Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-07-14
sgflisteualleous sgfl Rfadmg
An INCIDENT In THE REVOLUTION.

In the summer of ITO, during one OF the
darkest periods Of our revolutionary struggle
in the small village of Sin Pennsylvania,
lived v, one Of the finest and truest PATROLS
within the limits of the sold thirteen" and
deep in the confidence Of Washington: Like
most men of his time and substance, he had
furnished himself with arms and ammunition,
sufficient to arm the males of his household.
These consisted of three sons and about twenty
five negroes. The female part of his house con-
sisted Of his wife, one daughter, and Catherine,
about eighteen years of age, the heroine OF our
tale. and several slaves. In the second story OF
his dwelling house, Immediately over the front
door, was small room called the armory, IN
which the arms were deposited, and always
keot ready for immediate use. About the time
we introduce our story, the neishborhood OF our
village was much annoyed by the nocturnal
proTling and depredations of numerous Torres.
1t was on calm, bright Sabbath afternoon IN
the aforesaid summer when Judge v. ana his
family, with the exception OF his daughter
Catherine, and an old indisposed slave, were
attending services in the village church. Mt
breath disturbed the security of the atmosphere
not sound profaned the sacred stiffness OF
tho dav: the times were dangerous, and Cathc-
r;ne herself and an old slave remained in the
bomse until the return of the family from church.
ran was heard at the front door. "Surey,"
said catherine to the slave, "the family lave
not vet come home-church can't be dismissed"
The rap was repeated. {" will see VIII" 1t IS
.,;d Catherine, as she ran up stairs into the
armory. On opening the windows ana looking
down she saw six men standing down ut the
front door and on the opposite side of tue street,
three of whom sue knew were tories, who for
me,lv resided in the village. Their names
were Van Zant. Finley and Sheldon; the "tler
three were strangers, but she had reason to be-
I;eve them to be of the same political stamp,
from the com, any in which she found them.
Van Zant was q notorious character, and the
,,,uher and enormity of his crimes had rem
dsred his name infamous in the vicinity. Not
a ,ourder was committed within miles Of
that he ii not get the credit of planning OF
executing. The characters Of Finley and Shel-
don were also deeply stained with crime but
Van Zant was master spirit of iniquity. The
annearance of such characters, 0nler suca cir
cpmstanccs must have been truly alarming to
onv Young lady of GATHERINGS age, if i"t t.
ony lady. Young or old. But Catherine v
nnsse,sed her fathers spirit, the spirit of the
t;uesn Van Zant was standing on the stool
rann;no at the door, while his companions were
t5ikine in q whisper on the opposite side OF the
Is Judge v-at home 2" asked Van zant
,,hon he saw Catherine at the window abuye
."He is aot," said she.
uWe have business of pressing Importance
with him, and if you will open tho door" sal,
Van Zant "we will walk in until he returns
aNo," said Catherine, "wlen he he. went ss s.t' ft
church he left particular directions not to have
the door opened until he and his family returned
You had better call when church is dismissed
aNo pll not" returned he, eve vii. ente
now or never"
"Impossible," cried she, "you cannot ente
until he returns"
uOpen the door," cried he, cor we will breal
it down, and burn you and the house up to
gether." So saying he threw himself with al
the force he possessed against the door, at th'
same time calling upon his companions to assis