Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-11-25
1t was plain frame house, of middling


chairs, and cooking utensils. The better
part, Claasen said, had been taken away on
the occasion of Van Dykes sisters mar
riage, year before, as her part.
"Here is a great-coat, sir" said one OF
the soldiers, ''that we found on the floor OF
the kitchen, near the back door. 1t must
have been dropped in hurry"
"Feel if there are any papers in the
pockets" said Col. Harcourt.
eyes, sir, here is bundle of 'em."
The colonel took the package, looked at
the superscription, broke the seal, and GO
ing to the window, commenced reading
them to himself, with a countenance of
surprise.
$50, so-here is list of our troops, and
their numbers in and around the city. sAt
Powel's Hook, three hundred and fifty.'
SAT Elizabethtown and Newark, one thou
sand.' General Clinton leaves soon for
Charlestown, with five thousand' Why,
these documents are, indeed, of importance.
Who can play the spy so thoroughly in
our camp? This Van Dyke is most dam
gerous character to be abroad. Mem he
said aloud, ''and you, Claasen, search every
hole, and see if any more papers can be
found"
Nothing could give Claasen greater de-
light than this order. Curiosity and other
reasons had long urged him to enter the
house during Van Dykes absence, for this
very purpose; but the dread that Van
Dyke might return while he was thus en-
gagged, had heretofore prevented him un-
dertaking it. He was now armed with
proper authority, and protected.
What he found or discovered he did not
report to COL Harcourt, but made the same
reply as the soldiers, that nothing more of
Importance could be found.
every well we will now leave the
place and return TO quartes at Powle's
Hook. Hodgeson, place some dry wood
in the middle of this room, and when |
give the word, apply the match"
"What! are you going to burn the sIVil-
lows colonel g" said Claasen, his face
cleaning with satisfaction.
eyes, will burn down the nest of this
rebel carrion bird. 1t is well he is not
within my reach-he should swing for it.
One such fellow, with his secret spying and
finding out, is of more injury TO us than a
regiment ofrebels in an open field"
Little did the British commander inn
agine that the young man was then almost
within sound of his voice.
"To horse, men, all except Hodgeson."
By this time, with Claasen, the colonel had
approached within the hearing of Van
Dyke, where he halted with his troopers.
"Now, Hodgeson, apply the match,
mount and fall in."
1t was with anguish Van Dyke heard
this order from his hiding-place. The
"Willows," as the farmhouse was called,
had been the birth place of his ancestors,
as it was his own, and there he had passed
all his life. But what could he dol No.
thing.
Presently thick black smoke arose and
burst from each door and window. This
was followed by brilliant flame that shot
far into the sky, and the cracking of the
well seasoned timbers, dry with a century
of preservation, could be heard at a great
distance.
''There will be one rebel shelter less to-
night. 1t is a pity they We're not all burn
ed down; then the king would have more
friends this side of the water. These re-
bels are like dogs, good whipping makes
them better natured. The house is nearly
consumed, for the e'nbers are beginning 10
fly before the evening breeze. BY files, to
the right face, trot !" and the horsemen
wheeled into the road.
''Fifty guineas you say, colonel, if | take
Van Dyke 2" asked Claasen again.
eyes, fifty guineas."
"Then will leave you here, and keep
a watch around. He may return here be-
fore great while. Where shall you halt !"
"At the Oaks five miles of, and stop
for an hour or two for the forage party. If
any thing should occur within that time,
you know where to find me-" The officer
and troops rode away.
Claasen fingered around, and gradually
approached the building, which was with
the exception of the brick walls, heap of
ruins.
$50, John Claasen, you have glutted
your vengeance upon me, and this is your
work, viper wretchl"
Claasen turned and beheld within six
feet of him, Van Dyke, leaning on mus
ket.
"No, no, Peter" the wretch muttered,
trembling as he spoke, "it was the British
officer. You know wouldn't injure you."
"Speak not another word, liar, or | shall
forget myself and blow your brains out. !
heard all. You are to have fifty guineaS
for apprehending me. | am every thing
that is bad. | came to burn your house
down, but fled when your friends approach
ed Wretch, | saved your dwelling and
your worthless carcass, and these ruins are
my reward"
"Peter, dear Peter"
"Scoundrel, do not apply that word
dear to me. 1t sounds worse than the
hiss of snake. Listen, John Claasen the
chief reason of your anlmosity to me is
because Kate Vessels preferred my hand
to yours.-Thank god! she and her father
are both safe from your persecution, fol
they are now within the American lines
No,y haar ,pa I cnare won this time fOl