The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-02-03
The Reward
She Received For Bringing Wash
lngton Information
BY MAY c. ETHEREDGE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation 1911.

The young man selected Tor this
work was Joel Armstrong. twenty
two years old. who few days before
had left Boston to join the army al
! Cambridge on the eve Of his betrothal
to Sally Perkins.
Washington instructed him to dis
cover just what supplies and ammuni.
! ton the British possessed. The gen
/ eral knew the numbers and armament
1t is not far from Cambridge to Bos.
ton; indeed, they are now one city,
Joel had no need to fear being taken in
citizens dress, for he had no uniform
| He had always lived in Boston and
knew all routes between II and its en-
virons He went through in the night,
and in the morning when Sally had
just lighted the fire in the kitchen and
was swinging the crane bearing the
pot to boil the water he walked in,
and they were locked In each others
arms.
There was no great danger to Joel
in going about the city so long as he
was not liable TO be caught with in
formation on his person The Ameri-
can army was considered by the Brit
ish rather as rabble than an organ
tied force, and transitory at that.
Joel collected all the information he
wanted from patriot citizens who knew
very well how General Howe was stu
ated. But he did not dare trust to
his memory. Besides, certain citizens
were DESTROYS OF sending communities
tons to Washington informing him Of
various matters important for him to
know Joel took all these letters and
papers to Sally and asked her to sew
them In the lining of his coat.
Now, 1t so happened that a British
soldier whom Joel had known and had
told that he was going TO Cambridge to
fight against the tyrant king saw
Joel walking past Faneuil hall. This
soldier saw the young patriot 90 into
the house where Sally Perkins lived
and told bis captain OF the circum-
stances ThR captain told his colonel,
and a guard was sent to the house to
prevent Joel's going back to the Ameri-
can army, lest he carry information.
1t so happened that Sally was sew
ing the papers in Joers coat when,
looking out through a window from
which she could see some distance
down the street, she spied a squad of
soldiers coming. the officer making In.
quiries as he came She also saw a
citizen point TO her home. Quick as
a flash she inferred that Joel was in
danger. Pulling huge chest out
from under a bed. she put her lover
into 1t and showed 1t back as the sol
diers stopped before the house and
surrounded H. An officer walked in
without knocking and found Sally at
her spinning wheel
Joel was not discovered. but the
guard remained outside on watch so
that If be were still there be could
not leave Sally told Joel Of the situa
ton. and he was much chagrined that
he could not deliver the information
he possessed to General Washington.
Il suppose l shall have to burn it
ALL" he said.
"How would it do for me to take it?'
Sally asked
do you think you couldg"
"Of course.
So Joel transferred the papers to
Sally. who concealed them about her
person and walked out of the house
In face Of the guard. The officer
looked dubious about letting her 20.
since he had received orders to permit
no one to leave the house. But Sally
paid no attention to him, though her
heart was beating like trip hammer.
Sally. fearing she might be followed,
went among the shops making pur-
chases. She saw a redcoat following
her. but managed TO elude him. When
1t was quite dark she started for Cam
bridge, keeping to the fields, Finding
boat on the Charles river, she ap-
propriated It and. rowing across. was
taken in by an American sentry. She
asked to be conducted to the COM
mander in chief
Washington was comforting with
people who called to sec him on In
Vulnerable subjects when a sentry an
nounced Sally Perkins.
what can do for you. Mistress
Perklns?' asked the general.
Nothing, general am doing some
thing for you You sent Joel Arm
strong. soldier in your army. to Bos-
ton for information. He is shut up
there and cannot leave for the red
coats who are watching the house
Here is what he collected for you"
The generals face lighted at seeing
the papers He took them and. having
glanced at them. said:
Eve are under obligations to you,
Mistress Perkins, for these papers.
which are Of great value to us. What
can do in recognition Of our appre-
citation OF your heroic act? Is there
anything I can give your"
Eyes. general, a kiss I would like
to be able to say that have kissed
the commander in chief"
Washington. though he was old
enough to be the girls father. colored
slightly He was so dignihed as well
rs modest that this reward given be-
fore dozen persons was a great trial
to him He submitted 10 be kissed on
the cheek by the girl. then said.
"Now that this worthless reward
has been given you must 60 and havs
something OF value-a supper"
Joel Armstrong remained hidden TIL