The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-04-04
A Patriots Strategem.
A LEGEND OF l776.

Night had set in deep and dark, and in
small log cabin situated few miles from
Trenton N. j., sat five men, four of whom
where seated around an old oaken table in
the centre ofthe room, ,engs ged in playing
cards. while they frequently moistencd
their tbroats with large draughts from an
esriherp jug that stood ON the table.
They were heavily bearded, coarse
looking men. and from their dress, which
resembled the British uniform, they were
evidently tories. The Other was a stout
built young man, clad in the Continental
uniform. He sat in the corner Of the
room,w 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 evidently
was, tom, you and I were schoolboys
together, and l like you yet. Now, why
can't you give up your wild notions and
join US? You are our prisoner. and, il
you don'l,w shall hand you over TO head.
quarters tomorrow, while il you Join us
your fortune Is made. for with your
bravery and talents you would soon dis.
tinguish yourself in the royal army, and
after this rebellion is crushed out, your
course will be rewarded by knighthood
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.
al am now, as you say, your prisoner,
but when the clock strikes twelve, l shall
leave you-I shall disappear in cloud Of
fire and smoke, and neither you nor your
comrades, not even myself can preventit. -
"You may watch me as closely as you
please, tie me hand and foot il you will,
bu; 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
at the table, leaving the youth with his
head again resting on his hands.
When the clock struck eleven, the
young prisoner drew pipe aud some to.
bacco from bis pocket, and asked the tory
leader il he had any objection to his
smoking.
"None in the least" he said, adding
with laugh-'thaiis. IL you'll promise
not to disappear in cloud Of tobacco
smoke"
The young man made no reply but i'm
medaiely filed and lighted his pipe,
having done which, he arose and com.
menced pacing the floor.
He took half a dozen turns up and
down each side OF the room, approaching
the table each time, when having ex.
hausted his pipe he returned to his seat
and reflled it.
He continued to smoke until the clock
struck twelve, when he arose from his
seat. and slowly knocking the ashes out Of
his pipe, said:
Boys, it's twelve o'clock, and must
leave you; good.by 70
Immediately all around the room ran
streaks OF fire Kissing and squirming the
cabin was filed with dense, sulphurous
smoke, amidst which was heard a crash
like clap OF thunder. The tories sat in
their chairs paralyxed with fright.
The smoke soon cleared away, but the
prisoner was no where to be seen. The
table was overturned, :be windows
smashed to pieces, and one chair was
lying on the ground outside Of the build.
ing.
The tory 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 forest at the top of their
speed in the direction of the British en-
campment. leaving their muskeis and
other arms TO the mercy OF the flames
which had now begun to destroy the
cabin.
The next day two young men dressed