Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-12-01
THE PATRIOT BOY.

humanity. The inhabitants of Pennsylya.
nia and Delaware were at the mercy of
their foes. Bands of Hessian dragons
secuted the vicinity nf PHILADELPHIA for
miles around, and committed acte which
would disgrace Vsncal
20 the evening Of Q delightful autumn
day, group OF boys, ranging 10 age from
twelve to seventeen years were gathered
together on the .eteps Of tenantless store.
house in the little village of Newark. Della
ware. The t'wn seemed lonely, end with
the exception Of the youthful band referred
to, NOS human being met the eye. All
the men capable Of bearing arms, had left
their homes to join the army Of Washing.
ton on the Schuylkill. A youth Of sixteen
mounted on barrel, was giving en- account
Of the disastrous ba,lls Of Brandyyine.--
James Wilson, the orator, was q bcld bow.
enthusiastic in his love for the America n
cause. and possessed no little intelligence.
His bright tlue eyes and haxen hair, gave
him an efeminate appearance, bot beneai b
that plain h"mespun jacket throbSed q
heart that never shrank before any o5stac
le His father was commander If the
Delaware troops, and bis mother was dead.
The boy concluded his narrative, and was
deeply lament:Dg that he could cot join
the army.
i am not old enough eaid he, but had
I's musket, would not stand idle here
with my hands useless at nv side.'
Are there no guns Of any dissertation in
the villsgeP asked a listening youth.
None. have spent nearly week in
trying to find Oae. but my efforts have been
Of no avail. l strongly suspect that the
Tory>Livingstob has several in bis house.
but as he permits no one to trespass on bis
land. am unable to say positively
why MT take partv and search his
dweIl'ny.' asked Frank Howard, 'he has
no one to assist him but hls cowardIy son
George. and can thrash him as easy as
that. ard the boy mapped his fingers to
imply the Livingston's son.
James Wlsnn's eye sparkied with Joy.
1T there are any three boys 10 ths com.
pany who will help me. in the expedition
~ill search old Livingston house thrs
night, All who are vi ling to 20, just
step forward three Faces
Every boy IN the crowd stepped forward
without q moments hesitation. James
eyes flashed.
Nov. by the dead of Bunker n;M, l
will search old LivirRston's residence,
though death stands in my path
With firm tread and the utmost ell.
enee the y"ung heroes to, K up their march
for old Livingst"n's.
Livingston had long been suspected of
harboriDR British spies. and some of bis
former lahorers bad reJ ortsd that he kept
up a regular correspondence with he
British Commander. At all events, be
was cons dered by the Wings as q danger
Gus man. His b use was ei;uated Q short
distance firm white CT y creek, on the
side OF steeo hill and surrounded IN all
sides ny t'e's II was just such a place
g. one might suppose suitable for plotting
treas, n.
At the time Wilson and bis little band
lett the deserted sto, ebouse in the village
at Newark. dusk. had gwen place to the
1HTH "hsA-" - .,aht Still IL vas mn,
dark; the new moon was shinipS brIobtIT
through the clouds and every oil ct Wa
perfectly distinguishabls. Tue buys wsls.
ed firmly forward. q 0ir tanning to:,mn
silence. At last they gained be bend If
the creek. and slowly f. lIcwing the wind
ing path soon came to q little low bridge
which crossed q shallow rivaiet leading in.
t. the White Clay, aud james ordered
them tn halt.
Let Frank Howard and myself recon.
noItre the premises 6rst, to zee whether
any danger may be arprehended. Ali the
rest stand here till we return, Make No
mise. and keep watch
James and Frank silently departed. and
were SOON lost in the thick woods through
which the pa'h ran. Scarce had they gone
from thsir companinus, ere the Quick ear
Of Wilson detected Q noise.
sHiat " anid he IN F.ank
up behind giRaDtio beech tree. Pes.
emily &c, rye Livingston came in s;ph,.-
ames Wilson darred from his covert. and
tightly grasped the boy by the neck. The
cUwardly boy trembled like q reed.
Speak one word. and III toss Won in the
creek whispered his cantor,
The Tory's con. struck dumb with fright
found himself 10 the nid.t of the VII, Ia
group OF heroes. and the vice like grasp Of
aimee and Frank IN either arm.
Now taId James. answer me promutIv
and truly. or Ill make your posi,in IN.
comfortable. D. you heart Who are 10
your fathers house at this momentf
IL cannot tell s:anmer d the half
lead buy.
'Y"u shall tell, Or
Spare me. and I'll tell everything
When | left the house there was no one
here but our family and Major Brad.
stone
Who is he ? asked James.
Il DON'T know, I don't indeed
'T-h = tbrestened Fr nk
lie 10 the Captain Of the Yorkshire dra.
soOrs.
The blue eyes Of James glistened with
Joy and be soon gained from the Tory's
son revelation which stamped bis father
traitor Of the nost sFpslliDg character.
de discovered that old Livingston not only |
Eept up a correspondence with the British |
but that he had also plotted |
n bis trsitor"us design that the little vii
md its wOmGn and children lett tx0nsed IL |
be pitiless foe. The old Tory was to re.
GIVE for bis compensation the land where.
N the village stood and an aooual pen>
ion from The British Government.
But, stronger than all, the rlot wa, 10 |
70 contaminated that very night. The liz.
9 tard Of heroes learned too. that a nartv
britleh troops had secured their horses
" Livingstone stable, aud intended to de-
ceOd the creek 10 large boat There
'ere twenty Of them besides their Can.
ain
o"etOue' tue leaOer o. the band
Ias III temper and heart thorough demon,
no eciupied noI in his cruelty to de-troy
he siumbering infant or the sick wife -
'"t q lev IN that youthiuI band tremLled
Or ? widowed mother or delenceless sis
er. Snme were Cor departing immediate.
J. but james Wilson. coon, sull retaining
is grasp on the tory's son, ordered ell to
% silent. The prisoner was bound hand
I'd tcot, . thick bankercbIef bound over
10 m"uth to prevent mis- calling assistance
nd cord fastened to bis breast and
round about tree. All hope of escape
lrsook Ge"rge Livingston. Wilson mo-
oned his band 20 follow him, and 10 few
.oments they stood on the summit Of .
len Precepics which OverhuDg White Clay
Nav boys raid Wilson, the narrative
70 have just beard is true, and 90 We have