The Press., 1916-10-05
General
 Washington's: s
 Wedding Present 1t Was We'll Earned
 By WILLARD BRAKEMAN

After the battle of Bunker Hill, New York and New Jersey became the principal Revolutionary battlegrounds, though the final issue was decided in Virginia. New Jersey was the central state, and it was there for great DOT tion of the struggle the commander in chief, General Washington. was pres ent in person.
 One morning-it was the winter aft CT the one in which the Americans suf- fered so severely at Valley Forge and the cause of American independence was at it's gloomiest point-a young soldier stepped up to the sentry pacing before the door of the Morristown headquarters, and, being stopped by the sentry, he said that he had been ordered to report in person to the com- mander in chief. Passing into the house, he was directed to a little room in the rear of the building used by the general for his office. Entering the room, he found Washington writing at his desk. The general turned. The young man saluted, stood at attention and said: ..-~ .-.-...
 General. I am Private George Mar cey." e-.
 "Ah! You are the man Captain Ham, ilton tells me is familiar with every hill and dale in this region. 1 have a mission for you, but one on which cannot order you, for you will have to go in disguise and if captured will be hanged for spy. Are you ready to assume the risk?"
 Il am, general"
 Very well. There is in Elizabe town a Tory named Tracy. His daugh- ter, Catherine, is a stanch patriot. She has given me valuable infOrma- tion of the enemy's movements, but for month past nothing has come from her. I am anxious to know if any trouble has befallen her, and it is important that continue to receive the information she has been sending me. Go to Elizabethtown, find Miss Tracy and bring me whatever word she may have to send me. Take the road from here to Orange, and from there proceed due south to Elizabeth town. You will find the Tracy home on the outskirts of the town in the direction of your approach. You will find no great force of British troops at Elizabethtown, but they doubtless have outposts from New York there Go, and success attend your efforts"
 That the general realized the dan ger into which he was sending the young soldier was manifest, so he grasped his hand at the final words. Then Marcey left his commander. who resumed his work.
 An hour later Private Marcey, dress ed as a countryman and carrying a basket of winter vegetables on his arm, was passed out of the American lines by Captain Alexander Hamilton of Washington's staff and proceeded on his journey. Reaching point now called Summit, from which he could look down on the lower ground, he paused to view the scene before him, then descended to Orange, where he obtained refreshments at the tavern. Meanwhile a violent snowstOrm had set in. and, travel being obstructed, he resolved to await its abatement. That night a bowling wind piled the snow ill drifts and rendered progress doubly difficult.
 The next morning the wind had ceased, and the sun came out, though without warmth. Marcey struck out for Elizabethtown, but a few miles distant, reaching the outskirts about II o'clock. Approaching the Tracy house, the young man knocked at the door. A negro servant answered the summons, and Marcey asked if any one would buy his vegetables. Mar room, pushed in there and began to solicit trade. When the negro went back to the kitchen Marcey asked if the girl was Catherine Tracy and be- ing informed that she was made him. self known.
 Miss Tracy till then had not had any informati ton for the general since he- last communication. But the night be lore some British officers were stop ping at her fathers house, and she had heard them asking about the roads and distances to Trenton. From these inquiries and other data dropped by the officers she judged that a consider able force was to be moved from New York to some point sOuthward, prob lbly Philadelphia.
 Now, if Marcey had returned imme- liately to General Washington with his information all would have been well. The region round about Eliza :cth. own was not occupied either by ;hc British or Americans, and he would 4aTe had no gantlet to run. His trou- ie was he found Miss Tracy so attrac- i've that he was loath to part with her. I-e mace an excuse to himself for not .lu"rying away tliat tie snow was so rccp and his coming through 1t had so fIiTued him that he needed q rest be ore returning.
 Catherine was expecting her father 1 1T dinner. so, leading Marcey to the iarn. she pointed to the hayloft. to which he went and secreted himself in 'hc hay. Returning to the house. she nrOvi 'Nl meal and took it out to him Unfortunately, though she exercised rsntion to escape the notice of Dinah. the negro servant, Catherine was seen by her. Dinah was shocked to see her young mistress give evidence of hav- ing common huckStar for q lover. She said nothing to Catherine, but in her heart she Was turning over the prospect of misalliance.
 Tracy came home to dinner and went 4 fcl, after his departure Catherine went to the barn anl proposed to Marcey to take him in her fathers sleigh part of the way on his return journey. He accepted the offer rather from desire for a ride with the girl who had charmed him than to get lift. De scending from the loft, he harnessed the horse. Catherine went to the house for her wraps, and, returning, Marcey q ;,, of tha cIa irI,