The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1911-07-20
The Reward
ohe Received F or Bringing Wash
inston Information
.3y MAY c. ETHEREDCE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation 1911.

ing the British shut up in Boston if
was his object to capture them if no
could, If not TO force them ont Ue
sent spy into the city to learn of
their strength and condition.
Inc young man selected for tbis
work was Joel armstrong. twenty.
TWO years old, who a few DAYS before
mad left Boston to Join the army ot
Cambridge on the eve Of his betrotb,I
to Sally Perkins.
washington instructed him TO dis.
cover just what supplies and ammuni.
uon the British possessed. The gen.
eral knew the numbers and armament
1t Is not far from Cambridge To RuS-
ton; indeed, they are now one CITY,
joel had no need to fear being taken in
cltzen's dress, for he had no uniform
he had always lived in Boston and
knew all routes between il and its on
Vlrons. He went through in the night
and in the morning when Sally had
just hghted 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 70 JoeI
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
lsh rather as rabble than an organ
lzed 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 10
his memory. Besides, certain citizens
were DESTROYS Of sending communion
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, it 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 go into
the house where Sally Perkins lived
and told his captain Of the circum-
stances. The captain told his colonel,
and guard was sent to the house to
prevent Joers 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
citizen point to her home. Quick as
fash she inferred that Joel was in
danger. Pulling a huge chest out
from under bed. she put her lover
into it and showed 1t back as the SOL
diers stopped before the house and
surrounded it. 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 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 l shall have to burn it
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 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 go,
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
it was quite dark she started for Cam
bridge, keeping to the fields Finding
q boat on the Charles river. she ap-
propriated 1t 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 see him on In
Vulnerable subjects when a sentry an
nounced Sally Perkins.
what can I do for you, Mistress
Perkins, asked the general.
Nothing. general am doing some
thing for you. You sent Joel Arm
strong, a 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:
1--WE 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 you"
Eyes. general, a kiss. I would Ike
to be able to say that I have kissed
the commander in chief"
Washington. though he was old
enough to be the girls father, colored
ulx, IT. --,. co identified aS we'll