Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-01-03
From the New York Weekly Times.
A FEARFUL TALkoF A TREE.
ny THADDEus w. MErGuAN.


iar,) is not more remarkable than the one W,
are about TO relate.
Near the village of White Plains. and with
in mile of the battle ground, stands pecula
looking remnant of what was at one time. .
very singular oak tree. 1t stood, like q giant
alone, in clear enclosure used for pasiurage
and was spared by the axe, as it is snid, because
Of its uncouth and unmatchless shape. A branch
had, when the oak was young, been bent in the
form of a circle, so that the end rested in wha,
is elegantly and expressively termed "a crotch
In this manner it grew, the crotch closing uu
as tho trunk expanded, and securing the nru.
der. The other branches grew straight and
strong-four of them indicating the points of
the compass, and bearing foliage which, un,i.
sually plentiful, formed beautiful shelter The
oak ring grew, as we have already intimated,
below these branches or arms, and consequent
ly was completely canopied. 1t was secure
and comfortable resting place, of which the
young people residing in the vicinity made good
use. Lovers met Public meetings were held
there.-May yday festivities and other sports
were celebrated at this celebrated spot and, to
be brief, the residence Of the Squire and the lit.
! tie frame school-ho were subjects of seconda.
! ry consideration compared with this oak Per-
haps until this day that tree would have been
associated with pleasure, had it not been for
Inonrnful occurrence which shadowed its mem.
nr yyith tho ~
its name terrible thoughts of the attributes of
another world. This mournfu occurrence NAV
be briefly related.
short time previous to the battle of White
Plains. the British soldiery were accustomed to
scour the country daily for whatever good for
tune they might cast in their way. They plum
dered the houses of alPthe vauables they con.
tanned, stripped the larders, desolated the hen.
roos,s. drove off the tenants of the stables, and
left the country thereabouts as bare as it must
have been shortly after the deluge, in all things
save human beings. Hunger, compelled by the
want of food wrongfully withheld, will make
any man irrascible and destructive The natu.
raj consequence of a ioraging was a feeling of
hatred, as wild and ungovernable as the
northern tempest, against every man who wore
red coat-lf it were possible. there were O.
theirs who were hated more cordially than the
British soldiers-and these were the tory in.
habitant, many Of whom also formed themselves
into marauding bands, and followed the occupa.
ton of robbng in the kings name,' at the ex-
pense of those who were neighhors and had
been friends. The chief leader of the tory bands
was young man of much talent and great per-
sonal beauty, named Brownson, who owned the
Oak Tree, the land upon which it grew, and a
neat little house about fifty rods distant BY
'oraging, he amassed in n few weeks a large
sum of money, and the fact became as notorious
as the Scriptures. He had young and pretty
wife, whose amiability and patriotism sbielded
him for long time from any extreme demon
stration Of hatred but the ravages his band
made at length were carried to such an extra
VACANT pitch, that meeting of his wronged and
oppressed neighbors was at last called to consi-
der measures for the prevention of further i'm |
position--the prompt punishment of the leaders
ofthe tories. A blacksmith named Lent headed /
the meeting. lie advocated immediate action,
and called for the appointment ofa committee to 1
select subjects, for punishment, and to originate |
the method of its administration.
The committee reported that Brownson
should be first taken in hand. His wife was to
be spared-but they decided that he should be
stripped Of all earthly possessions, and that his
dwelling should be given to the flames Twen.
ty strong men Immediately armed themselves,
and bent their steps towards Brownson's house.
They halted beneath the Oak Tree and recon.
noitered.
Now said Lent, who had gone to the win.
dows Of the dwelling and inspected every part
around, advance, every man. There is no one
there but Brownson himself We will call him
out and demand his money
All assented. With noiseess steps they
reached the house and posted themselves at the
door. Lent advanced, and, in loud voice,
commanded Brownson to come FORTH
WHO calls 2 demanded Brownson.
4, Peter Lent
We are not friends-you can have no bus-
ness with me. Leave my premises = continued
Brownson, as he opened the door.
we will leave the premises exclaimed
Lent, as he watched the gaze of his astonisled
enemy but that will be after we have taken
your gold and burnt your nest of treason about
your ears
spa,ar an, 7 kno,,, ,,o,, 81 - --- |