The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-09-23
"Does he enot venture into New York
in disguise2" inquired the

S""'~'"SS - I'D - az Sll-'I =" = = " =
Colonel.ii3l6g,aaxs Yd9isli a9iWiit
.l've heard so. He was slippery
from a boy up, and can disguise him
self any way. He's precious scamp,
and you'll do a favor TO this part Of
Jersey il you hang him as soon as you
catch him." lgc5g.I 1oo3 3Ag }6 eqife
This conversation had been near a
stone wall, on the side of which was IN
old garden: but the troubles Of the
times bad LEFT it uncultiyated, and the
gooseberry and current bushes had
grown up rank and untrimmed and the
briers .stretched over the walls, cover
ing the ground from sight. "A afs.4I
Under this cover, and within ten
feet Of the Colonel and Classen, lay
crouched The verysman they were talk
ing Of. He had barely time to escape
from the house and conceal himself on
the approach Of the British horsemen.
whom he did not then suspect Of being
within ten miles Of him. l.ig7,ij
Twice or three times, on hearing
the base lies of CIassen, he was on the
poin, of rising and confronting him,
bat little reflection was left, and he
thought that was not the occasion to
place his life in jeopardy. which he
certainly would do, since the party had
come out expressly TO take him. sps
"Do you know with any certainly,
Classen, how long since Van Dyke has
been seen in the neighborhood?" uol
III heard that he was seen last night
two miles from this, in bye-path. thro'
the woods, coming in the direction OF
his house," 1.agaa ,i5 saoa.s eno,,
"That is The information ! received,
and am determined to capture him,
sooner or later. If you can point out
his whereabouts, or arrest him your
self, you shall have a reward OF fifty
guineas."
Classen was as avaricious and fond
of money as he was wicked. Fifty
guineas was large sum indeed, 2artic-
uarIy in those days when gold was
rarely. seen. ral a54tG 4, sailHHs.f
."lwilI catch him, Colonel, before he
is three days older. know one ofhis
haunts."; a5 u .fs5as..a-fi ,,-,s ..... ,,r
"Why not lead US there :heni'
s'It would be OF no use this time OF
day. Besides he may not be there for
a day oor two, and ! shall have, to be
cautious in looking out for him." H.,
Swell secure him, and ihe fifty gum
cas- shall be yours" a.aa ,,. r.
Several soldiers now came from the
house, and stated that they had search
ed the house from. bottom to top, but
could find no one, although from APP
pearances some person had been there
recently. The Colonel followed by
passed to the house, while the
fugitive lay silently in his conceal
nent.
1t was a plain frame house of mid
ing size, built partly Of stone in the
Did Dutch style, and very comfortable
within. There was but little furni-
Urea few tables, chairs ,and cooking
Utensils. The better part 'Classen
'aid, had been taken away on the occa-
lion Of Van Dykes sisters marriage a
,ear before, as her part. + f..'i'a.|
"Here is great coat sir, said one Of
he soldiers, that we found on the floor
If the kitchen near the back door. 1t
nus: have been dropped in hurry"
"Feel If there are any papers in the
pockets, said Col. Harcourt.." '''7
"Yes. sir, here is a bundle Of 'em."
The Colonel took the package, look.
ID a. the superscription, broke the seal
ind going to the window commenced
eading them to himself, with coun-
enance Of surprise.
$50, SO, here is a list OF our troops,
md their number in and around the
.ity." ..s, t..
"At Powle's Hook, three hundred
md fifty. Elizabethtown and New
rk, one thousand. Gen. Clintonleaves
oon for Charleston with five thousand"
Why these documents are indeed ofI
Importance. Who can play the spy
o thoroughly in our camp? This Van
)y ke is q most dangerous character to
'e abroad. "Men," said he aloud, "and |
'ou, Classen, search every hole,, and
ee ifany more pupssslcan BE found"
Nothingcould give Classen more de-
'ght than this sorder. Curiosity. and
iher reasons had long urged him to
nter the house during Van. Dykes ab-
ence for this very purpose, but the
read that Van Dyke might retdrn
,hile he was thus engaged, had here
osore prevented his undertaking it. |
ie was now armed with proper au.
lority, and protected. isasAng aslr eNl
What he found or discovered he did
- ~av. 80 t1sGnI uc..o,,rt "a h,,f ,,,a 4 a i