Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-02-03
A STORY OF i776.
How "A Continental soldier Disappeared '"
"A Cloud OF smoke.


of the room, engaged in playing cards.
while they frequently moistened thelI
throats from an earthen jug that stood
on the table.
They were heavy-bearded. coarse
Inokinp mon. and, from their dress,
which somewhat resembled the BRUSH
uniform. they were evidently Tories.
The other was stout-built young man,
clad in the centennial uniform. lie
sat in one corner of the room with hia
face buried in his hands.
.Tom." said one of the Tories, rising
from the table and seating himself
near the young prisoner, for such no
evidently was, "Tom. you and L were
schoolboys together. and | love you
vet. Now, why can't you give up
your wild notions and join usp You
are our prisoner. and if you don't we
shall hand YOU over to headquarters to
morrow; while, fyou join us. your for
tune is made; for, with your bravery
and talents, you will soon distinguish
Yourself in the royal army, and after the
rebellion is crushed out your course shall
be rewarded by knighthood and promo
ton in the army. Now, there are two
alternatives; which do you choose"
"Ncither," said the young man,
raising his head and looking the Tory
steadily in the eye.
IL am now, rs you say, your prison
cr, but when the clock strikes twelve |
shall disappear in II cloud OF fire and
smoke, and neither you nor your COM
rades, nor even myself can prevent it.
You may watch me as closely as you
please, tic me hand and foot if you
will, but u higher power than yours or
mine has ordained that l shall leave
you ut that time.
Poor fellow! his mind wandcrs,"
said the Tory; ''he'll talk differently in
the morning. And he returned to his
seat at the table, leaving the youth
with his head again resting on his
hands.
When the clock struck eleven the
young prisoner drew pipe and some
tobacco from his pocket and asked the
Tory leader if he had any objections to
his smoking. None in the least" no
said adding with laugh, "that is, il
you will promise not t. disappear in a
cloud of tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
Immediately filled his pipe, having
done which he commenced pacing the
| floor
He took half dozen turns up and
down each side of the room, approach
ing nearer the table each time, when,
having exhausted his pipe, he returned
to his seat and rcflled 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:
s"There, boys, it is twelve o'clock,
and must leave you, Good. bye!"
Immediately all round the room
We're seen streaks Of fire kissing and
squirming; the cabin was filled with
dense sui phurous smoke, amidst which
was heard a clap of thunder The
Tories sat in their chairs paralyzed
with fright.
The smoke cleared away, but the
prisoner was nowhere to be seem The
tables We're overturned, the windows
smashed to pieces, and one chair was
lying on the ground outside the
building.
The Tory leader, after recovering
from his stupor, gave one glance
around the room and sprang out of the
window, followed by his comrades.
l:lcy 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
devour the cabin.
The next day two young men dressed
in centennial uniform were seen stand
ing near the ruins of the old cabin.
One was our prisoner of the night
previous. LET us hear all about it.
Tom, y said the other.
'OlI' odlu He, 'ldSC evening as
was passing this place two Tories ran
out Of the cabin and took possession of
me. Before | could make any resist
ance they took me in-and who do Won
suppose | saw as leader of their party
but John Barton, our old schoolmate!
lie talked With me and tried to induce
ne to join them. but | told him |
couldn't do it; that ut twelve o'clock I
was gong to escape, disappear in n
cloud of fire and smoke, but he laughed
at mo and said | was out of my head.
About eleven o'clock | asked him if 7
might smoke, He said he had no oh.
lection, so filled my pipe and liphted
II, and commenced walking the floor.
l had about Il pound of gunpowder in
my pocket, and us | walked | strewed
II all over the floor When the clock
struck twelve | babe them pood-bye.
and told them | had to go; and then
knocking the ashes out of my Pipe. the
/ powder igni'ed and dazzling flame Of
IRE shot across, around, and all over
me room, filling it with suffocatinp
smoke. Before it cleared away hurlod
4 chair through the window, sprang ont
ana departed. leaving them to their
own reflections, You know the rest. "
boston 7raDelicr
|
The researches of medical mon IN
England tend to sustain the theory
/ mai Gnarlnf L.