Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-01-01
FROM TBE NEW YORK wEEKLY TINES.
A FEARFUL TALE OF A TREE.
BY 1HADpEus W. MEieaAs

/ L ne Ials OF Inc ''groanlnS Tree, k"ith
which everybody who reads al all is
perfectly iamlisr,) is not more remarka-
ble than the one we are about 10 relate.
Near the village Of White Plsirs, and
within a mile Of the battle ground, stands
peculiar looking remnant OF what was,
at one time, very singular oak tree. 1t
stood, like giant, alone, IN cleared en-
closure used for pasturage, aud was spar
ed by the axe, as IS salo, because of its
uncoulh aud unmatched shape. A branch
| had, when the oak was young, been bent
| IN the form Of circle, 50 that the end
rested in what is elegantly but expressive
| ly termed "a crotch :" In this manner il
grew, the ''croich" closing up as the trunk
Expanded, and securing the intruder. -
| The other branches grew straight aud
strong--four Of them indicating the points
ofthe compass, and bearing foliage, which,
unusually plentiful, formed a beautiful
shelter. The ''oak ring" grew, as we
have already niimated, below these bran.
ches, or arms, and consequently was com,
peteIy canop,ed. 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 fes-
Invites and other sports were celebrated
at this celebrated spot; ald, to be brief,
the residence of the Squire and the little
frame school house were objects or Sc
condsry consideration compared with this
oak. Perhaps until this day that tree
would have been associated with pleasure,
had it not been for mournfnl occurrence
which Swallowed its memory with the idea
of death, and connected with its name ter
tible Thoughts Of the attributes Of another
world. This mournful occurrence may
be briefly related.
A short time previous to tho battle Of
White Plains, the British soldiery were
accustomed to scour the county daily
for whatever good fortune might cast in
their way. The plundered the houses Of
all the valuables they contained, stripped
The larders, desolated the hen. roosts, drove
off the tenants OF the stables, and left the
country there abouts as bare as it must
have been shortly after the deluge, in all
things save hnman beings. Hunger,
compelled by the want of food wrongful.
ly withheld, will make any man irras-
chile and destructive. The natural con-
sequence Of the foragers was feeling OF
hatred, as wild and ungovernable as the
northern tempest, agalns: every man who
wore red coat. If it were possible, that
there were others who were hated more
cordially than the British soldiers-and
these were the story" inhabitants, many
Of whom also formed themselves into mar
audrng bands, and followed the occupation
Of "robblng in the kings name," at tn
expense Of those who were neighbors, and
had been friends. The chief leader Of the
tory bands was young man Of much
talent and great personal beauty, named
Brownson, who owned the Oak Tree, the
land upon which j, grew, and a neat lit
lie house about fifty rods distant. By
forsglng. he amassed in a few weeks a
large sum Of money, and the fact became
as notorious as the Scriptures. He had q
young and pretty wife, whose amiability
and patriotism shielded him for long time
from any exteme demonstration ofhatred;
but the ravages his band made at length
were carried 10 such an extravagant pitch,
that meeting OF his wronged and oppres.
sed neighbors was at last called, to con.
slider measures for the prevention Of fur.
ther imposition-the prompt pun shmen'
Of the leaders OF the tories. A blacksmith
named Lent headed the meeting. He
advocated immediate action, and called
for the appointment Of committee Il
select subjects for punishment, and to orr.
ginate the method Of its administration.
The committee reported that Brown.
son should be first taken in hands. HIS
lie was to be spared-but they decided
that he should be stripped OF all his earth
ly possessions, and that his dwelling should
be given to the flames. Twenty strong
men Immediately armed themselves, and
bent their steps towards Brownson's house.
They halted beneath the Oak Tree and
feconnotred.
"Now," said Lent, who had gone 10
the windows OF the dwelling and inspect
ed every part around, "atvance, every
man. There is no one there but Brown
son himself. We will cal him out and
demand his money"
All sssen,ed. With noiseess steps they
reached the house and posted themse Ives
at the door. Lent advanced, and, in q
loud voice, commanded Bfownson to come
! forth.
"Who calls 7" demanded Brownson.
81, Peter Lent"
ave are not friends-you can have no
business with me. Leave my premises!"
continued Browuson, as he opened the
door.
awe will leave tho premises, exclam-
ed Lent, as he watched the gaze OF his
astonshed enemy, "but that will be alter
we have taken your gold and burn: your
nest OF treason about your ears"
"Peter Lent, know you, and know
every man with you. Let any harm come
to me, aud you shall all pay dearly for III
As for gold, have none"
"We'll search for -" shouted Lent,
as he pushed Brownson aside and rushed
into the house, followed by his compan
ions.
They were met by the wife, who pa
thelicalIy implored them to spare her
house from the Dissertation of search.