The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-02-03
BETSEY BLESSING.

New York, the comimander-in-ehief, Gen.
Washington, was INDUCING in a brief rest
ing spell after dinner when he was ap-
preached by an orderly, who saluted and
said:
GA young woman who calls herself Bet
sey Ann Blessing would have speech with
your exceileney."
"Betsey Ann Blessing?" repeated Wash
ington, with a momentary show of irriua-
ton; "who is she, and why may she not
defer her business till the morrow? / war
rant me that her lover is prisoner of
war; and she is ready to swear that he is
loyal wing! What think you, Hodfast?
''If it please your excellency, she is we'll !
favored, as far as / could know from her
CRYING, for she is in sore trouble"
aye! am a true soothsayer! Crying, ls
she2 Show her in, Holdfast, and see that
the guard trouble her not. misdoubt
my own Judgment in giving audience to
strangers in those troublous times. 1t may
hap that Mistress Blessing prove traitor
in disguise"
The orderly soon returned ushering in
girl SO young she appeared like a child,
and indeed acted like one, for no sooner
did she stand in the presence OF the great
man than she seized his hand-that hand
of stalwart proportions-and dropping on
devotee Meanwhile the tears streamed
.saal III, s,,1,s,sssed e,sot;ons
~ I " ,i' had tender heart. and he
'a,.l- .sir 5;sqress.og Nv tbis unusual
80
s.77ar Nr;s4,.ass Blassf,q !. said WE sh;rr.
~, in lis ,;ndest, manner. sstell me what
br;nos Won lither. and what your errand
,nay he %
II came hitber to save vorr excellency's
lifelo was tbe startling response.
n Is . ,-s4ter of history that Gen. Wash
;nefon never disdained the simplest detail
: Of army news. also that dispatches Of the
sweetest insDartance were brought to him
in he most trivial way. Instead, then, of
!. ls,,Tb;,r al fha annarent nrssump.ion of
d.. gi, be bada her tell him
I y,.a,,,;sing her immunity from
nunisl,roent IN case her news were not as
we;a,,tv as she Anticipated.
3 Tins encouraged. she began her story.
: con TIE morrow, your excellency is to
s. dine with several officers of your com
! mand. under guard?'
s Glow know you that, girl?" asked Wash
A ineeon, much surprised.
''Your exeellency will lay certain plans
AGAINST the enemy before the company!
"procoeaI' commanded Washington
sternlv.
among the dishes set before your ex
cellency will be new vegetable OF which
you are very fond"
"Ah, laughed the general, you have lost
or forgotten an order from the kitchen
Here is indeed new version of the noun
tain and the mouse!"
81 know not, gracious sir, what meanin!
that hath of the mountain and the mouse,
cried Betsey, "but if mess of green pea
be served at table on the morrow beg ant
beseech you, sir, not to taste OF them!
'sWherefore, Mistress Blessing!" aske'
Washington, in his sternest manner
The peas will be poisoned
Il How know you this!" demanded tn
| general, in the tone which made his soldier
quail when they heard 1T. Speak and Sc
that you triae not with me. Nay, CHILD
do not fear! If what you say be true, nc
you, but the traitor who planned the GA
tardly deed shall suffer!"
"No, no" retortedt the trembling girl, n
one must suffer! Is it not enough that
lat have dared to come into lions jaws
tell of the deed, to insure safety Tor I'll
,ir designer thereof? Now that have warne
~ your eXcelency, permit me to retire 1ro
your distinguished presence.
Ter Gen. Washington gave signal and il
stantly an armed guard Of soldiers respon
ob- ed.
as ARREST this grill" he said, sternly, Gar
he keep her under guard until such time
or. she send for me to confess her fault"
ND ssThat will never, though die in pr
80 on!'' was the defiant reply, as the girl, wi
~ had entered bowed and weeping, raised h
ere head proudly, and walked out with the 81
10 diers ike young queen
in All was turnult in the kitchens at Ric
mona Hill. and cooks were running abo
.ar rettine into one another's way, when
, il fs;r-bared youth in the garb Of a servin
at- man loitered in and made his way uno
-. served TO the great fireplace, where he u
covered the slsillets in which the vegetabl
er- we've simmerinp on the hearth. When
LIE came tn 5bat one containing the peas
eel dropned in a handful of some condimel
i'd srJl;rstan4,v took his departure.
Die, HE neyt annearance was under the wi
Die. dow of that room in which Mistress Bl
.as, s,,g was inca rceyated.