The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-06-10
The Tory Gallant.
ny WALTER PIEucY.

British forces we're in possession OF the
city of New York, young officer rode
up to an inn which he had been credibly
informed was sinctured with toryism, al
though it was forty miles from the city.
He rode a beautiful horse that seemed
perfectly trained to his service, and his
dress was neat and trimmed to an unusual
degree. What with regular face and
fair complexion, red coat and trimmed
as if it we're but day old, buff small
clothes and boots in the military style,
and snow-wlte plume that nodded over
his brow, he was an object to entrap a
whole coterie Of damsels, and to bring
evrey man to bay, Wing or Tory, long
enough to get "one look at him" He
dsmounted, gave his horse to an hostler,
and stepped upon the platform.
The landlord was stoutly built man,
having high cheek bones and rather a large
mouth but these marks of physiognomy,
which might indicate choleric and sem
sual character, were opposed by the double
expression that lurked in his small blue
eyes, trait that would puzzle an entire
stranger who would stake his purse upon
conjecture to his real character. lie saw
at once, that the stranger was fully aware
of his own importance as British officer,
and treated him accordingly. The officer,
as we have said had been informed that
the landlord was at heart a Tory, although
the Whigism of the village made it inn
prudent for him to blaze it Abroad
Moreover, there were two or three bro
Their officers lodging in the next town who
he had left behind. "Bclng anXious," as
he afterwards said, ".o pass few days
in this charming hamlet, and to ascertain
those particulars in regard to the fairer
portions of its population which every
gallant is bound to note upon the tablet
Of his re-col-lcc-,ion.
ala, landlord" said he, as lie caught
slight glimpse of his host.
'siout sct'vanl, %, ....- ~ l..-.'. 20
ply. We ought to have mentioned our
landlords name before, but we hate III
terlining so here it is, Elakim Ruggles.
Il think it probable, landlord" said
the officer, "that can find accommoda-
ton within your house for a transient
visit of few days-you understand me. "
SAY, ay, sir, as long as your honour
pleases."
"And give your eye, landlord, TO that
Buccphalus of NINE; you understand
me 2"
"Sir p
"Ah, take good care of that beast
that horse-you understand me -
"Ay, ay, your honor-Jack ~
"llere, SIR" cried a red headed urchln
of the landlords.
"Show that gentleman to the best
room
SAY, ay, sir ~ cried the little Ruggles,
who had caught his fathers PHRASES
The officer was accommodated. 1t was
early in the afternoon that he arrived there,
and after tea he took a shor, ride for the
purpose of looking at the village, and par
REGULARLY, he said, in order that he might
obtain glimpse of the surrounding seen
cry from the hill yonder. He had writ
ten his name on the tavern register, and
there it was in wonderful flourish and
parade of penmanship-'Capt. George
Fudge etc. On returning to the inn he
seated himself upon the platform where
the hndlord and few tavern loungers
we're collected as usual at sunset. "fvc
hardly had a chance" sad the landlord,
"to ask the news. sir; | 'sposc there's
something stirring"
why, indeed" replied the officer
slapping his small clothes with his glove
1.-The rebels talk as loud as ever, but 'poi
honor we have too little to do in the way
of our professionalism understand me.
SAY, sir, New York's safe enough
'spose."
"Bless me we live luxuriously in tina
city. We have balls and parties, and par
ties and balls. 1t would he refreshing
pom honor, to have lit,le fighting as wei
as dancing"
"You are too young, sir, 'spose, t
have seen a great deal OF hard service 2
y"By no means, landlord. | was at Lex
ington, indeed | was 500 early in til
war as that, should have done some
thing there had it not been for the sly an
: unsodier like conduct of the rebels--yo
understand mel have had five horse
shot under me--leaped four six bar fence
Just ahead of bullet-shot2l men, siabl
ed II all standing-hand to hand--r
deed have" Here the loungers wer
gaping with wonder aud curiosity, BIT
Mr.. Ruggles maintained his grave, dub