Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-11-16

\ LEGEND OF 1776.

Night had set in deep and dark and in a small
log cabin situated few miles from Trenton, New
Jersey, sat five men ; four of whom whore seated
around an old Oakcn table in the centre of the
room, engaged in playing cards, while they
frequently moistened their throats with large
draughts from an carthen jug that stood on the
table. They were heavily bearded, coarse look
ing men, and from their dress, which somewhat
resembled the British uniform, they were evil
IDENTIFY Tories. The other was a stouty built
young man, clad in the Continental uniform. He
sat in corner of the room, with his face buried
in his hands
"Tom," said one Of the Tories, rising from
the table and seating himself near the young
prsoner--for such he evidently was" Tom,
you and | were school boys together, and like
you yet Now, why can't you give up your
wild notions and join us. You are our prisoner,
and if you don't we shall hand you over to
headquarters to morrow, for with your bravery
and talents you would soon distinguish yourself
in the loyal cause, and after this rebellion IL
crushed out, you would be rewarded by knight
hood and promotion in the army. Now, there
are two alternatives, which do you choose ?"
"Neither," said the young man, raising his
head and looking the Tory steadily in the eye,
{" | am now, as you say. your prisoner, but when
that clock strikes twelve, | shall leave you.
shall disappear in cloud of fire and smoke, and
neither you nor your camrades, nor even myself
can prevent il. You may watch me as closely
rs you please tie me hand and foot if you will,
but higher power than yours or mine has
ordained that should leave you at that time
Poor fellow, his mind wanders," said the
Tory, he'll talk differently in the morning."
and he returned to his seat ut the table, leaving
the youth with his head again resting on his
hands.
When the clock struck eleven, the young
prisoner drew pipe and some tobacco from his
pocket, and asked the Tory leader if he had any
objections to his smoking.
No, none in the least" said he, adding with
q laugh, that is, If you'll promise not to disap-
pear in cloud of t0bacco smoke"
The young man made no reply but immedi'
atcly filled and lighted his pipe having done,
when he arose and commenced pacing the floor.
! He took half Il dozen turns up and down each
side Of the room, approaching near the table
each timc when having exhausted his pipe, he
returned to his seat and re filled it, lie contin-
ned smoking until the clock struck twelve
when he arose from his seat, and slowly knock
! ing out the ashes from his pipe sad There
bows, il is twelve o'clock, and | must leave you,
GOOD bye 70 and immcdiatly, all around the room
streaks of fire ran Kissing and squirmlng, and
the cabin was filed with dense, sulphurous
smoke, amidst which was heard n crash like a
clap Of thunder. The Tories sat i'll their chairs
paralyzed with fright.
was nowhere to be seen. The table was over
turned, the window smashed to pieces, and one
chair was lying on the ground outside OF the
building. The Torys leader after recovering
from his stupor, gave one glance of terror around
the room, and sprang out OF the window, followed
by his comrades They ran through the forcs
at the top of their speed in the direction of the
British cncampment leaving their muskets and
other arms to the mercy of the flames, which
| had now begun 60 devour the cabin.
The next day two young men both dressed in
the Continental uniform were seen standing
near the ruin of the old cabin One of them was
no other than our hero of the night previous.
"Lets hear all about it, Tom," said the
other.
Well" said our hero last evening MS ]
was passing this place, two Tories ran out of the
cabin and took possession of me before ! could
make any resistance. They took me in, and who
do yon suppose saw as their leader but John
Barton, our old school mate lie talked with me
and tried to get me to join them but told
him couldn't do it-that at twelve O'Clock
was going 10 efcape-disappear in cloud of fire
and smoke but he laughed at me and said that
was out Of my head. About eleven o'clock
asked him If / might smoke. He said he had no
objections SO ] flied my pipe and lighted it,
and commenced walking the floor. ! had about
pound Of gunpowder in my pocket, and as
walked strcwcd it all over the room. When
the clock struck twelve, ! bid them good bye
and told them ! had to go, and, then knocked
the ashes from my pipe. The powder lgnited,
and dazzling blaze OF fire shot across, around
and Fall over the room, filling it with sutlocating
smoke. Before it cleared away, hurled II chair
through the window sprang ont and departed,
leaving them their own reflections. You
know the rest"