Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-09-08
M 1sfeIIaufous.
An Incident in the Revolution.

In the summer OF I7I9, during one OF the
darkest periods of our revolutionary struggles,
in the small village of s., in Pennsylvania,
live V, one of the finest and truest patriots
within the limits of the "Old Thirteen" and
deep in the confidence of Washington Like
most meu of his time aud substance, he had
furnished himself with arms and ammunition
sufficient to arm the males of his household
These consisted of three sons and about twen-
ty-five negroes. The female part of his house
consisted of his wife, one daughter, Catharine,
about eighteen years of age, the heroine of our
tale, and several slaves In the second story
of his dweling-house, Immediately over the
front door, was a small room called "the ar
mory," in which the arms were deposited and
always kept ready for immediate use. About
the time we introduce our story the neighbor-
hood of our village was much annoyed by the
nocturnal prowling and depredations of numer-
Gus Tories.
1t was on a calm, bright Sabbath afternoon
in the aforesaid summer, when Judge V. and
his family with the exception of his daughter
Catharne and an old indisposed slave, were
attending service in the village church. Not
a breath disturbed the serenity of the atmos
phare-not sound profaned the sacred still
ness OF the day. The times were dangerous
and Catnarlne and the old slave remained in
the house until the return of the family from
church A loud rap was heard at the front
door.
Surely" said Catharine to the slave the
family have not yet come home--church can't
be dismissed"
The rap was repeated.
al will see who it is" said Catharine, as she
ran up stairs into the armory. On opening the
windows and looking down she saw six men
standing at the front door and on the opposite
side of the street, three of whom she knew were
Tories, who formerly resided in the village
Their names were Van Zant, Finley and Shell
don the other three were strangers, but she
had reason to believe them to be of the same
political stamp, from the company in which she
found them
Van Zant was notorious character, and the
number and Gnormity OF his crimes had render
ed his name infamous III the vicinity. Not q
murder or robbery was committed within miles
of -, that he did not get the credit of plan
ming or executing The character of Finley
and Sheldon were also deeply stained with crime,
but Van Zant was master-spirit of iniquity.
The appearance of such characters, under such
circumstances, must have been truly alarming
to any Young lady of Catharine's age, if not to
any lady, young or old But Catharine V
possessed her fathers spirit, the spirit of the
times" Van Zant was standing on the stoOp
rapping at the door, while his companions were
talking in whisper on the opposite side of the
way.
"Is Judge V at home ?" asked Van
Zant when he saw Catharlnc at the window
above.
"He is not" said she.
"We have business of pressing Importance
with him, and if you will open the door" +"
said Van Zant, we will walk in until he re-
turns"
"No," said Catharine, "when he went to
church he left particular directions not to have
the door opened until he and his family return
ed. You had better call when church is dis
missed"
"No, I'll not" returned he, " we will enter
now or never"
Impossible" cried she, "you cannot enter
until he returns"
"Open the door," cried he, cor we'll break
it down, and burn you and the house up to-
gether."
So saying, he threw himself with all the
force he possessed against the door, at the
same time calling upon his companions to as
sst him. The door, however, resisted then
efforts
"Do not attempt that again." said Catha
rine I" or you are dead man." at the same time
presenting from the window a heavy horseman'>
pistol, ready cooked.
AT the sight of this formidable weapon the
companions of Van Zant, who had crossed the
street at his call, retreated.
GGXVbo+ ,.riad tba laodpr 90 Won towards
| are YOU frightened at the threats of girl p
and again he threw himself violently against
! the door The weapon was Immediately dis
charged, and Van Want fell.
The report was heard ut the church. and
males and females rushed out to ascertain the
cause.
On looking towards the residence of Judge
V. they perceived five men running at ful
speed to whom the Judges negroes and sever
al others gave chase and from an upper win
dow of his residence handkerchief was way
ing, as if beckoning for aid.
All rushed towards the place, and upon
| their arriya! Van Zant was in the agonics OF
death. He still retained strength enough tC
acknowledge that they had long contemplated
robbing that house, and had frequently been
concealed in the neighborhood for that pur
pose but no opportunity had offered until tha'
day, when lying concealed in the woods
they saw the Judge and his family going te
church
The body of the dead Tory was taken and
buried by the sexton of the church, as he had
no relatives in the vicinity.
/ After an absence of two hours or thercabOutS
the negroes returned, having succeeded in cap
turing Finley and one of the strangers, who
were that night confined, and the next morn
ing at the earnest solicitation of Judge W
liberated on the promise of amending then
| lives.
It was in the month of October of the same
year that Catharine V was sitting by al
upper back window in her fathers house knit
ting though autumn, the weather was mild
/ - = IL ,,,r ,,,ns hnistII ahnnt thren incll