The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-02-22
aBETSEY BLESSING.

The summer OF the year 1776. when
the American army was stationed in
New York, the commander.in-chie
Gen. Washington, was INDUCING In
brief resting spell aftsr dinner when
he was approached by an orderly. who
saluted and said:
"A young woman VINO calls herself
Betsey Ann Blessing would have speech
with your excellency."
"Betsey Ann Blessing?" repeated
Washington. with momentary show
OF irritation: who is she, and why
may she not defer her business till the
morrow! l warrant me that her lover
tE prisoner OF war. and she IL ready
to swear that he is loyal whig! What
think you, Holdfast?"
If it please your excellency, she is
well favored, as far as could know
j from her crying, for she Is in sore
trouble
Aye! ! am true soothsayer! Cry
ing, Is she? Show her in, Holdfast,
and see that the guard trouble her not.
y misdoubt my own judgmer-.. in CIV
Ing audience to strangers in these
Eoublous times. 1t mayhap that Miss
tress Blessing prove traitor In dis
guise.''
The orderley soon returned, usher
Ing In girl SO young she appeared
like child, and indeed acted like one.
tor no sooner did she stand In the
s nf fhon CHI
seized his hand-that hand Of stalwart
proportions - and dropping on her
knees kissed it with the ardor OF
devotea Meanwhile the tears streamed
down her face in piteous torrents, and
her form shook with suppressed emo
lions
Washington had a tender heart. ana
he was greatly distressed by this un-
usual scene.
tngton, In his hndest manner, tell me
what brings you hither. and what your
errand may bel"
II came hither to save your excel
lency's lifel" was the startling re-
Spouse.
It Is matter of history that Gen.
Washington never disdained the sim
.plest 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
q 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
!; dine with several officers Of your COM
8nand, andcr guard!"
How do you know that, girl7"
asked Washington. much surprised.
-Your excellency will lay certain
plans against the enemy before the
company!
.Prooeed!" commanded Washington,
sternly.
Among the dishes set before your
! excellency VIII be new vegetable, OF
which you are very fond"
'Ah." laughed the general, you,
have lost or forgotten an order p
the kitchen. Here indeed ia
version 81 the mouata,~>
n know net, gracious sir, what
meaning that hath OF the mountain and
the mouse" cried Betsey, but il {.
mess OF green peas be served at table
Ion the morrow. beg and beseeeh yea,
/ sir, not to taste Of them!"
Wherefore. Mistress Blessing?"
asked Washington. In his steruest
manner.
The peas viii be poisoned"
How do you know this?" demanded
4 the general, in the tone which made
his soldiers quail when they heard 1t.
Speak. and see that you triae not
with me. Nay. child. do not fear! II
what yon say be true, not you. but the
traitor who planned the dastardly
deed. shall suffer-"
No. moi" retorted the trembling
= girl, mo one must suffer! Is it not
enough that have dared to come into
"a lions jaws to toll 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
z distinguished presence"
Gen Washington gave signal, and
instantly an armed guard Of soldiers
responded.
Arrest this grit" he said, sternly.
and keep her under guard until such
time as she sends for NE to confess her
FAULT"
THAT win never. though 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.
All was tumult IN the kitchens at
Richmond ELL. and cooks were run.
ming about getting into one another's
way. when fair-haired youth In the
garb Of serving-man loitered In and
made his way unobserved to the great
i -