Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-09-27

to make answer, but at length, instead
OF breaking down, as Washington evil
IDENTIFY expected, drew myself up to
my full five feet eleven and returned
his piercing glance with one as steady
as his own.
"Your eXcellency, l solemnly dc.
Glare that until this moment I have
never seen that paper, nor do know
what 1t contains. took it from the
prisoner"
/ think he was astonished at my
stout denial. How do you account
for its having been in his possession,
sfri"
"Your excellency, l can only sur.
nise. I believe he went to my quar-.
ters expecting to find me-"
FOR what purpose, since you claim
not to know him?"
ITO kill me, your excellency. I
have proof Of his desire. l think he
was surprised by the entrance of your
orderly, and posed as my servant,
Afterward, learning where l had gone,
he followed me, still with his purpose
In view"
IAN ingenius eXplanationl" was
Washington's skeptical return as he
picked up the document l had found
in the shoe Of my prisoner. Before he
opened it fully he continued in a hard
voice: Captain Dressler, were it not
for the high opinion of you held by
General la Fayette, and the fact tbaS
your record hitherto has been unex.
ceptionaly good, would dismiss you
from the army. As II is Hal"
He was opening the paper he held
while he was speaking, and 40 he saw
it's contents he bent over IL with sud
den interest. His face bore differ.
ent expression as he turned to me.
do you know what this document lie,
Captain Dressler?" he asked.
mo, your excellency. No time was
allowed me to go over the papers"
"Sir, this Is the commission OF q
provincial British offfcer; q lieuten-
ants commission in the name of one
Lysander Melton"
"Then the man is spy!" ex-
claimed, great light breaking on me.
HE has been about the camp for
days. Your excellency," I continued,
forgetting my position, mo more than
you do know who he Is. but for some
unknown reason he wishes my life,
and he has brought me into this coil.
i am victim of circumstances"
II am inclined to believe you, cap
TAIN" was Washington's quiet return.
"Tell me what the man looked like;
and be careful shall test your truth
at once"
Your eycellency, he is about my
own age, ! gather, and about my own
size He has very black eyes. and
black hair queued with rusty black
ribbon and not powdered. His lcCth
are white and even, like my own. Lut
he does not otherwise resemble lie.
He was dressed like Il farmer, bU, he
might easily be British officer in Dis
guise."
Without a word Washington arose,
stepped TO the door and called AT
once Lieutenant Struthers entered
and saluted.
Send to me here Orderly Kelly,
struthers saluted again and dlsap-
peared.
Captain Dressler," said Washing
ton, reseating himself, your frank
ness and insistence leaves me with lit
tie doubt of your innocence, which,
however, will be proved. You say you
have no idea of why originally sent
for you. Read that note you claim
never to have seen"
He pointed to the paper. l picked
1t up and opened it. 1t was in Wash.
ington's own handwriting, and / still
possess It;
Captain Daniel Dressler: .
You will report to me at once on
receipt of this to receive proposals
regarding delicate mission which
will test your patriotism and ability.
The high regard for your person held
by General la Fayette, and your own
expressed convictions on the matter
pending, have caused me TO place this
trust in your, Immediate action is
necessary.
am, sir, ct cetera,
George Washington,
Gen'l Com'd'g, ct cetera,S