The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-04-13
One Man War
BY SCOTT RYALL
G Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

MIHEN Ireland started emigrat-
w ing to America one of the
vanguard was a Murphy and his
son was Patrick. In 1777 Pat was
twenty-eight, six feet tall, red-head-
ed and fighter.
The army was in camp in Valley
Forge, trying to get through the
winter with insufficient supplies. It
became a relieving pastime to bait
Pat with his Dragging and eventual
ly the number of brawls on Com
pany B, New York Volunteers,
forced the regimental commander
to attempt cooling Pats ardor.
Sir" Pat replied Indignantly to
the others soothing remarks, "Tu
challenge any soldier in yer regi-
ment! Show me the enemy, sir-just
show me 'en-an' I'll be takin' two
in each hand"
The colonel lost patience. "Talk,
mani" he snapped. "Talk has new
err won war yet! And you're stir
ring up nothing but trouble with
your boasting"
"Well, show me a war, then!"
shouted Pat.
A friendly captain guided him out.
pat" he advised kindly, ''you
keep your mouth shut. The general
knows what he's Going and so does
the colonel. They're not going to risk
the country so one sergeant can
demonstrate his fighting ability
When we draw the British out of
Philadelphia you'll have fighting a.
plenty. Until then, don't shout I'M
less you have something to boast
about"
The sergeant shook off the others
hand angrily and strobe off into
the darkness. His ire was as high
as his pride was low and before he
cooled he found himself outside the
picket lines. He turned and waved
a fist toward the camp.
"Begorra!" he shouted to the
night, eff the war won't come to
him, Patrick O'Mera Murphy will
go to it! He'll not set like a hen
on eggs!"
Through the black night he turned
toward Philadelphia where General
Howe was toasting his heels COM
fortably and burning his morals to
a crisp. Pat had tramped but an
hour and a distance of perhaps four
miles when over a low ridge he
caught the faint glow of a camp
fire. He made no sound as he crept
toward it thinking it an outpost of
his own camp but taking.no chance
on random sentry shots. Then he
caught the flash of the familiar red
uniform of Britain.
Pat grinned in the darkness and
barely smothered a cheer at the
welcome sight. He moved inch by
inch until close enough to hear
murmured conversation. One of the
two men squatting by a tiny fire
turned his head; stared and lis
tened. Pat stayed unmoving, his
/ heart beating heavily.
The man turned back again and
Pat crept on, gripping his musket
firmly, estimating just how hard
to hit with the butt in order that
he might bring the two men in
alive but not too much so.
Davis is late" said one of the
men looking at an immense watch
he drew from his pocket.
'The generals orders are to wait
for him" said the other CURLY, $50
wait we will. F"
"And so will l." thought Pat to
himself The thought scarce went
through the warlike sergeant's
mind when a horses hooves sounded
in the darkness.
Friend" came out of the night
and a horse and rider came into
the circle of light. The rider was
cursing softly and it gave Pat the
needed cover. He came in quickly
as all three stood by the horse. His
whooping shout was as bloodhound
ling as the announcement of an In
dian massacre. The quick sweep of
his musket was almost as deadly.
The three redcoats had scarce time
to turn before the blows had
stretched them unconscious.
"Sarjint Patrick O'Mera Muir
ply" said Pat aloud, "ye're great
man; a vur-ry great mani"
He tied the three, loaded them
on the horse and started his trium-
plant trip back to the camp at
Valley Forge.
The fates arranged the stage for
Sergeant Murphy's return. General
Washington, himself, was in con-
ference with Colonel Lansdowne
when the message was brought.
Sergeant Murphy has reported
with three Britishers captured out
side the lines" said an aide-de-
camp.
General Washington's eyes light
ed. "Lansdowne," he said quickly,
''just what we need. Bring him in"
he ordered, and exclaimed, remind
me, Lansdowne, to give this SER
geant recognition"
The door swung back and the
prinninp red headed Serpeant