The Washington times., 1902-06-01

t was great company. and you with
your dirty apron on at the time! Lord
love ye. Henry. ye will never move up
in life with ye-''
MY dear. good woman cried I again.
said they aught else? Think! Caust
remember anything OF their return
Not much" grunted the old lady.
ITO think that Henry should have talked
with the great man in his apron and his
old breeks."
What said they. madam? Tell me.
and Henry shall have new apron; aye,
and another pair Of breeks."
"of good corduroy"
"Yes. yes, And two pairs"
why little enough said they; but 1t
seems to me that did hear the big man
speak as how they'd come home by the
upper road"
"Here-here, man, Here's that will
buy thee breeks with four legs, and now.
in Gods name. which way lies the upper
rcad?"
The horse was half done up. but twas
little more than another quarter OF an
hour when had by their direction. got
him into a small country lane--rutted
as only such lanes in this country as
ours can be-that ran northward. and
should bring me to the upper road.
And heartless ride it was to join
that highway. I love a horse. more
especially a good one. and always have.
And the pace put that good animal to
had its effect on me. I talked to him.
II let him drink at every stream we
forded. But go he must, and did, at the
liong-reaching gallop. And then. with
surprising suddenness. we came out on
the unmistakable highway. of to the
eastward struck the clang of a church
bell-one-two-three- turned
that way. and stopped under a creaking
sign in the midst OF a village. Good
news this time, No doubt of them they
had passed here the night before. Hour
after hour we pushed on. till at last
We reached the great road running up
and down the Hudson. 1t was then after
5 o'clock. and daylight had begun to
warm the morning air. Still there lay
ten miles to Fishkill.
1t was done in less than an hour. The
horse grew into my heart with his steady
nerve. No sign at headquarters. The
commander had been there, tired, and
ready to rest. when he had been called
south to the headquarters of the West
Point commander. And so on / went to-
ward the Robinson house
1t was close upon 9 O'Clock as made
the old house close under the side of
Sugar Loaf, and turned up into the
drive that led to the side door. II was
patent to the eye that something un-
usual was going on. Horses stood about.
held by orderlies. On the piazza
walked several officers. aides. as
guessed, talking together, and voices
could be heard from within, Just as
pulled up. came the pitiable shrek of
woman.
No one paid the slightest attention
to me; and, dismounting. 1 started TO
Iun to the door. when the good horse.
who had carried me so far. quietly lay
down without a groan. could not
pause. for felt that II stood still long
the nerve would be lacking to set me
moving again. II does not behoove a
man to magnify his own doings by tell
ing OF his troubles, but 'tis no weakness
in me to say that I walked into that
house. pushing aside several men who
would have stopped me. in kini OF
dream. Each in turn looked at me, and |
then, as | pushed him aside without a |
word. | caught an exclamation. but met |
no further resistance from him.
So on into a great. long. low dining |
room. One look told me my chief was
found; the huge. somber man. the great
face with its sad eyes, the wide, straight |
mouth-there he stood by the window.
At the moment of my entrance he turned |
and said to n military companion in a
cdini. self possessed voice. that was still |
full Of GRIEF aud sorrow:
General. whom can We trust now?"
Then the three occupants OF the room
turned and saw me.
What do you here, sir?" asked the
stern voice of him just called general"
II must speak with the Commander
ir-Chief at once. SIR" answered.
You cannot now. Retire at once,"
lone moment. Knox said deep
voice. Then. turning to me. Washington
added. Here he is. my man. What is
it,"
Your excellency." said I. looking at
the others. II have something OF the
greatest Importance to say to you
We'll. say it quickly. These gentle
men may hear anything l can
At this moment all heard again that
wcmans shrek. The generals face was
Immediately overcast with q look OF
pain.
You said that some one was with
Mrs. Arnold, Knox, did you not?" he
asked.
Yes. general. The maids are with
her, and man has gone across for
physician.
Now. young man. speak up" said
Washington again.
Il overheard. night before last. con-
versation. your excellency. between-a
British ofiicer-Major Andre" i
who is captured and in custody"
interrupted Washington.
"And-and-" hesitated-
"Well?"
"Aand Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold
who has this morning escaped to the