The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-10-19
A NARRATIVE.
A REVOLUTIONARY STORY
JOHH PUTNAM, THE SPY.


.. .
UAWO Horsemen of King George rod
u furiously into a village of half
dozen rude dwellings, in the norther
part Of New York, and hailing the de
creplt inn-keeper. cried out, simullane
ously, with many barbaric oaths, Halo
old wine blubber have you noted an,
cheating. lying and sneaking peddler a
thy door to-day?'
by my spurs2' pompously adde,
Capt. Dick, the elder of the two, w
have ridden these last thirty miles in vain
if the scoundrel be not caught lurking il
this hamlet. Hast thou seen him, Boni
face? Speak, man, we are in haste.
bid thee answer by the King command.
The heSitating landlord held on to tn,
horse post, and replied,
'Sirs, be half deaf, yet methinks
guess your meaning Be ye gallan
troopers of his majesty, after a stray ped
Ter, Ell! What would you with him =
Death the rascally greybeard ques
tioneth us!' interrupted the younge
horseman, a braggadocio private, anC
wheeling his steed around, he touched til,
tavern,keeper rather roughly with hi
gloved hand, and continued, We woulC
know this and quickly too
oh be not rough, pr'thee. A ped
Ter sayest thou? Had he a pack 2
Pack or no pack, hast thou seen him?
fercely cried Dick.
Patience, masters, but my memory i!
treacherous, and must reflect. A ped
ler--wilh a staff, did you say?
IN break thy skull with a staff, if yor
fool us!' said the bully, striking at the
old man, who, rather nimbly for his looks
leaped out of the trooper reach.
The captain then seriously threatened
violence, and ysternly demanded reply
As il frightened into submission, ht
then hesitalingly said, 'Oh--yes--yes-
now bethinks myself. l did observe q
sneaking pedler pass here this morning OF
foot, and in extreme haste.
(Which way--which road took he
exclaimed both the others.
That, deliberately answered the man
pointing TO Travelled lane, that led from
the one in which they stood.
'Art sure +? If thou liest to us, by st
George thou shalt be hung, at thine owr
door, like sign
'Ay, an if that be not the road thou
mayest hang me-. observed Boniface.
TO horse he is six hours in advance
to horse and have brevet to the one O.
us that catches the first sight Of the spy !!
shouted Captain Dick, and rapidly dash
ed away, leaving clouds of dust behint
them. Ere they had gone twenty yards
the inn-keeper shook his frame like {
strong man, and muttered 'Ay. wher
they catch me, they may hang me = HI
then glanced around cautiously, anC
quickly entered the house.
Meantime, Captain Dick and compan
ion spurred their beasts to a race tina
would have injured animals unused t.
their hard life. Mile after mile was lef
behind, until in three hours they covered
every step that man could have walkeC
in whole day. Then, unsuccessful, they
tho'tof returning.
The Internal rebel hath dcluded US -
We calculated that he would hasten di
rectly to the camp of Washington. w
are misled, have probably passed him Sc
creted in the forest
Perhaps that inn-keeper has deceived
us. Methought he wasnot so lmbecile a
he pretended
'By my son S salvation, thou hast hit il
Dolts asses that we are Did you no
note the nimbleness Of his leap, when th.
hand was lifted against him p? Judas
how the villain triumphed Ride back,
for thy life, ride like lightningr
NAY, not back if he be the spy, h
hath taken the other road, and sent us
fool S errand on this. A league hence w
passed a by-path, that doubtless inter
sects the highway, some distance to tn
west, along the river =,
well, be that our direction. Blood
how we have idled nor would / hav
credited the clown with such wit
'Ay, and now that suspect him, re
collect the quietude of the village. Th
place was solitary. Nor even .profere'
the man taste of his wine.
ugh didst thou not note his yer.
keen eye?'
'True-like the spy's own-black a
iet--it was himself him ! but sure
ly our poor beasts need batting after s.
hard ride, and faith, l feel like tasting O
my flask
Mind, now, Wolf, we must captur
that fellow, if VIC starve ourselves ant
stall our steeds On, on =! five hundred
pounds and brevet Thine be-
The gold for me, Captain !