Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-07-06

u4SAt tuSss tNO Heu CduC aSa4u "4N
one of them told me he wanted all of
my family to 60 to bed early, and that
when they should get ready to leave,
which might be late, they would call
me to let them out
"Well, Friend Craig, l sent the
whole family early to bed, as request
ed to do, but I myself felt very anxious
to know what was going on of so mnch
importance, and so l did what I never
did before-took off my shoes, walked
on tip-toe to the door of the room
where these men were, put my ear to
the key-hole, and listened, and heard
what have informed thee Of
God bless you, Lydia Darrah, for
a noble woman - said the colonel, with
excited warmth; perhaps you have
saved our countrywide knows? For
had this plan succeeded, which we will
now defeat, and General Washington
been taken prisoner, l much fear our
cause would have been hopeless.
Il will make haste to finish my
story, for thee must ride fast to George
Washington. After hearing what l
have said, l stole back to my room,
trembling at the importance OF what |
had heard When the men, soon after,
knocked on my door for me to get up
and let them out, pretended to be
asleep, and they had to knock three
times. Then l came out, rubbing my
eyes, and saw them of. But l slept
none that night, for thinking what |
ought to do; and l did not dare to tell
my husband for fear the secret might
get out wanted to get the informa-
tion to George Washington, and save
great many lives, but for some time
I could not see my way clear to do it.
At last it occurred to me that might
90 to Frankford for some -four, if
the man Howe would give me a pass
out of town. | went over to him and
he gave it. Then l told William and
my family that would 60 alone to
Frankford for the flour, which greatly
surprised them and caused much re-
monstrance. But did 60 alone, and
thee sees, friend, how much l have
since strayed beyond the mill"
In due time Lydia Darrah returned
home with her flour, secretly trembling
at all she had done, and the fear Of
discovery. The night following she
lay awake and heard the heavy, SOL
emn tramp, tramp, tramp, Of the Brit
ish troops, as they marched past her
window, and on out of the city, to sur
prise, defeat and capture the army for
whose success she had not only often
prayed, but had so lately periled more
than life.
When, a few days after, these same
troops returned, Lydia Darrah dared
not ask the question she was the most
anxious to have answered, lest her
emotion might betray her. Soon after
the Acknowledgement called upon her
and said
Madam, will you do me the favor
to enter my room, that I may ask you
few important questions?"
Lydia Darrah, believing her secret
discovered, either by chance or betray-
al, turned deadly pale, and almost
tainted with terror; but fortunately the
officer took no notice Of her emotion,
and soon recovering herself she deter
mined to boldly brave out the worst.
She therefore went to his apartment
with firm step, nor showed any signs
of trembling when she saw him lock
the door.
Now, madam, he said, with stern
and stately dignity, as he handed her
a seat and stood facing her, 81 beg you
will answer me truly, as if your life
were at stake Who was the last per-
son up of your family on thelast night
l was closeted in this room with bro
ther oficer?"
Myself" was the firm and quiet
reply of Lydia Darrah.
"Are you certain, madam"
"Quite-for thee requested me to
send all the family to bed by 8 o'clock,
and I did SO, myself going last. ="
"You would be willing to swear to
this, madam ?"
I'VE Friends never swear, returned
the other, with dignity; "but thee has
my word for the fact.
"Well," returned the officer, with
an air of chagrin, q do not under
stand it. You, I know, were asleep,
for I myself knocked three times at
your door before | could rouse you.
We that night laid plan to attack
and capture General Washington and
his army; but by some means, unknown
to me, he got news of our design, and