Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-07-04

elgnS IN the Dag IOr Cn6 starving SOlul0rs
at Valley Forge. Once more he drew
her into his arms and kissed away the
tears that were in her eyes.
There was a tramp Of feet outside,
the door was rudely opened, and a red
coated officer appeared at the door.
81 apprehend you as a spy, he said
gruffly. Behind the officer half dozen
bayonets' glistened
Come OH, sir am at your service. y
He drew his sword out from under his
faded coat and faced them with deter
mination.
General Washington was resting his
head upon his hand and gazing at the
fire and Mistress Washington was sew
ing a button on the generals greatcoat
when Colonel Jeffries was announced.
$50 you are going to spend the night
with the enemy, colonel.
ST am, sir, said the young man who
stood before him, hat in hand, ''and to-
morrow night [ shall return with some
thing substantial" 3"
81 understand it is woman who is
helping you
eyes, sill"
81 must remind you that women are
bad"-
At this Mistress Washington looked
up in surprise. ''General'' she said
warningly.
''Some women, mean, my dear, -
1,1 1, fl,o
table and took her hand i'll his OWL.
women are the worst spies we have to
deal with. cannot let you go on this
mission until 1 am sure that there is no
danger"
''There is none, sir, "was the conf
dent answer.
':You may co." said Washington
after moments pause. May you be
successful" "
After the young man had passed out
the general turned to his wife.
eff it were not for the courage of such
men as Colonel Jeffries, I should almost
cease to hope. -
Jeffries had no intention of being cap
tured alive He had raised his saber to
strike at the officer, and the muzzles of
the guns were pointed at his face. The
officer now spoke in a conciliatory tone.
''We will take you before the general
If nothing discriminating is found upon
you, we can at the most only hold you
as a prisoner. "
81 am no spy, but I prefer death to
imprisonment. -
Dorothy threw her arms around his
neck.
LET them take you," she begged.
81 pray you do. I know General Howe,
and l will plead with him for your re-
lease. So, for my sake, for my sake. -
He hesitated moment, and then an
swered, with an effort and in tone al
most inaudible: 'For your sake will.
Here, gentlemen, is my sword"
Lord Howe had been drinking until
long after midnight with some of his
generals, and he felt that half mile
walk in the frosty air might ease the
pain III his head which made sleep i'm
possible. When he saw group of men,
accompanied by a woman, pass out of
the gate in front of Merchant McFar-
lanes house, curiosity quickened his
step.
"HaltF' Lord Howe commanded when
he was almost upon the men in the rear.
The officer turned about quickly with a
'fWho dares' - which was changed to
an obeisant bow as he recognized his
general in chief
Miss McFarlane, this is strange
company and q strange time of night
for you to be out" said the general,
raising his hat. ''And who are you, sir?"
he continued, turning to the prisoner
81 have the honor to be an officer IL
the Continental army, sir, was the dc
fiant response of Colonel Jeffries
"Let me speak for him, )" Dorothy en-
treated, stepping before Lord Howe
"You will take this young man to
my headquarters. Proceed" he COM
manded as he offered his arm to Miss
McFarlane, and they fell in behind the
soldiers The walk to the headquarters
was short one, and in that time Doro-
thy told him all, pleaded for her lover
because of her own love and because she
was to blame for his being caught in a
trap and captured i'll manner unwor-
thy so brave soldier General Howe
had given no intimation of what his de-
cision would be when he sat down at
his table and arraigned the odd compa-
ny before him. He spoke sternly as he
addressed Colonel Jeffries.
''You are charged with being spy.
What have you to say?''
Search me, and you will find nothing
save the valuables given me by Miss
McFrlane and an empty scabbard.
'"rhere is no need Of man of your
intelligence carrying his messages in
writing I fancy you have a good men,
ory. You know the penalty"
Death, of course"
''Death by hanging.
EVEN then you cannot take from me
the privilege of dying for my country" "
The general could not repress a smile
OF admiration for the self possessed
young man who could see something
cheerful even i'll a towards death.
"What do you do up at Valley Forge
these cold days."
''We are learning to fight while you
Englishmen are learning to Dance
"But what pastime do the soldiers
have?'
''While shooting at mark our bull
lets have cut down whole forest. Each
tree was named General Howe.''
"Your diet of potatoes and mush must
develop your wit"
''Not SO much as it does our cour-
age
General Howe was too old O. soldier
not to admire such courage as the men
at Valley Forge had exhibited. The
words Of Lord Chatham, that the Amer
leans could never be conquered, were
ringing in his ears, and he believed
them.
Some of the officers have their wives
with them at campo he asked
''They have -
Lord Howe smiled pleasantly as he
turned to Dorothy
Miss McF'arlane, there is only one
way by means of which he can be iber-
ated You must leave the city, for you
are the real spy"
K \
When General Washington welcomed
Colonel Jeffries back the next after