The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-18
copyright. 1897. by Clinton Ross.I

l y
Point, ard the men in the tavern knew
of il before il had been noised abroad.
They had seen the gentleman and his
servant, and had known of the pass
he bore from the general in chief, and,
since he was an English officer, and OPP
posed to them, they took their course
simply as piece of justifiable warfare;
at least they made that their excuse.
But while Captain Burton stands
there celebrating. let me pause TO eX-
plain how he chanccd 10 be at the linn
of Congress-" with the pass in his
pocket; and how, as you will perceive
most naturally, he wished TO pus on his
better clothes before he appeared at the
Wilton Manor; and how, indeed, the
Wiltons themselves were then on their
property in this disturbed country
side. t
Before the war. Captain Burton had
known Mistress Polly Wilton. and made
love TO her; and when the war had be-
gun he had still kept up correspond
epce--until, so late in the day. he had
proposed by letter, and been accepted.
Although the Wiltons were on the rebel
side. and the captain an English officer
of the Kings Hussars, the match was
| not unpleasant TO the family. They
were wise enough, when Polly's heart
was set on ii, TO appreciate that polit-
ical reasons should not stand in the
way; that a gentleman was n gentle
man. although they might be fighting
| against him.
| Now our captain. having his answer.
had not seen his lady love in years. He
went boldly and put the matter before
| Sir Henry Clinton, then commanding
| in New York, and the general had not
been opposed to three days leave un-
der such circumstances. lie willingly
gave his pass through the lines. Cen
eral Wilton agreed to get General Wash
ington's pass. General Wilton was on
his way, with the general in chief, to
visit the Count of Rochambeau at Hart
ford--As il wfs, HE Manor, long aban-
doned by the family. was well within
the American lines, and so, for the pres
cnt, safe place for a young lady. Was
not Mrs General Arnold. Polly's friend,
near them? So Miss Wilton came to be
at the Manor.
As for the pass, General Washington
did not at first see his way to granting
IL; it was so unusual. They say. indeed,
that the captain never would have OBJ
tanned IL had il not been that the case
was laid before Mrs. Washington.
General, you intend to let that nice
young man see his sweetheart? We
l., L
before the war"
II don't see how we can. Martha"
the general replied. "Why doesn't
Miss Wilton go TO him in New York;"
"Now, general" Mrs. Washington re-
piled, "how can YOU ask such a ques-
ton. Wouldn't il be unmaidenly, even
In war ti;ne?"
THAT isn't the point, my DEAR" the
chief said, sententiously.
DO you remember the time" Mrs.
Washington went on. "when YOU would
have been glad TO see me--before we
were married?" i
DO you think can forget ?" said the |
chief, naturally enough. "Do you think |
that time has passed?"
Then think of these poor dears." said |
Mrs. Washington.
For some moments the general re-
hected, looking at his wife; but finally,
they say, he agreed rather irritably to
do as she wished.
"A woman seems always bound TO
have her way, Martha"
And he sat down and signed the pass.
SO il happened that Captain Burton
was here within the American lines,
and had IL not been for his wretched
vanity in wishing 10 appear in good
clothes before the lady in the case, !
this sorry adventure l am about TO tell
Of mover might have happened to him;
hc had ridden through Westchester
safely enough, showing the general in
chiefs pass.
But Briggs, the man, carried in his
saddlc-bags the necessities for making
n gentleman presentable; and the two
had stopped at the Congress" place
which had kept open through all the
troubles And now our captain had
heard through the opening in the floor
he plot OF these robbers.
NoNbOAS' nave tlileu tnem. Il nat |
Term meant more properly the tories
who marauded about Wcstchestcr.
Detchard and his gang were anything
that might be most profitable, at any
moment; cashiered. or deserted. sol
licrs and conyicts. The host Of the
Congress had been cunning; and by
his shrewdness was able 10 keep his
place open. Even IL the house were n
rendezvous of many despcr|e char
lcters. there never was chargc against
IL. And here were these fellows with
The knowledge that n gentleman with
money and with rich clothes was above:
md the cunning Detchard. having wind
of Major Andres arrest. had seen how
, robbery could be hidden. They could
swear. after they had put the captain
In an obvious disguise, TINT he was
within The lines. on false pretcxt: that
really he was there as n spy-that he.
another British oficer-was part-aHd