Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-02-22
BETSEY BLESSING.

Gen. washington, was INDUCING In q
brief resting spell after dinner when
he was approached by an orderly. who
saluted and said:
"A young woman who calls herself
Betsey Ann Blessing would have speech
with your excellency"
"Betsey Ann Blessing7" repeated
Washington. with a momentary show
OF irritation: who is she. and why
may she not defer her business till the
morrow? l warrant me that her lover
Is prisoner of war. and she is ready
to swear that he is loyal whig! What
think you. Holdfast?"
IF 1t please your excellency, she is
well favored. as far as could know
from her crying. for she is in sore
trouble
Aye! I am a true soothsayer! Cry
Ing, Is she? Show her in, Holdfast,
and see that the guard trouble her not.
/ misdoubt my own judgmer.. In CIV
Ing audience to strangers in these
troublous times. It mayhap that Miss
tress Blessing prove traitor In dis
guise."
The orderley soon returned, usher
ing In a 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
devotee. Meanwhile the tears streamed
down her face In piteous torrents, and
her form shook with suppressed emo
lions.
Washington had a tender heart. and
he was greatly distressed by this un-
usual scene.
Now. Mistress Blessing, said Wash
ington, in his kindest manner. tell me
what brings you hither. and what your
errand may be-"
II came hither to save your excel
iency's life!" was the startling re-
Spouse.
II Is a matter OF history that Gen.
Washington never disdained the sim
piest detail Of army news, also that
dispatches OF the greatest Importance
were brought to him In the most tri-
vial 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 was
not as weighty as she anticipated.
Thus encouraged. she began her
story.
."On the morrow your excellency Is to
dfrn xxTifh -
mand, under guard?"
How do you know that, girl?"
asked Washington. much surprised.
Your excellency will lay certain
plans against the enemy before the
company"
Proceed" commanded Washington,
sternly.
Among the dishes set before your
excellency will be a new vegetable. or
which you are very fond"
All" laughed the general. you
have lost or forgotten an order from
the kitchen. Here indeed Is a new
version Of the mountain and the
mouse!"
Il know not, gracious sir, what
meaning that hath Of the mountain and
the mouse" cried Betsey. but II s
mess of green peas be served at table
on the morrow, beg and beseech you,
sir, not to taste of them!"
Wherefore, Mistress Blessing?"
asked Washington. in his sternest
manner.
The peas will be poisoned"
a NJ
the general, in the tone which made
his soldiers quail when they heard it.
Speak, and see that you tribe not
with me. Nay, child, do not fear! II
what you say be true. not you. but the
traitor who planned the dastardly
deed, shall suffer-"
mo. not" retorted the trembling
girl. mo one must suffer! Is it not
enough that have dared to come into
a lions Jaws to tell OF the deed to in
sure safety for the designer thereof?
Now that I have warned your excel
lency, permit me to retire from your
distinguished presence"
Gen. Washington gave a signal, and
instantly an armed guard of soldiers
responded.
Arrest this grill" he said, sternly,
and keep her under guard until such
time as she sends for me to confess her
fault"
THAT will l never. though I die in
prison." was the defiant reply, as the
girl, who had entered bowed and weep
ing, raised her head proudly and
walked out with the soldiers like
young queen.
ALI was tumult in the Kitchens at
Richmond Hill. and cooks were run
ming about getting into one another's
way. when a fair-haired youth in tho
garb Of q serving-man loitered in and
made his way unobserved to the great