The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-01-14
THE D0Y RAHAl0Ty.
A nyoLCTioNAAr INCIDENT.

History is filled with the deeds Of the me-
of the Revolution, nor are the patriot no
nen forgotten in the I" burning words o
the iournalists Of 10: but where 10 the his
torian Who tells Of the patriotism Of "a,
boys Of that gloony periods Whs write
their biographiees
There we're two boys in the Revelation
spirit, boys who would not become traitor,
though the rack and the gihbet confronted
them, boys who soi.ed with an endurance
and boldness unequalled in the annals Of I
nation, for the independents OF the '..Olt
Thirteen;' and had they now their desert
the brightest star in Americas conssella,
ton, and the widest stripe in her broad
canvass, would he dedicated to the boys o!
'76.r
Let Us relate an instance. twas in tbs
year lit. Philadelphia was in the hand,
Of Howe and HE ishaman soldiesy, WAil1
the field Of BraDdyvise gave the American
people an evidence Of British humanity
The inhabitants Of Pennsylvania and Della
ware were at the mercy Of their foes. Bands
Of Hessian Dragons secured the vicinity Of
Philadelphia for miles around and committed
acts which would disgrace yanGal.
On the evening Of delightful autumn
day a group Of boys ranging from twelve
to seventeen years were gathered together
on the steps Of q tenantlcss storehouse in
the little village Of Newark, Delaware. The
town seemed lonely, and with the exception
of the youthful band referred to no, hn-
man being met the eye. All the men capa-
bic Of bearing arms had left their homes to
join the army of Washington on the Schuyl-
kill. A youth Of sixteen summer mounted
on a barrel, was giving an account Of the
disastrous battle Of Brandywiee. James
Wilson, the narrator was a bold boy, en-
,husiastic in his love for the American cause,
aud possessed Of no little intelligence. His
bright blue eye and flaxen hair gave him an
effeminate appearance, but underneath that
plain homespun jacket throbbeda heart that
never quailed in danger, nor shrupk before
any obstacle.
His father was the commander Of Della.
ware regular troops, and his mother was
dead. s. @ ~
The boy concluded his narration, and
was deeply lamen.iag that he could not join
the army. 81 am not old enough" he said,
.'bu. had musket, would not stand here
with my hands hanging uselcssly by my
side"
"Are there no guns of any description in
the vilage?" asked youth.
"None. have spent nearly a week try
ing to find one, but my efforts have been Of
no avail. l stroDgly ly suspect that old Tory
Livingston has several in his house, but as
he allows no one to tresepass on his land,
am unable to cay positively"
"Why not take a party and search his
dwelling ?" asked Frank Howard; she has
no one to assist him except bis son George,
and caa thrash him easy rs that!' and
the boy snapped bis fingers to imply tho
readiness with which he would trounce old
Liyipgston's son.
James Wilson's eyes sparkled with Joy,
s'If there are any three boys in this COM
pany will help me will search old Living
ston's house this night. All who are willing
to 90 just step forward"
Every boy in the crowd without mo-
ment's hesitation stepped forward.
The boys eyes flashed like stars. "Now
by the dead Of Bunker Hill will search old
Liyingston's house though death stand in
my path.'
With firm tread, and with the utmost
silence the young took up their march for
old Squire Livings'on's.
Livingston had long been suspected Of
harhoring British spies, and some Of hi.
laborers had reported that he kept up a
regular correspondence with the British
commander. At all events he was generally
regarded by the Wings Us dangerous man,
and therefore avoided. His house was
situated q short distance from Whitelay
Creek, on the steep hill, surrounded on all
sides by tall trees. 1t was just such place
as one might suppose for tho plotting OF
treason. At the time james Wilson and
his little band left the deserted store house
in the village of Newark, dusk had given
place to the darker shades Of night; still,
it was dark; the new moon was shining
brightly in the clouds, and every object was
perfectly distinguishable. The boys walked
firmly forward, maintaining solemn 81
lence. At length they gained bank Of the
creek, and slowly following the winding
path, soon came to little low bridge which
crossed shallow rivulet leading forth into
Whitelay. james Wilson ordered them to
halt.
"Let Frank and / recopnoitre premises
FIRST. to see IL any danger may be appre-
hended. All the rest stand here until We
return. Make no noise, and keep constant
watch. - .-... .s
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 pulled him behind gigan-
tic beech tree. The noise soon resols ed in
to human football, and in another moment
Geo. Livingston, the Tory's son, stood op.
posi,e the tree. James Wilson darted from
his covert, and grasped the boy BY the
neck. The cowardiy youth trembled like a
reed.
ssSpeak one word" whispered his captor,
"and l'Il toss you into the creek!"
The Tory's son was struck dumb with
fright, and found himself in the midst Of
the whole group Of boy heroes. with the
vice. like grippe Of James and Frank on either
arm.
"Now," said james, ''an,wer mo prompt
ly and truly, or III make your position un-
comfortable. Do you hear ? Who are in
your fathers house at this moment?"
sI--I--cannot tell" answered the half
dead boy.
"You shall tell, Or
"Spare me, and will disclose everything.
When left our house there was no one bot
our family end Major Bardstone."
sWho is he 2" a.ked James.
s1 don't know--I don't indeed"
"Tell ]" threatened Frank.
"lle is the Captain OF the Yorkshire dra-
goons."
The blue eyes of Frank glissened with joy,
and be soon gained from the Tory's con q
revelation which stamped bis father q trait
or OF the mos: appalling character. He
discovered tha. old Livingston not only kept
up correspondence with the British com.
mander, but that he taad so plotted 10 his
traitorous designs that the whole village of
Newark wa. to be burned to ashes, and its
women and children left exposed to the pitt
less foes. The old Tory was 10 receive ~
his reward the land whsreon the village
stood, and an annual pension from the Brit
ish government.
But stranger than all, the plot was to be
consummased on the very night the Tory's
son bad been captured, while he vas going
on IN esrsnd to Tory neishbor about two
miles distant The little hand learned, too.
that the British troops bad secured their
horses in Lisingsson's stable, and intended
TO descend the creek in a large boat. There