Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-06-30
BETSY ANN BLESSING.

when the American army was SUatlOn6Q IN
New York, the commander in chief, Gen.
eral Washington, was indulging in a brief
resting spell after dinner when he was ap-
preached by an orderly, who announced,
Mistress Betsy Ann Blessing.
She was girl so young she appeared
like child and indeed acted like one, for
no sooner did she stand in the presence Of
the great man than she seized his hand
that hand of stalwart proportions-and
dropping on her knees kissed it with the
ardor Of devotee. Meanwhile the tears
streamed down her face in piteous torrents,
and her form shook with suppressed emo
ton.
Washington had a tender heart, and he
was greatly distressed by this unusual
scene.
"You have something to say?" he asked
gently. "Speak on, but, I beg, my child,
that you cease weeping"
"Oh, your excellency, you are too kind"
said the girl, and rising to her feet she I'M
covered beautiful downcast face which
glowed pink and dewy through her tears
like a rain washed, sun kissed rose.
CHOW, Mistress Blessing" said Wash
ington In his kindest manner, "tell me
WuthU yOu AAVAOA AAu WAtso yOuA VI
rand may be.
~ came hither to save your excellenoy's
life" was the startling response.
Instead of laughing at the apparent pre-
sumption Of the weeping girl he babe her
tell him everything, promising her i'm
munity from punishment in case her news
was not as weighty as she anticipated.
Thus encouraged, she began her story.
"On the morrow your excellency is to
dine with several officers of your command
under guard"
Chow know you that, girl?" asked
Washington, much surprised.
"Your excellency will lay certain plans
against the enemy before the company"
Proceed" commanded Washington
sternly.
"Among the dishes set before your excel
lency will be new vegetable Of which you
are very fond"
"Ah," laughed the general, "you have
lost or forgotten an order from the Kitchen
Here Is indeed a new version of the noun
tain and the mouse"
II know not, gracious sir, what mean
ing that hath of the mountain and the
mouse" cried Betsy, "but If a mess Of
green peas DO served at table on the NOR
row beg and beseech you, sir, not to
taste Of them"
Wherefore Mistress BlessingP" asked
Washington in his sternest manner.
"The peas will be poisoned.
"How know you this?" demanded the
general in tone which made his soldiers
quail when they heard it. "Speak and
see that you trifie not with me. Nay, child,
do not fear. If what you say be true, not
you, but the traitor who planned the das-
tardly deed, shall suffer-"
"No, no!' retorted the trembling girl.
''No one must suffer. Is it not enough
that l have dared to come into lions
jaws to tell Of the deed, to insure safety for
the designer thereof? Now that have
warned your excellency permit me to re-
tire from your distinguished presence.
General Washington gave signal, and
instantly an armed guard Of soldiers re-
sponded.
ARREST this girl" he said sternly, land
keep her under guard until such time as
she send for me to confess her fault"
"That will I never, though I die in
prison, )" was the defiant reply as the girl,
who had entered bowed and weeping, rails
ed her head proudly and walked out with
the soldiers like q young queen.
All was tumult in the Kitchens at Rich
mond hill, and cooks were running about
getting into one another's way when fair
haired youth in the garb Of serving man
loitered in and made his way unobserved
to the great fireplace, where he uncovered
the skillets in which the vegetables were
simmering on the hearth. When he came
70 hot ,fnfn tv ho ho n
ped in a handful Of some condiment and
Instantly took his departure.
His next appearance was under the win
dow Of that room In which Mistress Bless
ing was incarcerated. "H-i-s-t, sweet
heart! The dose is ready. Keep heart
until the morrow, when will myself re-
lease thee to ride piokabaok on my roam
horse 1t is told in the town that Betsy
Ann Blessing Is arrested for spy. Keep
up your courage, sweetheart"
IF you would befriend me, betake your
self to some safer place" whispered Bet
sy's voice through the barred window
high above him. IA halter will be ready
for your neck If you are seen or suspected.
And listen--if your dose takes effect, you
are no longer lover Of NINE"
The youth went away grumbling about
all being fair in love and war,
IT Washington was different from his
usual self at that historic dinner, the fact
has not been recorded. There was much
secret discussion Of weighty affairs with
his guests, but he gave close attention to
the viands set before him. 1t was not,
however, until the vegetables were served
that he made any allusion to the food.
When his favorite vegetable, dish Of
green peas, was uncovered, he demanded
attention, and when all were silent re-
marked in loud voice:
"There is death In the pot"
A great excitement ensued. The guests,
who were in full uniform, drew their
swords, and murmurs of death to the
traltorp' were heard on every side.
Then Washington sent for Mistress
Blessing, who came with defiant light in
her eye and was given the seat Of honor
at her hosts right hand. She took it with
dignity that called forth approving and
| admiring comments. Soldiers are proven
bially gallant, and those Of ITO were no
exception to the rule.
| A servant was next sent out by the COM
mander in chief on peculiar errand. He
returned, bringing with him live and
| particularly active chicken, which partook
eagerly Of the dish of peas.
And in five minutes by the watch 1t lay
dead In their midst
Betsy Ann Blessing married her lover
after turning him into patriot and
Washington himself gave away the bride.
How much he knew remained his own 80.
| 0ret, but green peas never afterward graced
his table or were alluded to in his oOnver.