The record., 1917-04-12
A UNIFORM
SURPRISE
Story of the American Revolu-
ton Laid In General Wash
ington's Southernmost
Command.
By ETHEL HOLMES

General Washington, commander i'll
chief of the patriot forces during the
American Revolution. had very large
territory 10 watch over, True, the re-
Voting colonies all lay on the Atlantic
coast, but they reached from Maine oil
the north To Georgia on the south.
inclusive, and ii must also be re-
membered that the only method Of
conveyance on. land in those days was
the legs of man or those Of other an
lmals, principally the horse.
Naturally Washington was obliged
to rely on his lieutenants i'll different
sections. III 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 n man stopped at the
plantation of John Rutledge, a cotton
planter, and asked if he could be lodg-
cd 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
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. If you 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:
''To make truthful assurance that I
am o patriot would be impossible.
can only say this: If / receive your
h0snitalitv y0u need have no fear that
I will abuse it. promise you that no
harm shall come to any one in this
house through me"
There was Il look on the mans face
that betokened he was in fear of some
thing. Besides, he looked tired and
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
a meal, reScrving her decision as to
further entertainment till later. a ne
gro cook Was soon preparing a supper,
while the stranger, having turned his
horse over to a black stableman, was
i'll an upper chamber getting rid Of
South Carolina dust.
When his supper was ready he was
summoned by a 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:
eff you will permit me to occupy
the meanest of your chambers for the
night l will go forth at dawn without
disturbing you or any OF the household.
If you insist upon my moving on L Will
sleep under the stars. Which course
shall l taEe!'
This was too much for Miss Rut-
Iedges education i'll 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 off
early could not now take full night s
rest. In thanking his hostess for her
kindness to Tim it seemed to her that
for the moment he forgot himself and
fell into the manner of Il gentleman.
At any rate. she suspected that lie was
of higher grade than his coarse coat
and breechCS and WoOlen stockings be-
tokened. However, there was not
enough incongruity between the man.
ner and tie clothes to make much Of
an impression on her.
A few hours later when Miss Rut-
ledge was about to prepare for bed
she heard q loud knocking below and.
taking Il candle, went down to see who
might be seeking admittance. Opening
the door, there stood young man in
the uniform Of Il captain in the Cont
mental army. He entered burriedly.
closed the door behind him and said:
Hide me- Kate, quick! l was Cap
tured this afternoon by the British and
escaped this evening. They are aft
er me-
"Wont thcy aearch every nook and
corner?"
II fear they will"
"Wouldnt you have better chance
in disguiseE'
"What disguise have you for me:"
Kate paused TO think. Fathers
Clothes" she said presently. "are too
large for you. and Arthur's are too
small. A stranger came to tie house
this evening and asked for food and
lodging. He is about your size. If
YOU could tae his clothes they would
serve you admirably"
''Where is he?"
"Asleep upstairs"
I'll go ant see what eau do with
him"
The officer was Captain StringfellOw
the fancc Of Kate 1tWledge. He
gscendcd to the strangers. chamber
awakened him and said to him: