Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-06-22

played the leading part, happened,
which, though seemingly trifing in
itself, may have had an important
bearing upon the destiny of the whole
country.
Lieutenant Colonel Craig, COM
manding detachment of light horse,
was ordered to approach the enemy's
lines and hover near them, in the
capacity of videttes, to pick up any
intelligence that might be of value to
the army. While engaged in this i'm
portant duty one cold, raw day in De-
cember, an orderly called his atten-
tion to woman who was coming up
the road.
The officer watched her as she as
cended the hill, and when he per-
ceived, by her stopping and looking
frightened, that she had discovered
his command, he rode forward and
called out, in reassuring tone:
Advance, madam-you have moth
ing to fear from true soldiers!'
The lady, who was well wrapped up
in plain, warm garments, with hood
that quite concealed her features at
short distance, now came forward,
without hesitation, to meet the
Colonel, as if satisfied from his Ian
yuage and appearance she had moth
ing to fear. When near enough for
him to distinguish the features that
were turned full upon him, he ex-
claimed, in tone of surprise:
"Mrs. Darrah, as live! Why, what
oh oil
alone and unprotected, into this dan
gerous locality?"
"Thee knows. friend" she replied,
in the Quaker style. II have son
in the American army-who is, like
thyself, an officer under George WASH
ington-and mothers heart yearns
toward her offspring, even though be
has departed from the ways of his
fathers"
"You were going then to seek him ?"
81 was; but perhaps thee would
carry message for me, and let ME
turn back to the city?" said the lady,
but still with cautious, hesitating
air.
T. 'It will afford me great pleasure to
oblige Lydia Darrah in any way"
bowed the gallant Colonel.
"Thank thee, friend-thee is very
kind. If thee will dismount then and
walk with me little way I think I will
tell thee what I have to say, which is
secret would not like to have any
other persons hear"
The colonel assented, and, riding
back to his men, gave his horse in
charge of one of them and ordered
them to keep in sight of him; but not
to approach near enough to overhear
an ordinary conversation. He then
returned to the lady and they began
their walk down the road, in an opI'o-
\te direction to that which she had
come. For O short time she main
tanned deep silence, with her face
averted, and, as the officer fancied,
with her whole frame trembling with
secret emotion.
"Friend Craig" she at length be-
gan, with something like sigh, and
speaking in the rapid, earnest manner
of one communicating some startling
fact, ''thee must hasten at once to
George Washington and tell him thee
has certain information that, on to-
morrow night, large body of British.
soldiers will secretly march out of the
city for the purpose of surprising and
capturing him and all his men. Not
to mystify thee, friend, and that thee
may attach all due Importance to this
information, will now inform thee
that I, Lydia Darrah, overheard an
order read between two high officers
to the effect of what have stated.
Thee must also know that the man
called General Howe has come to abide
in the house opposite my husbands,
and that for some reason, to us un.
known, two men, one of whom is sup.
posed to be called the adiutant-gen.