Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1898-02-17

Ak VNRV% ~Sh 6o' IL w LILY oe>H
y !4SXE7 :. for ::v you, ,r.,, than.
Nv . Remember tn e
words have given you, and don't fail
TO hasten: back to this inns 1. ssAhals be
here and wait for you.' ~ - 49, :.
Maggie Hicko} lifted the basket of
eggs, and carrying it upo M hersar m at
once left the tavern and started on her
walk to- Philadelphia, five miles>away:
Her stepwas light and a Il air OF, deter
animation was so manifest in her bear
ing that the major nodded his head in
approval las she disappeared sup the
road, and said ito himself ais he reen-
tered the house: She'll do."t*
And much more than Maggie knew
depended upon her success that day.
In a general way she knew that Mai.
of cayalrymen who were securing the
region and endeavoring to gain such
sEformation as could be had concerning
the British forces in Philadelphia.
Maj. Tallmadge had done his best
and had gained much information,
(which was of value to Washington; but
there had been special warnings sent
him of late that the boys he had sent
into the city were suspected. These
boys had gone apparently with produce
to sell, but somehow they always con-
tinued to enter certain houses before
ell their wares were disposed of, and
few peculiar words never failed to
hiring strange response from the pur-
chasers, response which was borne
to the waiting major, and quickly for
warded to Valley Forge.
The rumors which had come that his
produce dealers were suspected had
troubled him of late, but he was very
,desirous of gaining some information
that day in the winter of 1777, for
strange reports of the contemplated do
ings of the enemy had been scattered,
and Maj. Tallmadge was eager to veri-
dy them before he reported to the COM
mander. His fear of sending some boys
Or men disguised as countrymen with
pr oduce had prevailed, however, and at
last he had persuaded the mother of
Maggie Hickok to consent to her maxi
ing the attempt. And Maggie was will
Ing to try, for her own father and broth
er were at Valley Forge, and she could
see 40 good reason for girl of 16 to be
entirely idle when the men were en-
gagged ia such desperate struggle. .
The girl trudged on with her basket
on her arm, thinking far more of the
peril before her than she did of the
muddy road along which she was walk
ing or Of the biting air of that winter
day. Occasionally she met men who
booked keenly: at her, but no one spoke
till she was near the city. A band of
q half-dozen relocated men were
standing by the roadside, and as she
approached her heart almost stood still
as she heard one Of them say: "Here's
another. one of the produce dealers.
What have you for sale, my wench?"
he added, as Maggie came nearer.
only eggs" replied Maggie, boldly.
although her face was almost as white,
;asthe snow by the roadside.
"Only eggs, is. it? Well, my mess
,wantsaeggsy and + !l>buy Il them,all:''t .,~ :.
'lndeed,:. sir, I cannot sell ii a |, ., ),
replied. Mas gsie, for portion are prom
.ised.;,. " @.s..,: go
H.. doubtless promised to Mistress
Zones, laughed the man, brutality:
sEs oneh pW q he Bum plsins sell to5her,
!. thought have my, doubts as to what
tshe buys ,s
h. II can let you have two dozen,'''' re-
piled Maggie, boldly, placing her bas-
lzet on. the ground and beginning to
counttout. the eggs. as as she sjspoke. It
was ssbetter,sto appear willing. to- deal
with the men than t sincrease their
suspicious by Striving t. pass.