A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia | Page 7

no one to be seen on the quiet street as Ruth,
holding her skirt up in front while the sides and back trailed about her
on the dirty pavement, walked hurriedly along toward High Street.
"I'll walk more like a grown-up lady when I get near the General's
house," she resolved. "Won't Winifred be surprised when she knows
that the English General thought I really was grown up?" and Ruth
gave a little laugh of delight at the thought of her friend's astonishment,
quite forgetting all the troubles that had seemed so overpowering an
hour before.
As she turned into High Street she found herself facing the amused
stare of two young ladies who were hurrying home from an afternoon
walk.
"I suppose they were laughing because I was holding up my skirt,"
thought Ruth, quite unconscious of her absurd appearance, "but I'll
have to, for I couldn't walk a step if I didn't," she decided.

[Illustration: "'TIS A LADY COMING TO CALL"]
Two English soldiers were on guard at the entrance of the fine mansion
that the English General had taken from its rightful owner for his own
use; and as Ruth, now half afraid to go up the steps, stood looking up at
them a little fearfully, one of them noticed the queer little figure, and,
quite forgetting his dignity, chuckled with amusement.
"Look, Dick! Here is a lady admiring our fine uniforms," he said,
calling his companion's attention to Ruth, whose gown now trailed
about her, and whose bonnet had slipped to one side.
"'Tis a lady coming to call on the General," responded "Dick," with a
wink at the first speaker.
"Did you wish to see General Howe, madam?" he continued, looking
down at Ruth, while his companion chuckled with delight.
"Yes, if you please," Ruth managed to reply, beginning to feel a little
afraid, and wishing that she had waited until the next day when
Winifred might have come with her.
"Kindly walk up the steps, madam, and I will announce you to the
General," continued the young soldier, welcoming the hope of a little
amusement to break the monotony of his daily duties.
Ruth obeyed, stumbling a little as she reached the top.
"And what name shall I say?" Dick asked, bowing very low.
"Mistress Ruth Dilling ham Pernell, if you please, sir," Ruth replied,
gaining a little courage, and trying to stand as tall as possible, hardly
sure if the young soldier was really laughing at her, or if he believed
her dress to be a proof of at least twenty years of experience.
"'Twill be good sport for the General and his friends. They are just
sitting down to dinner," "Dick" whispered to the other guard, as he
swung open the big door and ushered Ruth into the hall, and then led

the way toward the dining-room.
"What nonsense is this, Dick? We are not rehearsing any play just
now," called a gay voice; and Ruth and the young soldier were
confronted by a tall officer whom Ruth instantly recognized as the
same who had called her a "rebel" that very afternoon on Second Street.
She became really frightened. Suppose he should remember her, and
tell General Howe what she had said about Washington driving the
English from the city? It might be that, just as Winifred had said, and
they would put her in prison. She wished she were safely at home with
Aunt Deborah. But "Dick" was speaking to the handsome young
officer.
"Ah, now, Major André, 'twill be as good as any comedy you have seen
in South Street," he declared, "and the General will be well pleased. No
harm shall come to the child."
"Well, I'll not interfere. This is a dull town at best," responded the
young officer laughingly, and without another glance at Ruth, he
entered the dining-room, with a word to the soldier who stood at the
door. The big door was now swung wide open by two servants in the
livery of the English General. Just beyond them stood Major André,
who bowed very low as Ruth entered, and said:
"General Howe, a lady who greatly desires to ask a favor of you," and
Ruth found herself on the threshold of the beautiful room whose
paneled walls were brilliantly lighted by many wax candles in silver
sconces. The table was handsomely spread with fine china, glass and
silver; and about it were seated a number of English officers.
"More comedy, André!" called a pleasant voice; "kindly bring the lady
this way," and General Howe rose from his seat at the head of the table,
and instantly all his guests were on their feet.
Major André held out his hand to Ruth. She well knew that this was the
proper moment to make her best curtsy, and