The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-31
Caught Within the
Enemy,s Lines
A s,o1 For w..Ains,oo-, Bnhd.y
By EVERETT P. CLARKE

There are many noted points connect.
( ed with the American Revolution IN
| New Jersey. The main struggle began
Z in Massachusetts. was Transferred TO
4 New York and the bulk OF It WAS fought
1 ont in New jersey, the surrender being
/ made in Virginia. After the battle of
Long Island General Washlngton's
central point-that Is. when he was NOT
In the fe!c-was at Morriatown. In a
house which is now owned by a so
4 cIety whose business It IS to keep it in
order as a memento OF the Father Of
4 His Country.
\ Some ten miles south OF Morristown
is Baskins ridge. where Is situated one
OF New Jerseys historic homes Dur.
I ing WashinGton's occupancy OF the
4 house at Morrtstown a wedding occur
red Mt this house, which he attended
On his way back to bis headquarters
he stopped at a house in a little place
called Mendham. telling the members
I OF his STAFF who were with him to ride
on slowly.and he would overtake them.
DismountinG from his horse the gen
eral entered the gate and asked for ad
/ mittance by means OF the brass knock
er which III those days was used in
stead of the modern bell. he was ad.
mitted by Miss Dorothy Hughes, the
daughter Of the person he sought
/ How now. Mistress Dorothy?" said
the general, noticing that she was very
pale and all OF a tremor. What is the
natter"
asEathInnr"s cfo hn ~Ir
cept an agitation at our house being
! bonored by so important a parsonage
as the commander in chief
I Il fenr you are exaGEeratine. Is your
father within?''
mo, general. He went to Elizabeth
| town this morning. We do not expect
his return till late this evening""
{! General Washington thought a mo-
/ ment. then said:
! DO you think you could deliver a
I message to him when he returns?'
II fear. general that am a bit hus-
tered at the honor OF this call. may
not give your message Alright"
How Is it, Mistress Dorothy. that
Notwithstanding this high honor which
you consider done you by the COIN
mander in chief you permit him to
stand without invitation TO enter:"
Pardon me. your excellency: did
not suppose that you would stop after
hearing father is not at home. VIII
I you be pleased TO enter?'
"OnIy for the purpose OF writing a
/ message since you are not minded to
, deliver It verbally
The girl lei the general into the Iiv.
! ing room. where she left him for few
, minutes to go for writing paper and q
/ quill. The general after sharpening
the quill with his penknife sat down
( at a table. wrote his message. sanded
. It, then took It to window to rend It
/, over. The window was draped with
! heavy daInask curtains. and his excel
iency in order to get a better light
! moved one of them aside. In doing 30
! his arm encountered a resistance 9th.
! er than wood. Throwing back the cur.
tain, he exposed young man in the
uniform OF lieutenant In the British
| army.
The reason for Dorothy's agitation
and unwillinSness to admit him flashed
upon Washington at once.
! He regarded the young man sternly,
then turned his gaze on Dorothy, who.
white as q cloth. was supporting her
self by q mantel over the great stone
fireplace. The general saw at once that
he had discovered pair OF lovers.
Don't fenr. Mistress Dorothy" he
said. Fortunately your guest Is in
uniform. Had he come without the in.
signia OF his Office It would have been
my duty to have him arrested and tried
for being within our lines rs spy.
/ His object in coming Is only too ap.
1 parent-not to look at our forces and
our equipment to carry Information Of
! it to General Howe at New York. but
! to feast his eyes on a very charming
young lady" Then to the officer he
continued: My position as an officer
in tho Continental army does not re-
! quire me to make a mountain OF a
molehill by accusing you OF intentions
which you have not, but It does re-
quire me TO take you into custody.
Yet even that need not Inconvenience
you or shorten your visit Yon are
my prisoner. Give me your name and
I rank"
az am Lieutenant Ralph Harding of
his British majesty's til regiment
OF foot"
Every well, lieutenant Now give
me your word of honor az an officer
and gentleman that as soon as you
have finished your visit to my esteem.
ed friend. Mistress Dorothy Hughes,
/ you will proceed to the British lines
and will not bear arms against the
/ Continental forces until you have been
duly exchanged"
An expression OF relief. which was
reflected in Dorothy's features. appear.
ed on the young mans face as he gave
the required promise. Washington
went to the table. wrote something and
handed II to him 1t read as follows:
/ Pass Lieutenant Ralph RaratnE of the
British army without our lines