The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-19
BETSY ANN BLESSING.

| when the American army was stationed in
| New York, the commander in chief, Gen
eral Washington, was indulging in brie1
resting spell after dinner when he was ap-
| preached by an orderly, who announced,
| Mistress Betsy Ann Blessing.
She was a girl 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
I 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 sayg' he asked
gently. "Speak on, but. beg, my child,
that you cease weeping
"Oh, your exsellency, 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 rain washed, sun kissed rose.
"Now, Mistress Blessing" said Wash
ington in his kindest manner, "tell me
what brings you hither and what your er-
rand may be-
81 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 excelIency is to
dine with several officers of your command
under guard
Chow know you that, girIa'' asked
Washington, much surprised.
Your excellency will lay certain plans
CT fhe,a oofS,x
Proceed" commanded Washington
sternly. D
Among the dishes set before your excel
leney will be a new vegetable of which you
are very fond.''
''Ah," laughed the general, "you have
lost OF forgotten 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
mousse cried Betsy, "but if mess of
green peas be served at table on the NOR
row I beg and beseech you, sir, not to
taste of them.''
Wherefore, Mistress Blessingf'' asked
Washington in his sternest manner.
1.-The peas will be poisoned
Chow know you this?' demanded the
general in a tone which made his soldiers
quail when they heard it. ''Speak and
see that you tri6e 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.
mo one must suffer. Is it not enough
that L have dared to come into a lions
jaws to tell of the deed, to insure safety for
the designer thereof? Now that have
warned your exoelIency permit me to res
tire from your distinguished presence"
General Washington gave a signal, and
INSTANTLY an arn1ad epuaFff 0f SnIdiarS T-fa-
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 1 never, though 1 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 young queen.
All was tumult in the kitchens at Rich
mond hill, and cooks were running about
getting into one anothers way when fair
haired youth in the garD of serving man
loitered in and made his way unobserved
to the great fireplace, where he uncovered
the skillets in which the vegetables were
simnlering on the hearth. When he came
to that one containing the peas, he drop
ped in 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 a-A-S-b, sW00G- /
heart The dose is ready. Keep heart |
until the morrow, when 1 will myself re-
lease thee to ride pickaback on my roam |
horse. 1t is told in the town that Betsy |
Ann Blessing is arrested for a 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. "A 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 mine.''
The youth went away grumbling about |
all being fair in love and war.
IF 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. It was not, |
however, until the vegetables were served |
that he made any allusion to the food. |
When his favorite vegetable, a dish of /
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
traitorW were heard on every side.
Then Washington sent for Mistress
Blessing, who came with a defiant light in
her eye and was given the seat of honor
at her hosts right hand. She took it with
1 dignity that called forth approving and
comments. Soldiers are proven
oially gallant, and those of 1875 were no
exception to the rule.
A servant was next sent out by the COM
mander in chief on peculiar errand. He
Bringing with him live and
active chicken, which partook
eagerly of the dish of peas.
And in five minutes by the watch it lay
lead in their midst.
Betsy Ann Blessing married her lover
sfter turning him into patriot, and
No oh biT1ocolf ba hridQ