Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-03-08

from Trenton, n. j., sat Ave men,
four Of whom were seated at al
old oaken table in the center OF
the room, engaged ia 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 resembled
the British uniform, they were evil
IDENTIFY Tories. The other was o
stout-built young man, clad in the
Continental uniform. lie sat in
one corner of the room, with bis
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 eyidently wes--"1om,
you and / were school-boys togeth-
err, 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 headquarters tomorrow,
while if you join US, your fortune
is made; for with your bravery
and talents you win distinguish
yourself in the Royal army, and
after the rebellion is crushed out,
your case shall be rewarded by
knighthood and promotion in the
army. Now, there are two alter
natives; which do you choose y
"Ncither," said the young man,
raising his his head aud looking
tae Tory straight in the eyes; Il
am now, as you say, your prisoner;
but when the clock strikes twelve
/ shall disappear in a cloud Of fire |
and smoke, and neither you nor
your comrades, nor even myself,
can prevent it. You may watch I
Inc as closely as you please, tie me
hand and foot if you will, but a
Higher Power than yours has or
dered that ! shall leave you at that
time
poor fellow his mind wanders,"
said the Tory. Hell. talk differ
emily in the morning" And be
returned to his seat at the table,
leaving the youth with his head
resting in his hands. (
When the clock struck eleven
the young prisoner drew 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, adj
ding with a laugh: "that is, If
you'll promise not to disappear in
q 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-a-dozen turns mp
the room, approaching nearer the
table each tiEe, when having ex-
hausted his pipe he returned to
his seat and then refilled for anoth-
er good smoke.
lie continued to smoke until the
cock struck twelve, when he arose
from his seat, and slowly knocking
the ashes out of his pipe, said;
"There, boys, its twelve o'clock, |
and l must leave you. Good-oy."
Immediately all around the room
were seen streaks Of fire Kissing
and squirming, and the cabin was
filed with dense sulphurous smoke,
amidst which was clap of thumb
er. The Tories sat in their chairs
paralyzed with fright.
The smoke cleared away, but the !
prisoner was nowhere to be seen. I
The table was overturned, the win
dow was smashed to pieces, and /
one chair was lying on the ground
outside of the building.
The Tory leader, after recover
ing from his stupor, gave one glance
around the room and sprang out of
the window, followed by his COM
rides. They ran through the fores,
at the top of their speed, in the di-
re ,tion of the British encampment,
leaving their muskets and other
arms to the mercy Of the flames,
which had begun to devour the
cabin.
The next day two young men,
dressed in the Continental uni
form, were seen standing near the
ruins of the old cabin. One was