Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-01-31
"Sing. tell you !"
Not to-night." said Ruth firmly.
.t maL AhaA IL

& Take that, them
He sent her recling with blow, and ad-
ded, with snesr: Now 90, and next time
learn to obey when you receive an order"
Rath, hal:.crszed with pain, CROPPED her
way back to her room, and fastening the
door. sunk down upon her knees and prayed
not for vengeance, but for mercy upon her
insulters.
Befors it was yet light. the officers were
awakened by the discharge of musketry.-
They knew well enough what it lneant and
two of their numbsr instantly sprung out Of
bed, and FASTENED into the street. But the
third hs who so grossly insulted Ruth, re-
mained still, half stupefed by the dissipa-
tiGn of the previous day.
Louder and louder, nearer and nearer.
came the sounds of conflict. The shouts of
officers and the cries of the wounded were
heard, while now and then the faint cheer
ing of the Americans in the distance reached
his ears.
At last our officer arose from his bed, half
dressed himself, went to the window aud
looked out. lie saw the whole Hessian force
slowly retreating before the Continental ar
my. which was resohtefy pressing onward.
Instead of passing out and joining bis own
men, the officer hung a small mirror upon
the side Of the window, and commenced sha-
yingl
While he was thus engaged, the following
words were exchanged between two soldiers
in Washington's army. One of the speakers
was young Manton, and the. other, friend
of his about the same age.
eve have them at last |" exclaimed the
latter. exultingly.
Yes. thank Hsavenl they are in full re.
treat"
'' Are they not near your house, Manton 7"
Yes, and my dear mother and sister are
no doubt thanking God for what is now 60
ing on around thein." said young Man,op,
proudly.
The American forces wero now at the head
of Warren Street. aud the British re,reatiug
before them. When the latter reached the
house Of Manton, they turned of TO the right.
through 5y-street. and continued their re-
treat through Greene, toward the Assanpink
Creek. Washington observing this, execu-
ted a naneuvre that placed victory at once
in his hands. Dividing his force. he dis
patched one portion Of it down Warren street,
while bis own body continued his pursuit
through Greene. The former division was TO
cross the Assappink as quickly as possible,
and attack the enemy in toe rear.
Manton was in this body: and as they
FASTENED forward to obey their orders, he
glanced up. while passing, at the windows
of his home. What was his astonishment to
see an officer deliberately shaving himself in
full view from the street
Impulsiveiy he raised his musket and fred
The bail went through the window pane,
struck the officer in the face, and he fell and
| died in less than ten minutes!
The result of the battle of Trenton is well
Known. II was the turning point Of the Rev
olution and the dark clouds which bad 80
lond hung over our destiny as nation were
| thsre dissipated, and the bright sun of hope
once more bean,ed upon our Lard.
After the battle, Manton and his friends
visited the house of the former. Then ne
learned that be had slain the ineulter of his
sister. and it is needless to edd that it occa-
| stoned him but little regret.
The windowspane through which the Hes
sian officer was shot is still preserved in
Trenton, and is in the possession of Mr..
Wilsun. 1t is still regarded sa curiosity
The bullet made clean hole, perfectly cir.
cular, and did not crack any other part Of
the glass. Bot time and storms have rem
dered it fragile and weak. aud it is now
guarded with jealous care. The building
from which it was taken was known. until
about eight years since. as the Phoenix Tav-
ern," when il was torn down and more
tasteful edefce erected in its stead. But
there are other houses around it, in which
the bullet marks of this battle are yet visi.
BILE. aud almost any one can show you the
spot where the Hessian officer was shot as be
stood shaving a. the window.-Frons Ben
aett's Dollar Monthly.