Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-01-18
The Converted" Quaker.
by HENRY A. BUCKINGHAM.

by HENRY A. BUCKINGHAM.
In the beginning of the Revolu-
tionary war efforts in this State, mid
dle-agcd farmer, who had seen all parts
of the world. and spoke seven languages,
and who was well.edacated by inter
course with all sorts of society, de-
clared, 10y speech and conduct, for the
crown. His place of residence was
back of Albany, and his name was
Timothy Bell. His manners were very
plausible, but they could not prevent
the rebel committees from exercising q
watch over him. For six months after
declaring his sympathies and feelings
to be with the crewn, he attended to
his own business apparently, and made
no demonstration of any kind, either
hostile to the rebels or in their favor,
He was man of very strong prejudices,
and the leading liberty boys who knew
this were convinced that he would not
remain passive, and suspected that he
was then, while pretending to be quiet,
engaged in Vaccinations against free
dom. 1t turned out as they expected.
he was discovered in strip of wood
land half mile from his residence, Or
ganizing and haranguing O body of
thirty known Tories, and giving them
instructions to regard rebels as natural
born foes, and treat them accordingly.
This was recorded against Timothy
Bell, and from that day he became a
marked man. He was obliged to fortlfy
his dwelling, and call for protection
upon the English authorities, and, in
less than three months after his detec-
ton, was out night and day, under
arms, as the leader of band of daring
and cruel Tories. Many were the Skin
mishes he engaged in-many the houses
he ransacked-many the cow-houses
and hen.roosts he plundered, and many
the stack OF grain and hay he carried
OIL at the expense Of his rebel neigh
bors. Band after band of the faithful
had gone to meet and take him, but
they always found him we'll prepared
to receive them and up to the time of
this writing he was the most audacious
and successful Tory in the States.
Among his men was an old Quaker
named Humphreys, who, of course,
would not fight, but who talked
and schemed, with mental might and
main, for the glorious cause, and ami
mated others to the strife.
Humphreys was dry, matter.of fact
Friend, who took everything in literal
sense, and for just what it was worth.
Bell had never been able to make the
eccentric old man enamored of his
manner or of his learning, and for that
reason, as well as for his patriotism
hated him cordially.
Among Bells fail;ngs was love of old ci.
der and of tobacco. He was always smok-
ing, and was known to fight an hour on
o stretch with pipe in his mouth, II
often happened that some honest house.
wife would wake up in the night and
say to the good man beside her, Illus.
band. 1 smell 'baccy." And at that
instant the reply would be, as the man
sprang from his bed and seized O
weapon, "Then Timothy Bell il
about"
Bell had announced his intention ot
catching Humphreys, the Quaker, some
day, and sending him into the city {
prisoner.
Tell friend Bell" said Humphreys
TO one whom he knew was intimate with
the tory, THAT if he will but give {
days notice beforehand of his comine
to take me, he shall be welcome, and
shall not resist his coming"
The old man was never known to for
felt his word, and Bell as religously be
heved he would abide by the promise
recorded as he did that the earth wal
spherical.
HE must have had some reason fol-
this, the old fox" said Bell to the on.
who took him the message" and
should like to be made aware of it
The Reynard-if could but cleverly
cage him in his own trap p
"Ill endeavor to ferret out what ht
is after?" said the messenger who al
once proceeded to the Quaker's house
in the capacity of inquisitor.
The Qusker asseverated that he had
altered his mind considerably with re-
gard to the war.
"Tell Timothy" said he, THAT ]
have changed my mind upon certain
points-and that if he will come alone
to my house next Sabbath night, will
meet him alone and talk with him. He
shall have cider and tobacco in plenty,
After our talk, if he wants to take me
prisoner, he may"
When Bell was made acquainted
with Humphreys singular declaration,
he, after much cogitation, concluded
that the old man had turned tory.
$50 much the better, he solilo-
quized. He is rich, and will pay nv
men excellent perquisites. I'll 60 and
see him. He don't fight. He never
lies, and will be alone. I'll CO."
And he sent word TO that effect.
The Sabbath evening arrived, and at
the fall Of night, Bell, artistically dis
guised, and with twenty men in the
next meadow to rush upon the house
when he gave the signal, (if it were
necessary stood at Humphreys door.
he was admitted. The old man ushered
him 10 the best room. On q table were