The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-09-15
A Legend Of 177s.

10y CABIN, situated lew miles from
Trenton, N. j., sat FIVE men, four of
whom were seated around an old oaken
table, 10 TIE centre Of the room, cngag-
cd in playing cards, while they frequent
ly moistened their throais with large
draughts from an earthen jug that stood
on the table.
They were heavily bearded, course
looking men, aud from their dress,
which somewhat resembled the British
uniform, were evidently tories. The
other was stout built young man, clad
10 the continental uniform. He had
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 evident.
ly was, tom, you aud / were school
boys together, and like you yet. Now,
why cant 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 tomorrow, while II
you join US your fortune is made, for
with your bravery and talents you will
soon distinguish yourself 10 the royal
army, and after this rebellion is crushed
out, your cause would be rewarded by
knighthood aud promotion in the ar.
my. Now, there arc two alternatives /;
which do you choose 2"
Neither" said the young man, rails.
ing his head, and looking the Tory
steadily iu the eye.
am now, IS you say, your p, .soncr,
but when the clock strikes twelve
shall leave you j shall disappear in a
cloud of fire aod smoke, aud neither YOU
nor your comrades, not even myself can
prevent it. You may watch me as close.
ly as you please, tie me hand and foot Il
you will, but higher power than yours
or mine has ordained that | shall leave
you at that time.
Poor fellow! his mind wanders. !"
said the the Tory; "he'll talk different.
ly in the morning" Aud he returned
to his scat at the table, leaving the
youth with his head again resting in
his hauds.
When the clock struck eleven the
young prisoner dlew a pipe and some
tobacco from his pocket, and asked the
Tory leader if be had any objection tc
his smoking "None in the least" he
said, adding with laugh-"that is, il
you'll promise not to disappear in o
cloud of tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
Immediately filled and lighted his pipe
having done which, he arose and com
mencing pacing the floor.
lie took half "A dozen turns up aud
down each side Of the table when hay
ing exhausted his pipe, he returned Il
his seat and reiilled it.
continued to smoke until the clock
struck twelve, when he arose from hi.
seat and slowly knocking the ashes out
of his pipe, said:
There, boys, it's twelve o'clock, and
| must leave you. Good bye !"
Immediately all around tho room
streaks Of fire Kissing and sq1irmina
the cabin was filed with dense, sulphur.
Gus smoke, amidst which was heard a
clap of thunder. The Tories sat in
their chairs paralyzed with fright.
The smoke soon cleared away, but tie
prisoner was nowhere to be seen. The
table was overturned, the window was
smashed to pieces, aud one chair was
lying on the ground outside of the
building.
The Tory leader, after recovering
from his stupor, gave one glance around
tho room aud sprang out Of the window,
followed by his comrades. They ran
through the forest at the top Of their
speed in the direction OF the British en-.
campment, leaving their muskcts and
other arms to the mercy of the flames,
which had now begun to deyour the
cabin.
The next day two young meu, dressed
in continental uniform, were seen stand .
Ing near the ruins Of the old cabin
One was Of the night previous. "Let
US hear all about it, Tom," said the
other.
Well" said he, ''last evening as |
was passing this place, two Tories ran
out Of the cabin and took possession of
me. Before could make any resist.
ance they took me in, aud who do YOU
suppose saw as leader of that party
but John Burton, our school-mate' He
talked with me, and tried to induce me
to join them but ! told them l couldn't
do it, that at twelve o'clock | was going
to escape, disappear 10 a cloud Of fire
and smoke, but he laughed ut me, and
said was out of my head.
About eleven clock | asked him
If ! might smoke He said he had no
Objection, SO filled my pipe and light.
ed II, and commencing walking the floor.
| had about pound of gunpowder in
my pocket, and as | walked / strewed
it all over the floor. When the clock
struck twelve ! bid them good bye. and
told them ! had to go; and then knock.
ing the ashes out of my pipe, the pow
der ignited, aud dazzling flamc OF. ERE
shot across around, and all over the
room, filling It with suffocating smoke.
Before it cleared away | hurled chair
through the window, sprang out and
departed, leaving them to their own re-
iiections. You know the rest"
The 4nnaiist is responsible for the
following equivalent for aJordan,s q