Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1914-02-27

Davis and the eonmiS~ary genera
were much pleased with Miss Benle'.
| plan and spent some time c0nferrlnl
together In her presence as TO the niosl
convenient place for them 10 send b
force to meet the ship bringing them.
All this was but cloak for the spy
to learn OF the available stot.k OF pro
visions In Richmond aud to secure &
return to the north. While the mattel
was pending she learned that thers
were very few commlssnry stores il
Richmond. and IL General Grant should
cut the only line Of supply still open
that through Petersburg the capita
OF the Confederacy would I've Obliged
to surrender.
At last. point for landing supplies
by the fictitious Baltimore sympathiz.
ers having been agreed upon. Miss
Beale was given pass to go through
the lines and resolved on her departure
the next dsy.
But now at the last moment danger
came nn in singular coincidence. A
Confederate spy was in Richmond who
was playing the same game on the
Federal that she was playing on the
Confederate government II happened
that this person had seen Miss Beale
coming out Of Allan Pinkerton's office
in Washington. Whether be remem-
bercd Just when and where, he had
seen her or whether he was not quite
sure Of Il. she knew at once by the
scrutiny with which he looked at her
that she was In danger.
All her faculties were concentrated
on losing the man or bis losing her be.
/ fore he could take any decided action.
I Appearing not to notice his interest
in her, she walked on till espying an
empty cab she called the driver and
entered IT,
And now comes one of the most re-
markable cases of assurance under
peril that have ever been manifested
by either man or woman. With light
ming rapidity she formed her plan.
Drive me to the executive mansion
she called to the driver
She was whirled away. but a glance
at the man she was trying TO avoid
assured her that he was watching her,
though he WIS endeavoriug TO make II
appeur that he WAS not and when she
reached the mansion and aiighted ut
the door she saw him hurrying after
her. Entering the hunse. she asked
for the president and was shown to
the anteraom to wait her turn for an
audience She had nothing to com
municate TO Mr. Davis. her object be-
ing to Indicate TO the man who follow
ed her that she had business with the
government Finally. when she thought
this had been effected. she determined
to make an exit
II her shadower were outside wait
ing for her. she felt that she was lost.
Her heart was in her throat as she
passed from the house She dare not
look about her. but so far as she could
see the man had vanished. At any
rate. she saw nothing OF him. II be
were still shadowing her be was keep
ing out Of sight.
But she must seek safety In flight
A few miles from Richmond to the
southwark are the battle0elds fought
over by Lee and Mcclellan during the
peninsular campaign. Miss Beale di-
rected the cabman to drive out to
these fields. Having reached her desti-
nation she dismissed the cabman and
started for Fortress Monroe. some sew
enty miles TO the southeastwari.
The story OF this journey. on foot by
wagon. BY boat on the James river. il
romance In itself II was fight
from prison. flight from the halter
At last. worn with fatigue and ex-
posure. the fugitive reached the fort.
on whose battlements hoated the stars
and stripes. and she knew she was
safe.
The closing act in the drama is when
Miss Beale reappeared at the White
House. Mr. Lincoln WAS In bis office
one morning when messenger gave
him the name OF Kate Beale as one de-
string to see him.
Thank Godr' muttered the presi-
dent. Bring her TO me at once"
Mr.. Lincoln's joy Mt bis emissary's
safe return was enhanced by the news
she brought him that the Confederate
capital was without supplies General
Grant was hammering at Petersburg
and was destined month later to cap
ture the place. SO Mr.. Lincoln was as
sured by Miss Beale's report that as
soon as Grant had finished his work
the capital Of the Confederacy would
be at the disposal OF the Federal gov
ernment and that the end OF the war
was In sight
Kate Beaie was well paid for her
work. Indeed, she received enough to
supply her mothers and her own wants
for long time to come. Luckily. the
war soon after her exploit ended. or
doubtless the fascination Of the danger
involved would have led her to risk her
life again. But the pitcher that goes
pften to the well Is at last broken.
Such episodes as this have connect
ed Mr.. Lincoln's name with adventur-
GUS story. But this is but one OF the
many branches OF romance that, taken
together. have woven charm about
him which will last as long as hiz
name and his work are remembered
But that which especially endears
him to the American people is his
many acts Of mercy to the humblest Of
those who begged for it during the pc
riod when the shedding Of blood seem
ed to move the cs''-'k OF the world bacS
twenty rentnriet nseessitating new
nlessage OF pence on earth and good
will TO men.