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

POUNDS! JAMES, WHAT DO You THINK 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 War demanded that
l 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 l can do is
to send you her letter, since there is
nothing in 1t I can use!
The Idea Of my taking several days
journey into the Interior simply TO learn
the information that Mr.. Washington had
written Noto OF thanks to a girl! But
he was right about the Virtues Of the
Gingerbread, Never was there better,
thousand Thanks! 4 thousand Pardons
And Farewell.
Fo!ly's letter was mainly a diary OF
small events at the tavern since her
brothers departure There was much
unlmportant Information about the
state of Aunt Nancy's health, and then
Polly said
There must be much Want In the coun-
try about for a poor young man, half
starved, no doubt tried yanly 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 mo that YOU Will have Pleasure IN
learning that your little sister is improv-
ing much IN the Art OF Needlework I
wish that You might see the nice Bit Of
Sewing that I had tho 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 Il was impossible to discern where
the Rent had been
II you should chance to meet this Cen
tleman. / trust that you will examine this
piece Of my HandIwork and do not fail
to send me BY tho 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
a 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 n slit,
evidently made by a sharp knife, In
the topcoat near the shoulder
The young man examined it closely.
Il 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.
"Her brother, the rebel captain. has
been at this house"
without doubt, and his majesty's
officer has been made the eGlisssry of
the rebel commander
Polly soon received from Newport a
letter from her brother John contain
ing these words:
Your Gingerbread which l 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 British officer in dis
guise and on parole was indeed most
Ingenious one. l managed to secure the
Paper without other trouble than cutting
the cloth. Your woman's wit. verify
believe, did save your Brothers Life.
A small sealed packet, addressed
Mistress +. Day, Boatman's Tav
at the Ferry West Springf
Masstts.," arrived about a month later
from New York. It containc! a quaint.
ly engraved locket bearing a minia-.
ture portrait Of the dolor. George
Washington The message with It read
simply:
In token OF the Commanders apprecia-
ton Of valuable Service, faithfully and
successfully perforHed