Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-06-15
A Fortunate
Overdose
A Story For Independ.
ence Day.
BY F. A. mitchell

+ BY F. A. mitchell +
I-s-s-s-s--ss-i-s-s-s-s-s-s-ss-sa-s-aissss
Our manner Of celebrating Independ-
ence day has greatly changed since the
arst anniversary in lit. Doubtless,
until the independence declared was
achieved, our forefathers were chary
about celebrating its birthday at all.
and II they did so 1t was with misgiv-
lngs. But for more than q century
after that happy morning when the
watch In Philadelphia called the hour
with "AlIs well, and Cornwallis has
vurrenderedw the Fourth Of July was
the great holiday Of the nation. Now
that q number Of new generations
have arisen and We have come to think
more and more Of the United States
Is a nation rather than seeded part
on another country there Is disposi-
hon to regard 1t simply as a holiday
without vital Importance. Since 1t has
come to be celebrated more quietly
there is opportunity to dwell upon
hose scenes, now far distant. that per-
.ain to the Revolution.
When the war broke out 1t found
Robert Morrison, an American, COM
nissioned officer in the British army.
His regiment was sent to the colo
MES to establish the authority OF the
king. Lieutenant Morrison was In
rlined to favor the opposite side. His
detection from the British service was
accomplished by his sweetheart, Alice
Douglas of Philadelphia, who refused
10 continue their betrothal unless he
would leave the English army and be-
come a rebel. This was a serious mat
,sr with him, for If captured bearing
lrms against his former comrades ne
would be treated as a traitor. How
,yer, he took the risk, deserted from
his command and became captain In
The American army.
In one of the battles In New Jersey
Morrison was taken prisoner by the
British, was recognized as a former
British officer and sent to Philadel-
ohia, then occupied by the English.
There he was tried by court martial
composed Of his former brother off1'
GERS and sentenced to be shot.
The outcome Of the influence she had
exerted over her lover was a great
shock to Alice Douglas. Some time
must elapse while the finding OF the
court was being sent to New York for
the approval Of the commander IN
chief, General Howe, before Morrison
eould be executed. Meanwhile Alice,
having nerved herself for an effort In
her lovers behalf, set her wits to work
upon a plan to enable him to escape.
She asked for permission to visit him
In his place Of confinement, but was re-
fused. Morrison's desertion to the en-
envy was considered a heinous crime.
and he was not kept with other prison
ers Of war. but In solitary confinement.
BE was allowed to receive letters,
though they were rigidly scrudnized
by the officers Of his guard. Alice de-
sired to write him letter which he
only would understand, but found It
difficult to frame one that would not
be suspected, II not interpreted by his
taller. In her perplexity she consulted
! chemist, who suggested that she write
In ordinary ink what might be read by
any one and on the same paper put
what she wished to say privately In
an Ink mixed with gum arabic and
chloride Of cobalt The composition
would be invisible unless heated and
disappear as soon as cooled.
This Ink, which was pink, he pre-
pared and showed her that while the
letters written with 1t were made visi-
BILE by heat they reappeared in green.
Alice wrote q letter to Morrison with
ordinary ink. ending It with the words,
Mrs. Pyrine sends her love and SYM
pathy." Then across the face OF the
letter she wrote in the prepared Ink:
y am planning for your escape. Be on
the lookout" There was no such per-
pon as Mrs. Pyrine, and Alice counted
pn Morrison suspecting that the word
Pyrine had hidden meaning.
Unfortunately 1t occurred to the OF
deer whose duty 1t was to examine
any letter sent to the prisoner and who
was an educated man that the Greek
word "pyrus" meant fire In English.
Then after some thought he inferred
what It had been intended the pris-
pner should infer-that the letter was
10 be heated. This the officer did. and
the message appeared In green letters.
he returned the letter to Alice.
Quite likely. being a gentleman, he
felt disposed to let the sender know
that her device had failed. Before re-
turning 1t he read 1t to the prisoner
and told him how he had discovered a
secret message, though he did not tell
him what the message was.
Alice was much depressed at her
failure. Nevertheless she did not give
up her purpose. She took delicacies to
Morrison, which he was permitted to
receive, though she was not allowed 70
take them in to him herself. A few
days after the failure Of her attempt
at secret communication she took some
eatables to him and learned that new
guard, including the officer IN com
mand, had been placed in charge OF
The prisoner. This was because the
regiment to which the old guard be-
longed had been ordered away from
Philadelphia.
Il now occurred to Alice to try her
device again, trusting that the new Of
deer In charge would not be so bright
AZ his predecessor BY this time her
plan was perfected for aiding the pris'
,ners escape. She had entered the
military hospital as nurse and %
signed bringing Morrison there thai
she might have greater advantages
than were to be expected while he wal
In solitary confinement. Her intention
was to send him some Wand medicat
ed to make him III, that he might Df
transferred to the hospital and fai
under her care.