Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1900-11-09
SAVANNAH, TENNESSEE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER g. 1900

bmdh lceb anu charming ITdnkHeSs.
There is a great promise here, and
yet, alack! few years hence will
see thee the wife of boor, toiling
among these hills for his daily bread"
He had not spoken with imperti-
nence, but the cheeks of the maiden
Redeemed, and he saw that she was
angry. They walked on for few
rods in silence, and then he halted
and uncovered his head and making q
low bow, he said:
II have hurt thee, and beg for
giveness. Let us talk of other things.
Is the road clear of pickets and pa
triots?"
II believe it is," she answered, mol
lifted by his words, "but if you are
of us you need fear no danger"
"Didst I not tell thee to leave war
to men?" he asked, with laugh.
A few minutes later they came to
where the road branched, and as the
girl halted. she said:
~ go this way to my home, and you
go that way to Tarrytown. Sir, bid
you good day."
But not without clasp of the
hand" he replied, as he extended his
and doffed his hat. "You have made
the walk pleasant for me. l thank
you and wish you happiness. Should
we meet again"
He did not finish. A cloud came to
his face; he looked apprehensively
around, and then forcing smile, he
made grand bow and went his way
down the river road.
"Who can he be?" unused the girl
as she stood and watched him. "Hs
is surely soldier and gentleman
but he is not one of us. Are British
spies men of gentle speech and court
ly manners?"
When she reached home she had
much to say to her mother of the
stranger who had walked with her on
the highway, but she had spoken very
few words when the mother inter.
rupted:
IF the man is a patriot, what was
he doing at the house of tory? Girl
run and tell your father and Van
Vert and Williams. They will have
time to intercept him on the river
road"
Half an hour later the girl appeared
at the big tree on the crossroads and
told her story.
"It isn't likely that British spy
would be walking the highways il
broad daylight" responded the father
"but if he be stranger to these paIts
let us overhaul him. II he be an hon
est man it will do no harm. Come
girl, you may go with us and return
by the road"
The stranger had dallied by the
wayside after the girl had parted
from him. 1t was glorious morning
and the squirrels were gathering their
breakfast from the hazel bushes, and
the wild grapes tempted the wayfarer
to stop here and there. He thus sacri
feed quarter of an hour, and they
were the minutes that saved a nation
The three patriots and the maiden
had scarcely reached the river road
when the stranger came along. He
was humming lively air and switch
ing ut the dusty bushes. At the cry
Of "Halt!" he stopped in his tracks.
He saw only the three men at first
A troubled look came into his eyes
but it passed swiftly away. and HI
smiled as he said:
81 had expected to meet you further
up the road. but it is well. Have yol
encountered any rebels this morn
ing?"
"Then-then you are a kings man?'
asked Paulding.
"Of course, and you are sent t.
meet me-"
The three men looked at him in 81
lence and with very serious faces. HI
was still smiling when the girl stepped
; out into the road. Then his face wen
white in an instant. He had wonder
full self-control, however. The pallo'
!, disappeared and was replaced by {
smile, and, bowling in courtly way
he said:
81 am charmed that we meet again
Men, here is gold to divide betweel
you, and bid you good day."
, "Not SO fast" said Williams, as h
blocked the way. 1--WE must know al
,, about you before you can pass on"
Surely he is soldier aud an Eng
: lishman,' said the girl to herself, bu
|. aloud.
! "Fie, friends. you are ovei-particu
> lar this morning" lightly answers
the stranger, as he again displayed hi
gold. "Take this and let us part il
r peace"
When they sternly demanded infor
nation his hesitation and confusio
aroused suspicion. They insisted on
, search Of his person, and under tn
: soles of his feet were found the docu
ments which told the world that Ber
edict Arnold was traitor.
He said no word when they wer
discovered, but he looked at the maic
en- and bowed and smiled. In his IN
herent gallantry he had praised an
= complimented, and in return she ha
sent him to the gallows as spy. In
girl did not understand this at first
The men had the written proofs b'
: fore them that trusted general ha
bartered his honor for gold, and tina
: the stranger in their grasp was a sp.
q But they were slow-witted and Loaf
q to believe. 1t was hours before the
realized the full measure OF the Grim
!. and then they had less nerve than tn
O one accused.
4 As they led him away from Paul'
7 ing's house he knew every step b
n took was toward the gallows, bu
! bowing to and smiling at the fai
: faced daughter, he kindly and cou
teously said;
ar thorL Won for the favOrS yC