The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-06-09

/ mOuth Ot tue OSWeEO hlfef, was III
formed that a daughter Of General Schuy-
ler, his youngest child, and:wife OF Major
James Cochran, nephew of the General,
was living in the village. My friends
spoke of her as a most charming old lady,
almost seventy years of age, who was be-
loved By everybody who knew her because
of her sweetness of her disposition, the
blamelessness Of her life, her abounding
kindness toward the needy and afflicted,
her social graces, and her intellectual
gifts.
AT a suitable hour called on the vener-
able couple. Major Cochran was almost
four score years old, feeble In bodily health
but mentally vigorous. He was a son of
DR. John Cochran, Surgeon-G General of the
Middle Department of thee Continental
Army, who married a sister of General
Schuyler. The Major himself was a men,
Der of Congress during the administration
Of the elder President Adams. His family
relationship and his position gave him OPP
portunitles to become acquainted with most
of the general officers Of the revolution, and
the utteraEces Of his "reminiscences of per-
sons and events of the long buried past
gave me great pleasure and edification dur
ing our brief interview
Major Cochran related the amusing cir
cumstances of his nomination and election
as member of Congress. A vessel was TO
be launched on Senaca Lake at Geneva
II being an unusual event, The people
gathered there from far and near to witness
it. The young people determined to baye
a dance at night. Young Cochran. who
was present, was an amateur performer on
the violin, and his services were demanded
OH that occasion. He gratificd the joyous
company, and at the supper-table u gentle.
man remarked, In commcndatinn Of his
achievement, "He is fit for Congress. "
The hint was fayorably received by the
company. The mater was "talKcd up"
and he was nominated for and elected to
a seat in Congress from the district which
then included the whole of New YorlS.wesl
of Schenectady.
$50 you see," said Major Cochran, With
a pleasant smile, as he finished the story.
81 iddleG my way into Congress"
The Major died Few months after my
visit.
Mrs. Cochran was ten years the junior Of
her husband. She was tall and slender.
graceful in figure, with rather deep-set and
exceedingly expressive eTcs, and good hui
NOR and benevolence prevailing her whole
countenance, She told me of much of her
home life at Albany, of the eminent per
sons she had met there in her childhood
and young wonanhood, Of the domestic
character of her father, and of the sweet
face and abounding goodness Of her mother
toward everybody" whose maiden name
in full-Catharine Van Rensselaer, Coch-
ran-she bore. These seemed TO constitute
her happest memories. She spoke with
enthusiasm of the broad Christian charac-
ter and kindly hospitality of her father dis
played toward friends and enemies during
| the war, which she knew only by the testi-
mony from the lips of others, for she was
born in 1871. She spoke of his answering
patriotism under cruel prosecutions and
grave atfronts, and of his fortitude and
patience while tortured with hereditary
gout when In the military service, and Of
the perils which surrounded him at times
from the Tories, who stimulated by the
prospect OF great rewards, sought TO carry
him off prisoner to the British at New
York city.
told Mrs. Cochran in brief the story
had recently heard of the attempt of Wal
tel Meyer TO abduct her father, and the
narrow escape from death of the rescued
baby. observed that her countenance
beamed with an amused expression while
related the incident, and when concluded
the narrative her smile developed into
hearty laughter as she exclaimed.
"Why, am that rescued babyr'
| was silenced.
! Yes" she said. IL am that rescued
baby. 1t was who was sleeping in that
cradle in the nursery when Sister Peggy
snatched me from 1t and ran upstairs with
me. She was Sister Margaret, who married
the PATRON Van Rensselaer,. If you ever
visit my fathers house at AlbaDy-and
hope you will-you may see the scar Of the
wound which the Indians tomahawk In.
hlcted on the stair-rall."
81 have something curious to tell you
about the silver plate which was carried OF
at that tiine," said Major Cochran. 81
have been informed that Lieutenant
Colonel Barry st. Leger, whose headquar
tiers were at Montreal at that tune, and
who was carrying on sort of guerrilla war
fare, received an lntimatlon from Cover
nor Haldimand that the seizure Of Genera
schuyler was very desirable. st. Legsl
proposed plan which the Governor
sanctioned. He sent out scout ON per
tense Of making observations, but will
secret instructions to penetrate TO ALBANY
and attempt the abduction Of Genera
schuyler. A portion of the scout was
hand of Tories led by Walter Meyer, and 4