, 1864-01-23
The Boy Patriots. 6.

Aueiicuu pSOpio uu cNlucuCc VI OIltlsu
humanity. The inhabitants Of Pennsyka-
MIA and Delaware were ut the mercy Of
their foes. Bands Of Hessian dragoons
secuted the vicinity Of Phiiadelphia foi
miles around, and coumitted acts which
we1ld haNe sllsgIheea a.Eanaiia Ks z'7iss &
On the evening Of delightful autumn
day, group Of boys, ranging in age from
twelve to seventeen years, were gathered
together on the steps Of tenantless store.
house in the little village Of Newark, Della
ware. The town seemed lonely, and with
the exception Of the youthful band re-
ferred to, not human being met the eye.
All the men capable Of bearing arms had
left their homes to join the army Of WASH
ipgton, on the Schuylkill. A youth of six
teen, mounted on barrel, was giving an
account Of the disastrous battle of Brandy
wine. james Wilson, the orator, was a
boy, enthusiastic in his love for the Ameri-
can cause, and possessed Of no little intclli-
gence. His blue eyes and faxen hair gave
him. an effeininate appearance, but beneath
that plain home-spun jacket throbbed a
heart that never shrank before any obstacle.
His father was commander of the Della
ware troops, and his mother was dead. The
boy concluded his narrative, and was deeply
lamenting that he could not join the army.
Z" l am not old enough" said he, :. but
had / a mnsket I would not stand idle here,
with my hands idle by my side"
care there no guns of any description
in the village?" asked a listening youth. :
None. / have spent nearly week try
ing to find one, but my efforts have been Of
no avail. l strongly suspect that the Tory
Livingston has several in his house, but as
he permits no one to trcspass on his land l
am unable to say positively" 7'1ss..l 'so''
"Why not take q party and search his
dwelling r. asked Frank Howard; Z" he has
no one to assist him except his cowardly
son George, and / can thrash him rs easy rs
that aud the boy snapped his fingers to
imply the readiness with which he could
trOunce old Livingston s son. I'd i...si,....sr
James Wilson's eyes sparkled with joy.
If there are any three boys in this COM
pany who will help me, / will search old
Liyingston's house this night. All who
are willing to go just step forward three
PAGES.
Every boy IN the crowd stepped forward
without moments hesitation. Jamcsb beyes
flushed hike stars 'i ,.'s's, :, go
g 9 Now, by the dead OF Bunker dii r
will search old Liyingston,s : residence,
though death stands in my path" a..ss ot
With firm tread and the utmost silence,
the young heroes took up their march for
old Llvingstons. Livingston had long
been suspected Of harborlng British spies,
and ms former laborers reported tnat Nc
had Kept up regular rrespondence with
the British Commander: AT all events ne ne
was regarded BY the Wings as dangerous
man. His house was sitdated a short DIS
lance from White Clay Greek, ana the sue
OF o steep hill, surrounded on oil sides Dy
tall trees. 1t was just such q place as ode
might suppose suitable tor the plotting Of
treason. ,s..sea ~, aae 81
At the time that James Wilson and hls
little band LETT the deserted storehouse in
the village Of Newark dusk had gwen place
to the darker shades Of night. Still It was
not dark and the new moon was shining
brightly through the clouds, and every OBJ
ject was perfectly distinguishabie The
boys walked firmly forward, maintaining
solemn silence. At length they gained the
bed Of tho creek, and slowly following the
winding path, soon came to Little low bridge
which crossed shallow rivulet leading into
White Clay Greek, and james ordered them
to halt ,,su52 ,a'y7S,lg :. III Q,
" Let Frank Howard and myself recon-
noitre the premises tirst, to see whether any
danger may be apprehended. All the rest
stand here tall We return. Make no noise,
and keep constant watch rsi, s'g,,
James and Frank silently departed, and
were soon lost an the thick woods through
which the path run. scarce had they gone,
iron she,r companions, ere the quick ear q
Wilson detected noise. .r.,,g,
HistF said ne TO Frank as nc pulled
him behind gigantic beach tree. fre'
sentiy George Livingston came IN sight;;
James wilson darted from nus covert ana
tlgntiy grasped tue boy py tne neck
Ihe cowardly youth tromDled hke n reed
"Speak one word, whispered his captor,
"and III toss you into the creek. ,a..
The iorys SON, struck dumb with fright
found himself IN the midst Of the whole
group OF boy heroes, WITH me yiee-llke
grasp q james, ana FRANK On elIner arm.
NOW, said James answer me
promptly ana truly, or ~ maze ySur pos posi-