The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-21
UNIFORM
SURPRISE
Story Of the American Revolu-
ton Laid In General Wash
ington's Southernmost
Command.
BY ETHEL HOLMES

General Washington, commander in
chief of the patriot forces during the
American Revolution, had very large
territory to watch over. True. the re-
voting colonies all lay on the Atlantic
coast, but they reached from Maine OH
the north to Georgia on the south.
inclusive. and 1t must also be re-
membered that the only method of
conveyance on land In those days was
the legs of a man or those of other an
imals, principally the horse.
Naturally Washington was Obliged
to rely on his lieutenants in different
sections. In South Carolina General
Marion was carrying ON hide and
seek warfare with British troopers
under Colonel Tarleton. an energetic
young cavalry officer.
One evening man stopped at the
plantation of John Rutledge, cotton
planter, and asked If he could be lodg-
ed for the night. All the men OF the
family were with Marion. the Swamp
Fox" as he was called, the only in
mates of the manor house being Mrs
Rutledge and her daughter. Kate. At
| the time of the strangers coming Kate
was on the gallery. and ii WAS of her
that he made his request. He wore
| the clothes of poor white man, but
there were indications that he was a
gentleman.
I'VE are patriots in this house, sir"
said Kate, and my father. who is
fighting for our independence, charged
us to admit no one who favored the
British cause. II you are one OF us
you are welcome to what we have to
give; II not, we must decline to receive
you"
The young man did not reply imme-
diately to this. When he did he said:
ITO make truthful assurance that
am patriot would be impossible. |
can only say this: IL | receive your
hospitality you need have no fear that
will abuse 1t. promise you that no
harm shall come to any one In this
house through me-"
There was look on the mans face
that betokened he was in fear Of some
thing. Besides. lie looked tired and
hungry. Miss Rutledge being a wom-
an, the stranger excited her commits
Grafton. There was an unmistakable
sincerity In his words. She yielded so
far as to invite him in to partake of
meal, reserving her decision as to
further entertainment till later. A ne
gro cook was soon preparing supper,
horse over TO a black stablcman, was
in an upper chamber getting rid Of
South Carolina dust.
When his supper was ready he was
summoned by quadroon house serv-
ant. Kate Rutledge felt that she
should be present with the guest at
supper, but since his dress betokened
that he was of inferior social grade
and he seemed to have Tory sympa-
thies she felt it beneath her dignity
to do so. AS soon as he had eaten he
called for her and said
IF you will permit me to occupy
the meanest of your chambers for the
night l will go forth Mt dawn without
disturbing you or any Of the household.
IL you insist upon my moving on l will
sleep under the stars. Which course
shall | take?"
This was too much for Miss Rut-
| lodges education In hospitality, and
/ she permitted the man to remain In
! the house. As soon as she had given
her consent he retired to his chamber,
saying that he had had no sleep for
some time and since he must be of
! early could not now take full night's
rest. In thanking his hostess for her
kindness to him IL seemed to her that
| for the moment he forgot himself and
fell into the manner of a gentleman
At any rate. she suspected that he was
of higher grade than his coarse coat
and breeches and wooden stockings be
tokened However. there was moi
enough incongruity between the man
ner and the clothes to make much OF
an impression on her.
A few hours later when Miss Rut
ledge was about to prepare for bee
she heard a loud knocking below and
taking a candle. went down to see wht
might be seeking admittanee. openint
the door. there stood a. young man IL
the uniform of a captain In the Cont
mental army. He entered hurriedly
closed the door behind him and said:
Hide me. Kate. quick. l was cap
tured this afternoon by the British ant
escaped this evening. They are aft
err me-
Wont they search every nook ant
corner?"
81 fear they WILL
wouldn't you have better chanc
In a disguiseT"
what disguise have you for meT'
Kate paused to think. Father
clothes" she said presently. ARE TO
large for you. and Arthur's are to
small. A stranger came to the hous
this evening and asked for food an
| lodging. He is about your size.
l. -~nH