Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1911-03-02
he Reward
She Received For Bringing Wash
lngton Information
,sy MAY c. ETHEREDGE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation 1911

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 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.
It 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 it's 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. II
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 a rabble than an organ
lied force, and transitory at that
Joel collected all the information he
wanted from patriot citizens who knew
very we'll how General Howe was stu
ated. But he did not dare trust to
his memory. Besides, certain citizens
were DESTROYS Of sending communica-
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 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
looking out through window from
which she could see some distance
down the street, she spied squad of
soldiers coming, the officer making in
quiries as he came. She also saw
citizen point to her home. Quick as
a flash she inferred that Joel was in
danger. Pulling huge chest out
from under 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 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
COuiu uOt uCl1Hcl LuS
he possessed to General Washington.
81 suppose 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
OF IN vyh lo1 oil
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 a 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
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 see him on in
Vulnerable subjects when sentry an
nounced Sally Perkins
'sWhat can l 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 I do in recognition Of our appre-
citation of your heroic act? Is there
anvfhinc con rivn Won ~