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L * 13 IA D A It IS. A 11.
A TALE Or THE REVOLUTION.
On the second day of December, 1777, late in
the afternoon, an officer in the British uniform
ascended the steps of a house in Second street,
Philadelphia, immediately opposite the quarters
occupied by General llowe, who, at that time,
had full possession of the city. The house was
plain and neat in its exterior, and well known to
be "tenanted by William and Lydia Darrah,
members of the Society of Friends. It was the
place chosen by the superior officers of the army
for private conference, whenever it was neces
sary to hold consultations on subjects of impor
tance ; and selected, perhaps, on account of the
unobtrusive character of its inmates, whose re
ligion inculcated meekness and forbearance, and
forbade them to practice the arts of war.
The officer, who seemed quite familiar with
the mansion, knocked at the door. It was
opened; and in the neatly furnished parlor he
met the mistress, who spoke to him, calling him
byname. It was the Adjutant-General, and he
appeared in haste to give an order. This was to
desire that the back room above stairs might be
prepared for the reception that evening of him
self and his friends, who were to meet there and
remain late. “ And be sure, Lydia,” he con
cluded, “ that your family are all in bed at an
early hour. I shall expect you to attend to this
request. When emu guests are ready to leave,
the house, I will give you notice, that you may
let us out, and extinguish the fire and candles.”
Having delivered this order with an emphatic
manner, which showed that he relied much on
the prudence and discretion of the person he
addressed, the Adjutant-General departed.—
Lydia betook herself to getting all things in
readiness. But the words she had heard,
especially the injunction to retire early, rang
in her ears; and she could not divest herself*of
the indefinable feeling that something of impor
tance was in agitation. While hei' hands were
busy in the duties that devolved upon her, her
mind was no less actively at work. The evening
closed in, and the officers came to the place of
meeting. Lydia had ordered all her family to
bed, and herself admitted the guests, after !
which she retired to her own apartment, and I
throw herself, without undressing, upon the bed. i
But sleep refused to visit her own eyelids, j
Her vague apprehensions gradually assumed j
more definite shape. She became more and
more uueasy, till her nervous restlessness
amounted to absolute terror. Unable longer
to resist the impulse—not of curiosity, but sure
ly of a far higher feeling—she slid from the bed,
and, taking off her shoes, passed noiselessly
from her chamber and along the entry. Ap
proaching cautiously the apartment in which
the officers were assembled, she applied her ear
to the key-hole. For a few moments she could
distinguish but a word or two amid the murmur
of voices ; yet, what she did hear but stimulated
her eager desire to learn the important secret of
the conclave.
At length there was profound silence, and a
voice was heard reading a paper aloud. It was
an order for the troops to quit the city on the
night of the fourth, and march out to a secret
attack upon the American ai - my, then encamped
at White Marsh.
Lydia had heard enough. She retreated soft
ly to her own room, and laid herself quietly on
the bed. In the deep stillness that reigned
through the house, she could hear the heating of
her own heart—the heart now throbbing with
emotions to which no speech could give utter
ance. It seemed to her that but a few moments
had elapsed, when there was a knocking at her
door. She knew well what the signal meant,
but took no heed. It was repeated, and more
loudly ; still she gave no answer. Again, and
yet more loudly, the knocks were repeated ; and
then she rose quickly, and opened the door.
It was the Adjutant-General, who came to in
form her they were ready to depart. Lydia let
thorn out, fastened the house, and extinguished
the lights and fire. Again she returned to her
chamber, and to bed; but repose was a stranger
for tb rest of the night. Ilor mind was more
disquieted than ever. She thought of the dan
ger that, ihreate tied the lives of thousands of her
country; eri, and of -the ruin that impended over
the w ! : land. Something must he done, and
that in;, .ediately, to avert this wide-spread des
. tructio: Should she awaken her husband and
inform mi? That would ho to place him in
special jeopardy, by rendering him a partaker
of her secret; and he might, too, be less wary
and prudent than herself. No; come what
might, she would encounter the risk alone.
THE PACIFICATOR A. CATHOLIC J OTTIMST AL.
After a petition for heavenly guidance, her reso
lution was formed; and she waited with compo
sure, though sleep was impossible, till the dawn
of day. Then she waked her husband, and in
formed him that flour was wanted for the use of
the household, and that it was necessary she
should go to Frankford to procure it. This was
no uncommon occurrence ; and her declining the
attendance of the maid-servant excited little
surprise. Taking the bag with her, she walked
i through the snow; having stopped first at head
quarters, obtained access to General Howe, and
secured his permission to pass the British lines.
The feelings of a wife and mother—one whose
religion was that of love, arid whose life was but
| a quiet round of .domestic duties—bound on an
I enterprise so hazardous, and uncertain whether
her life might not be the forfeit, may be better
imagined than described. ■ Lydia reached Frank
ford, distance four or five miles, and deposited
her bag at the mill. Now commenced the dan
gers of her undertaking; for she pressed forward
with all haste toward the outposts of the Ameri
can army. Her determination was to apprise
General Washington of the danger.
