American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-15
BY THADDEus W. MEIGHAN

BY GHADDEIS W. hkibHAN'
The tale of the ''groaning tree,n with which
everybody who reads at all is perfectly fami-
liar, is not more remarkable than the one we
are about to relate.
Near the village of White Plains, and with
in mile Of the battle ground, stands pecu-
liar looking remnant of what was, at one time,
a very singular oah tree. 1t stood, like giant,
alone, in cleared enclosure used for pastur-
age, and was spared by the axe, as is said, be-
cause of its uncouth and unmatched shape A
branch had, when the oak was young, been
bent in the form of circle, so that the end
rested in what is elegantly but expressvely
termed ga crotch" In this manner it grew,
the "crotch" closing up as the trunk expand
ed, and securing the intruder. The other
branches grew straight aud strong-tour of
them indicating the points Of the compass and
bearing foliage, which, unusually plentiful,
formed beautiful shelter. The soak ring''
grew, as we have already animated, below
those branches, or arms, and consequently was
completely canopied. 1t was secure and
comfortable resting place, Of which the young
people residing in the vicinity made good use.
Lovers met there. Public meetings were held
there. May-day festivities and other sports
were celebrated at this celebrated spot; and to
he brief, the residence of the Squire and the
little frame school house were objects of Sc
condary consideration compared with this oak.
Perhaps until tins day that tree would have
been associated with pleasure, had it not been
for a mournful occurrence which Swallowed its
memory with the idea of death, andSonnected
with its name terrible thoughts OF the attributes
of another world. This mournful occurrence
may be briefly related.
A short time previous to the battle of White
Plains, the British soldiery were accustomed to
scouE the country daily for whatever good for
tune might cast in their way. They plumber
ed the houses ofall the valuabes they contain
ed, stripped the larders, desoaed the hen
roosts, drove off the tenants ofthe stables and
left the country Whereabouts as bare as it must
have been shortly after the duuge in all
things save human beings. Hunger, compelled
by the want of food wrongfully withheld, will
make any man irrascible and destructive. The
natural consequence of the foragers was a feel
ing of hatred, as wild aud ungovernable as the
northern tempest, against every man who
wore red coat. lift were possible, that there
were others who were hated more cordially
than the British soldiers-and these were the
"tory' inhabitants, many of whom also formed
themselves into marauding bands, and followed
the occupation of"robbing in the kings name, u
at the expense of those who were neighbors
and had been friends. The chief leader of the
tory bands was a young man of much talent
and great personal beauty, named Brownson,
who owned the Oak Tree, the land upon which
it grew, and neat little house about fifty rods
distant. By loragng, he amassed in few
weeks large sum of money, and the fact be-
came as notorious as the Scriptures. He had
a young and pretty wife, whose amiabity and
patriotism shielded him for long time from
any extreme demonstration OF hatred; but the
ravages his band made at length were carried
) TO such an extravagant pitch, that meeting
Of his wronged and oppressed neighbors was at
last called, to consider measures for the pre-.
yenton of further impostion-the promp,
: punishment of the leaders of the tories. A
! blacksmith named Lent headed the meeting
He advocated immediate action, and called fol
Vlhe appointment of committee to select sub
,ects for punishment, and to originate the me-
thod of its administration.
The committee reported that Brownson
should be first taken in hand. His life was to
be spared-but they decided that he should bs
stripped of all his earthly possessions, and that
his dwelling should be given to the flames
Twenty strong men Immediately armed them
selves, and bent their steps towards Brownson'
house. They halted beneath the Oak Tree and
reconnoitred.
''Now," said Lent, who had gone to the win
dows of the dwelling and inspected every part
around, "advance, every man. There s no one
there but Brownson himself We will call him
out and demand his money"
All assented. With noiseless steps they
reached the house and posted themselves at the
door. Lent advanced, and, in loud voice
commanded Brownson TO come forth.
"Who CALLS" demanded Brownson.
81 Peter Lent"
"We are not irends--you can have no bust
ness with me. Leave my premises" continued
Rrnupenn 10 he onpnpd tho door