The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-02

placethat the hand Of which has been wholly
idle, is not needed to make it a delightful spot
We must let your imagination hedecl the walks and
set ofthe borders with flowers and eyegreens, while
we follow on tho thread Of our story. Doubtless
in this day of peace and prosperity, much time has
been found for Improvement and ornament, which
the disasters between l776 and 1888 afforded no eis
ure to attend TO. Mr. Meeker was busy through the
wnrund in the business of the war lie did not how
ever, belong TO tho rank and file; neither he a
commissioned office. Yet from the honorable and
trusty service in which he was engaged was prop
or for him to mount pair ofepauletes and to DO
provided with suit Of uniform. Such was his
character for prowess and self command that he was
principally chosen bear important communications
from one division Of the American army TO another,
through sections of the country in possession of the
enemy's lines.
Sometimes he would be seen bounding along
through tho country on his gallant courser the dress
of colonel Mt others, when the service required it,
he would resume the plain farmers garb BY these
means he escaped detection & capture, whlo many Of
his less fortunate neighhors found 10 their own
houses, in military apparel, and consigned frequently
for years ogetherto the old 5ugar-H House in the city
of New York, which was the British goal for Ameri-
his visits home, or leaving his regimeuta suit several
miles up in the interior the house Of ocquain-
other; or, else in the care of some brother
officer regular duty. Thus it was that parties of
the enemy roaming about through the neighborhood
often called Mt ais house and partook Of the hospiti-
ties, which it hat. been foyto deny them, of hum
bic unpretending cou.ryman, as they vainy suppos-
ed, who gave himself no about politics. war,
or liberty.
l. is related Of him, that on one occasion, some
ften twenty English officers who had been out
lroc, came riding up, and showing disposition
to aght, very kindly and submissively well
coined and invited in by Meeker, who ordered the
woman,n servant that belonged him, to prepare din
for the whole party while he very oficously led
their horses to the stable, and supplied them with
hay lie then came in and set out his brandy which
flowed freely around and put them in the best
humor Knowing that they would probably stay sew
ern hours and that it would be two, or three least
before the dinner would be ready; after expressing
much regret at tho necessity he under. Of leaving
them, he begged that they would excuse his absence
from them while, us his grandmother lay very in,
and was not likely to live, aud he had been about
starting 70 see her perhaps for the last time, just
they arrived. They condoled with him most sincere
", and told him by all means 10 go and cot suffer
them TO detlin him lie ntod his horse and gal
loped off three or four miles, and soon gathered
party of the neighbors. BY this time the red coat
officers in the midst of their comfortable
tainment, with appeites quite whotted up with the
farmers substitute for champagne, and exchanging
the joyous salu ations of wit and raiery. i... a |
There living at of the neghborng houses
ol, Ill al
Jane. She was both tory in her politics. and
slave ia her As natural she did not feel
very deep interest in the welfare of that side among
the members of which were those who kept her in
bondage Our readers, however, not hastily TO /
infer that the characters slave and tory idon-
teal. For adjoining farm was brother slave,
called Frank, who partook of all the enthusiasm of |
the most Jealous Wing. Frank would frequently be |
seen in the attire of an American soldier the back
Of his plough mag, brandshng his trusty blade, and |
joining in hearty cheer for the independence of his
masters country, and his own. Jane often rallied
him ''for fool of a nigger,' and asked him how |
much better he would be off suppose the British
should be beaten "Let 'em cut their own throas
if they pease--it's none ofyour business, Pm sure
you'll only be slave, let the fight come out as
WILL ....... -l.t.I t..Iff -".
1t was lucky for the jolly messmates in Joseph
NIcekers cottage, that old Jane happened them
when they stopped there Wondering how parcel
of Engshmen should larry so long Mt the house of
man whom she knew to be staunch partizan on
the opposite side she sauntered down the road, and,
dropping into the kitchen, soon informed Of his
warm hospitality, and the pretended excuse for his
a bsence, by the cook, who of her own color
ane knew very well there was no time to be lost
So without ceremony, she clustered into the house,
exclaiming, "WelI, think you be a pretty set of
fools to be ealing and drinking here at this rate. Jo-
suh Meeker by this time has got his gang around him.
and it's wonder if YOU'RE notall buchered on the
spot. It's time you were scampering for your lives"
This unexpected alarm broke upon the mess in quite
short order, or rather disorder. Scamper they did
And scarcely picking up their hats, left swords, pis
tolls, belts and sushes and lying for their horses, hard
ly had time 10 and hasten off towards Eliza
BEETHOVEN, before Mr. Meeker and his party had sur
rounded the house. /
Not long before, after, this event-we are not