She was met on her way by an American offi
cer, who had been selected by General Washing
ton to gain information respecting the move
ments of the enemy. According to some au
-thorities, this was Lieutenant-Colonel Craig, of
the light horse. lie immediately recognized
her, and inquired whither she was going. In
reply, she prayed him to alight and walk with
her ; which he did, ordering his men to keep in
sight. To him she disclosed the secret, after
having obtained from him a solemn promise not
to betray her individually, siuce the British
might take vengeance on her and her family.
The-officer thanked her for her timely warn
ing, and directed her to go to a house near at
hand, where she might get something to eat.
But Lydia preferred returning, at once ; and did
so, while the officer made all haste to the Com
mander-in-Chief. Preparations were immedi
ately made to give the enemy a fitting recep
tion.
. With a heart lightened and filled with thank
fulness, the intrepid woman pursued her way
homeward, carrying the bag of flour which had
served as the ostensible object of her journey.
None suspected the grave, demure Quakeress of
having snatched from the English their antici
pated victory, ncr demeanor was, as usual,
quiet, orderly, and subdued, and she attended to
the duties of her family with her wonted com
posure. But her heart beat, as late on the ap
pointed night, she watched from her window the
departure of the army—on what secret expedi
tion bound, she knew too well! bhe listened
breathlessly to the sound of their footsteps and
the trampling of horses, till it died away in the
distance, and silence reigned through the city.
Time never appeared to pass so slowly as du
ring the interval which elapsed between the
marching out and the return of the British
troops. When at last the distant roll of the
drum proclaimed their approach; when the
sounds came nearer and nearer, and Lydia,
who was watching at the window, saw the
troops pass in martial order, the agony of anxie
ty she felt was too much for her strength, and
she retreated from her post, not daring to ask a
question, or manifest the least curiosity as to the
event.
A sudden and loud knocking at her door was
not calculated to lessen her apprehensions. She
felt that the safety of her family depended on
her self-possession at this critical moment. The
visitor was the Adjutant-General, who summoned
her to his apartment. With a pale cheek, hat
composed, for she placed her trust in a higher
Power, Lydia summons.
The officer's face was clouded, and his expres
sion stern. He locked the door with an air of
mystery when Lydia entered, and motioned fiev
to a seat. After a moment of silence, he said—
“ Were any of your family up, Lydia, on the
night when I received company in this house ?”
“ No,” was the unhesitating reply. “ They
all retired at eight o’clock.”
“ It is very strange,” said' the officer, and
mused a few moments. “ You, I know, Lydia,
were asleep; for I knocked at your door three
times before you heard me—yet it is certain that
we were betrayed. lam altogether at a. loss to
conceive who could have given the information
of our intended attack to General Washington 1
On arriving near his encampment we found his
cannon mounted, his troops under arms, and so
prepared at every point to receive us, that we
have been compelled to march back without in
juring our enemy, like a parcel of fools,”
It is not known whether the officer ever dis-
covered to whom he was indebted for the disap
pointment. ‘
But the pious Quakeress ‘blessed God for her
preservation, and rejoiced that it was not neces
sary for her to utter an untruth in Jier own de
fence. And all who admire examples of courage
and patriotism, especially those who enjoy the
fruits of them, must honor the name of Lydia
Darrah.
KIN SON & S H ECCI,
FAMILY GROCERS AM) COMMISSION
MERCHANTS,
141 BROAD STREET, OPPOSITE MONUMENT.
Keep constantly on band Family Supplies of all
descriptions, which we are offering at the Lowest
Prices for CASH. Will barter fotr Country Produce
at a fair valuation. j 024
yjW NTIs TB Y . 7
DR. GEORGE PATERSON
Informs his former patrons, and the citizens of Au
gusta and vicinity, that he has resumed the practice
of his profession, and can be found at his office on
Broad-struvt, one door below Express office.
June 17 ts
A ,
J. A. ANSI.EY, W. J. BI.AIH, A. J. SMITH.
F A. ANSLEY & CO.,
tJ •
. No. 300 Broad Street,
Augusta, Ga.,
GENERAL COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
AND SPECIAL AGENTS FOR
SALE OF MANUFACTURED TOBACCO.
Refer to either Bank in Augusta. June 17
~jd n. PUG H E ,
STAPLE AND FANCY DRY GOODS STORE,
No. 190 Broad-street, Augusta, Ga.
Juno 17
JAMES T. GASDINE 11.
U (SUCCESSOR TO GARDINER & RCSSELI.)
WAREHOUSE AND COMMISSION MERCHANT,
Mclntosh-strcet, Augusta, Ga.,
Will give his personal attention to the Storage and
Sale of Citlon, and such other Produce as may bo sept
to him. ts June 17
Y F., C. BARB E
BROKER AND DEALER IN EXCHANGE,
Broad-street, Augusta, Ga.
June 17 (f
J0217Y C. CiALYIY,
259 Broad Street, . Augusta, Ga.,
COMMISSION MERCII A N T
And dealer in
ALL KINDS OF PRODUCE.
