt!' Lord Howe commanded when he
vas almost upon the men in the rear. The
ficer turned about quickly, with ''Who
ares''-which was changed to an obeisant
ow as he recognized his general in chief.
'.Miss McFarlane, this is strange company
nd a strange time of night for you to be out"
aid the general. raising his hat. ''And who
re you, sir?" he continued. turning to the
risOner.
81 have the honor to be an officer in the
Continental army SIR" was the defiant re-
Donse of Col. Jetfries.
"Let me speak for him. Dorothy cntreated
epping before Lord Howe.
''You will take this young man to my head
uarters. Proceed he commanded as he of
ii in behind the soldiers. The walk to the
was short one, and in that
me Dorothy told him all, pleaded for her
yer because of her own love and because
he was to blame for his being caught in Il
ap and captured in Il manner unworthy so
rave soldier. Gen. Howe had given no i'll
nation of what his decision would be when
sat down at his table and arraigned the odd
,mpany before him. He spoke sternly as he
dressed Col. Jetfries.
''You are charged with being spy. What
I'VE you to say!'
''Search me. and you will find nothing save
e valuables given me by Miss McFarlane
i'd an empty Scabbard.'
'.There is no need of a man of your inteli-
nee CARRYING his messages in writing. :
ncy YOU have II good memory. You know
e penalty"
death, of course"
death by hanging
Even then you cannot take from me the
vilege of dying for my country" r
The general could not repress smile of al /
iration for the self possessed young man I
ho could see something cheerful even in Il
wards death.
''What do you do IN at Valley Forge these
Id days.
1--WE are learning to fight while you English 4
en- are learning to dance"
But what pastime do the soldiers haveE
'sWhle shooting at mark our bullets have 4
{ downa whole forest. Each tree was \
med Gen. Howe" II
Your diet of potatoes and mush must de-
lop your wit"
Not so much as il does our courage"
Gen. Howe was too old soldier not TO adj Cl
re such courage n the men mt Valley Forge tn
q exhibited. The words of Lord Chatham, O,
At the Americans could never he conquered, II,