Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-02-13

POUNDS! JAMES, WHAT DO o TH1NK OF
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 Wal 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 I can do is
to send you her letter, since there is
nothing in it I can use!
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:
try about. for a 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 nave Pleasure in
learning that your little sister is improv-
ing much in the Art Of Needlework. L
wish that you might see the nice Bit of
Sewing that I had the Honour of doing
upon the Top Coat Of the Elder of these
Two Gentlemen, who la both gone to
Boston by this stage. 1t was in the
Sleeve Of his Top Coat. near the Shout
der; and he declared when 1t was Done
that it was impossible to discern where
the Rent had been.
If you Should chance to meet this Gen.
tleman, I 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
q ~ OlCdh1dSL d luC ILL lue 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 a sharp knife. in
the topcoat e the shoulder.
The young Ia examined it closely.
II should say" said he. that you had
been completely outwitted and doubt
lessly made a 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 sleeve!!" said the other.
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 Il
letter from her brother John contain
ing these words:
Your Gingerbread. which / doubt not
was very Good. never arrived. Only by
the kindness Of the Enemy's 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 a most
Ingenious one. I managed to secure the
Paper without other trouble h cutting
the cloth. Your woman's Wit. I verify
believe. did save your Brothers Life.
A small sealed packet. addressed to
Mistress P. Day. Boatman's Tavern.
at the Ferry, West Springfield.
Masstts.." arrived about a month Later
from New York. 1t contained a quaint
ly engraved locket bearing a minia-
ture portrait of the donor. George
Washington. The message with 1t read
simply:
In token OF the Commanders apprecia-
ton of a valuable Service. faithfully and
successfully performed.