The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-03-28
Number as.


in the village church. Not breath disturb
ed the serenity of the atmosphere-not
sound prolaned the sacred stiffness of the
day. The times were dangerous,a and Catha-
rine had locked herself aad the old slave in
the house until the return ofthe family from
church. A rap was heard at the front door.
said Catharine to the slave, 'Iho
family have not yet come home---church
cannot be dismissed The rap was repeat
ed will see who it is, said Caihsrine,as
she ran up stairs to the armory. On open
ing the window and looking down, she saw
six men standing at the font door and on
the opposite side Of the street three Of whom
she knew were Tories. who formely resd-
ed in the village. There names were Van
Zandt, Finly and Sheldon. The other
three were strangers, but she had reason to
believe them 10 be of the same political
stamp, from the company in which she
found them.
Van Zandt was a notorious character and
the number and enormity of his crimes had
rendered his name infamous in that vicinity
Not murder or robbery was committed
within miles Of S., that he did not get
the credit either of planning or executing
The characters OF Finly and Sheldon were
also deeply stained with crime but Van
Zandt was master spirit in iniquily. The
appearance Of such characters, under such
circumstances, must have been truly alarm
ing to young lady Of Catharine's age if not
to any lady, young or old. But Catliarine
V---possessed her fathers spirit-'the
spirit OF the times, Van Zandt was standing
on the stoop, rapping at the door while his
companions were talking in whisper
on the side walk on the opposite side Of the
street.
is Judge Vat homel' asked Van
Zandt, when be saw Catharine at the win.
He is not said she.
I'VE have business Of pressing impor-
tance with him, and ifyou will open the
door, said Van Zandt, we will walk in and
remain till he returns.
No, said Catharine, when he went to
church, he left particular directions not to
have the doors opened until he and the FAM
lily returned. You had better call when
the church is dismissed.
NO. retorted the villain, I'VE will enter
now or never.
Impossible replied she,'you cannot en-
ter until he returns
Open the door, cried he cor we'll break
it down, and burn you and the house up to-
gelher. So saying, he threw himself, with
all the force he possessed, against the door,
and at the same time called upon his COM
panisns to assist him. The door however
resisted his efforts.
Do not attempt that again, said Catha-
rine, or you are dead man. at the same
time presenting from the window heavy
+ horseman's pistol already cooked.
7 At the sight OF this formidable weapon,
= the companions of Van Zandt, who had
crossed the street al lis call, retreated.
E 'Whatl' cried their leader, 'you COW
S ards are you frightened at the threat of .
n girl = and again he threw himself upon the
n door. The weapon discharged, and Var
d Zandt fell
TAe report was heard at the curch, ant
= males and females at once rushed out to as
d certain the cause On looking towards the
It residence of Judge V, they perceived
e FIVE men running at full speed, whom the
}, Judges negroes and several others gave
}. chase tO--and from an upper window o
}, his residence, white handkerchief wa;
i waving, as if beckOning for aid!
e All rushed towards the place, and upor
y their arrival, Van Zandt was in the agonei
h of death. He still retained strength 10 &C
d knowledge that they had long contemplated
: robbing that hsuse, and had frequently beer
= concealed in the neighborhood for that pur
pose no opportunity had offered until tha
Il