Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-11-01
part. Claasen said. had been taken away

must nave Deen uroppeu III hurry.
"Feel if there are any papers in the
pockets" said Col. Harcourt.
Eyes, sir, here is bundle of 'em."
The colonel took the package, looked
at the superscription, broke the seal, and
going to the window, commenced reading
them to himself, with a countenance Of
surprise.
80, so-here is list of our troops,
and their numb bers in and around the city
"At Powles Hook, three hundred and
fifty" cat Elizabethtown and Newark,
one thousand General Clinton leaves
for Charleston, with five thousand. -
Why, these documents are indeed of i'm
portance. Who can play the spy SO
thoroughly in our camp? This Van
Dyke is most dangerous character to be
abroad "Men," he said aloud, "and
you Claasen, search every hole, and see if
any more papers can be found.
Nothing could give Claasen greater de-
light than this order. Curiosity and 9TH
reasons had long urged him to enter the
house during Van Dykes absence, for this
very purpose; but the dread that Van
Dyke might return while he was thus en-
gagged, had heretofore prevented him un-
dertaking it. lie was now armed with
proper authority and protected
What he found or discovered he did
not report to Col. Harcourt, but made the
same reply as the soldiers, that nothing
more of importance could be found
"Very well; we will now leave the
place and return to quarters at Powle's
Hook. Hodgeson, place some dry wood
in the middle of this room, and when |
give the word, apply the match"
WHAT are you going to burn the
Willows colonel?' said ClaaSen, his face
clearing with satisfaction.
"Yes, | will burn down the nest of this
rebel carton bird. 1t is well he is not
within my reach-he should swing for
it. One such fellow, with his secret spy
ing and finding out, is of moro injury to
us than u regiment Of rebels in an open
field"
Little did the British commander i'm
agine that the young man was then al
most within the sound of his voice.
"To horses, men, all except Ilodgson.
By this time, with Claasen tho colonel
had approached within the hearing OF
Van Dyke, where he halted with his
troops.
Nov, lIodgson, apply tho match,
mount and fall in"
1t was with anguish Van Dyke heard
this order from his hiding place. The
"Willows," rs the farm house was call
ed, had been the birth place of his ances-
tors, as it was his own, and there he had
passed all his life But what could he dof
Nothing.
Presently thick black smoke arose
and burst from each door and window
This was followed by a brilliant flame
that shot far into the sky and the crack
ling of tho well seasoned timbers, dry
with century Of preparation, could b(
heard at great distance.
"Therc will be one rebel shelter less to-
night. 1t is pity they were not al
burned down; then the king would have
more friends this side of the water. These
rebels are like dogs, n good whipping
make them better natured. The house i,
nearly construed, for the embers are be
ginning to fly before the evening breeze
BY files, to the right face, troll" and th'
horSemen wheeled into the road.
Fifty guineas you say, colonel, if
take Van Dyke?" asked Claasen again.
"Yes, fifty guincas.
"Ihen will leave you here, and keel
a watch around. He may return here be
fore great while Where shall yo,
@ halt?"
= "At the Oaks" five miles off and stol
for an hour or two for the farage party
If anything should occur within that time
Q you know where to find me-" The Off
Ger and troop rode away.
Claasen fingered around and gradual,
approached the building. which was wit
the exception of the brick walls, a heal
of ruins.
$50 John Claasen. you have glutte
your vengeance upon me, and this is you
work, viper wretch!"
ClaaSen turned and beheld within 81!
feet ofhim Van Dyke, leaning on mus
ket.
t mo. no, Peter" he muttered, trem
bling as he spoke, at was the British of
y iicer. You know | wouldn't injuc you.
It "Speak not another word, liar, or
shall forget myself, and blow our brain
: ont. heard all You are to have tft
IS guncas for apprehending me. | am ev
erything that is bad, came to bur
II your house down. but fled when you
n friends approached Wretch, l save
u your dwelling and your worthless carcas,
and these ruins are my reward"
d Peter, dear Peter.
II "Scoundrel, do not apply that wor
3 "dear" to me. ltsounds worse than tn
II hiss of a snake, Listen, John Chaser
:. the chief reason of your animosity to IN
'i is because Kate Vessels preferred m
rs hand to yours. Thank Godl she and he
IN father are both safe from your persecutio
for they arc now within the America
Is lines. Now, hear me; spare you th
Is time. for you are unarmed; but whe
next we meet. be it in town or vllag
forest or road, wedding or funeral. it
y your life or mine. Col"
'r Claasen waited for no second biddin,
N but disappeared in the direction taken |
the soldiers in double quick time, his la
l. standing on end-lor, like all other rogu,
he was as cowardly rs he was bad.
N Van Dyke paused n moment, and thu
IA pondered in his own mind-"That sooul