The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-02-20
A UNIFORM
SURPRISE
Story Of the American Revolu-
tion Laid In General Wash
ington's Southernmost
Command.
By ETHEL HOLMES

{ 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 on
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 a hide and
seek warfare with British troopers
under Colonel Tarleton, an energetic
young cavalry officer.
One evening a 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 it was Of her
chat he made his request. He wore
the clothes of poor white man, but
there were indications that he was q
gentleman.
I'VE are patriots In this house, SIR
said Kate, land my father, who is
fighting for our independence, charged
US to admit no one who favored the
British cause. If yas are one of us
you are welcome to what we have to
give; If 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: If receive your
hospitality you need have no fear that
I win abuse it. promise you that nc
harm shall come to any one In this
house through me-"
There was a look on the mans fact
that bet0kened he was in fear Of some
thing. Besides, he looked tired and
hungry. Miss Rutledge being WON
an, the stranger excited her commits
o~o<4or usI,aro was ~ ,7v,,,fc+o fro HI
sincerity In his words. She yielded sc
far as to invite him In to partake o.
meal, reserving her decision as tx
further entertainment till later. A ne
gro cook was soon preparing a supper
while the stranger, having turned bis
horse over to black stableman, wa:
In an upper chamber getting rid Of
South Carolina dust.
When his supper was ready he wa.
summoned by quadroon house serv
ant. Kate Rutledge felt that she
should be present with the guest Al
supper. but since his dress betokenet
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 hi
called for her and said:
IF you WIN permit me to occup.
the meanest OF your chambers for thu
night win go forth at dawn withou
disturbing you or any Of the household
II you insist upon my moving on vii
sleep under the stars. Which course
| shall take?"
This was too much for Miss Rut
ledge's education in hospitality, an(
she permitted the man to remain IL
the house. As soon as she had giver
her consent he retired to his chamber
saying that he had had no sleep fol
some time and since he must be of
early could not now take full night
rest. In thanking his hostess for he
kindness to him it seemed to her tina
for the moment he forgot himself ant
fell into the manner Of gentleman
At any rate, she suspected that he wal
of higher grade than his coarse Goa
and brooches and wooden stockings be
| tokened However, there was no
enough incongruity between the man
ner and the clothes to make much O
an impression on her.
A few hours later when Miss Rut
ledge was about to prepare for beC
she heard a loud knocking below and
taking candle, went down to see wh'
might be seeking admittance. Opening
the door. there stood young man IL
the uniform of captain In the Cont
mental army. He entered hurriedly
closed the door behind him and said:
Hide me, Kate, quickl l was cap
tured this afternoon by the British AMI
escaped this evening. They are aft
er me"
won't they search every nook ant
corner?"
II fear they Will"
wouldn't you have better chanc'
In disguisef"
what disguise have you for me7''
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 ant
lodging. He is about your size. |
you could use his clothes they wouls
serve you admirably"
Where is he2"
ASLEEP upstairs"
"I'l go and see what can do witt
| him"
The officer was Captain StringfeIlow
! the fiance of Kate Rutledge. HI
assembled to the strangers chamber
awakened him and said to him:
my friend, would like to borrow
your clothes"
The man, seeing an officer In Con
tinental uniform, looked surprised.
"If I lend you my clothes / shal
have nothing to wear"
"As soon as it is daylight Miss Rut
ledge viii send out for apparel TO
you"
"And If there is delay suppose
can wear your uniform?'
| Certainly
| I'm that case you are welcome to III,
clothes. But / suppose you viii no
need them till tomorrow
"Indeed l shall. I need them now
every well; take them"
! While Stringfellow was Gofing hi
| ,,nsforr,n and nl1ttfnp IN fine citizen,