The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1915-03-04
Caught Within the
Enemy S Lines
A Story For Washington Hlrhdsy
By EVERETT P. CLARKE

1hSiS "ie hidDH Hoteu l'OlulS tOllilttl
ed with the American Revolution IN
New Jersey. The main struggle began
In Massachusetts. was transferred "a
New York and the bulk of 1t was fought
out In New Jersey. the surrender being
made In Virginia. After the battle OF
Long Island General Washington
central pOint-that is, when he was moi
in the feld-was at Morristown. In II
house which is now owned by So.
ciety whose business 1t is to keep II in
order as memento of the Father OF
His Country
Some ten miles south of Morristown
is Basking ridge. where is situated one
Of New Jerseys historic homes. bur
ing Washingtons occupancy of the
house at MOrriStown wedding occur
red AT this house. which be attended
On his way back to his headquarters
he stopped at a house in u little place
called MendIIam. telling the members
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 nd
mittance by means Of the brass knock
er which in 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 DorotnyY" said
the general, noticing that she was very
pale and all of a tremor. What is the
natter"
Nothing" stammered the girl "ex
cept an agitation nj our house being
honored by so important parsonage
as the commander In chief
81 fear you are exaggerating. 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 mo
ment. then said:
DO you think you could deliver a
message to him when he returns?"
II fear. general. that am bit fius
tered at the honor Of this call. may
not give your message Alright"
How is 1t. Mistress Dorothy. thai
Notwithstanding this high honor which
you consider done You by the com,
mander In chief you permit him tG
stand without invitation to enterf"
Pardon me, your exceIlrncy; I did
not suppose that you would stop after
hearing father is not at home. Will
you be pleased to enter?"
only for the purpose Of writing
message since you are not minded to
deliver it verbally"
The girl led the general into the iiv
ing room. where she left him for a few
minutes to 60 for writing paper and a
quill. The general after sharpening
the quill with his penknife sat down
at table. wrote his message. sanded
It. then took 1t to a window to read it
over. The window was draped with
heavy damask curtains. and his excel
lency In order to get better light
moved one of them aside. In doing so
bis 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 unwilllngness to admit him flashed
upon Washington at once.
he regarded the young man sternly.
then turned his gaze ON Dorothy. who,
white as a cloth. was supporting her
self by a mantel over the great stone
fireplace. The general saw at once that
he had discovered pair Of lovers.
Don't fear. Mistress Dorothy" he
said. Fortunately yOnr guest Is In
uniform. Had he come without the in
sigma of his Office 1t would have been
my duty to have him arrested and tried
for being within our lines as spy.
His object In coming Is only too ap
to look at our forces and
our equipment to carry information of
II to General Howe at New York. but
to feast his eyes on very charming
young lady" Then to the officer he
my position as an officer
In the Continental army does not re-
quire me to make mountain OF a
by accusing you Of intentions
which you have not, but II does re-
Quire ME to take you into custody.
Yet even that need not Inconvenience
you or shorten your visit YOu are
my prisoner. Give me your name and
rank"
81 am Lieutenant Ralph Harding OF
his British majesty's til regiment
Of foot"
every well. lieutenant Now give
me your word of honor as 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 |
forces until you have been
duly exchanged"
An expression of relief. which was |
in Dorothy's features. appear
ed on the young mans face as he gave (
the required promise. Washington
vent to the table. wrote something and
banded 1t to him. 1t read as follows:
Pass Lieutenant Ralph Harding Of the |
British army without our lines
Lieutenant Harding turned bis eyes |
rom the paper to the man who gave It |
General" be said, II don't wonder
1at the Americans revere you. Ac-