Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-09-30
MIS- c L. l. l. A N Y.
THE BOY PATRIOTS.
A REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT.

mon Of the revolution. nor are the patriot
ic ,romsn forgotten IN the "burning words
of the journalists Of &c; but where is the
historian who tells Of the patriotism Of the
boys OF that gloomy PcriOd' Who writes
their biographics'
There were boys in the Revolution, boys
OF noble patriotism and danntless spirit,
boys who would not become traitors, though
the rack and the gibbct confronted them ;
boys who ,oilcd with an endurance aud
boldncss unequallej in the annals Of a
nation, for the Independence Of the "Old
Thirteen" and had they now a just desert,
the brightest star in America's constolla-
ton, and the widest stripe In her broad
canvas. would DO dedicated to the boys OF
20"
Let us relate an instance IL was in the
year l7I7. Philadelphia was in the hands
OF Howe aud his inhuman soldiery. while
the field Of Brandywine gave American peo.
pie an evidence Of British humanity. Tho
inbabitant. Of Pcnn'ylyana and Delcwarc
were a, the mercy Of their foes. Bands Of
IIc-sian Dragons secured the vicinity OF
Philadelphia Tor miles around, aud commit
tel act. which would disgrace vandal.
On the evening OF IL delightful autumn
day. group Of boys, ranging in ago from
twelve to seventeen years, were gathered
together on the steps Of ienantlcss store.
house in the village Of Newark, Delaware.
The town seemed lonely, and with tho eS-
ception Of the youthful band referred TO,
no, human being met the eye. All the
men capable OF bearing arms had LEFT their
homes 10 join the army OF Washington on
the Schuylkill. 4 youth Of sixteen years,
mounted on barrel. was giving an ae-
count OF the disastrous battle Of Brandy
wine James Wilson. the narrator, was a
bold boy, enthusiastic in his love !or the
American cause, and possessed OF no little
intelligence. Ills bright blue eye and lax
en- hair gave him an eaemina,c appearance.
bu, underneath ,ha, plain homcspun JACKIE,
throbbcd a heart that never quailcd IN dan.
ger. or shrunk before any obstacle.
Ills father was the commander Of the
Delewarc regular troops. and his mother
was dead. The boy concluded his nara.
tion, and was deeply lamen,ns that no
could no, join the army. 4" am not Old
enough" said he " but had Ia muskc,, |
would not stand idly here, with my hand.
hanging useless by my side"
Z" Are there no guns ofany description
in the village ?" asked youth.
None. | have spent nearly week
trying to find one, bat my efforts have boen
Of no avail. strongly suspect that the
old tory Livingston has several in hls house,
but as be permits no one to tre'piss on his
land am unable - say positively"
"why not take a party aud search his
dwellin: ?" asked Frank Howard ho has
no one to assist him except his son George,
aud can thrash him a easily as that
aud the boy snapped his fingers to imply
the rcadines, with which be could ,rounee
old Liying.,on's son.
James Wilson's eyes .parklcd with joy.
=" II there are any three boys m this COM
pany who will help mo, | will search old
Livings,on's house this night. All who are
willin: to 90 just step forward ;hrcc PAGES. "
Every boy IN that little crowd stepped
forward.
| The boys eyes ilash,d d like stars. Z" Now
by the dead Of Bunker Hill, will search
old Liying.ton's residence, though death
stands in my path"
With Grm tread and the utmos, 81.
lence the young heroes took up their march
for old Squire Liyingston's.
Livingston had long been suspected OF
hArborng British spies. and soinc Of his
former laborcrs had reported that he KEEP,
up regular correspondence with the Brit
ish commander. At all events he was genor.
ally regarded by the Wings as a dangerous
/ man, and therefore avoided. His house
was situated short distance from White
clay creek, on the side Of a steep hill. sur.
rounded on all sides by tall trees. IL was
just such place as one might suppose SUIT
able for the plotting Of treason. At the
time James Wilson and his little band left
the deserted storehouse in tho village Of
Newark, dusk had gwen way to the darker
shades OF night still il was not dark, tho
new moon was shining brightly in the
clouds, and every object was perioctly dis.
tinguishablc. The boys walked firmly for
ward, maintaining solemn silence. a:
length they gained a bank Of the creek, and
slowly following the winding path, soon
came to little low bridge which crossed a
shallow rivulst leading INTO whiteclay.
James Wilson ordered them to halt.
"Let Frank Howard and myself recon-
noi,rc the premises first. to sec whether any
danger may be npprehended. AL the rest
stand here until we return. Make no noise
and keep constant, watch"
James and Frank silently departed. and
were soon lost in the thick woods through
which the path ran. Scarce had they gone
from their companions, ere the quick ear Of
Wilson detected noise.
{" Hist said he to Frank, as he pdllcd him
behind a gigantic beech tree. The noise
soon resolved itself into a human football,
and in moment more George Livingston,
rhe Tory's son stood opposite the tree.
james Wilson darted from his covert, and