Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-05-03

Here is a pass ready written. GET away
out of the window! I will cover your go
ing" And with that snatched the writ
ing from the table and held it toward her.
BY this time there was violent knocking
at the door and some shouting in the hall,
but, taking no notice of the shortness of time
allowed for her escape, the girl stepped close
to me, and, peering into my face with un-
disguised surprise upon her own counten-
ance, said:
"Are you from Washington?'
"Nay, miss" l answered, 81 am but a
free-lance; not from him, but for him to the
end. Hurry your leaving, and God bless you
for brave lass!"
SBut you-but you'll Must l take the
sacrificed"
81 am already known and outlawed.
Hurry! Heaven help the first man who en-
tiers this room now! If you would prevent
bloodshed, leave at once. l will follow be.
times. Live for your brothers sale Get
gone-get gone!"
Taking the paper had pushed into he1
hand, she gave me a smile that was bene
diction, the memory of which comes to me rs
/ write. Turning, she hastened to the bal
cony. l saw her gather her skirts, climb
over the light iron rail and drop--a matter
easily accomplished, as the window sill was
scarce six feet from the soil of the gar
den below.
And then I turned attention to myself and
my own desperate situation.
There was nothing to do but follow her
Immediately if hoped to escape, but, know
maiden, still held the general so that he
roull no,th o1. nr1y M
and SO continued holding him for perhaps
the space OF minute.
In the meantime the attacks on the door
were becoming more violent, and even the
one through which Clinton had entered was
now being tried. Mrs. Badely, who had been
unattended through the episode, suddenly
recovered her senses and lifted herself up
right on the couch, when, seeing me appar-
emily strangling her lover, she set up a
shrieking that must have driven to despera-
ton those without.
1t was my final moment. Casting quick
look over the table for anything in the mat
ter of writing that might be used as pass,
my eye spied the rolls of money which had
been given me, but nothing else of service
was in sight and there was not an instant to
lose in investigation. Releasing Clinton, I
L lOl Iuc SOlu, SWcpL IL luLO lily DOCK
| ct, and Selling Scammell's cloak as went,
| grasp of Mrs Badely, who made bob at
me and would have hung like leech had
she fastened to my clothing.
| In less than second was over tie rail,
and, landing on the turf, took to my heels,
pointing myself to the earthworks of the
deserted "Oyster Battery" which had been
erected by the Americans exactly in the rear
| of Headquarters and on the edge of the Hud-
| son.
This battery, grass-grown, dismantled, and
neglected as useless by the British, knew
would be no permanent cover, but its en-
bankments made temporary shield betwixt
me and possible shot from the house had
my line of flight been discovered. 1t was
| fair post for minutes observation and re-
Election, and, bounding through an empty
embrasure, lodged down, and then rails
ing my head above the edge of the works,
looked back.
To my astonishment / was not at once
| pursued, though two or three figures ap-
peared at the window had gone through
all others being seemingly deserted. had
to thank the day for my good fortune, as the
| Sabbath was a time for general relaxation,
and were it not for that my chances would
have been next to naught. Few soldiers
were about, corporal's guard only being
before the house when / entered it, but that
there would soon be wild confusion and a
general turning out had small doubts.
The banks of the Hudson at this point
terminated in steep bluff, at the bottom of
which was narrow strip of beach. Once on
the sands, ! might run along screened from
those at a distance, but could easily be
headed and captured like fish in purse
net. took the risk, however, and sliding
down the steep, sped northward for some
ways, coming to the top undiscovered and at
the edge of the burned district.
Into this wilderness of destruction /
plunged, but soon slackened my pace to a
walk to avoid marked observation from
those who inhabited the shanties abound
ing throughout the ruins. was fairly safe
for the present, and decided there to halt
and take stock in myself and circumstances,
especially as I had no definite plans before
/ me-
1t came to me that was now douby
damned-first, as spy; second, for doing
violence to the person of the highest func-
tionary in America. was without means of
escape from the city, and entirely unarmed
l would be hunted like wolf, and with less
mercy from one quarter at least. In short,
though l was then breathing free air, was
in desperate straits and, being so, it took
little reflection to see the necessity for act
ing like desperate man.
came, then, to this decision: would at
tempt return to the tavern, recover my
arms and the paper constructions, the last of
which might at least add weight to my as
sumed character and help me in forcing my
way through the lines-a move that had be-
come imperative, and might be successful if
acted with dispatch. Then to the Dove I
would go, and throw myself under the pro-
lection of Stryker, whom, had reason to
believe, was one of the true men secretly
helping the patriot cause.
OF the brave girl to whom had sacri.
feed the pass ian act did not for mo-
ment regret) thought much. Like me- she
was marked for destruction; like me, she
had now two virulent enemies, for could
not help believing that Mrs Badely was at
the bottom of Clinton's desire to remove her
from field which threatened the social SUI
premacy and interests of that lady. 1 Won
dered how she had Jared and in what direc-
tion she had fled.
But 1 was in no position for long wonder
ment. Rising from my seat, walked on UNI
| (JIlG 4