Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-07-18
TheEvening Story
A SPLENDID
OPPORTUNITY
On the Fourth Of July
By John Y. HARMED
By JOHN Y. LARNED

cd on July 4. 17T6. that the anniver-
sary OF the day would be celebrated
with the firing of cannon and such ex-
plosive demonstrations of JOY. The
prediction has been fulfilled to the
present day, but during the past quar-
ter century the old Independence day
passed away forever. The day is
now most fttingly celebrated by re-
calling the struggle which made good
the assertion Of the American people.
Here is story of the Revolution:
New Jersey was the principal battle
ground of the Revolution. The region
between New York and Philadelphia
was a great deal of the time deba-
table ground. The British occupied
New York city and. for a portion of
.he time, Philadelphia. Washington
stationed himself on the heights of
Morristown, between the two cities,
but much nearer New York than
Philadelphia. Over the lower ground.
from Trenton to Jersey City, couriers
were gHlloping, spies were lurking and
stray soldier wearing the red or the
blue was moving on some errand.
Some Eve miles southwest of New
ark. where the city of Orange now
stands. was the residence of a Tory
named Wardle. Els daughter, Vir-
ginia. had two suitors, the one Brit
ish. the other an American officer.
Edgar Plimpton, the redcoat, was with
General Howe at New York, and
since the army of occupation had lit
tie to do the young Englishman made
frequent excursions to visit the lady
he loved, while Alan Trowbridge who
was at Morristown, rode In the oppo-
site direction and about the same dis
lance on a similar errand.
Either one of these officers was la
BILE to fall into the hands of some re
connoitering or foraging party Of the
side against which he fought. Then,
too, it was quite possible that they
might meet at the Wardle mansion.
One night Ut was the Fourth of July,
by the way) Lieutenant Trowbri1ge
descending the Orange mountain. gal
loped through the valley between him
and the Wardes and drew up before
the gate. Without waiting to be ad-
mitted he stalked into the house, to
find Miss Virginia in the drawing room.
She was evidently much perturbed.
Trowbridge asked her IL he had come
inoppDrtunely, IL he had not better
leave. but to all such questions she
gave unsatisfactory replies. Neverthe-
less, throughout the whole of his visit
s-I,o a
himself obliged to do nearly all the
talking, the young lady combining her
self to monosyllables.
Trowbridge knew of the attentions
Of Captain Plimpton and had come to
her to ask her to decide between him
self and the Britisher He began a little
speech he had arranged to that effect,
but Virginia. showing signs of still
greater embarrassment, endeavored to
check him. He persisted and just as be
finished with the words decide now
between him and me" closet door
opened and his rival stepped forth In
the dress of citizen
IF this matter is to be settled here"
he said. II prefer not to be placed IN
the position Of eayesdropper. Rather
would hear my doom openly"
How comes it, captain" said Trow
bridge, that you are so near the Amer
lean lines and not In uniform? Are
you aware that il caught as you are
you are liable to be treated as spy?"
He had no sooner spoken the words
than there was the sound OF horses
hoofs without and through the window
they could see dozen Continental
troopers at the gate. An officer dis
mounted and coming up to the door
which stood open walked into the hall.
Looking into the living room be saw
the two men and the girl. To Trow,
bridge, in whom he recognized patriot
officer, be said:
Pardon me, sir, for entering unan-
nounced, but / have been told that
British spy was in this neighborhood
and since this house is occupied by no
torious Tories | am likely to 6nd him
here"
"There is no spy on these premises"
replied Trowbridge. 81 give you my
word for that
The officer looked suspiciously at
Plimpton. II fear" he said. that
shall have to ask this gentleman to
give an account of himself"
Plimpton was about to speak-to de-
clare his identity-when Trowbridge
stopped him.
u have vouched for the gentleman"
ne said. THAT should be enough"
who is hep"
Il have told You that he is not a
spy"
Nevertheless l must satisfy myself
OF that"
leave this house. sir"
ION what authority"
by order OF the commander in
chief. am Lieutenant Trowbridge OF
his staff"
pardon me. lieutenant" said the
other. and. turning. he rejoined his
troopers, and they all rode away.
Then followed an impressive tableau
i