JSS" Consignments of all kinds solicited.
Mar 11 —6m
« . V&IsUI2 IS ,
Direct importer of
CHOICE lI<A VA N A SEGA BS,
and Manufacturer .of
DOMESTIC SEGA RS,
Mar. 11-ly No. 193 liroad Street, Augusta. Ga.
J. J. BROOM. w. C. JONES.
BROOM & CO.,
COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
No. 238 Broad Street,
Oct. 15 Augusta, Ga.
Merchant Tailoring LNlaDllslimem
JOHN KENNY,
BROAD STREET, AUGUSTA, GA.
HAS on hand, Extra-fine Black Broadcloth, Black
Doeskin and English Melton Cloths, N. C. and
Fancy Cassiinero, all of which he will make up to or
der in tho latest style, and warranted to tit or no salo.
Give me a call befote purchasing elsewhere. ju9-6m
111. O’DOWD,
GROCER AND COMMISSION MERCHANT,
273 Broad street, Augusta, Ga.,
Will give prompt and personal attention to all busi
ness entrusted to his care. my 27 1m
Spring Hill College, near Mobile,
Alabama.
THIS institution is under tho charge of the ItR.
VS. of the Society of Jesus, whose object is to
devote themselves to the Christian education of youth.
It has been empowered by the State of Alabama to
confer all academical degrees.* The course of studies
is divided into two: the Classical course and the Com
mercial course—the latter comprises the study of the
Living Languages, Arithmetic, the elements of Alge
bra and Geometry, History, Geography, and Book
keeping; the forrnor comprises, besides what has been
already stated, Latin and Greek, Literature, Poetry,
Rhetoric, the higher branches of Mathematics, Natu
ral Philosophy, Astronomy, Chemistry, Natural His
tory, Logie, Metaphysics, and Moral Philosophy.
The age of admission is from nine to fifteen years.
It is required that the pupils know previously how to
read and write.
For reference applh to the Rev. Clergy of tho Dio
cese, and to this office, and for terms to
“y2O F. GAUTEELET, S. J.
TV X T ENSIVE
Bosk and Job
PRINTING ESTIBLISHMEST.’
• \
IN CONNECTION WITH
“The Pacificator”
We have one of the
LARGEST PRINTING OFFICES IN AMERICA!
And are prepared to execute
IN PLAIN OR FANCY STYLE
Every Description of Printing
Railroad Companies can have all their work done
here. ■
Professors of schools and colleges oan have their
reports, catalogues and demerit tickets printed in the
neatest manner.
Merchants’ Circulars, Cards, Bill Heads, Checks, etc.
Showmen’s Bills and Tickets.
Wedding and Visiting Cards.
Ball and Party Invitations.
»
Handbills, Promissory Notes, Blank Checks, Deeds,
Summons,’ Letter Heads, Lablce, Receipt Books, in
fact any tbi»g in the printing lint), either plain or
ornamental, cap be done.
Having superior workmen and new material, we
defy competition.
Promptness and cheapness is onr forte.
Printing office corner of Mclntosh and Broad sts.
M. M. HILL, Manager. '
STEAUI BAKERT,
fpHE undersigned, having now in full blast
BOWEN’S STEAM BAKERY.
Take pleasure in annotiw-ing to the citizens of Au
gusta and vicinity that they arc prepared to sopdly.
daily, all kinds of
BREAD, CAKES, PIES, SODA AND WINE
CRACKERS,
Together with Family Groceries of every description
which are sold at the lowest market price. ' ’
Wine Crackers - - _ .to c ts. per lb
Soda Crackers - - - 35 cts! per ib
Butter Crackers - . - 35 cts. per !b
M. RICE & CO.,
Bowen’s Steam Bakery,
icy 27 1 m 341 Broad street.
BARTER, BARTER, HARTER,
ALL KINDS OP GOODS FOIL PROVISIONS, AT
M. O’DOWD’S,
273 Broad street.
r WILL exchange, on the most reasonable terms
» -.ugar, Coffee, Salt, Tobacco, Shoe tin >' -Shirti- I
Osnaburgs, Iron, Nails, etc., etc., for Country Prodiw'
to-wit: Bacon, Wheat, Flour, Corn, Peas Meal
ter, Lard, eto. ’ ’ T
Farmers and Planters will’find it to their adVan
tage to give me a call. mv2i—
-1355. ML J. 1503.A 1¥
XT AS resumed the practice of Medicine and Su-r.-erv
, f“ and f l T uln his services to his former t atrons
and the citizens of Augusta generally. For the pres
ent can be found at residence, No. 421 Broad street
my2o—tf
MRS. F. SMITH,
134 Broad Street, Augusta, Ga.,
General assortment of
DRY GOODS, FANCY QOO DS> HOSIERY, YARNS,
Mar 11—6 m ’
Medical Noticed
DOCTOR 11. L. BYRD
-RESPECTFULLY tenders his services in all the
XV branches of his profession to the citizens of
SION HOUSE am ,' residence in the MAK-
Jackson ’ Strect ’ f6ur d00 » above
jc9—lot