The union Democrat., 1869-06-05
The Young Patriot.
A TALE OF TIE REVOLUTION.

During the evensful period Of the Revoiu.
ton, when the American patriots were con.
tending for their liberty, many interesting
incidents are recorded of the heroism even oil
the youth of those days. From many other
instances, we select the following:
| In the year l7777. Philadelphia was iu the
hands Of Howe and his inhnman soldiery,
while the field of Brandywine gave the Amer.
lean peonle an evidence of British humanity
The inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Dela.
ware were at the mercy of their foes. Bands
of Hessian Dragons secured the vicinity Of
Philadelphia for miles around. and commit.
ted acts which would disgrace a Vandal.
On the evening of delightful autum day, a
group Of boys, ranging in age from twelve tO
seventeen years, were gathered together on
the steps of tenantless storehouse in the lit.
tie village Of Newark, Delaware. The town
seemed lonely, and. with the exception of the
youthful band referred to, not human being
met the eve. All the men capable of bearing
arms. had left their homes to join the army OF
Washington on the Schuylkill. A youth OF
sixteen years called James Wilson, mounted
on u barrel, was giving an account of the dis
astrous battle of B,andywine. Wilson was a
courageous boy, enthusiastic in his love for the
American cause, and possessed of no little in
tcligence. His father was the commander
of the Delaware regular troops, and his moth
er was dead James concluded his narration.
and was deeply lamenting that he could not
| Join the army. 81 en- not old enough" said
he, "but had musket, | would not stand
idly here, with my hands hanging useless by
my sde."
care there no guns Of any description in
the village ?" asked listening youth.
None. | have spent nearly week try
ing to find one, but my efforts have been of
no avail. | strongly suspect that, that old
Tory Livingston, had several in his house,
but as he permits no one to trespass on his
land | am unable to say positively"
"Why not take a party and search his dwell
ling?" asked Frank Howard; ''He has no
one to assist him, except his cowardly son
George, and l can thrash him as easy as snap
my fingers"
James Wilson'S eyes sparkled with joy.
''If any three boys i'll the company will help
me. will search old Livingstone house this
night. All who are willing to 60 just step
forward three PAGES"
Every bny in that little crowd, without a
moments hesitation, stepped forward.
The boys eyes flashed like stars. "Now"
said he, Il will search old Livingston's resi-
dence though death stands in my path"
| Witha firm tread, and in the utmost silence,
the young heroes took up their march for old
Squire Livingston's.
| Livingston had long been suspected of har-
boring British spies, and some of his former
laborers had reported that he kept up regu-
| lar correspondence with the British command
| hox llx,r HoI
| by the genuine wings a. dangerous man,
and therefore avoided. His house was stu
ated short distance from Whiteclay creek,
on the side Of steep hill. surrounded on all
side by tall trees. 1t was just such place
as one might suppose suitable for the plotting
Of treason.
At the time James Wilson and his little
band left the deserted stnrehouse in the vii
lage of Newark, dusk has given place to the
darker shades of night; still it was not dark.
| The new moon was shining brightly in the
clouds, and every object was perfectly dstin-
gushable. The boys walked firmly forward,
maintaining solemn silence. AT length
they gained the bank of the creek, and, slow
! ly following the winding path, soon came to
little log bridge which crossed shallow riv-
ulet leading into the Whiteclay, James Will
son ordered them to halt.
'Let Frank Howard and myself examine
the premises first. to see whether any danger
may be apprehended. All the rest stand
here until we return. Make no noise, and
| keep constant watch"
James and Frank silently departed, and
were soon lost to the eye in the thick woods
| through which the path ran. Scarcely had
they gone from the view of their companions,
ere the quick ear of Wilson detected noise.
"Hist!" said he to Frank, as he pulled him
behind gigantic beech-tree. The noise soLn
resolved itself into human football, and in an
other moment George Livingston. the Tory s
son, stood opposite the tree. James Wilson
d1rted from his covert and tightly gripped
the boy bv the neck. The cowardly youth
trembling like reed.
"Speak one wore, y" whispered James, 'and
I'll toss you IN the creek"
The Tory's son was struck durnb with fright,
and before he had recovered from his stupor.
found himself in the midst of the group Of
young heroes. with the vice-like grip of James
and Frank en- either arm.
Now" said James, "answer me promptly
and truly, or I'll make your position uncom-
Portable. Do you bear?'
Yes" gasped the affrighted YOUTH"
"Who are in your fathers house at this
moment?'
"I-I-cannot tell" staEmered the half
dead boy.
You shall tell, Or
''Spare me. and will disclose every thing.
When left the house there was no one out
our own family and-Majnr Bardstone."
''Who is hep" asked james.
don't know-I don't indeed"
TELL" threatened Frank"
"He is the captain of the Yorkshire dra-
goons."
The blue eyes of James glistened with joy.
and be soon gained from the Tory's son a rev.
alation which stamped his father as a traitor
of the the most appalling character. He dis
covered that old Livingston not only kept up
correspondence with the British command
er, but that he mad so plotted in his traitor
Gus designs that the little village of Newark
was TO be burt to ashes that night, and it's
women and children left exposed to the mer-
| cy of their pitiless foes. The old Tory was
to receive as his reward, the land whereon
the village stood. and annual pension, from
the English government.
| At this announcement, some OF the band
| were for danartino i'm m, adj atalv hnt lanes