The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-04-28

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
l should open your precious Box: and the
cravings of Appetite constrained me to
eat up the Uncommony good Ginger
bread baked by your most Charming sis
ter, Mistress Polly. The least can do Is
10 SEND you her letter. since there is
nothing in it / can use!
The idea of my taking several days
journey into the Interior simply to learn
the information that Mr.. Washington had
written 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 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 have Pleasure in
learning that your little sister is iraprov-
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 il was Done
that il WIS Impossible to discern where
the Rent had been
If YOU sllotid chance to meet this Gen.
teIaan. | trast that You VIII examine this
piece Of my iiapdiwerk ard a. rot fail
TO send ne 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 Oh the part
of the wary spy Bui when Captain
John Day read il he iuaae haste to as
certain where the two gentlemen were.
After refreshing nigAt's sleep and
hearty breakfast at the inn The two
gentlemen. the major AMI his compan-
ion, prepared to stroll on Boston
Common. rs 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 sit.
evidently made by q sharp knife. in
the topcoat near the shoulder.
The young man examined it closely.
Il should say" said be. that you had
been completely outwitted and doubt
lessly made 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.'
1.-THE mink had concealed some mes
sage in the sleever' 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
he rebel commanderr
Folly soon received from Newport a
etter from her brother John contain
ng these words:
Your Gingerbread. which I doubt not
vas very Good, never arrived Only by
he kindness of the Enemys spy did your
etter reach me at all. Your plan of sew
ng the Generals message to me into the
very clothing of British officer in dis
'uise and on parole was indeed a most
Ingenious one. ! managed to secure the
'aper without other trouble than cutting
ne cloth. Your woman's Wit, / verify
'elieve. did save your Brothers Life
A small sealed packet addressed to
Mistress +. Day. Boatman's Tavern.
t the Ferry, West Springfield.
iasstts.." arrived about month later
rom New York. 1t contained a quaint
engra ed locket bearing a minia-
ure portrait Of the donor. George
Washington. The message with it read
imply:
In token Of the Commanders apprecia-
lon OF valuable Service. faithfully and
uccessfully performed.