Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-02-16
Washington'S Birthday Dinner.


Under Martin Roherbaek 8 tattered
blouse there beat sturdy, patriotic
heart that knew not the meaning of
fear, and had known not the meaning
of love until the Continental army
marched into Philadelphia in the fall
of l777. It was in Philadelphia that
Martin met Beccy Sharp, demure
little Quaker lass, who returned Mar
tin 8 ardent New Amsterdam affection,
even though she could not bring her
self to approve fully Of the uniform
he wore when that uniform meant the
shed ing of mems blood.
So long as Lord Howe left the Con-
tinental troops in possession of Phila'
delphia Martin cared not whether the
war waged elsewhere or not. Solong
as he was free to 90 and come between
Beccy's house md the camp he was
entirely satisfied with his lot, nor did
he mind the little lectures he received
from her on the evils of war and the
virtues of brotherly love. He was
content to be soldier under such con-
ditions, even though his being one
served no better purpose than the CIV
ing of Beccy something to lecture him
about, for it was great pleasure to
hear Beccy talk
But Lord Howe was not content
that the Continental army should en-
Joy the comforts of city life. Phila-
delphia offered opportunities as win
ter resort which he coveted, and
Washington's tattered army not being
strong enough to successfully resist,
they were forced to march away to
the desolate camp beside the schuYl-
kill at Valley Forge.
Deep down in his heart Martin re-
belled at such a necessity, but there
was nothing to do but go, and go he
did. At any rate, thought he, it is
not so bad, for Valley Forge is but IA
miles from Philadelphia, and that Is
not much of walk. He did not re-
member the double line of sentries
between himself and Bescy, or if he
did he snapped his fingers at them.
A week after camp was made at
Valley Forge Martin asked psrmis-
sion to visit Philadelphia, and was
promptly refused.
ITO be gobbled up by the British,
eh!" cried his captain. mo, they
have enough of our soldiers now, and
you will stay here.
Protestations Of his ability TO go
back and forth through the British
lines without being detected were of
no avail, and he stayed, but only to
ask again the second week. Again
he was refused, but week after W. elk
the request was repeated.
In February there came messen-
ger from Philadelphia into the camp,
and he brought with him a dainty
feminine note for Martin. 1t said
many things, to be sure, but it said
more pointedly than anything else
that Martin should find way to see
Beccie Sharp if he still loved her, and
that Martin proposed to do with or
without permission, as might be ne
cessary. At the first favorable op-
portunity he repeated his request for
permission to visit Philadelphia,
promising in return information as to
the enemy stationed there.
"And be hung for spy," said the
captain. "No, here you are and here
you will stay. The general needs no
information about Lord Howe and his
roysterers in Philadelphia that you
could get"
But Beccy's little note tucked safe
ly away in the pocket of his blouse
kept his heart in a tumult. Fighting
for ones country was all light, be
thought, but ones country should not
demand too much. There could not
possibly be any harm in his going to
the city for day or two, and so leave
his share of the scanty store of pro-
visions for his hungry comrades, and
be went.
1t was early in the forenoon when
Martin turned into the street where
Beccy lived, and raped at her door.
He had slipped away from the camp
long before it was light, and he in
tended being back again that even
ing. If he should do that it was quite
possible that he might escape detec-
ton, for he was on special duty and
did not have to answer roll calls reg.
ularly.
But love laughs at good Intentions
l