Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-12-01
Selctt Gale.
THE HUNCHBACK,
AN UNPUBLISHED INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF
GENERAL ISRAEL PUTNAM.
CHI HAPTER I.

Princeton, New Jersey, during the winte
OF III, was the headquarters of Genera
Israel Putnam, who. with a small corps O
militia, beld possession Of the town, while the
British were garrisoned at Brunswick, dis
tant fifteen or twenty miles eastward.
The relative position of the Colonies and
England at that period is we'll known; yet
there are many little incidents of an interest.
ing nature connected with these times which
have never been made public and iu which
not unfrequen.ly, the brave A merican Gene.
raj took an active part. We have something
oil this kind in view, which we still relate.
One dark, clustering night. near the close
OF January, Of the year above mentioned, a
man. wrapped in a long sable cloak, and
closely nuffied about the face, came forth
from stately mansion on one of the principal
streets in Princeton, and passed on in an
easterly direction toward Brunswick.
AS he hurried forward hunchbacked indi.
vidual crept away from dark nook under
the wall of an adjacent building, and follow
ed stealthily after him.
On went the pursued and pursuer, treadpg
the most secluded portions Of the town, until
the former reached the front of a small white
cottage, situated q few rods from the road,
and which was almost entirely eushrouded
with the foliage of stately trees, the branches
OF which intermingled above the roof. 1t
was very dark, and the air was filed with
seet, yet lamp burning in front of the
residence revealed the outlines Of the building
and trees.
The cloaked man paused q moment, and
gazed suspiciously around him, when be dis
covered carriage with horses attached,
standing not Tar away. He then opened the
anfarad tho lan nd
the house with the evident intention ef call
ing. Let US precede him by few moments
Ina small, nicely furnished apartments
wing room of the cottage, sat a young lady
some twenty years of age. She was reading
from large volume, aide6 by the light of a
globe lamp that stood upon q centre.table,
before which she was seated The apartment
was filled with q refulgent light yet the win
dows were closely mufiisd in order to give the
appearance that the inmates had retired.
The young lady to whom We alude had sat
in the same position for at least two hours,
during which time ber eyes, apparently, were
liked in steady gaze on the open book. but
she had not turned over single leaf. 1t was
evident that her mind wandered, and there
were number of spots on the page, which
appeared TO have been caused by tear DROPS
Upon close examination it would have been
discovered that her eyes were closed, and
that her eyelashes we're moistsned with tears.
while few had trickled down her cheeks and
fallen upon the open page.
While she was thus occupied, the clock
struck the hour of twelve, midnight, when
she started up, closed the book, and laid i.
upon the table. That moment low rap was
heard on the outside of the door, and the
next instant the mUffled individual, whom we
saw approaching the house, entered the
apartment.
is he safe ?" she exclaimed, advancing to-
ward the man, her voice tremuous, aud an
expression on her features. "Is
Ellis safe Has he escaped ?"
EDNA, there is nothing to hope |" be an
swered coolly. "I have made use of every
means 10 my power to effect bis release, but
have failed. lie was taken as spy, and has
probably, ere this, suffered according to the
common usages Of war"
20 God !" sobbed the young lady. falling
on the floor, and wringing her hands in the
most acute agony. "Must. o must he die
Is there no possible escape 7"
"Not the least" replied the man 10 the
same frigid tone. 81 do beg of you to be
more calm, for you will injure your own
health il you allow this matter to trouble you
SO severely"
Aud he attempted to assist her to rise.
Her grief was instantly checked, and she
sprang to her feet. The color had entirely
forsaken her features, and she stood as sta
tue, with her large lustrous eyes ixed in a
steady gaze upon the face Of the man before
her.
"lIeury what do you mean ?" she STAN
mered, the moment that she could command
her voice. Have l been deceived Z Have
you selfish motives 10 this matter2 Great
God, Henry this is awful
These words caused O sudden tremor to
pass over the mans heart, and his cheek to
blsnch, but the sensation was Immediately
subdued. aud his countenance wore its usual
serenity.
Let US pause here. and make the reader
better acquainted with the peculiar position
Of these two persons ere we proceed any
further.
Col. Ransford, an enthusiast 10 the cause
Of the colonies, and a particular friend of
General Putnam, was the owner OF the cot
tsge TO which we have alluded. His wife
bad been dead two years. during which time
Edoa. their only child, had superintsnded her
fathers domestic affairs al the "Willow
as the place was familisrly called.
Edna was rich in knowledge and goodness
Of heart, possessed of great besaty. and her
worldly prospects were snch se 10 have at