The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-04-10
Select Story.
THE DEFEATED TORIES.

In the year 17T7 Philadelphia was in
the hands Of Howe aud his inhuman SOL
diery, while the fields of Brandywine gave
the American people an evidence Of British
humanity.
The people of Pennsylvania aud Della
ware were at the mercy Of their foes.
Bands Of Hessian drngoons secuted the vi
entity of Philadelphia for miles around,
and committed acts that would have dis
graced yandal
On the evening Of delightful autumn
day group Of boys, ranging in age from
twelve to fifteen years, were gathered TO-
gether on the steps Of tenaniless store
house in the village of Newark, Delaware.
The town seemed lonely, and with the ex-
ception of the youthful band referred to,
not human being met the eye. All men
capable of bearing arms had left their
homes to join the army of Washington on
the Schuylkill
A young lad Of sixteen stood on barrel
and was giving an account Of the battle Of
Brandywine, james Wilson, the orator,
was boy enthusiastic in his love for the
American cause, and possessed Of no little
intelligence. His blue eyes and aaxeu
hair gave him an effemipate appearance,
but beneath his homespun jacket throbbed
a heart that never shrank before an OBJ
stacle.
His father was commander Of the Della
ware troops and bis mother was dead. The
boy concluded his narrative, aud was la
menting that he could not join the Ameri.
can people.
III am not old enough, said he, "but
had | a musket, would not stand idle
here with my hands uselessly by my side I"
care there no guns Of any description
in the yillage9 7" asked listening youth.
"No. have spent nearly week try
ing to fiud one, but my efforts have been
Of no avail strongly suspect that Tory
Livingstone has several in his house, but
as he permits no one to trespass on his
land, ! am uoabc to say positively"
"Why not take party and search the
house r asked Frank EoHard. "He has
no one to assist him except his cowardly
son George, and | can thrash him as easy
as that, and the boy snapped his fingers
to imply the readiness with which he could
trounee old Liyingstone's son.
James Wilson's blue eyes sparkled with
joy.
"If there arc three boys in this company
who will help me. viii search old Living
stones house this night All who are will
ing to 60, just step forward three spaces. /"
Every boy in the crowd stepped forward
without moments hesitation. James
eyes flashed like stars.
"Now, boys, by the death Of Bunker
Hill, | will search old Livingstones resi-.
dence, thoz9h instant death stands in my
path"
With frm tread and the utmost silence
the young heroes took up their line Of
march for old i.ivingstone's. Livingstone
had long been suspected of harboring Brit.
ish spies, and his former laborers reported
that he had kept up regular correspon
dence with the British commander. AT
oil events he was regarded as a dangerous
man. His house was situated short dis.
tance from White Clay Greek, on the side
Of a steep bill, surrounded on all sides by
tall trees. II was just such place as one
might suppose suitable for the plotting ol
treason.
At the time james Wilson and bis little
band lefi the deserted store house in the
village Of Newark, dusk had given place
unto the darker shades Of night. Still IL
was not dark; the new moon was shining
brightly through the clouds, and every OBJ.
jcct was perfectly disii0guishable. The
boys walked firmly forward, maintaining
solemn silence At length they gained
the bed of the creek, aud slowly following
the winding path, soon came to little low
bridge which crossed shallow riyulet lead
ing into White Clay creek, and james or.
dered them to halt
"Let Frank Howard and | reconuoiter
the premises first, to see whether any dan.
ger is to be apprehended. All the rest
stand here till we return Make no noise
aud keep constant watch
James snd Frank silently departed and
were soon lost in the thick woods through
which the path ran. Scarcely were they
gone from their companions ere the quick
ear Of Wilson detected noise.
"Hist r said he to Frank, as he pulled
him behind gigantic beech tree. Pres.
emily George Livingstone came in sight.
James darted from his covert and tightly
grasped the boy by the neck.
The cowardly youth trcmbIed like reed.
Speak one worj,' whispered his cap.
tor, "and III toss you into the creek.
The Torys son, struck dumb with aston
ishment and fright, found himself 10 the
midst Of a whole group of boy heroes, with
The yice-like grasp Of james and Frank on
either arm.
Now said James, ''answer me prompt
ly aud truly, or l'llmake your position un :
comfortable, Do you hearg Who are 10
your fathers hOuss at this moment?
"l--I eanno, tell, s,ammered the half
dead boy.
"You shall, or, orr"
Spare me, aud IN tell you everything.
When left the house there was no one
there but our family and Major Bradford. =
@Who b he u asked james.
al don't know--I don't indeed
"TelIi' threatened Frank.
"ile Is captain Of the Yorkshire dra.
goons.
The blue eyes Of James glistensd with
joy aad he soon gained from the Tory )
son . revelation which stamped bis father
a traitor Of the most appalling character.
He discovered that old Livingstone not
only kept up a regular eorrespondenee with
the British command, but that be had 20
plotted that the little village Of Newark
wa. g Be burned 70 ashes, and Is women