The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-03-28

written, and wrote his name as request
ed. The silver pieces he carefully stow
ed away in the inside pocket of his wool
en- spenser, and after Suke had eaten her
generous foddering Of hay he started on
his way back to the mill.
His grist was ground and waiting for
him, but, before he loaded the bags, he
looked once more to see that his money
was all right
AS he pulled it from his pocket, piece
of torn paper hutter to the ground. 1t
was the companion piece Of that on which
the Msjor had written the receipt, and
John had put it in his pocket with the
silver.
He stopped to pick it up. and as he did
so his quick eye caught name, written
in bold, clear hand, that was famous
Just then throughout the American colo
MES.
With swiftly-beating heart and 8
flushed brow, he glanced over tie few
lines that preceded the autograph. The
first part of the letter was on the piece on
which he had receipted for the money,
but there was enough TO make his young
blood thrill in his veins, This is what
he read:
"-receiyed. II you mean bust
ness, / think the plan can be successfully
carried out. Ny aid-de-camp, Major
Singleton, will ride over tomorrow to see
you and arrange the details Of the capt
ure. He will pay into your hands half
of the money you ask-tifty pounds II
We succeed in our enterprise and capture
the General, the rest shall be paid tOyou
down. You may trust Maj. Singleton as
you would myself
Il have the honor to be yours, for peace
and unity,
GES. WM. HOWE
''To Mai. Daniel Frye"
It was all clear as sunlight to John in
moment. Major Frye '5as traitor, and
the plot in which he was engaged was
nothing less than the seiEIre of the COM
mander-in-chief.
There must be no time lost. Wash
ington must be warned, and he was the
one to do it.
"whaI time of day is it?" he asked
the miller.
Hans pulled out big silver watch.
"Vell, it pc tree minutes past two
o'clock" he said
"All right Now, you take this mon
ey and keep it till call for it. am not
going home with the grist-at least, not
just yet. Good bye"
The next moment he was on the back
of old Suke and galloping down the road
alta wild speed.
@NIine Gott, dot poy ish crazy :" ex-
claimed Hans, as he stood in the door
way, his hands in his pockets, gazing
after the retreating figure. 81 gifs it hup,
eff he hain't gone stark mad. Dot vas
allF
And he went back to his work in the
mill, with strange, perplexed look on
his broad, Teutonic face.
Meanwhile John rode on, without
halt, till he reached the American camp.
He inquired ofa sentinel for Washing
tons headquarters, and an orderly was
dispatched to conduct him to the Potts
house.
That was two miles further on, and it
was nearly four o'clock when John and
his escort arrived there.
He was ushered By the orderly into
room where three or four officers sat at
table, one Of whom rose and turned his
attention to the newcomer.
"You want TO see me, my lad? lam
the commander-in-chief.'
John gazed for moment with silent
We at that majectic presence, with the
grave, worn, anxious face, before be
could answer. He then placed in the
Generals hand the piece Of paper he bad
found.
"Read that sir" he said.
"Where did you get this?" asked
Washington, alter he had read the lines.
John told his story in straight-for-
ward manner that vOuched for his hon
esty, and when he had concluded Wash
ington turned to his officers and said sOr-
rowfully:
ALAS who would have thought it
Whom stall We trust?"
He asked John few more questions Of
minor importance, which were answered
readily, then he said:
~My lad, the intelligence you have
brought me is the greatest importance
and value. Probably your thoughtful
action has been the means Of saving my
life and perhaps the liberties ofthe colo
nies. What can do for your
"Make me a soldier was Johns an
swer, as he thought of his one ambition.
The pater patria looked grayely at the
slender, boyish figure and earnest face Of
the speaker, but did not smile.
"You are hardly old enough for the
rough life of a soldier, but | would Ike
you TO care for my horses. l need boy
for that VIII you come ?"
"If uncle and aunt will only let me-"
replied John, so pleased that he could
scarcely refrain from turning a sOmer-
sault even before that august presence.
"Yoa may come tomorrow, then, and
here is your salary for the frs. q uarter-"
Washington placed in his hands
couple Of gold pieces. John thanked
him as we'll as he was able.
"Be assured, my brave boy" said
Washington, as be accompanied him to
the door, that the servics you have this
day performed will not be forgotten. i
tremble when think what might have
befallen our country lift had not been
for your fortunate discovery aud intelii-
gent action. 1 WAS g)ing to visit that
mans house to-night, and he, ike Judas,
had bargained to betray me to my enc
mics for few paltry pieces of silver and
gold. Washington thanks you now in
the future he will do more"
And he bowed him out Of the door.
1t was quite dark when John returned
to the mill, where the wondering Hsns
was waiting forhim. Before he was half
way way home he met the Squire, who
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