The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1862-05-01
THE PATRIOTS sTRATAG GEM.
A LEoESD OF sEvEyrY.srx

Night had sci in deep. and dark, and
in a small log cabin situated few miles
from Trenton, N j., sat FIVE men, four
OF whom were situated around an old
oaken table in the centre Of the room,
engaged in playing cards while they
frequently moistened their throats with
large draughts from an eartheu jug
which stood on The table.
They we're heavily bearded coaIse
looking men, and from their dress,
which resembled the British uniform,
they were evidently tories. The other
was stout built young man, clad in the
continental uniform. He sal in the
corner ofthe room with his face buried
in his hands.
Tom" said one Of the tories rising
from the table and seating himself near
The young prisoner, FOR such he evident
ly was, "Tom, you and were school
boys together, and like you yet. Now
why can't you give up your wild no.
tions and join US? You are our prison.
er, and. if you don't, we shall hand you
over to headquarters Tomorrow, while
il you Join us your fortun. is nude, for
with your bravery and talents you would
soon distinguish yourself in tho royal
army, and after this rebellion is crushed
out, your cause will be rewarded by
knighthood and promotion in the army.
Nowhere are two alternatives; which
do you choose?"
"Nether," said the young man, rails,
ing his head and looking the tory stead.
lily in the eye.
n am now, as you say, your prisoner
but when the clock strikes twelve, |
shall leave you'll shall disappear ip a
cloud of fire and smoke, and neither you
nor your comrades, not even myself can
preven; it. You may watch me as close
as you please, tic me hand and foot if
you will, buta higher power than yours
or mine has ordained that | should Lave
you at that time"
Poor fellow, his mind wander'" slid
the tory; "he'll ak differently in tbe
morning" And DO returned to his seat
at 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, snd asked the
tory leader he had any objection to his
smoking.
"None in the least" lie said, adding
with laugh-"that is, if you'll promise
not to disappear in cloud Of tobacco
smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
immediately filed aud iigHtcd his pipe,
having done which he arose and com.
menced pacing the floor.
He took half dozen turns up and
down each side Of the room, spproaCh'
ing the table each time, when having
empted his pipe he returned TO his seat
and refilled it.
He continued to smoke until the clock
twelve, when he arose from his seat and
slowly knocking the ashes Of his pipe
said:
Boys, it's twelve o'clock. and ! mus,
leave you; good by!"
Immediately, all Ground the room ran
slroaks of FIRE Kissing and squirming; the
cabin was filed with dense, sulphorous
smoke, amidst which was heard crash
like a clap Of thunder, The tories sal
in their chairs paralyzcd with fright,
The smoke soon cleared away, bu
the prisoner was nowhere to bc seon.-
The table was overturned, the Windows
smashed to pieces, and one chair was ly
ing on the ground outside the building
The tory leader after recovering from
his stupor, gavo ono glance Of terror
around the room and Sprang ouL Of tht
window followed BY his comrade -
Thbvrnn lltou,b IA. Ga,es,a - lh