St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-11-24
Burning of the Willows.
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.

covered WIN WILLOWS. i MS place meets
the description exactly. Order the men
to dismount with the exception of a
couple of patrols on each road"
The British were dressed in the blue
and scarlet uniform of the British light
horse, il corps that was formed after the
landing of the English troops in New
Jersey, as soon as the horses could be
had to mount the men. He was an Of
tcer of some rank, evidently. who
spake the above words, and his cal
riage and demeanOr was both naughty
and aristocratic in the highest degree.
Why not he was the eldest son of a
British earl.
'The house appears to be deserted,
Colonel Harcourt," said his junior Off
Ger as he dismOunted.
I'VE will see. This way, dozen 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 give
them warning to surrender"
The men advanced to the door which
they found to he fastened, and after
demanding admission, to which they
received 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 that man by sight,
Lieutenant ?" asked Colonel HarcOurt,
while the men were busy ransacking
the house.
NO sir, but there is Il fellow picked
mp Oh the road. now in the rear, that
knows him we'll"
"Order him to the front"
The countryman had not Il very pre-
possessing countenance. There was II
bold surliness and cruel expression of
features extremely displeasng.
what is your name ?" said Colonel
lIalcourt, i'll his quick military man
ner.
John Classen."
"Do YOU know Peter Van Dyke ?"
every we'll"
''ls this his dwelling p
"les, though since his mothers death
and his sisters getting married, its
hard to say where he keeps himself
''Does he bear the name of being Il
great rebel and Il dangerous man to
those who favor the king in this nei gh
oIhood ?'
Yes, from the Passaic to the Hack
ensack. and thirty miles around. If Id
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 ont the honest farmers
homes who stand 10y their king. whose
barns they plumber and carry away the
grain"
'Why, You tell bitter story about
| him; has he ever injured Won p
"lniurcd meP He and parcel of
robbers like himself, came one after
noon to burn my house and hang me he
fore the door. which they would have
done but for the timely arrival of Il
number of friendly neighbors, well
armed, when they were off in double
quick time
/ ''Does he not venture into New York.
sometimes in disguise ~ inquired the
! Colouel.
Eve heard 50. He WAS slippery
from Il boy up. and disguiscs himself
any way. He's Il precious scamp. and
you'll do favor to this part of jersey
/ if You hang him the minute Nou catch
| him"
This conversation had been held near
Il stone wall on the outer edge oi which
WAS an old garden, but the troubles of
| the times had left il uncultiVated. and
/ the goo>cbtIric and current bushes
| had grown up rank and untrimmcd. and
the briers stretched over the walls. coy
ering the ground from sight
Under this and within ten feet of the
| Colonel and Classen. lay crouchcd the
very man they were talking Of He
] h.lI "A Il.
house and conceal himself upon the ap-
proach of the horSemen, whom he did
not suspect of being within ten miles of
him. Twice or thrice on hearing the
base lies of ClasScn. he WAS on the
point of rising and confronting him. but
IL little reflection was left, and he
thought that was not the occasion to
put his life in jeopardy, which he would
certainly do, since the party of troops
had come expressly to take him.
''Do YOU know will. certainty .Clas-
sen. how long since Van Dyke has been
seen in the ncighborhood ~
Il have heard he was seen last night
two miles from this, in 10y path
through the woods. coming in the di-
rection of his house"
That is the information | received,
and am determined to capture HIM
sooner or later. If you can point out
his whereabouts, or arrest him yourself.
you shall receive IL reward of fifty guin-
cas-"
Classen was as avariciouS and fond of
money as he was wicked. Fifty guin-
cas- was Il large sum indeed, particular
| ly in those days when gold was rarely
seen.
Il will catch him Colonel, before he
is three days older; | know one of his
haunts."
"Why not lead us there, then ?"
at would be of no use this time of
day. Besides he may not be there for
il day or two, and | shall have to be
cautious in looking out for him."
"Well, secure him, and the fifty
guineas shall be yours"
Several of the soldiers now came
from the house and stated that they
had searched it from top to bottom, but
found no one, although from appear
ances some one had been there recent
ly. The Colonel, followed by Classen,
passed on to the house, while the fugi-
tive lay quietly in his concealmcnt
1t was Il plain house of middle size,
built plainly of stone in the old Dutch
style, and very comfortable within.
There was but little furniture-a few
tables, chairs and cooking utensils
The better part, as Classen said, had
been taken away on the occasion of
Van Dykes sisters marriage, year be-
fore, as her part.
Here is a coat, SIR said one of the
soldiers, "that we found on the floor of
the kitchen, near the back door. 1t
must have been dropped in hurry"
Feel if there are any papers in the