Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-02-17

u
1B5B1sfFNIAkfEs5 IL you are afraid
sIlsssss ly4IN you need not 60"
y Es1Bt NeiSSE 81 am afraid,
~ y, sSN Maj. Tallmadge,
SNjS, EM but I'm ready to
y N4eLN go. I'll do my best
M E&S,.e1AW for YOU
SSSa@W Every well, then
SAStN Remember he
woods | have given you, and don't fail
DO hasten back to this inn. shall be
Sicre and wait for you"
Maggie Hickok lifted the basket of
eggs, and carrying it upon her arm at
once left the tavern and started on her
Nalk to Philadelphia, five miles away.
Her step was light and an air of deter
animation 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-
dered the house: She'll do"
And much more than Maggie knew
depended upon her success that day.
In general way she knew that Maj
'rallmadge was in command of band
of cavalrymen who were securing the
region and endeavorng to gain such
Information ms could be had concerning
4he 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
5ntO 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
E,ring a 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
Glesirous 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-
fly them before he reported to the com
mander. His fear of sending some boys
VOr men disguised as countrymen with
produce had prevailed, however, and at
last he had persuaded the mother of
Maggie Hickok to consent to her max
ling the attempt. And Maggie was will
6ng to try, for her own father and broth
or were at Valley Forge, and she could
see no good reason for girl of 16 to be
entirely idle when the men were en-
Gagged in such a desperate struggle.
The girl trudged on with her basket
con 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
hooked keenly at her, but no one spoke
will she was near the city. A band of
IA half-dozen relocated men were
standing by the roadside, and as she
approached her heart almost stood still
tas 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.
"'On,y eggs" replied Maggie, boldly,
although her face was almost as white
AS the snow by the roadside,
-'Only eggs, is it? Well, my mess
wants eggs, and I'll buy them ALL"
Indeed, sir, cannot sell you all,
replied Maggie, "for portion are prom
Used"
Doubtless promised to Mistress
-Jones," laughed the man, brutally
Somehow all the pumpkins sell to her
though l have my doubts as to what
she buys"
81 can let you have two dozen," re
piled Maggie, boldly, placing her bas
1iet on the ground and beginning tC
count out the eggs as she spoke. Ii
was better to appear willing to dea
with the men than to increase theil
JssuspiciOns by striving to pass.
NAY, nay, wench. l want not thy
eggs. l spoke in jest, for was afrait
that you, too, might be one of thosl
country people whom the rebel Tall
lm2dge sends into the city with strange
wares for sale. You may pass in safety
.and l doubt not that you will readil,
find purchasers, for fresh eggs are no
.cverplentiful at present"
Maggie again took up her basket anc
resumed her journey, not daring TO
several minutes to glance behind her
but wien she did look back her fear
were not allayed when she saw tina
Shey were all watching, and apparent,