The National tribune., 1901-03-07


'Shw from one of my sturdy supporters
induced me to be silent. SoIGa one was
approaching the house, and hastily clam
bering down from my perch, we hid our
selves under the Stoop which led up to
the front door. Scarcely had we en-
sconced ourselves in this convenient shell
ter when we heard the footsteps of the
newcomer, and, to our satisfaction, he
stopped in front of the house, and ascend
ing the steps rang the bell and in short
time was admitted.
By this time we were drenched to the
skin-the rain had fallen in copious show
ers, and during all the time We had been
exposed to its dampening influences-but
paying but little heed to this, we again
took our position in front of the window,
and was soon remounted upon the shoul-
| ders OF my operatives, prepared to take
| notes of what transpired.
As the visitor entered the parlor and
seated himself, awaiting the appearance
OF the lady of the house, | Immediately
| recognized him as an officer Of the Regu-
lar Army, whom / had met that day for
the first time. He was Captain Of in
fantry, and was in command of one of the
stations of the Provost Marshal, and not
desiring to divulge the real name of the
gentleman, who has since died, / will call
him Capt. Ellison.
He was tall, handsome man, of a
commanding figure and about 40 years OF
age. He had removed his cloak, and as
he sat there in his blue uniform, and in
the full glare of the gaslight, he looked
a Yeritable ideal soldier. AS l watched
him closely, however, j noticed that there
was troubled, restless look upon his face;
he appeared ill Mt ease and shifted ner-
yously upon his chair, as though impa-
tent for the entrance of his hostess. In
few moments Mrs. Greenhow entered
ls,1t n4...l
knowledged her salutations with a courtly
bow, while his face lighted up with pleas
ure as he gazed upon her.
Just at this moment | again received a
warning from my supporters, and hastily
jumping to the ground, we hid ourselves
until the pedestrians had passed out of
sight and hearing. When | resumed my
station the Captain and Mrs. Greenhow
were seated at table in the rear part
of the room. and their conversation was
carried on in such low tones that, in con-
sequence Of the storm that was still rag
ing, / could catch but fragmentary sen
| tences. At last, however, accustoming
| myself to the noise, / heard enough to
| convince me that this trusted officer was
| then and there engaged in betraying his
| country, and furnishing TO his treasonably-
| inclined companion such information re
garding the disposition Of our troops as he
possessed.
Presently he took from an inner poke.
| OF his coat a map which, as he held it uI
before the light, | imagined that / could
| identify as a plan of the Notifications in
and around Washington, and which also
| designated contemplated plan of attack
| My blood boiled with Indignation as
| witnessed this scene, and | longed to rusI
| into the room and Strangle the miscrcan'
where he sat, but 1 dared not utter 6
| word, and was compelled to stand by, witt
the rain pouring down upon me, and 81
lently witness this traitorous proceeding
After watching their movements fol
some time, during which they would FIRE
quently refer TO the map before them, al
| Though pointing out particular points ol
| positions, l was again compelled TO hide
myself under the shelter of the convenient
stoop, and when L resumed my position
the room was empty. The delectable cou
pie had disappeared. j waited impatiently
for more than an hour, taking occasiona
glimpses into the room and watching fol
their temperance. At the end of thai
time they re-entered the parlor arm il
arm, and again took their seats.
Again came the warning voice, anC
| again | hastily descended, and as the re
treating figures disappeared in the dis
tance ! could hear the front door open anC
the step of the traitor Captain above me
With whispered goodnight, and some
thing that sounded very much like kiss
| he descended the steps, and then, without
paying any attention to the fact that
was without shoes, started in pursuit OF
him, and through the binding mist and
relting storm kept him in view as he rap
| idly walked away. 1t was then about
| 1870 o'clock. and the storm showed nc
sign of a discontinuance.
I was not sufficiently acouafnted witt