The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-04-22
A LEGEND OF i7ys,

hiNH'N'i3 -'' ~, S'' hNS hSll, lOuT Ol
whom were seated around an old doaker
table in the centre of theroom engaged
in playing cards while they frequent.
ly moistened their throats with large
draughts from an earthen Jug tha,
stood on the table.
They were heavily bearded, coarse
looking men, and from their dress
which somewhat resembled the British
uniform, they were evidently tories.
The other was a stout built Young man
clad in the continental uniform. He
sat in one corner Of the room with his
face buried in bis hands.
"Tom," said one Of the Tories, ris-
ing from the table and seating himself
near the young prisoner, for such he
evidently was, "Tom, you and 1 were
school boys together, and'I like you
yet. Now why can't you give up your
wild notions and join us. You are
our prisoner, and if you don't we shall
hand you over to headquarters to-mor-
row, for with your bravery and talents
You will soon distinguish yourself in
the royal army, ard after this rebel
lion is crushed out, your cause
would 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.
81 am now as you say your prisoner,
but when the clock strikes twelve |
shall leave you-I shall leave in a
cloud of smoke, and neither YOU nor
yourcomrades, not even myselfcanpre-
vent it. 9oa may watch me as
closely as you please, tie me hand
and foot if you will, but higher pow
er than yours Or mine has ordain-
ed that | shall leave you at that
time"
"Poor fellow, his mind wanders,'
said the Tory, "he'll talk differently
in the morning" And lie returned to
his seat at the table, leaving the youth
with his head again resting in his
hands.
When the clock struck eleven, the
young prisoner drew a pipe and some
tobacco from his pocket, and asked the
Tory leader if he had any objection to
his smoking. "None in he'least," he
said, adding with a laugh-"that is, ifI
yonll promise not to disappear in a
cloud Of tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, bit
Immediately filled and lighted his pipe,
having done which he, he arose and
commenced pacing the floor.
lie took half dozen turns up and
down each side of the room, approach
ng nearer the table each time, when
having exhausted his pipe he returned
10 his seat and re-filled it.
He continued to smoke until the
clock struck twelve, when he arose
rom his seat and slowly knocking the
ashes out of his pipe, said;
"There, boys, it's twelve o'clock and
must leave you good by|
Immediately all around the room
freaks of fire ran Kissing and squirm-
ng f.; the cabin was filled with dense
smoke, amidst which was
lcard a clap of thunder. The Tories
at in their chairs paralyaed with
right.
The smoke soon cleared away, but
he prisoner was nowhere to be seen.
The table was overturned, the window
vas smashed to pieces, and one chair
vas lying on the ground outside OF the
The Tory leader, after recovering
rom his stupor, gave one glance
round the room and sprang out of the
window, followed by his comrades.
They ran through the forest at the top
# their speed in the direction OF the
British encampment leaving their mus
,cts and other arms to the mercy of the
lanes, which had now begun to de-
our the cabin.
The next day two ycrng men dress
Il in the Continental uniform were
cen standing near the ruins of the old
abin. One was of thenight previous.
Let us hear all about it, Tom" said
he other
"Well," said he, "last evening as l
ias passing this place, two Tories ran
ut of the cabin and took possession
f me. Before could make any re-
istance they took me in, and who do
on suppose | saw as leader of their
arty but John Barton, our old school
late. lie talked with me, and tried
induce me to join then, but l told
hem | couldn't do it-that at twelve
clock Twas going to escape, disappear
, a cloud of fire and smoke but he ,
lughed at me and said l was out of .
~ head. :
"About eleven o'clock / asked him
| might smoke. He said he had no
ljection; so l filled my pipe and
GIFTED it, and Commence walking the
oor. | had about a pound of gun
owder in my pocket, and as | walked |
strewed it all over the floor. When
lie clock struck twelve I bid them
ood bye, and told them l had to 90;
nd then knocking the ashes out of nv
ipe, the powder ignited and a dsz- /
ing flame of fire shot across, around
nd all over the room, filling it with ,