The Nevada journal., 1855-03-16
The Troubles Of a Night.


ed invasion from the Western Indians
The alarm was SO great, and immediate
danger so apparent, that many prudent
persons buried their most valuable effects.
To such height were the fears of the
people excited, that it was confidently be-
lieved the settlements in the vicinity of
Onondaga would be broken up. During
this state of affairs, Gov. Clinton, about
the middle of May, despatched General
William North, Gen. Stephen Van Rens-
selaer, Gen. David Van Horne, and Ba-
ron Steuben, who had been recently ap-
pointed special commissioners by the Leg
islature of New York, to provide for the
defence of the Western frontier, and to
erect such Notifications as they should
deem necessary for the public safety
! Twelve thousand pounds had been appro-
priated by the Legislature to defray any
expense thus made The commissioners
repaired to "Salt Point" and with the
advices of a "Committee of safety" con-
sisting of Messrs. De Witt, Van Week,
Orman, Phares and Danforth, advised the
erection of "block house" at that
place. The militia of the county were
called out and reviewed by the commits
sioners, and active measures taken for the
protection of the frontier. On their re-
turn, the commissioners spent the night at
the house of Mr.. John A. Shaeffer, In
keeper, in Manlius village. The guests
were considerably fatigued with their jour-
ney and the labors Of their important
trust, and retired early to rest. During
the night there seemed to be an unusual
stir about the house. AS the hour of
midnight approached it still increased :;
and before morning transpired one of
those unpostponable events incident to
all prosperous and increasing families
The Baron was greatly annoyed during
the night, SO that he scarcely slept a
wink. The frequent shutting of doors,
continued trumpling of busy feet, and
hushed sounds of female voices, which
were greatly magnifed by the Baron's
nervousness, and the Importance of pro-
crossing events, kept his mind in a contin-
ual tumult.
The house was built of logs, only one
story high, with two rooms below-the
chamber being the whole size of the house,
with only loose boards for the floor. This
chamber was occupied by the distin-
guished guests of Mr.. Shaeffer. The
companions of the hero of this tale slept
soundly, and were not at all disturbed in
their dreams. 1t was not 80 with the
Baron. He often turned himself upon
his bed of straw, seeking rest but finding
none, continually wondering what on
earth could excite such wonderful commo-
ton below. He tossed about in nervous
wakcfulness, and finally worked himself
into an almost uncomfortable passion,
which could scarcely be restrained till
morning. On the earliest approach of
light the Baron rose, still in his rage,
vowlng vengeance on all below. He ap-
preached the redoubtable landlord in not
the most agreeable humor, saying: " Your
house is full of gossips and goblins, sir
havn't slept a wink all the blessed night
You have pack of dogs about you noisy
enough to deafen one. Sir, repeat, your
house is full of gossips and COLLINS Sir,
your house isn't fit to stable swine Give
us breakfast; let US be off as soon as pos
sible, and We'll not soon trouble you
again" The Baron's rage was at its
height, Mine host was perfectly dunn
founded before his enraged and angry
guest, and dared not so much as lift his
head, or even hint at the cause of the dis
turbancc during the night. The more
eonslderate companions of the Baron
heartily sympathised with him in his
troubles, and were ready to excuse their
host but had only the effect to add fuel
to the fiame and increase his rage.
In the height of the storm, which had
already spent much of its fury, as if to
afford relief and calm the rending elements,
woman cautiously and timorously ap-
preached the angry Baron, who was still
breathing forth threatenings, bearing in
her arms a little infant wrapped up in
swaddling clothes, which had not yet wit
messed the setting of single sun, say
ing, " Here, sir Baron, is the cause of
all the trouble and noise last night.''-
The gallant old soldier instantly felt the
lmpropriety of his conduct; his habitual
good humor was instantly restored, and
his accustomed gallantry prompted him at
once handsomely to apologize, at the
same time begging ten thousand pardons
OF those around him. He rendered his
most hearty congratulations to Mr.. and
Mrs, Shaeffer, and offered as an atoncment
TOR the wrong he had done, to bestow his
own name upon the new visitant, which
otter was joytully accepted, and forthwith
the Baron drew a deed of gift for two
hundred and fifty acres of land from his
domain in Oneida county, and after break
fast with his friends went on his way re-
joicing.
There is often singularity in the clos
ing scenes of the lives of distinguished
men. 1t may not be unworthy of re-
mark here, that Frederick William Au-
gustus, Baron de Steuben, once an aid
de-camp to Frederick the Great, King OF