Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-02-26

1t must have been dropped by some one
in hurry
"Feel if there are any papers in the
pocket" said Col Harcourt
''Yes, sir, here is bundle of them
The Colonel took the package, looked
at the superscription, broke the seal,
and going to the window, commenced
reading to himself, with a countenance
of surprise.
So, +" so-here's list of our troops
and their numbers in and about the city.
At Powle's Hook three hundred and ff-
ty. At Elizabethtown and Newark one
thousand. Gen. Clinton leaves for
Charlestown with five thousand Why,
these documents are indeed of import
ance. Who can play the spy SO well in
our camp? This Van Dyke is most
dangerous man to be abroad. Men, and
you, Classen, search every hole and see
if any more papers can be found
What he found or discovered he did
not report to Col Harcourt, but made
the same reply as the soldiers, that moth
ing of Importance could be found.
''Very well, we will now leave the
place and return to quarters at Powle's
Hook. Hodgeson, place some dry COM
bustibles in the middle of the room, and
when l give the word apply the match. )"
''What, are you going to burn the
Willows, Colonel?''
''Yes, [ will burn down the nest of
this carrion bird. 1t is we'll he is not
within my reach-he should swing for
it. One such fellow, with his secret
spying is of more injury to us than a
regiment of rebels in open field
Little did the British commander i'm
agine that the young man was almost
within the very sound of his voice.
ITO horse, men, all except Hodgeson. y
By this time, with Classen. the Col.
had approached within the hearing of
Van Dyke, when he halted with the
troops.
''Now, Hodgeson, apply the match,
mount and fall in
1t was with anguish that Van Dyke
heard this order from his hiding place
The Willows, as the farm house was
named, had been the birth place of his
ancestors, and it was his own, and there
he had passed his life. But what could
he do? Nothing.
Presently thick bright smoke arose
and burst from each door and window
This was succeeded by bright flames
that shot far into the sky, and the crack
ling of the well seasoned timbers, dry
with century of preparations, could be
heard at great distance
''There will be one rebel shelter less
tonight. 1t is pity they were not al
burned down, then the king would have
more friends on this side of the water
These rebels are like dogs-a gooo
whipping makes them better natured.-
The house is nearly consumed, for the
embers are beginning to fly before the
evening breeze. By file, to the righ
face, trot p and the horsemen wheeled
into the road.
Fifty guineas you say, Colonel, if
take Van Dyke?" asked Classen again
''Yes, fifty guineas.''
''Then | will leave you here, and keel
a watch around. He may return her
before great while. Where do 70,
halt?"
cat the Oaks, five miles off, and stol
for an hour or two for the forage party
If anything should occur within tn
time, you know where to find me.
The officer and troop rode away.
Classen fingered around and gradual
approached the building, which was
with the exception of the brick walls,
heap of ruins.
80, John Classen, you have glutte
your vengeance upon me, and this
your work, viper and wretch.
Classen turned and beheld, within ST
, feet of him, Van Dyke, leaning on hi
l musket.
: mo, no, Peter" he muttered, tren
: bling as he spoke. ''It was the Britis
officer. You know that | would not IL
t jure you"
| "Speak not another word, liar, or
shall forget myself and blow your brain
4 out. l heard all. You are to have fift
guineas for apprehending me. I am e1
/ erything that is bad. l came to bur
S your house down, but fed when you
friends approached Wretch it was
f who saved your dwelling and your wortl
p less carcass, and these ruins are my +,
: ward
t ''Peter, dear Peter.
:, "Scoundrel, do not apply that wor
e dear to me. 1t sounds worse than ii
o hiss of snake Listen, John Classel
the chief reason of your animosity to II
7, is because Kate Vessels preferred N
e hand to yours Thank God she al
her father are both safe from your pers
1T cution, for they are now within tt
h American lines Now, hear me- spa
is you this time, for you are unarmed; b.
when we next meet, be it in town or Vi
|, lage it is your life or mine. Go!''
N Classen waited for no second biddin
1t but disappeared in the direction take
I, by the soldiers, in double quick tim
his hair standing on end, for like a
of other great rogues, he was as coward
rs as he was bad. Van Dyke paused
rs moment, and thus pondered in his oy
mind
Is THAT scoundrel will bring some
Is those horsemen back, for he will ina
inc that l will linger two OF three hou
= around this old place. Yes, yes, | W
Ol after some twenty of our lads and pl
u pare an ambush for them. Fifty guine
'e will draw Classen anywhere, coward tn
he is, especially when backed by the r
IL coats.
m 1t was not long before Van Dyke ]
II turned with his party, whom he gatht
n ed by a signal, and as night had set
~ - they took their station amid the willo
r + by the banks of the brook, where tn
, could remain unperceiyed. For t
: space of an hour all was still, and tn