The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-04
81 Want Nv Cow,

It was late in the fall, l think, OF LOO
that foraging party from me br ,,.is',1
the farm OF Major Rudolph at Darby.
Having supplied themselves well With pro-
vender they were about to begin their re-
turn march when one OF tns s Snt , ,a
came Into the lane leading to the barn
yard. and poor Sukey was at once taken
for the Use of the company.
Now this COW was Il line one, the pride
OF the farm, and was claimed by Annie
ttudolph, the daughter of the house, ageo
twelve When she learned OF the capture
she made dash for, her pet, but she
found thcimen deaf to her entreaties and
the sergeant proof against her storm OF
anger. So the high-spirted child rushed
over to the stables, saddled her pony ana
was soon .galloping OFF toward the city,
in-chief OF the British army himself for
tho life OF her favoritc. Meanwhile poor
Sukey ttpdgcd along. her steps quickened
bayonet in her wcll-rounded side. TO reach
the city before the foraging party was
the one thought OF the child as her pony
went flying along the old chester at
pace that soon brought her within the
British lines. She was halted at the first
j outpost by the guard and the cause OF her
hot haste was demanded. The child re.
pcated:"I must see the general at once e..
~. But the general cannot be disturbed FOR
every trifie Tell metyour business, and II
4 Important will have It reported to him."
s ut Is Of great Importance. and i cannot
and tell me where to find the general.
..But. my little girl, cannot let you pass
until You tell me where you come from
and what Is your business II come from
Darby. and my business Is TO see the gem
eral al once. No one else can tell him
what 1 have to say ~
Seeing her SO persistent the officer hnnl-
~ thought that she might have news for
the general. Lord CORVALLIS, from some.
family near who were secret friends OF the
king. as often happened In those times.
General Washington was in the neighbor-'
hood with his rag cd regiments, patiently
watching 10 strike another blow for the
liberties OF the colonies. Il So calling an
orderly he directed him to escort the little
girl to the comnla1ider-in-cnier. II was
Lord cornwallls was al dinner with a
number Of his officers when "a little girl
fro mthe country with message for the
81 general" was announced. 3558
fsa Let her come In 1T. once said the gen.
eral, and few minutes later Annie ku-'
Bdolph entered the great tent For a mo-.
4 ment the girl hesitated, overcome perhaps
by the unexpected brilllancy Of the scene.
asserted itself and 10 her CORVALLIS, in
fun dinner costume and surrounded by
his brilliant conpa nions, was only the.
power that could save her COW from the
butchers knife OF course. CORVALLIS
was expecting some news OF the war.
We'll, my little girl, i am General Corn
wallis, what have you to say to me y II
want my COW, 553
Then camo burst Of laughter from the
gentlemen around the table The girls
) face Redeemed. and by her features and
flashing eyes She convinced the general
that the child wa OF no ordinary spirit.
& "A few words OF kindness quickly made
i her feel more at ease Then, with ready
tact. the general drew from her nara.
ton Of her grievance.
why did not your father attend to this
for5you?" he asked. MY father Is not at
home now. And have you no brothers
for such an Grand. instead OF your com
ing yourself into a British camp?" .Both
Of my brothers are away. But, general.
kill my COW: 80 your brothers also. are
away from home. Now tell me. my child,
where can they be found 2" my Oldest
!. brother. Captain John Rudolph Is With
General Gates, ana captain Michael Ku-
dolph Is with Light Horse Harry Lee.
brother with Gates and one with Lee.
y Now where Is your father r. Ne was
with General Washington, but he Is now
ali in the Continental army! think, t the,
z you must be. a little rebel" Eyes, sir.'if
you please. am a little rebel. But /
Il want my cow"
Well, you are brave little girl and
more, too. Then lie unfastened from his
carriers pair Of brilliant knee buckles
and laid them in the child's hands. NJ ..raKe
4 these and keep them as a souvenir OF this
told him to go with the child through tho
camp 10 search of her COW, and when
she found itsmake man driye 1t home
Tor her. Annie returned In triumph with
her COW, and those knee buckles are still
treasured by her descendants as a me-
mento OF CORVALLIS and the Revolution.
Mannboro Va n