Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-02-19
AN INCIDENT IN THE BAT.
TIE OF TRENTON.
BY EDWARD s. ELLIS.

BY EDWARD s. ELLIS.
1t was the night before the battle-the
darkest night of the Revolution. The town
of Trenton was lit up as if for a carnival,
and gay forms could be seer fitting by the
windows, and their boisterous voices often
reached the shiveribg sentinels outside
Every one abandoned himself to revelrv.
and harbored no thought of danger Now
and then an officer reflected for moment,
that perhaps a disciplined army might af
ford them considerable trouble, but what
was to be feared from the poor, ragged
half starved Continental soldiers They
were far away and even should they dare
to make demonstration, the disciplined
Hessians would rally at the call to arms,
and annihilate them in an instant. No,
danger was not worth the thought.
In a small, rnpretending house, where
the State Bank building now stands.
lived an elderly lady and her only daugh
ter. They were both patriots, and. the
mothers darling son was then serving in
the Continental army. Upon entering the
town, three of the Hessian cfficers tnok M
their quarters with this Mrs. Manton,
without the formality of an invitation. 1t
was cut Of her power to refuse them even
if she wished but it was not her disuosi-
ton to deny shelter to even her enemies,
and consequently she made no objection to
their presence.
The Uficers were all Young swearing,
dissiVateG men, who Immediately t ok
possession Of the best room, on the second
floor, which fronted the street Here, on
the afternoon Of the day befnre the battle
they commenced drinking. Nat drinking
as they usually did. in moderation, but
with the determination of getting dead
drunk, and celebrating Christmas Eve in
a manner that would be long remembered
By nightiall. they were only slightly ex-
hilarate6-just enough to sing songs. and
talk bOisterOusiy, and swear terribly
Several times those who were passing along
the streets paused and looked up at the
jewellers, and then with knowing smile
passed on.
Late in the evening, just as one had fu-
ished II song, another asked:
g wonder where the girl is p
Whom do you mean2"
Why, Ruth, the old woman's daughter
of course. Letus have her in here 70 sing
a song"
agreed; but suppose she has re
/ tired ?"
Hang the difference we will have her
for all that?"
I" Who will bring her ?"
will, OF course" volunteered the one
who had made the proposition.
Go then and bring the rebel maiden
hithcr?" cried the others in chorus
The man rose to leave the apartment,
! but suddenly paused and looked at his com
pGniDne. as he heard the low tones Of what
appeared to be a conversation
&" lIa she is praying ~ he said.
| One of their number slipped to the door
and opened it. Then they listened. and
the low. earnest, pleading tones Of Ruth
were heard. She prayed that her brother
might be preserved in the dangers which
now encompassed him, that God would aid
I the feeble patriots in their holy struggles,
1 and open the eyes of those who were in
their house to the injustice of their Cypress.
i've course. While still engaged in suppli>
cation, Ruth was startled by footstep,
and, looked up, discerned, in the gloom of
the chamber, the outlines of the figure of
man standing before her.
What do you wish here ?" she said.
" We want a song, my little charmer."
" Leave the room, sir no gentleman
would thus invade the sanctity OF domestic
privacy! !"
d" Come, my girl, there is no use of ban
dying words"
He seized her by the arm as he spoke
and dragged her by main force to the room
Ruth would not scream, for she feared nc
real injury at their hands, and did DOT wish
to alarm her mother, who was sleeping il
the chamber beneath her own
"What means this insult?" she demand
ed, as she stood before the th-ee intoxica.
ted officers.
A song, my birdie"
d" will not sing"
Suppose we compel you ?"
You may kill me, but l will not ute
one single note upon compulsion."
The spirit of rebellion courses ever
through the veins Of their women" sale
one. " Do not fear, Ruth we are no
going to harm you you know we are gen
tlemen."
! Well say no more about that. Let u
change the subject. Pray tell us somethin,
about that brother of yours. Who is he
a commander ?"
Ruth perceived the sneer, and made n
reply.
"Who is he On officer 90
" You may learn, sir, before this war i
over"
. Eth do you threaten, nv beauty p
Stay ?" he added, as she started away.
She sprang forward, but he caught he
before she reached the door, and rudel
commanded Sing, | tell you !"
d" Not tonight !" said Ruth, firmly.
Take that, then p
He sent her reeliug with a blow, an
added with a sneer: " Now GO, and mex
time Learn to obey when you receive or
ders."
Ruth half crazed with pain, CROPPED he
way back to her room, and fastening tn
door sunk down upon her knees and pray
ed-not for vengeance, but for mercy upor
her insulters.
Before it was yet light, the officers wer
awakened by the discharge of musketry-
They knew well enough what it meant bu
two of their number instantly sprung Gu
of Led, and FASTENED into the streets. Blu
the third, he who had so grossly insulteC
Ruth, remained still, balf Supplied by th,
dissipation 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 fam
l oh If tho