Litchfield enquirer., 1855-11-15
WisceIiaqy.
BURNING OF THE WILLOWS
A TALE or THE REVOLUTION.

TALE or THE REVOLUTION.
"This must be the house the iunctio
of two roads, and brook in front. IL,
banks covered with willows. This plac
meets the description exactly. Order tn
men TO dismount with the exception of
couple patrols on each road"
The British were dressed in the blue an,
scarlet uniform of the British ligh, horse,
corps that was formed after the landing o
the English troops in New Jersey, as 500
as horses could be had TO mount the men
He was an officer Of some rank evidently
who spoke the above words, and his CARR
age and demeanor was both naughty ant
aristocra,ic in the highest degree. VIII
not-he was the eldest son of British earl
| "The house appears to be deserted, Col
Halcourt," said his junior officer as he dis
mounted.
| We will see. This way, dozen o.
you," he said to his men. Try the doc
yonder, if it is fastened break it open, anc
report il any one is inside. If there shoule
be and they attempt to escape. shoot then
down, but give them warning to surrender >
The men advanced to the door which they
found to be fastened, and after demandinl
admission, to which they received no an.
swer, they proceeded tobreak it open which
delayed them some time, for the door was
strong oaken one This done, they entered
ado you know the man by sight, lieu.
tenant" asked Col Hacourt, while the
men wero busy ransacking the house.
"No, sir, but there is fellow l picked
up on the road now in the rear that knows
him we'll"
"Ofder him to the front"
The countrynan had not very prepns-
se.sing countenance. There was bold
sur mess and cruel expression Of features
extremely displeasing.
"What is your name :" said Col. Hal.
court, in his quick. military manner.
John Classen."
"Do you know Peter Van Dyke -
Very we'll"
is that his dwelling p
Yes-,hough since his mothers death
and his sisters getting married, It's hard to
say where he keeps himself -
Does he bear the name Of being grea,
rebel, and dangerous man to those who
favor the king in this neighborlooj -
"Yes, from the Passaic to the Hacken.
SICK, anu tUtity H u
my way he'd been hung long ago, and his
house burned over his head he is the lead.
er Of every rebel gang from the army, and
points out the honest farmers homes who
stand by their king, whose harms they plun-
der and carry away the grain"
"Why, you tell bitter story about him;
has he ever injured you -
"Inju.ed me! He and parcel of rob.
bers like himself, came one afternoon &c
burn my house and hang me before the
door, which they would have done bu, ioI
the timely arrival Of number OF friendly
neighhorS, well armed. when they went of
in double quick time"
Does he not venture into New York
sometimes in disguise I" inquired the Col.
onel.
Five heard so. He was slippery from
boy up, aud DISCUSSES himself any way.
He's precious scamp, and you'll do a
favor to this part OF Jersey, if you hang
him the minute you catch him"
This conversation had been held near a
stone wall, on the outer side Of which was
an old garden; but the troubles Of the times
had left it uncutivated. and the gooseber-
ries and currant bushes had grown up rank
aud uutrimmed. and the briars stretched over
the walls. covering the ground IRON sight
Under this, and within ten feet Of the
Colonel and Classen. lay crouchef the We
ry man they were talking of. He had bare.
ly time to escape from the house aad con
ceal himself upon the approach Of the horse
men, whom he did not then suspect TO bt
within ten miles of him. Twice or thrice
on hearing the base lies Of Classen, he was
on the poin, of rising and confronting him
hut little reflection was left, and he tho
that was not the occasion TO put his life il
jeopardy, which he certainly would do sine.
the party of troops had come expressly tt
take him.
"Do you know with any certainty, Clss.
sen, how long since Van Dyke has been
seen in the neiuhborhood %
al have heard he was seen last nigh,
two miles from this. in bye path through
the woods, coming in the direction Of his
house,"
That is the information received. and
am determined to capture him sooner or la.
ter. lfy,u can poiu, out his whereabouts
or arrest him yourself. you shall have re.
ward OF fifty guineas."
Ciassen was as avafcious and fond oil
money as he was wicked. Fifty guinea.
was a large sum indeed, particularly il
those days when gold was rarely seem
| =" will catch him, Colonel. before he /:
three days older ; l know one of his haun,s
"Why not lead us there. then -
!" II would be of no use this time Of day
Besides he may not be there Tor day 0
two, and shall have to be cautious in look
ing out for him."
"WelI, secure him, and the fifty guinea
shall be yours"
Several Of the soldiers now came from
the house and stated that they had searche,
it from top to bottom, but found no one. al
though from appearances. some one ha,
been there recently. The Colonel, follow
ed by Classen. passed on to the house, Will
the fugitive lay quietly in his concealmen,
1t was plain framed house of middl
size, built partly of stone in the old Du,cl
style. and very comfortable within. Their
was but little furniture-a few tables, chair
and cooking utensils. The better part, a
Classen said. had been taken away on tn
occasion Of Van Dykes sisters marriage,
year before, as her part