New-York tribune., 1903-03-03


pp zsG Ferris 4 Leach.
Full Of 'salarurns," OF marchings and counter
snarchings is this journal written by Clever
pretty, merry little girl Of sixteen during tne
winter tn which the British troops MADE Ter
rnantown and Philadelphia places which par
ticularly ardent patriots preferred to aVOio'
Daniel wister, c well to do Phiiadeipnia mer-
chant took his wife and children in the autumn
>. d. 4s-ro near Germantown where lived some
connections by marriage; and there hls eloer
daughter set down for the delectation OF giri
friend. Debby Norris the daily incidents OK neF
life She quantity chronicles heT various
'scares" when the British were supposed 10 Oe
approaching notes punctiliously the coming anu
going Of the American soldiers In the nAsnOO
hood and in her own way shows tnAt sne -
a sturdy little patriot; but she Is 700 SoU1e
10 be seriously concerned about the Tragedy OF
nav That Was the winter In which Washing
TOMS shoeless men left their adjacent camp TO
,,zrch with bloody feet over the frozen roads
to Valley Forge. Bright little Saly InerelS
records the fact that the army has gone INTO
Writer quarters there, and adds what eVloenuy
seened to her of much more Importance: I'VE
shall not see many Of the military now we
.hau he very intimate with solitude. am
afraid stupidity will be 8 frequent guest Inc
greater part of her journal is devoted to the
o4csrs ousrtered in the farmhouse or visiting
there. TO their polite and gallant attentions 10
her and her friend Lyddy, and her regret "hen
4he nleasautest and most sentimental OF tnem
70 OF to meet the foe
At first the appearance Of the mlIi'aFy'
xstrIots though they were, nightly scar q
Miss Sally; MY teeth ratified. says sne' anu
my hand shook like an aspen lear; out sne
cheers ND TO encourage her young friend IN
scrFx lxira
your resolution, call Fortitude to your alo'
a,6 don't suffer your spirits to sink my dear;
fbere.s nothing like courage; tits what stano
fn need of myself Saily's own spirits rise
betirnes when group Of charming onlcerS
come to stay in the house-'very peacapIe sort
Of men" she declares ''They eat like otner
folks. talk like them and behave with ele-
esance" while Somnus embraces them and the
house is still" the Quaker maid sits down TO
describe their various perfections to the other
maiden. One 'is the most amiable Of men;
tai and Senteel," the following lines will more
fully characterize him:
How skilled he is in each obliging art.
The miidest manners with the bravest heart"
Another IS ..nonstrous tall and brown. but
has a certain something IN his face and con-
versstjon very agreeable" All very nice, but
here comes the glory, the Major so bashful'
81 <.roous etc He cannot be extolPd
for the graces of person. but for those OF the
mind he may Justly be celebrated; ne Is large
4n his person, manly, and an engaging couh-
fenance and address," The so basnfuI ana
SO famous Maryland major of nineteen years
has q very pretty notion Of courtesies to the
PENNSYLVANIA bellies. Pray, ladies'" he says
lis there any songs in that book? ana they
'talk'd and laugh'd for an hour. He has the
softest voice never pronounces the r at all
Pretty Sally wister's heart was touched, that
is certain; the entries concerning Major Stod-
dert's amability, cevernezs and good sense
grow more and more frequent He has by his
unexceptionable department" she artlessly re-
marks. ''engag'd my esteem She thinks rev
young fellows OF the modern age" are exempt
from vanity which she does not find In the
fortunate major. "Oh vanity. vanity" cries
this sage of sixteen, how boundless is thy
sway" Mr. Paymaster Tills is another bashful
but amusing youth, " no is so beclouded by the
charms OF the major that Sally and Lyddy have
no compunctions about joining the latter in
playing q Joke on him. There was queer, life
size, painted wooden figure OF a British grena-
der in the house brought from Uncle Miles's
on purpose to divert U.S." This martial figure
the conspirators stood at the hall door; the
girls carried. of an apronful Of swords and
pistols" and waited the stair landing.
The gentlemen were very merry and chatting
on public affairs, when Seaton's negro open'd
the door candle in his hand, and said: There's
somebody at the door that wish wishes to see you"
Yes sir" answered the boy.
They all rose (the major. he afterward
said, almost dying with laughing) and walked
into the entry, Tilly first, in full expectation
Of news.
The first object that struck his view was a
British soldier. In moment his ears were
ssluted with SIS there any rebel officers here?"
in laundering voice
Not waiting for a second word he darted like
lightning OF the front door, through the
yard bolted DER the fence Swamps, fences,
thorn hedges and pIough'd fields. no way i'm
2TSSG @Sich nls Say did he go? Stop himI Surround
to join in the general laugh. 1 walked into
JeEse's parlor. There sat poor Stoddard d.
almost convulsed with laughing, rolling in an
armchair. He said nothing; I believe he could
not have spoke.
Major Stodard," said I, "go call TiIly back.
He VIII lose himseIf-lndeed he wilr': every
word interrupted with ''Ha! Ha!' At last
ne rose and went to the door and what a loud
voice could avail in bringing him back he tried.
Figure to thyself this Tflly, Of snowy even
ing, hat, shoes down at heel hair untyd.
flying across meadows, creeks and muo-holes.
Flying from what? Why. bit OF painted wood.
But be was ignorant of what it was. The idea
OF being made a prisoner wholly engrossd his
mind, and his last resource was to run.
After while. we being in rather more COM
po5ures and our bursts Of laughter less frequent
yet by no means suhGi6ed-in full assembly of
girls and ofacer-TfIly entered.
The greatest part Of my risibilty turned to
pity. Inexpressible confusion had taken entire
ksneinE disheveird down his shoulders all
gplsshed with mud: yet his fright, confusion
and race had not divested him Of his beauty.
He sn1IrG as he tTip'd up the steps; but twas
vexation PLACID it on his features. Joy at that
moment was banishe6 from his heart
where have you been, Mr. Ttily?" askd one
officer CVVe girls were slent1
Il really trnagin'd," said stodard, "that you
were going for your pistols I fonow'd you
to prevent danger"-an excessive laugh ct
aarh ouesffon which Il was impossible to re-