Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-02-17
copyright. 1881

| stood before the door. She was in a
flutter of excitement when the servant
| admitted her, and she said:
81 would see Mistress Jones. I have
some eggs for sale, and perhaps she
will buy"
DOUBTLESS she will that" replied the
maid, 'but it will not be necessary for
you to see her. I can pay you" and
she started from the hall as if to get
her money.
"Nay, nay" said Maggie, quickly, 81
would deal with Mistress Jones her
self"
The servant made no response as she
turned TO seek the mistress, and in a
few minutes Mrs. Jones herself ap-
peared.
''Was it to me you desired to SPEAK? %
'Yes, have fresh eggs to SELL
"You are sure they are fresh?"
"They are that, fresh and prime,
too"
Mistress Jones looked keenly at Mag
gle as she heard the combination of
words which was we'll understood by
her, and she quickly replied: "You have
brought your wares to the right mar
ket, see" She then took the basket
from Maggie's hand, and in few mo-
ments returned with a. loaf of bread.
She did not inform her that within the
loaf there was a note concealed, but
Maggie understood. 1t was all as she
had been informed it would be.
eff you lose the bread, or find it ne
cessary to destroy it, you may simply
say to your friend: Not yet Do you
understand"
81 do" replied Maggie, quietly, as she
again took her basket and prepared to
depart. The door was quickly closed
behind her, and she fingered moment
on the steps before she went down to
the street. She could see no one now,
and the curious soldier had disap-
peared; but Maggie's fear was none the
less when she started up the street, for
she knew not who was watching her,
and the words of the guard still lin
gered in her mind.
AS she approached the edge of the
city she was alarmed when she saw the
same six men there whom she had met
at her entrance; but, striving to quiet
her heart. and not reveal the fear I'M
der which she labored, she walked
steadily on.
Here's my wench again." laughed
one of the soldiers as she drew near.
"And what luck?"
81 sold my eggs"
DOUBTLESS. And was Mistress Jones
purchaser?''
81 know not Mistress JONES'" replied
' IT'S well for you, my wench. And
what have you in the basket now? A
bread loaf as 1 live! IT'S the very thing
1 most desire" And the soldier rough
ly grasped the basket and seized the
loaf which it contained.
''The bread [ would give my little sis
ter who is ILL., said Maggie, with trem-
bling voice. 81 pray you to take it not
from me-"
Her evident distress moved the SOL
der, and one of them roughly said to
the man who had taken her bread: LET
the wench go, Jack. A bread loaf would
hardly satisfy us to-day. IT'S Tall
madge's head crave. Give her the bas-
ket and let the poor girl co.
With laugh the soldier returned the
basket and the bread, little dreaming
of their contents, and Maggie sped on,
not even turning her head to see if she
were pursued. Perhaps if she had
looked back the sight would not have
comforted her, for the six men were
standing together, and the frequent
glances they cast at the departing girl
showed that they were talking of her.
But, all unconscious of what was go
ing on behind her, Maggie kept on her
way and when once she was on the
country road she broke into n run, all
by her long journey. She
had information of Importance, and the
thoughts of her father and brother in
Valley Forge, and the little sister at
home, gave her renewed strength.
She was almost breathIess when at
last she entered the inn and delivered
the loaf to the impatient major,
who was waiting for her according to
his promise.
''Tis well you have done. Maggie, |
my girl" said Maj. Tallmadge, as he
broke open the loaf and quickly found |
the folded note within. This shall not
be forgotten"
liz uIu uOt 1HlSH the sem |
tence, for just then the landlady en-
tered the room with white face, de-
claring she could see band Of British |
light horse coming swiftly up the road |
They've suspected you, Maggie"
said the major, quickly. Twill never do |
to leave you here. Can you mount and |
ride behind me?"
Il can," replied Maggie, quickly. and /
before the words had been spoken Mai. |
Tallmadge ran from the room and a
afterwards was before the door
with his feet black horse up behind |
me. Quick! For your life!''
Maggie grasped his outstretched
hand and in a moment was behind the
major with her arms tightly clasped
about his waist.
Now, Jehu, go!" said the major to
ais horse, and the black steed started
with the speed of the wind. Maggie
almost lost her grasp az the major