The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-07-14
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small log hut situated a few miles from
Trenton, N. j., sat FIVE men, four Of
whom were seated at an old oaken Ia.
bic in the centre Of the room, engaged
In playing cards, while they frequent
ly moistcned their throats Win large
draughis from an eartbea jug that
stood ON the table.
They were heavily bearded, coarse
looking men, and from their dress,
which somewhat rescmbled the British
uniform. they were evidently Tories.
The other vas stout built yong
man clad in the Continental uniform.
lie sat in one corner Of the room
with his face buried in his hands.
"Tom," said one ofthe Tories rising
from the table, and seating himself
near the young priopsr- --hr sach he
evidently 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 to.
morrow. while, IL you join us, your
fortune Is made; for with your brave
ry and talents you will 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 alternatives; which DO you
chooees"
Neither" said the young man,
raising his head and looking the Tory
straight in bis eyes, II an nov, as
you ssy. your prisoner. but when the
clock strikes twelve I shall disappear
in a cloud Of FIRE and smoke, and nei-
ther you nor your comrades, not even
myself. can prevent it. You may
watch me as closely rs you please.
tie me hand and foot II you
will, but higher power than yours
has ordained that shall leave you at
that tine.
Poor fellow! his mind wanders, ="
said the Tory. Hell talk differently
in the morning And he returned to
his seat at the table, leaving the youth
with his head again 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 il he had any objections
to his smoking. "None in the least. :"
he said. adding with a laugh, ''that is
if you'll promise not to disappcarin In d
cloud Of tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
Immediately filed his pipe, having
done which, he arose and commenced
pacing the floor.
He took half a dozen turns up and
down each side Of the room. approach
ing nearer the table each time, when,
having exhausted his pipe, he return
ed to his seat and reflled 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. its twelve o'clock.
and must leave you. Gocl.oy!'
Immediately all around the room
were seen streaks Of fire Kissing and
squirming, the cabin was filed with
dense sulphupus smoke. amid which
was a 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 overturned. the window was
smashed to pieces, and one chair was
lying on the ground outside Of the
building. TFFTA 40
The Tory leader, after recovering
from his stupor, gave one glance
around the room and sprang out ofthe
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
deyour the cabin.
The next day, two young men,
dressed in the Continental uniform,
we're seen standing near the ruins Of
the old cabin. One was our prisoner
of the night previous. ''Let us hear
all about il. Tom." said the other.
"Well," said he, "last evening, as
was passing this place. two Tories ran
out of the cabin and took possession oi
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