Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1908-04-28


THAT ~
ly's letter, but there was no sign Of
any communication from General
Washington.
The scrawled note on the wrapping
paper bore neither date nor signature
and read as follows:
The Exigencies of War demanded that
I should open your precious Box; and the
cravings OF Appetite constrained me to
eat up the Uncommonly good Ginger
bread baked by your most Charming sis
ter Mistress Polly The least can do Is
to send you her letter. since there is
nothing in 1t can usel
The idea of my taking several days
Journey into the Interior simply to learn
the information that Mr.. Washington had
written a Note of thanks to a girl But
he was right about the Virtues of the
Gingerbread Never was there better! A
thousand Thanks! A thousand Pardons!
And Farewell!
Polly's letter was mainly a diary of
small events at the tavern since her
brothers. departure. There was much
unimportant information about the
state of Aunt Nancy's health, and then
Polly said:
There must be much Want in the coun-
try about, for poor young man, half
starved, no doubt, tried vainly last night
to steal my box Of Gingerbread, made for
you. There have been two fine Gentle
men staying at the tavern, and that re-
minds me that you will have Pleasure in
learning that your little sister is improv-
ing much in the Art of Needlework.
wish that you might see the nice Bit of
Sewing that had the Honour of doing
upon the Top Coat OF the Elder of these
Two Gentlemen, who have both gone to
Boston by this stage. 1t was in the
Sleeve of his Top Coat near the Shout
der; and he declared when it was Done
that It was impossible to discern where
the Rent had been.
If you should chance to meet this Gen
tieman, trust that you will examine this
piece of my Handiwork; and do not fail
to send me by the Hand of Caleb any
article Of Apparel that you may wish me
to mend against your Return.
Nothing in this innocent note had ex
cited the smallest suspicion on the part
Of the wary spy. But when Captain
John Day read it he made haste to as
certain where the two gentlemen were.
After a refreshing nights sleep and
hearty breakfast at the inn the two
gentlemen, the major and his compan-
ion, prepared to stroll on Boston
Common. AS the weather was cold |
the younger Of the two, called James,
brought down their topcoats.
His comrade, the major, unfolding
his, uttered an exclamation Of surprise
and anger
POUNDS! James, what do you think
of that?" he said, pointing to a slit
evidently made by sharp knife, in
the topcoat near the shoulder
The young man examined it closely.
81 should say" said he, chat you had
been completely outwitted and doubt
lessly made q convenience of by the
little maid at the tavern in Spring |
field. See! Here she sewed the rent |
you had in the garment, and the cut of
this knife goes straight across it!'
''The mink had concealed some mes !
sage in the sleeveg said the other.
"Her brother, the rebel captain, has
been at this house"
"Without doubt, and his majesty's |
officer has been made the emissary of |
the rebel commander"
Polly soon received from Newport a |
letter from her brother John contain
ing these words:
Your Gingerbread. which I doubt not |
was very Good. never arrived, Only by |
the kindness OF the Enemys spy did your |
letter reach me at all. Your plan OF sew |
ing the Generals message to me into the |
very clothing OF a British officer in dis
guise and on parole was indeed most |
Ingenious one. managed to secure the |
Paper without other trouble than cutting |
the cloth. Your woman's Wit, verify !
believe. did save your Brothers Life.
small seated PACKET, addressed 20 /
mistress p. Day, Boatman's Tavern,
at the Ferry West Springfield.
Masstts.," arrived about a month later
from New York. 1t contained quaint
ly engraved locket bearing a NINA
ture portrait of the donor, George |
Washington. The message with 1t read !
simply:
In token OF the Commanders apprecia-
tion Of valuable Service, faithfully and /
successfully performed