The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1911-02-24
The Reward
She Received For Bringing Wash
ington Information
BY MAY c. ETHEREDCE
Copyright By American Press Asso-
BY MAY c. ETHEREDCE

When Washington was at Cambridge
in command Of the patriot army hold
ing the British shut up in Boston it
was his object to capture them if he
could, if not to force them out. He
sent a spy into the city to learn Of
their strength and condition.
The young man selected for this
work was Joel Armstrong, twenty
two years old, who few days before
had left Boston to join the army at
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 it 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 n rabble than an organ
lied force. and transitory at that.
Joel collected all the information he
very well how General Howe was stu
ated. But he did not dare trust to
bis memory. Besides, certain citizens
were DESTROYS Of sending cOmmunica-
lions 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, it so happened that 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 go into
the house where Sally Perkins lived
and told his captain Of the circum-
stances. The captain told his colonel,
and a guard was sent to the house to
prevent Joels going back to the Ameri-
can army, lest he carry information.
1t so happened that Sally was sew
;,,
looking out through 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 4
citizen point to her home. Quick as
fash she inferred that Joel was in
danger. Pulling huge chest out
from under a bed, she put her lover
into it and showed it back as the sol
diers stopped before the house and
surrounded it. An officer walked in
] without knocking and found Sally al
her spinning wheel.
Joel was not discovered, but the
/ guard remained outside on watch sc
that if he were still there he 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.
81 suppose / shall have 10 burn il
I ALL" he said.
How would it do for me to take it,
Sally asked.
"Do you think you could"
"Of course"
So Joel transferred the papers t.
Sally, who concealed them about he
person and walked out of the hous'
i'm face of the guard. The Office
looked dubious about letting her go
since he had received orders to permi
no one TO leave the house. But Sail.
, paid no attention to him, though he
heart was beating like 4 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. Whel
it was quite dark she started for Cam
bridge, keeping to the fields. Finding
a boat on the Charles river, she ar
propriated it and, rowing across, wa
taken in by an American sentry. Sh
asked to be conducted to the com
mander in chief.
Washington was comforting wit
people who called to see him on In
Vulnerable subjects when n sentry III
nounced Sally Perkins.
what can I do for you, Mistres
Perkins:' asked the general.
Nothing, general. am doing some
thing for you. You sent Joel Arm
strong, soldier i'm your army, to BOs
ton for information. He is shut u
there and cannot leave for the red
coats who are watching the house
Here is what he collected for YOU"
The generals face lighted ut seeln
the papers. He took them and, havin
glanced at them, said:
eve are under obligations to YOU
Mistress Perkins, for these paper!