The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-03-15
N MISCELLANY
A LEGEND OF 1776.

Night had set in deep, and in small log
hut situated few miles from Trenton, N. j.,
sat five men, four of whom were seated at an
old oaken table in the centre Of the room, ell
gagged in playing cards, while they frequently
moistened their threats with large draughts
from an earthen jug that stood on the table.
They were heavily bearded, coarse-looking
men, and from their dress, which somewhat
resembles the British uniform, they were evil
IDENTIFY Tories. The other was a stout built
young man, clad in the Continental 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 l
love you yet. Now, why can't you give up
your wild notions and join US? You're our
prisoner and if you don't we shall hand you
over to the headquarters to morrow while,
If you join us, your fortune is made for with
your bravery and talents you will distinguish
yourself in the royal army, and after the re-
bellion is crushed out your case shall be re-
warded by knighthood and promotion in the
army. Now, there are two alternatives !;
which do you choose P"
Neither," said the young man, raising his
head and looking the Tory straight in his
eyes. :" am now, as you say, your prisoner,
but when the clock strikes twelve shall dis
appear in a cloud Of fire and smoke, and
neither you nor your comrades, not even my
self, can prevent it, You may watch me as
closely as you please tie me hand and foot if
you will, but higher power than yours has
ordained that shal leave you at that time. y
Poor fellow his mind wanders," said the
Tory. "He'll talk differently in the morn
ing" And he returned to his seat at the ia
BILE, leaving the youth with his head sgain
resting in his hands,
When the clock struck eleven, the young
prisoner drew a 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, 81 that is, if you'll promise not to dis
appear in a cloud of tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but frnme-
uA"eCiy As'cu hto PPcf h"vihS uOuo WhASh ho
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 refilled it.
He continued to smoke until the clock struck
twelve, when he arose from his seat, and,
slowly knocking the ashes out of his pipe,
said
"There, boys, it's twelve o'clock, and I
must leave you. Good bye I"
Immediately all around the room were seen
streaks of fire kissing and squirming, the
cabin was filed with dense sulphurous smoke,
amidst which was clap of thunder. The
Tories sat in their chairs paralyzed with
fright
The smoke cleared away, but the prisoner
was nowhere TO be seen. The table was over
turned, the window was smashed to pieces,
and one chair was lying on the ground outside
of the building.
The Tory leader, after recovering from his
stApor, gave one glance around the room and
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 encampment, leaving their muskets
and other arms to the mercy of the flames,
which had now begun to devour the cabin.
The next day two young men dressed in the
Continental uniform, were seen standing near
the ruins Of the old cabin. One was our
prisoner Of the night previous. Let us hear
all about it, Tom,o said the other.
"Welk' said he, "last evenings as was
passing this place. two Tories ran out of the
cabin and took possession Of me. Before
could make any resistance they took me in
and who do you suppose saw as leader Of
their party but John Barton, our old school