Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-10-28
THE BOY PATRIOT.

In the wear II76, Philadelphia was III the
hands of Howe and his inhuman soldiery,
while the field of BFandywine gave American
r.orIa An evidence of British humanity. The
inbabitants of Pennsylvania and Delaware
we're At the mercy of their foes Bands of
Hessian dragons secuted the vicinity of
Philadelphia for miles around and committed
acts which would disgrace a Vandal
on the evening Of delightful autumn day,
a group of boys, ranging III age from twelve
to seventeen years, were gathered together
on the steps of a tenantless stoTehouse III the
little village of Newark, Delaware. The town
seemed lonely, and, with the exception of the
youthful band referred to, not human being
net the eye. All the men capable of bear
ing arms had left their homes to join the
army of Washington, on the Schuylkill. \
youth Of sixteen, mounted on barrel, was
giving an account Of the disastrous battle OF
Brandywine James Wilson, the orator, was
bold boy, enthusiastic in his love for the
American cause, and possessed of no little
intelligence. His bright blue eyes and fiaxen
hair gave him a effeminate appearance, but
beneath that PLATA, homespun jacket, throbbed
heart that never 5hrank before any obstacle
His father was commander Of the Delaware
troops and his mother dead. The boy
concluded his narrative, and was deeply Ia
meating that he could not join the army. q
am not old enough, said he, "but had | a
muSket, L would not STAND lQle mere, with my
hands useless by my side"
IRE there no guns Of any description in
the village ," asked listening youth.
None have spent nearly week trying
to find one. but my efforts have been Of no
avail. | strongly suspect that the Tory Liv-
ingston has several in his house, but Is he
permits no one to trespass on his land, | am
unable TO say positively"
g Why not take party and search his
/ -.
no one to assist him except his cowardly son
George, and can thrash him as easy as that, :"
and the boy snapped his fingers to imply the
readiness with which he could trounce old
Liyingstons son.
James Wilson'S eyes sparkled with JOY.
q If there are any three boys III this com
pany who viii help me, viii search old Liv-
ingston's house this night. All who are will
ing to 90, Just step forward three paces.'
Every boy in the crowd stepped forward
without moments hesitation. James eyes
flashed ike stars.
q Now, BIZ the dead Of Bunker Hill, | viii
search old Liyingston's residence, though
death stands in my path"
With firm tread, and with the utmost 81
lence, the young heroes took up their march
for old Liyingston's. Livingston had long
been suspected Of har1 oring British spies,
and some Of his former laborers had reported
the British commander At all events, he
was regarded by Wings as dangerous man.
His house was situated short distance from
White CLAY Creek on the side of a steep
hill, surrounded on all sides by the trees. II
was just such a place As one might suppose
suitable for plotting treason.
II the time James Wilson and his little
band left the deserted storchouse in the vii
lage IF Newark, dusk had given place to the
dark shades of night. Still, it was not dark;
the new moon was shining brightly through
the clouds, and every object was perfectly
distinguishablc. The BOYS walked firmly for
ward, maintaining solemn silence. At length
ibf6do9IqGg the RGRd ag PaJG, g5oh 23uII5' YY5
a little low bridge which crossed shallow
rivulct leading into White CLAY. and James
ordered them TO halt.
Let Frank Howard and mysclfrcconnoitre
the premises first, TO see whether any dan
ger may be apDreheHded All the rest stand
here until We return Make no noise and
keep constant watch
James aud Frank silently departed. and
were soon lost in the thick woods through
which the path run. Scarce had they gene
from their companions, ere the quick ear of
Wilson detected q noise. &" Hist" said he
to Frank, as he pulled up behind gigantic
beech tree Presently Geo Livingston came
in sight James Wilson darted from his GOV
The cowardly boy trembled Ekd a reed.
Speak one word" whispered his captor,
. ana I'll toss YOU into the creek"
The Iorys son, struck dumb with fright,
found himself in the midst of the whole group
of boy heroes with the yice-like grasp OF
James and Frank on either arm.
. Now" said James, ''answer me promptly
and truly, or I'll make your position mcom-
Portable Do you hear Who are in your
faFb.tfz afa.a ~ rhfS moment
IL cannot tell" stammered thc half
dead boy
:. lou shall tell or -"
spare me, and III tel everything. When
left the house there was no one there bur
our family and Major Bradstonc"
Who is he asked James.
q j don't know don't indeed"
"TcH." threatened Frank
:. lie is the Captain of the Yorkshire dra
groous.'
The blue ewes of James gIistcned with iov
and he soon gained from the Torv's son q rev
citation which stamped his father a traitor oil
the most appalling character. lie discovered
that old Livingston not only kept up "a cor
reSpondenca with the British commander but
that he had 50 plotted in his traitorous design
that the little village of Newark to he
burned to ashes. and its women and children
left exposed TO the pitiless foe. The old
Tory was TO receive for his compensation the
land whcreon the village stood, and an
nual pension from the British government.
But, stranger than all, the plot was TO be
cousummated on the very night the Tory :
son had been captured, while ne was going on
errand 70 a ueighbor about two miles dis
tant. The little band OF heroes learned. TOO.
that the British troops had secured their
horsgs in Livingston's stable and intended to
descend the creek IN large boat There
were twenty Of them besides their CAPTAIN
Major Bradstone the leader of the band.
was m temper and heart thorough demon.
and 1crupled not in his cruelty 20 destroy the
slumberiug infant or the sick wife. Not a
few in that youthful band trembled for "a
widowed mother or a defenceleSs sister.
Some were for departing Immediately, but
James Wilson, still retaining hi grasp on the
Tory's son, ordered all to hc silent. The
prisoner was bound hand and foot a thick
handkerchief bound over his mouth TO pre-
vent him from calling for assistance. and a
stout cord fastened To his breast and wound
about tree All hope of escape torsook
George Livingston. Wilson morioued his
little band to follow him, and in "a few mo-
mentS they stood on the summit of a high
pTeelpee which overhuuE White CLAW Creek.
Now, boys, said Wilson, Il the narrative
which w have just heard Is true. and a. we
ha'e no mushets OF ammunition. we must
make the best OF the occasion The British