Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-29
THE BOY PATRIOT.

people an evidence of British humanity. The
inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Delaware
were at the mercy Of their foes. Bands of
Hessan 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 in age from twelve
to seventeen years, were gathered together
on the steps of tenantless storehousc i'll the
little village Of Newark, Delaware. The town
seemed lonely, and, with the exception OF the
Youthful band referred to, not a human being
met the eve. All the men capable OF bear
ing arms, had left their homes to JOIN the
army Of Washington, on the Schuyikll. a
youth of sixteen, mounted on barrel, was
giving an account of the disastrous battle of
Brandvwine. James Wilson, the orator, was
a bold bow, enthusiastic in his love for the
American cause, and possessed Of no little
intelligence His bright blue eyes ana haXen
hair gave him etfeminate appearance, but
beneath that plain, homespun jacket, throb ed
a heart that never shrank before any obstacle.
His father was commander Of the Delaware
troops, and his mother was dead. The boy
concluded his narrative, and was deeply la
menting that he could not Join the army. II
am not old enough" said he, but had l
musket, would not stand idle here, with my
hands useless by my side"
q Are 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 Liy
ingston has several in his house, but as he
permits no one to trcspass on his land, | am
unable to say positively"
tWhy not take a party and search his
bn hos,
no one to assist him except his cowardly son
George, and l can thrash him as easy as that"
and the boy snapped his fingers to imply the
readiness with which he could trounce old
Liyingston's son.
James Wilson's eyes sparkIed with JOY.
eff there are any three boys in this COM
pany who will help me, l will search old Liv-
ingston's house this night. All who are will
ing to 90, just step forward three PAGES"
Every boy in the crowd stepped forward
without moments hesitation. James eyes
flashed IKE stars
CHOW, by the dead of Bunker Hill, l will
search old Livingston's residence, though
death stands in my path"
With a firm tread, and with the utmost ST.
lence, the young heroes took up their march
for old LivingstOn's Livingston had long
been suspected of harboring British spies,
that he kept up regular correspondence with
the British commander. At all events, he
was regarded by Wings as dangerous man.
His house was situated short distance from
White Clay Greek, on the side of a steep
hill, surrounded on all sides by the trees. 1t
was just such place as one might suppose
suitable for plotting treason.
At the time James Wilson and his little
band left the deserted storehOuse in the vii
lage of Newark dusk had given place to the
dark shades of night. Still, it was not lrk;
the new moon was shining brightly through
the clouds, and every object was perfectly
distingushable. The boys walked firmly for
ward, maintaining solemn silence At length
they gained the bend of the creek, and slow
ly following the winding path, soon came to
n little low bridge which crossed Il shallow
riyulct leading into White Clay, and James
ordered them to halt.
"Lct Frank Howard and myself
the premises first, to see whether any dan
ger may be apprehended. All the rest stand
here until we return. Make no noise and
keep Il constant watch"
James and Frank silently departed, and
were soon lost in the thick woods through
which the path run Scarce had they gone
from their companions ere the quick ear of
Wilson detected noise. Hist " said he
to Frank, as he pulled up behind Il gigantic
beech tree. Presently Geo. Livingston came
in sight. James Wilson dartcd from his Gov
crt and tightly grasped the boy by the neck.
The cowardly boy tremblcd likd a reed.
Speak one word" whispered his captor,
and I'll toss you into the creek
The Tory's son, struck dumb with fright,
found himself in the midst of the whole group
of boy heroes, with the vice-likc grasp Of
James and Frank on either arm.
"Now," said James, "answcr me promptly
and truly, or I'll make your position mcom-
Portable. Do YOU hear? Who are in your
fathers house at this moment !"
I'll cannot tell" stammercd the half
dead boy
" You shall tell, or -"
'Spare me, and I'll tell everything. When
l left the house there was no one there but
our family am, Major Bradstone."
"Who is he ?" asked James.
81 don't know don't indeed"
Tell !" threatened Frank.
g lie is the Captain of the Yorkshire dra-
groons."
The blue eyes of James glistened with Joy,
and he soon gained from the Tory's son a rev
elation which stamped his father traitor of
the most appalling character. He discovered
that old Livingston not only kept up a cor
that he had so plotted in his traitorous design
that the little village of Newark was to be
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 whereon the village stood, and an an.
nual pension from the British government.
But, stranger than ALL the plot was to be
contaminated on the very night the TOrys
son had been captured, while he was going on
an GRAND to neighbOr about two miles dis
tant The little band of heroes learned, too,
that the British troops had secured their
horses in Liyingston'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 in temper and heart thorough demon,
and Scrupled not in his cruelty TO destroy the
slumberng infant or the sick wife. Not
few in that youthful band trembled for
widowed mother or a defenccless sister.
Some were for departing Immediately, but
James Wilson, still retaining his grasp on the
Torys son, ordered all to be silent. The
prisoner was bound hand and foot, thick
handkerchief bound over his mouth to pre-
vent him from calling for assistance, and
stout cord fastened to his breast and wound
about tree All hope of escape torsook
George Livingston. Wilson motioned his
little band to follow him, and in a few mo-
mentS they stood on the summit OF high
preeipice which overhung White Clay Creek,
"Now boys" said Wilson, "the narrative
which we have just heard is true, and as we
nave no musketS or ammunition, we musI
make the best of the occasion. The BRUSH
band will pass this spot in their boat, and as
we have hour to work, let US busy our
serves IN rolling some of those large rocks 10