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

New ! DIRK, the cOmmandGr-ln-chlef, Ten. +
Washington, was indulging 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
your excelleney."
Betsey Ann Blessing?' repeated Wash
ington, with momentary show of irrita-
ton; "who is she, and why may she not
defer her business till the morrow? | war
rant me that her lover is a prisoner of
war, and she is ready to swear that he is a
loyal whig! What think you, Holdfast?"
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 true soothsayer! Crying, is
she? Show her in, Holdfast, and see that I
the guard trouble her not. 1 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 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
her knees kissed it with the ardor of
devo.ee Meanwhile the tears streamed
down her face in piteous torrents, and her
form shook with suppressed emotions.
Washington had a tender heart, and he
was greaGy distressed by this unusual
scene.
Now, Mistress Blessing said Washing
ton, in his ldndest manner, "tell me what
brings You hither and what your Grand
may be-"
Il came hitler TO save your excellency's
life!' was the startling response.
1t is a matter of history that Gen. Wash
ington never disdained the simplest detail
OF army news, also that dispatches Of the
greatest Importance were brought to him
in the most trivial way. Instead, then, of
laughing at the apparent presumption of
this weeping girl, he babe her tell him
everything, promising her immunity from
punishment in case her news were not as
weighty as she anticipated.
Thus encouraged, she began her story.
"On the morrow, your ezcellency is to
dine With several officers Of your com
mand, under guard?"
s'Iow know you that, girl?" asked Wash
ington, much surprised.
your exeellency will lay certain plans
against the enemy before the company"
"Preceeau' commanded Washington,
sternly.
Among the dishes set before your ex.
cellency will be a new vegetable of which
you arc very fond"
\ "Ah,, laughed the general, you hayelos
or forgotten an order from the kitchen.
Here is indeed new version of the noun
tain and the mouse!"
4 81 know not, gracious sir, what meaning
Co.,, II
cried Betsey, but if a mess of green peas
beseech you, sir, not to taste of them!"
ssWherefore, Mistress Blessing?" asked
Washington, in his sternest manner.
''Ihe peas will be poisoned"
How know you this?" demanded the
general, in the tone which made his soldiera
quail when they heard it. "Speak and see
that you trifle not with me. Nay, child,
do not fear! If what you say be true, not
you, but the traitor who planned the das-
tardly deed shall suffer!"
"No, mol" retorted, the trembling girl, enc
one must sulfer Is it not enough that
have dared to come into a lions jaws to
tell of the deed, to insure safety for the
designer thereof? Now that have warned
your excellency, permit me to retire from
your distinguished presence"
Gen. Washington gave a signal and in
stantly an armed guard of soldiers respond
: ed
: ARREST this grill" he said, sternly, "ant
e keep her under guard until such time a,
: she send for me to confess her fault"
i 1'That will / never, though / die in pris
on!" was the defiant reply, as the girl, wht
= had entered bowed and weeping, raised he
head proudly, and walked out with the sol
diers like a young queen.
All was tumult in the kitchens at Rich
mond Hill, and cooks were running abou
getting into one another's way, when ,
/ fair-haired youth in the garb of serving
: man loitered in and made his way unob
: served to the great fireplace, where he un
: covered the skillets in which the vegetable
were smmering on the hearth. When h
came to that one containing the peas h
dropped in handful of some condiment
and instantly took his departure.
> His next appearance was under the win
:, dow of that room in which Mistress Bles
j sing was incarceYated
j. "H-i-s-t! Sweetheart! The dose is ready
4 Keep heart until the morrow, when Wi
myself release thee to ride pick-a-back O.
my roam horse. 1t is told in the town tina
Betsey Ann Blessing is arrested for a spy
/, Aeep up your courage, sWSeIASaig "
!. I'll you would befriend me, betake YOU
9 sell to some safer place" whispered Be-
l, sey's voice through the barred window hig
|. above him GA halter will be ready for you
e neck if you are seen or suspected, an
e listen-if you. dose takes effect, you are n
n longer lover Of mine!"
!, The youth went away, grumbling abou
: all being fair in love and war.
> If Washington was different from h
usual self at that historic dinner, the fas
has not been recorded. There was muc
o secret discussion of weighty affairs wit
l. his guests, and he gave close attention
J. the viands set before him. 1t was not, hov
+ ever, until the vegetables were served thu
a he made any allusion to the food. When h
= favorite vegetable, dish of green pea
was uncovered, he demanded attention, an
d when all was silent remarked in lou
voice:
'There is death in the pot!"
20 A great excitement ensued; the guest
n who were in full uniform, drew the
swords, and murmurs of death to the ira
., tori We're heard on every side.