The National tribune., 1900-03-01

just recorded, at about twilight n charm
ing little maiden, apparently about L
wears of age. moHnted upon n par
ticularly smart little pony, rode up to th'
farmhouse of Mr.. John Iisdale. situated
about two miles south of Staunton. Va.
and few hundred yards from the Valley
Pike. She dismouuted gracefully, anc
, approached the front porch, where sh,
was met by Mr.. George Tisdale, the eldel
son of the household, a noble and mos
graceful gentleman
Are you Mr.. John Tisdalc?" inquired
the little maiden
NO" replied George: mfr. John Tisdale
is my father, and is now absent from home
and will not return for several days and
added: Can serve YOU in any way?"
May | see You privately, Mr.. Tisdale?
asked the maiden.
Certainly" replied George; walk into
the parlor."
IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNION.
Entering the parlor with George. she
drew small piece of thickly-foldcd paper
from some secret recess of her clothing
and handed it TO George, rcmarking at
the same time: Il know you now, and You
are George Tisdale, and Y on visited Mill
Creek. Pendleton County, II year or so ago
with your father; but read this note
George unfolded the note and read rs
follows:
MILL CREEK. PENDLETON COUNTY,
W. VA, May IA, 1864.
MY GOOD FRIEND, MR.. JOHN T1S-
DALE: The bearer of this note is Miss
Lucy Morris, and is on secret service Yis-
sion to Staunton III the interest of the
United States Government, whose starry
flag you and ] respect, love, and honor
Aid the young lady all in your power, and
trust her implicitly. She is brave. honest,
and wise for her years.
Your old friend.
CAPT. JOHN MALLOW,
Commanding Swamp Dragons CHome
Guards) of Pendleton County, W. Va.
George having completed the reading
Of the letter, Informed the little maiden that
he was at her service, as the Captain was
an old friend Of his father, and he was
entirely familiar with Capt Mallow's hand
writing, and produced from a drawer a
letter from Capt. MalIow to his father,
john T'isdale.
''Now," said Miss Lucy, 81 have no time
to lose; furnish me at once All ordinary
sized feet horse from your stable. go to
Staunton, and will return i'll two or three
hours"
Then" said George, 'I will write a note
and you can present it in Staunton to Mr..
Nehn, baker, living opposite the Amcri-
can Hotel. Rely upon him"
The horse being saddled with an old side
saddle, long out of use, the maiden mounted
and sped away. Arriving at Staunton,
the female spy easily found Wchn's bakery.
Wchn and his wife peruIsed Georges note,
and We're viSibiy alarmed, and taking the
maiden into a back room hurriedly in
formed her that she must leave Staunton
at once. aS she and her pony had been seen
when she crossed the pike below town
on her way to Tisdalc'S farmhouse. After
being informed of the number of COnfcd
crate troops in and about Staunton. and the
general situation Of affairs, she babe her
friends adicu, and slowly returned by a
different route, passing the door
Df tne PrOvoSt-Marshal'S office. then turn
ing 10 the right past the American Hotel.
and directly rode past Gen. Imboden's
cncampod just behind Il ridge;
then. turning into "a foOipath, she rapidly
reached the main pike, and soon
reached the T'isdala farmhouse, where
she informed George that she must leave
ut once. and repeated the information she
had received from Ir. Wchn Kissing
George on both checks, and heartily shak-
ing his hand, Shcmounted her Stanch and
faithful little pony and was gone, reaching
Mill Creek in safety by way "f the Mennonite
settlement, and actually passing over
Inc ''Spooks' Cmlscway" in the North
Mountain.
UNION MEN CONSCRIPTED.
Events now thiclien rapidly George
i'iSdalc and his brother received from the
Provost Marshal orders to report III Staun-