The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1876-03-02
Legend or 1875.

Night had setin deep, and in q small
log hut, situated q few miles from
Trenton, New Jersey, sat five men,
four OF whom were seated st an old
oaken table in the center Of the room,
engaged in playing cards, while they
frequantly moistened their throats
with large drafts from an earthen jug
that stood on the table. They were
hesvily-bearded, coarse looking men,
and rem their dress, which some
what resembled the British uniform,
they were evidently Tories. The
other was stout built young man,
clad in the Continental uniform. He
sat in the corner of the room with his
face buried in his hands.
"Fom," said one of the Tories, ris-
ing from the table, and seating hiu-
self near the young prisoner-for such
he evidently was-"r0m, you and I
were school-boys together, and / love
you yet. Now, why can't you give
up your wild notions, and join me
You're our prisoner, and if you don't
we shall hand you over to the head
quarters tomorrow while If you join
US. your fortune Is made; for with
your bravery and talents you will dis
tinguish yourself in the Royal army,
and after the rebellion is crushed out
your case shall be rewarded by knight
hood and promotion in the army.
Now, there are two alternatives :;
which do you choose ?''
Neither" said the yoHng man,
raising his head, and looking the Tory
straight in the face "I 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 closely as you please, tie
my hand and foot If you will, but a
higher po over than yours has ordained
that shall leave you at that time. :"
"Poor fellowl ILLS mind wanders, u
said the Tory. "He'll talk differently
in the morning." And here he turn
ed to his seat st the table, leaving the
youth with his head again resting in
bis 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 objec-
tions to his smoking.
"NOne in the least,u he said, adding
with a laugh. ''that is if you'll Pro-
mise not to disappear ia cloud of
tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
Immediately filled his pipe, having
done which he arose AMI commenced
pacing the floor.
He took his half dozen turns up
and down each side OF the room, ap-
preaching 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, aud slewly knocking
the ashes ont of his pipe, said
"There, boys, it's twelve O'Clock,
and must leave you. Goodbye
Immediately all around the room
were seen streaks of fire Kissing and
squirming, the cabin was filled with
dense sulphurous smoke, amidst
which was a clap of thunder. The
Tories sat in their chairs paralyzed
WITH fright. -.z.-.z.=..-..---..-- 8
The smoke cleared away, but the
prisoner was nowhere to be seen.
The table was overturned the window
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 glance
around the room and sprang out of
the window, followed by his COM
rsdes. They ran through the forest
at the top of their speed, in the direc-
ton 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.
YLet us hear all aOout it, Tom"
said the other.
-HWell," said he, "last evening as /
was passing this place, two Tories ran
out OF the cabin and took possession
of me. Before I could make any re-
sistance they took me in /; and who
do you suppose | saw as leader of
their party but John Barton, our old
sehoolmate =? He talked with me
aud tried to induce me to join them I;
OQt tOlu bnCh4 OOGAah 0O ~ tA0b
attwelve o'clock was going to es-
caps-disappear in a cloud of smoke.
But he laughed at me, and said 1 was
out of my head. About eleven
O'Clock asked him IL 1 might smoke.
He said he had DO objections 40 1
filed my pipe and commenced walk
ing the floor. 1 had about q pound OF
ggnpowder in my pocket, and as 1
walked, strewed it all over the floor.
When the clock struck twelve I babe
them goodbye, and told them 1 had
to- 90. l then knocked the
ashes out of my pipe, the powder
ignited, and dazzling flame of fire
shot across, around and all over the
room, filling it with suffOcating
smoke. Before it cleared away 1
hurled chair through the window,
sprang out, and departed, leaving
them to their own reflections. You
know the rest"