Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-02-20

Beccy a blushing bruce. Martin started
to leave Philadelphia and work his
way through the British and American
lines again. Well enough he knew
that his absence had been discovered
before that time, and we'll enough he
knew thai a period in the guard-house
was in store for him. But he had
Beccy safe and what cared he for such
trifies as the guari-house.
Martin had slipped by the outer line
Of British sentries safely. and though
he did not now expect to encounter
any trouble with the British, he was
100 good a soldier not to keep a sharp
eye for possible trouble. When. he left
camp he brought his gun away with
him and secreted Il in a hollow log
before he reached the British lines.
1t was q relief to finl the gun still in
the log when he returned for it, and
with 1t over his shoulder he felt more
secure as hetrudged c2mpward through
timber.
He was within two miles of the Con-
t~inental lines when he detected the
figures Of men moving through the
timber some distance ahead of him
Secreting himself in the brush he
awaited developments and al re-
warded by seeing two British soldiers
approaching directly towards him, one
Of whom carried an enormous turkey.
He had faced greater odds than two to
one on many a battlefield, and hesitated
not a moment when they were within
a few feet of him, and with his gun
at the ready" commanded them to
surrender.
Nov" said Marf.n n, when he had
the two soldiers at his mercy, Il Will
make a bargain with You. Tomorrow
is our generals birthday and he needs
he very bird you carry for a dinner
party. In fact. it was to secure it that
| have been in these woods. II you
will deliver the bird to me you can
return to your well provided kitchens
n the city. If you will lot you al
about face and march before me into
camp"
1t was more than a fair bargain that
Martin offered and tne British did not
hesitate in taking advantage of 1t
With many promises of no attempt at
retaliation they PLACID the bird in the
snow and marched away toward the city,
Martin watching them until they were
we'll out of sight in the timber. Then.
taking the turkey under his arm he
again set out for the Continental camp,
which he soon reached.
"Who comes there?' hailed the SEN
try.
"A friend with q birthday dinner for
the general" replied Martin; but the
turkey would o serve as a counter
sign and the officer OF the guard was
called. To him Martin insisted. upon
being taken to the generals headquar-
ters that he might present his prize in
person.
"A birthday dinner to Gen. Wash
lngton with the compliments OF Beccy
| Roherback and the Third New York
foot" said Martin, when ushered into
the presence of the commanding Off
Ger. and with the hope that he will
invite Capt. R~osterhoUse, of that regi-
ment, to eat a birthday dinner with
him"
Then Martin explained Beccy's con,
nection with the presentation and bis
own dereliction from duty. not for
getting a description of Beccy's bright
eyes and rosy cheeks, 1t is needless
to say that Martin did not go to the
guard-house. and tt.st the wrath OF
Capt. Rosterhouse was appeased wher
he was invited to ole with the gen.
eral the next day. which. being Feb
ruary 20. all the army knew was ,ht
great mans birthday