The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-03-12

room, where she read with eagerneSS
the following letter:
Newburg. n York, 81 March, 1871.
To Mistress p. Day:
In behalf of the Command of which VT
Brother Capt. Day is an esteemed Mem
Der, I beg TO express the pleasure his
Company has found in the frequent evil
dence OF your Loyalty and Handiwork
which have been sent to US. Hardly
less than the warm blankets and the hose
furnished by you and your Thoughtful
Friends. your own most savory loaves OF
Gingerbread are worthy of special men
ton. Permit me to remark that those
who aid in making the lot of my soldiers
happier in their camp-life are comforting
special favor upon VI Most obi. Hble
Servt., G. WASHINGTON.
Com ding.
At this time two strangers, one elder
ly, the other middle aged, were guests
at the old river tavern where Polly
lived with her Aunt Nancy.
When Washington's messenger arriy-
ed, they had been two weeks under
Aunt Nancy's hospitablc roof. They
had announced an intention to go to
Boston by the following mornings
coach, and Polly's first thought was to
ask one of them to carry her brothers
message.
But the more she thought of it the
more she distrusted the austere stran-
gers.
NO, no." she said to herself, 1T
would not he safe. But l see Calebs
roam horse at the blacksmith'S. l will
get him TO carry my little box of gin
gerbread to John in Boston"
She started through the garden gate.
and there she met In the narrow path
the elder of the two guests of the tav-
ern
Mistress Polly" he said quickly, Il
have sadly torn the sleeve of my top
coat. If l might make bold TO ask your
service. Will you mend 1t for me before
go?"
Certainly. good Sir" she replied Il
shall be glad to do SO as soon as re
turn from an errand to the blacksmith
shop" And on she went.
caleb" she said with almost defer
ence as il she were talking to Wash
ington himself, Il want to send box
Of gingerbread to my brother John In
Boston by tomorrow stage. If he
cannot he found at Uncle James Dag
gets inn on Market square, you may
learn there where he is. You must put
it into his hands yourself, remember"
Caleb gladly consented and after
few minutes chat Polly trippcd back
across the field.
,f,,t L,r
watched her as she went Their entire
conversation had been overheard by a
young man with red hair who had
come by the last stage from New
York
ooh, if | only had more time to
think what is best 20 be done"
thought poor Polly as she sat down TO
write to her brother.
Her face reflected the gravity Of her
thoughts as she fulfilled her promise OF
mending the torn topcoat in the twi-
light that evening. Both of the two
strange guests were present. and so
was Aunt Nancy. For some moments
the elder guest watched her deft fin
gers in silence Then, fixing his eyes
upon her face, he said quietly:
Il hope the young nam who came to
day brought you no bad tidings?'
"Oh, none at all" said Polly quietly.
81 VIII tell you why l asked" he
went on after a moments pause. ITO
night from where l sit l have twice
seen a young man about the same age
Of the one who called today approach
the rear of the house as If looking for
some one. Does he LOOK for you?"
Polly started percoptlbly. \ response
was on her lips whcn-crash! down
came an earthen bowl in which a plant
was blooming. 1t had been knocked
frol some upper window, and It's frag
IN is scattered close to the doorstep
in he hard, smooth garden walk.
Polly Day! Who's in your room?"
cr.ed Aunt Nancy.
The older guest started up the stair
ly and reached the upper landing
Ist in time to see a slender young man
half run, half slide, down the long slop-
ing rear roof.
After the premises had been thor
anu lht Bull tAClltu
old lady had been led back to her seat
Polly held up small, square parcel
which the intruder had dropped as he
sprang from the roof.
See" said Polly, holding up the
package. THE man only tried TO get
the box Of gingerbread that had all
ready to send to Brother John by to-
morrow's coach. Poor man! Perhaps
he was hungry"
Caleb called bright and early the next
day for his two passengers and the par
eel. The neat little package for Cap
tain John Day was stored carefully
away in tha leather Stage box upon
which the driver sat. The rcd headed
man SIT by Caleb Oh the box
"llajor. what th.u, .pu "a. tnr OWE
side passenger Said ''' =. a,ae ~
the two guests.
81 did no %
"He is Cr""r
what: q. HJ
are deceived
stand
"What dn .uH