Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-07-28
Selected Mlistrllanp,
A LEGEND OF 1776.

Night had set in deep, and in small
hut, situated a few miles from Trenton,
N. j., sat five men, four of whom were
seated at an oaken table, in the centre
Of the room, engaged in playing cards,
while they frequently moistened their
throats with large draughts from an
ssrthen jug that stood on tho table
They were heavily -hear@S,,s, COARSE
looking men, and from their dress,
which somewhat resembled the British
uniform, they were evidently Tories
The other was stout built young mau,
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 evident
ly was-''Tom, you and | were school
boys together, and | 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, tomorrow; 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 rebellion is crushed out
you shall be rewarded by knighthood and
promotion in the army Now, there are
two alternatives; which do You choose !"
Neither" said the young man, raising
his head and looking the Tory straight
in the eyes II am now as you say, your
prisoner, but when the clock strikes
twelve | shall disappear in cloud of
fire and smoke. and neither you nor
your comrades-not even myself, can
prevent it. You may watch me as close
ly as you please, tic me hand and foot, if
you will, but higher power than yours
has ordained that | shall leave you at
that time
"Poor fellow his mind wanders,"
said the Tory. "IIe'll talk differently
in the morning And he turned to
his seat at the table, leaving the youth
with his head again resting in his bands.
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 replied. adj
ding with high laugh, THAT is, if
you'll promise not to disappear in a
cloud OF tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
Immediately filled his pipe, having done
which he arose and commenced pacing the
floor He took half Il dozen turns up
and down each side Of the room, APP
preaching nearer the table each time.
when, having exhausted his pipe, he re-
turned 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
| must leave. Good byp'
Immediately all around the room we're
seen streaks of fire, Kissing and squirm-
ing The cabin was filled with dense
sulphurous smoke, amidst which was
clap of thunder. The Tories sat 10 their
chairs, paralyzed with fright.
The smoke cleared away, but the
prisoner was no where to be seen. The
table was overturned, the window was
smashed to pieces, and one chair was
lying on the ground, outside the build
ing. The Tory leader, after recovering
from his stupor, gave one gIace 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 en-
campment. leaving their muskets and
other arms to the mercy of the flames,
which had now began to dcyour 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 pre-
vious. ''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 me in, and who /
do yon suppose / saw leader Of their /
party but John Barton. our old school |
mate. He talked with me, and tried to
induce me to join them; but ] told them