Show n D D I The Tory of Valley Forge By Dy GILBERT PATTEN BROWN BROWNI I S from hom tho a CHRISTIAN N HERALD D Li- Li D Li gT T WAS a cold day in February In Inthe J ji PJ the year of grace 1778 and the patriot army lay In n winter quarters tens at Valley Forge Forgo The bleak bleal winds that swept across Cedar Hoi Hol low were tearing through the huts ol 01 the freezing soldiers Down near tho the Potts mansion Is seen an old man slowly making his way toward the out out- post of Washington's guard comes conies here asked the picket Peter Davis was the reply and andI I want to see Mr George Washington the rebel chief continued tho the aged peasant If you reader will now approach the scene I will Introduce to you a aTory aTory aTory Tory an Englishman by birth a strong defender derender of ot the king and a a. spy for Lord Howes Howe's army while they are areen en enjoying enjoying en toying the festivities of ot gay Philadel Philadel- phia His two sons are soldiers In Inthe the yie Continental army and the old man Irian lins ijas come to ask permission of WashIngton Washington Wash Wash- Ington to visit them as they are now freezing at Valley Forge Soon a tall man comes upon the scene The Tory trembles It Is General Gen Gen- eral erat Washington who has come to greet the old man and to hear his pitiful story What is your mission my dear dearman dearman man asked the patriot chief as he looked with love Into tho the face of the stranger Well Mr Washington you see ItIs it itIs itIs Is like this youre you're a n. rebel and I am ama a Tory but I want to see my two boys Come In and get warm sir and I to find them replied the distinguished dis din t Virginian Soon General Washington summons t to o his headquarters the adjutant general genral gen gen- e eral ral of the the- Continental army General said Bald he this thin man Is Mr Davis a farmer and a Tory but even ven e the rights of ot a Tory must be r respected by the army of the Thirteen Colonies You will find among the e enrolled men James and John Davis A t. t S I It Is General Washington I at and d if they are well dispatch them to my headquarters At this juncture the countersign Is IB given at the door and there enters the spacious room Rev Israel Evans chaplain of ot the New York brigade Good morning chaplain said Washington Good morning general was his reply O Orb On this your sixth forty-sixth birthday birth day I bring to you the greetings of ot Chancellor Livingston and heres here's a box of ot dainties with the compliments of or Mrs Livingston May heaven bless them replied the glad recipient So general this Is your birthday six forty years I am nearly twice your our age slowly remarked the Tory and I fear God has forgotten me mc long ago TUe ine worn care features or of the general general general gen gen- eral and the peaceful face of ot the chaplain chaplain chap chap- I lain seemed deeply to affect the aged man A moment of silence prevails when the old man bursts Into tears Let us pray said the army chap chap- lain Will you you not kneel with tho the general and m myself self Mr Davis asked the Ibe reverend gentleman The stranger fell to his knees aud and auda anda a prayer went forth that Peter Davis should no longer remain a Tory or an un enemy to human justice Peter Davis went home a changed man that He no longer acted act ed as a spy for Lord Howes Howe's array arry The Davis Dayis farmhouse was at the servIce Ice of the Continentals ce during the remainder remainder remainder re re- re- re of their sta stay at Valley Forge Forge- He lived to see seo the independence of 01 the Colonies and many times during the evening of his life ure he thanked his bin Maker that to his heart there came carao courage to visit vit General Washington among the tho huts huh of the Continental irmy during the darkest days of ot war waged galS against British despot |