The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-02-19

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words 1 have given you, and don't fail
to hasten back to this inn. 1 shall be
here and wait for you"
Maggie Hickok lifted the baske. of
eggs, and carrying it upon her arm at
once left the tavern and started on her
walk to Philadelphia, five miles away.
Her step was light and an air of deter
mination was SO manifest in her bear
Ing that the major nodded his head in
approval as she disappeared up the
road, and said to himself as he reen-
tered the house: She'll do"
And much more than Maggie knew
depended upon her success that day,
In a general way she knew that Maj,
Tallmadge was in command of a band
of cavalrymen who were securing the
! region and endeavoring to gain such
Information 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 10 enter certain houses before
ell their wares were disposed of, and a
few peculiar words never failed to
bring a strange response from the pur'
chasers, a 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 hao
troubled him of late, but he was very
DESTROYS of gaining some Information
that day in the winter of 1777, fol
strange reports of the contemplated do
Ings of the enemy had been scattered
and Maj. Tallmadge was eager to veri
fly them before he reported to the com
mander. His fear of sending some boys
or men disguised as countrymen with
produce had prevailed, however, and al
last he had persuaded the mother OF
/ Maggie Hickok to consent to her max
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 no good reason for a girl of 16 to be
entirely idle when the men were en-
gagged in such a desperate struggle.
The girl trudged on with her baske'
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 whc
looked keenly at her, but no one spoke
till she was near the city. \ band Of
a h~alf-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
as the snow by the roadside.
"Only eggs, is it? Well, my mesi
wants eggs, and I'll buy them all"
Indeed, sir, 1 cannot sell you all,
replied Maggie, "for a portion are prom
ised."
Doubtless promised to Mistress
Jones'" laughed the man, brutally
Somehow all the pumpkins sell to her
though 1 have my doubts as to wha
she buys"
81 can let you have two Dozen" re
piled Maggie, boldly, placing her bas
ket on the ground and beginning Il
count out the eggs as she spoke. L
was better to appear willing 10 dea
with the men than to increase theil
suspicious by striving to pass.
NAY, nay, wench. 1 want not tn!
eggs. 1 spoke in jest, for I was afraii
that you, too, might be n of thos'
country people whom the rebel Tall
madge sends into the city with strang'
wares for sale. You may pass in safety
and 1 doubt not that you will readil.
find purchasers, for fresh eggs are no
overplentiful at present"
Maggie again took up her basket ant
resumed her journey, not daring TO
several minutes to glance behind her
but when she did look back her fear
were not allayed when she saw tina
| they were all watching. and apparentl,