Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-12-24
From the Ladie' National Magazine.
TIL E r EFUGEE,
A Tale of the American Revolution.
BY JAMES II. DANA.

During the war of the revolution, the
lower counties of New jersey was infested
by set of desperadoes passing under the
name of refugees, who, in the absence of
tho VIII gs in camp, plundered and insulted
their defe lceleSs families. A band of these
men became particularly notorious on the
Egg Harbor river, and that section of the
country is yet rife with legends of their mis-
deeds. A party equally numerous and even
more lawless, for a long time devastated
the settlements along the Maurice river.
Our story relates to this latter.
1t was at the ci"se of beautiful day in
the early part of October, that an athletic
young man, whose frank and good humored
countenance was passport to the acquant-
ance of strangers approached a clearing no,
far from the present decayed village of Dor
chester The house was of but one story,
built of thick hewn logs, and surrounded by
scanty fields, in which the stumps of the
original forest trees were yet visible. But
everything around the place had an air of
neatness, which was, increased, when, push
ing open the door, he entered the large,
comfortable kitchen, with its nicely secured
foor, and its dresser on which were arrayed
in brigh, rows the pewter plates. His foot
steps had Scarcely sounded on the floor be-
fore light figure sprang towards him, and
he next instant was locked in his arms.
"God bless you Mary" he said, as he
parted the hair fondly from her forehead,
and STOPPING kissed the fair brow.
The girl looked up in his face, and said,
half inquirngly, half positively,
You have come 10 stay--have you notl
Do now, give up running your sloop until
things become more settled. You will be
captured yet" she continued as her lover
shook his head, "and then, if thrown into
those dreadful prison ships, at New York,
you will never get back"
Notwithstanding the implorng tone in
which she spoke, her lover still shook his
head.
"Nay dearest, your woman's fears alarm
you without cause. There is no Danger
The English ships have left the Delaware
and must make the old sloop pay me now
for your sake"
She buried her face in his bosom to hide
the bushes a. this alIusion. He continued
cheerfulIy,
Now can you find me a support You
boast of your house keeping, you know
and yet I'll venture we are almost as good
cooks on board. At any rate, we are lit
tie more hospitable when we see a visitor
who has come miles to NEE, us, and walked
all the way"
He said this in playful tone, and the
girl Immediately fastened to set the supper
table. Hiseye followed her graceful move
ments, and they conversed together, as low
ers only converse, during the half hour in
which the preparations for the meal were
going on. A. length the other members oil
the family came in, and the conversation
| became general.
1t was yet early, however, when the
young man roso to go. The girl followed
him to the door.
Why 50 soon ?" she said.
g 1t is high tide, and have already over.
stayed my time" he said. '.But in a fea
days shall be back and it may be will be
so successful that there viii be no necessi,
ty for going again"
+" God grant it may be so,' she said fer
vently. 81 feel preseniimeni of some
danger hanging over you. There is Hogan
the refugee"
So He owes me il-wiil, know" said the
lover. ever since YOU preferred me to him