The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1896-04-23

10 the summer Of the year Of sric lito
v whsn the Am fIcsn army sss stationed n
hes iott, tue CON m.udrr 10 ouici. uri
enl Washington, Vas iudulsing 10 btie
restius spell after dinner. vben he VI. ~
preached by an orderly, Sbo sslu,sd, suG
said
A Yong woman Who calls herself Betse'
Aun Blessing would have speech WITH
Your tIosliency
Betsey Aun Blessiug, repeated Washing
ton, with a momentaty shrug OF irritation
WHO is she spd Why msy she not deter her
business until tomorrow | ssrrsnt me
that her lover lss prisoner OF var snd she
is ready to swear tu.t be Is q loyal Whig.
What 1 iGk you, Holdisst
II you please, your tIcelleucy, she IL
sell i.go ed. as far rs could know from
her crying, for she is 10 sore trouble,
Avel sm stIne tootbssverl Crying.
is sheS Show her in, Holdfsst, and see
that the guard trouble ber not ! mis-
doubt my own judgment in giving aud
lence 10 strangers 10 these troublesome
times, 1t msyhap that Mistress Blessing
prove traitor in disguise.
The orderly soon returned, ushing 10 =
girl so Young she appeared like child,
sud indeed acted like one, for no sooner
did sne stand 10 the presence OF the great
msn than she seiz "a his hand that hand
of tt,lwstt proportions aud dropping on
her knees kissed it with the srdor OF a
devotee Meanwhile the tears stresmed
down her face 10 piteous torrents and her
form shook with suppressed emotions.
Washington bad u tender heart, and
he was greatly distressed by this unusual
scene.
You have something to ssy1 he asked
gently. Speak on, but beg, my child,
t lst You cease weeping,
O5, your eIcellency. you are too kind.
said the girl, and rising to her ieet, she
uncovered beautiful downcist face
which gIowed pink and dew through
ber tears like rain washed, sun kissed |
rosn.
Now, Mistress Blessing, said Washing
ton, IN his kindest manner, tell me what
brings you hIther and what your errsnd |
may be2
! come hither to s.ve your IL
cellencys llitl WAS the startling re
sponse.
stead Of laughing at the apparent pre-
sumption OF the weeping girl. he bsde her
tell him everything, promising her i'm
munity from punishment is case her news
was not as wtighty as she an,icl
psied.
Thus encouraged she began her
story.
On the morrow yonr excollency is 10
dine With several officers OF your com msnd
under guard?
How know You that, grip asked Wash
inRton much surprised
Your eIoellency will lay certain
plans sgsinst the enemy before the oom
psny.
Proceedl commanded Washington stera
ly.
Among the disnes set before your excel
lency wi be q new vegetable OF which you
are very iond.
Alb, laughed the general you have lost
or forgotten an order from the kitchen.
Here is indeed aLew version OF the noun
tain and the mouse.
know not, gracious sir, what meaning
that hath of the mountain and mouse,
cried Beisey. but il mess OF greco peas
be served ut the table on the morrow
beg and beseech you. sir. not to taste OF
them.
Wherefore, Mistress Bessine' asked
Warrington 10 bis stssrnest manner,
The peas viii be poisoned
How know you this2 demanded the gen
ersl 10 the tone which made bis soldiers
qn4il when they heard it, Speak and see
that you tria TOT with me. Nay, child, {
do not fesrl II what You say be true, not
you. but the traitor who planned the dss
tirdly deed shall suiisrI {
mol mol retorted the trembling girl. no
oue must suffer Is it not enough that | ,
have come into llo + Jaws to tell OF the
deed, to ensure safety for the desi1uer
thereoi2 Now that ! have warned your
eIcelenoy, permit me to T tire from your
presence.
General Warrington gave a signal and ,
al armed guard Of soldiers re,
ponded
Arrest this girl be said stearnly, aud I
keep her under guard until such time ss
she send for me to conf Is her fault
That will ueytr, though die 10 pris =
oul was the deftnt reply, as the girl who q
bad entered bowed ani weeping raised
Der head proudly walked ou, with the sol
iiefs, ike young queen
All was tumult 10 the kitchen at Rich
nond Hill, aud cooks were running about |
getting into one snotner's way, when q t
lair haired yontb iu the gstb Of a serving
man lettering 10 aud made bis way unop .
served to the srest fireplace, where he an t
covered the ssillets 10 which the vegets /
blss were tiuimering Oh the hearth. When
be came to th.t Que contsiuiug the pess /
he dropped 10 handful Of some condi a
meut, aud Instantly ok bic depsr
.ure q
His next appearance was 1nher the Tlp
dow Of tbat room 10 sLloH Mistress Bles
ana vas ibeaIoststed. d