Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-02-26
Burning of the WILLOWS.
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.

This place meets the description exact
ly. Order the men to dismount, with
the exception of a couple of patrols on
each road"
The speaker was dressed in the blue
and scarlet uniform of the British light
horse, corps that was formed after the
landing of the English troops in New
Jersey, as soon as the horses could be
obtained to mount the men. He was an
officer of some rank, evidently, and his
carriage and demeanor were both laugh
able and aristocratic in the highest de-
gree And why not? He was the ell
dest son of British Earl.
''The house appears to be deserted,
Col. Marcourt, said the Junior officer,
as he dismounted from his horse.
"We will see. This way, half a doz-
en- of you," he said to his men. TRY
the door yonder. If it is fastened break
it open, and report if any one is inside.
If there should be, and they attempt to
escape, shoot them down, but first give
them warning to surrender.
The men advanced to the door, which
they found to be fastened, and after de-
manding admission to which they re-
ceived no answer, they proceeded to
break it open, which delayed them some
time, for the door was strong oaken
one. This done, they entered.
'Do you know the man by sight, lieu
tenant % asked Col. Harcourt, while the
men we're busy ransacking the house.
mo, sir, but there is fellow pick
ed up on the road, now in the rear, that
knows him well. He does not appear to
owe him much favor"
''Order him to the front p
The countryman had not very pre-
possessing countenance. There was a
bold surliness and cruel expression of
features extremely displeasing about
him.
"What is your name % asked Col
onel Harcourt in his quick military man.
ner.
John Classen.'
"Do you know Peter Van Dyke %
Every we'll"
| IS Ul1S Ills
"Yes-though since his mothers
death and his sisters getting married,
it is hard to say where he keeps himself. -
'Does he bear the name of being a
great rebel and a dangerous man TO those
who favor the King in this neighbor-
hood ?'
Eyes, from the Passaic to the Hack
ensac and thirty miles around. If I'd
had my way he'd been hung long ago,
and his house burned over his head. He
is the leader of every rebel gang from
the army, and points out the honest far.
mer's homes who stand by their king,
whose barns they plunder, and carry
away their grain and cattle
"Why, you tell bitter tale about
him. Has he ever injured you ?"
injured me? He and parcel o.
robbers like himself came one Afternoon
to burn my house and hang me before
my door, which they would have done
but for the arrival of few friendly
neighbors, well armed, when they went
off in double quick time
"Does he venture into New Yorl
sometimes in disguise inquired th'
Colonel.
Il have so heard it said. He ha
been slippery from boy up, and Cal
disguise himself in any way. He is
precious scamp, and you will do favo
to this part of Jersey if you hang him a
soon as you catch him.
This conversation had been held nea
stone wall, on the side of which wa
an old garden; but the troubles of tn
times had left it uncultivated-th
gooseberry and currant bushes had grow
up rank and untrimmed, while the bri
ars stretched over the walls, coverin
the ground from sight
Under this cover, and within ten fee
Of the Colonel and Classen, lay crouche,
: the very man of which they were talk
: ing. He had barely time to escape fro1
the house and conceal himself on the az
proach of the horsemen, whom he di
not then expect to be within ten mile
of him.
Twice, on hearing the base lies {
Classen, he was on the point of rising u
and confronting him; but little rt
= fection was left, and he thought it WASH
the occasion to place his life in leopard,
L which he certainly would do, since tt
$ party of troops had come expressly
take him.
''Do you know with any certaint
Classen, how long since Peter Van Dyl
. was in the neighborhood %
81 heard that he was seen last nigl
) two miles from this, in by path throue
the woods, and coming towards h
9 house"
This is the information | receive
and | am determined to capture hi
sooner or later. If you can point o.
~ his whereabouts or arrest him yoursel
i you shall have reward of fifty guineas
u Classen was as avaricious and fond
u money as he was wicked Fifty guine
9 was a large sum indeed, when gold w
- rarely seen.
III catch him, Colonel, before he
u u three days older. know one of h
V haunts.'
( '.Why not lead US there, then %
- - at would be of no use this time
y day. Besides, he may not be there f
. day or two, and l shall have to
/ cautious in looking for him. y
! "Well, secure him, and the fifty gui
, cas- shall be yours.
: Several of the soldiers now came frc
the house, and stated that they b
y searched the house from top to bottol
er but could find no one, although from a
I'd pearance some one had been there We
ne lately.
ps The Colonel, followed by Classe
ne passed on to the house, while the fu,
'u tive lay quietly in his concealment.
lg 1t was plain frame house of mi
m ding size, built partly of stone, in t
as old Dutch stvle and very com fo,-ta