The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-01-27
A Legend oft1775.

Night had set in deep, and in q small
log hut, situated few miles from Trenton,
New Jersey, sat five men, :our of whom
were seated at an old oaken table-in the
centre of the room engaged in playing
cards, while they frequently moistened their
Threats with large draughts from an earthcn
Jug that stood on the table. sa .{sai 5ti 3
They were heavily bearded, coarse look
ing men, and from their dress, which some
what rescmbled the British uniform, they
were evidently tories. The other was o
stout built young man, clad in the con-
tinental uniform. He sat in one corner of
the room with his face buried in his hands.
"Tom," said one of the tories, rising
from the table and seating himself near the
young prisoner, for such he evidently was
Tom. you and were school boys together,
and love you. Now, why can't you give
up your wild notions and join us2 You are
our prisoner, and if you don't VIC shall hand
you over to the headquarters tomorrow,
while if you join US your fortune is made,
for with your bravery and talents you will
soon distinguish yourself in the royal army,
and after the rebellion is crushed out your
cause shall be rewarded by knighthood and
promotion in the army. Now there are two
Neither" said the young man, raising
his head and locking the tory steadily in the
eye.
Il am now, as you say. your prisoner,
but when the clock strikes twelve shall dis
appear in cloud of fire and smoke, and
neither you nor your comrades, not even
myself, can prevent it. You may watch me
as close as you please, tie my hand and foot
if you will, but higher power than yours
or mine has ordained that shall leave you
at that time" ,.s.,.r
Poor fellow his mind wandcrs," said
the tory he'll talk different in the. morn
ing" And he 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 pipe and some tobacco from
his pocket and asked the tory leader if he
had any objections to his smoking. None
in the least" he said, adding with a laugh
"that is, if you'll promise not to disappear
| in a cloud of tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but i'm
mediately filled his pipe, having done which
he arose and commenced pacing the floor.
He took half dozen turns up and down
each side of the room, approaching nearer
the table each time, when, having exhausted
his pipe, he returned to his seat and refill
ed it. .....
He continued to smoke until the clock
struck twelve, when he arose from his scat
and slowly knocking the ashes out of his
pipe said "There, boys, it's twelve o'clock,
and must leave you. Good byew
Immediately all around the room were
seen streaks of file kissing and squrming
the cabin was filled with dense sulphurous
smoke, amidst which was a clap of thunder.
The tories sat in their chairs paralyzcd with
fright.
The smoke cleared away, but the prisoner
was nowhere to he seen. The table was
overturned, the window was smashed to
pieces, and one chair was lying on the
ground outside the building.
The tory leader, after recovering from his
stupor, gave one glance around the room
and sprang ont of the window. followed by
his comrades. They ran through the forest
at the top of their speed in the direction Of
the British encampmtn:. leaving their mus
kets and other arms to the mercy OF the
flames, which had now begun to dcvour the
cabin.
The next day, two young men dressed il
|
near the ruins of the old cabin. One wal
the prisoner of the night previous. "Let
us hear all about it, Tom," said the ether.
"Wel," said he, last evening as wa
passing this place, two tories ran out of tn,
cabin and took possession of me. Before
could make any resistance they took me in
and who do you suppose l saw as leade
of their party but John Barton, our OLE
school mate He talked with me, and triei
to induce me to join them but told then
couldn't do it; that at 10 o'clock I wa
going to escape, disappear in a cloud o
fire and smoke, but he laughed at me, ant
said was ont of my head. About clever
o'clock asked him if might smoke. h
said he had NO objection; so filled m,
| pipe and lighted it, and commenced walk
ing the floor. had about pound of GU
powder in my pocket, and as I wake.
strewed it all the floor. Whent he the..clocl
struck 12, bid them goodbye, and told then
7 had to GO and then knocking the ashe
out of my pipe. the powtler ignited, and
dazzling fame of fire shot across, arouu'
and all over the room. filling it with sufo
eating smoke. Before 1t cleared away
hurled chair through the window, spranl
out and departed, leaving them to their ow