WHIG AGAINST TORY:
OR, THE
MILITARY ADVENTURES OF A SHOEMAKER.
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.
FOR CHILDREN.
1851.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION
CHAP. I. Gen P. tells about the early life of Enoch Crosby.
CHAP. II. Gen. P. tells about the war, and how Crosby enlisted as a
soldier for one campaign.
CHAP. III. Gen. P. tells how Crosby again enlisted as a soldier, and
of his singular adventures.
CHAP. IV. Gen. P. tells how Crosby enlisted in the service of the
Committee of Safety, and how he was taken prisoner.
CHAP. V. Gen. P. tells about how Crosby's visit to a mountain cave--
how he was again taken prisoner--and the manner in which he escaped.
CHAP. VII. Gen. P. tells about the farther adventures of Crosby--how
he was obliged to show his secret pass--how he resided at a
Dutchman's--how afterwards he was cruelly beaten and wounded.--
Conclusion.
INTRODUCTION.
"Will you tell me a story this evening, father?" asked William P., a
fine lad of twelve years of age, the son of General P., who had been a
gallant officer in the revolutionary war.
"And what story shall I tell you, my son?" said the general.
"Something about the war, father."
"You are always for hearing about the war, William," said General P.
"I have told you almost all the stories I recollect. And besides,
William, if you love to hear about war so well, when you are young,
you will wish to be a soldier, when you become a man."
"And would you not wish to have me a soldier, father, if war should
come?--you was once a soldier, and I have heard people say, that you
was very brave, and fought like a hero!"
"Well, well, William," said the general, "I must tell you one story
more. Where are Henry and John? You may call them--they will like to
hear the story too."
(_Enter William, Henry and John_.)
_Henry_. "Father! William says you are going to tell us a story about
the war! what----"
[Illustration]
_John_. "Shall you tell us about some battle, where you fought?"
_Gen. P_. "Sit down, my children, sit down. Did I ever tell you about
_Enoch Crosby_?"
_William_. "_Enoch Crosby_? why, I never heard of such a man."
_Henry_. "Nor did I."
_Gen. P_. "I suppose not; but he was a brave man, and did that for his
country, which is worthy to be told."
_John_. "Was he a general, father?"
_Gen. P_. "No; he was a _spy_."
_William_. "A spy! a spy! father, I thought a spy was an odious
character?"
_Gen. P_. "Well, a real spy is generally so considered. I think it
would be more appropriate to say, that he was an _informer_. During
the war, many Americans were employed to obtain information about the
enemy. They were often soldiers, and received pay, as did the
soldiers, and sometimes obtained information, which was very
important, especially about the _tories_, or such Americans as
favoured the British cause."
_Henry_. "Is that the meaning of the word tory?"
_Gen. P_. "Yes; tories were Americans, who wished that the British
aims might succeed, and the king of England might still be king of the
colonies. Those who wished differently, and who fought against the
British, were called _whigs_."
_John_. "Was Crosby a whig?"
_Gen. P_. "Yes; no man could be more devoted to the liberty of his
country."
_William_. "Whence were the names whig and tory derived?"
_Gen. P_. "Do you wish to know the _original meaning_ of the words, my
son?"
_William_. "Yes, sir."
_Gen. P_. "The word _tory_, the learned Webster says, was derived from
the Irish, in which language it signifies a _robber. Tor_, in that
language, means a _bush_; and hence _tory_, a robber, or bushman;
because robbers often secrete themselves in the bushes. The meaning of
the word _whig_, I am unable to tell you. Its origin is uncertain. It
was applied, as I told you, to those who fought for the liberty of
America."
_William_. "If the word tory means a robber, it was very properly
applied to those, who wished to _rob_ the people of America of their
rights--don't you think so, father?"
_Gen. P_. "Exactly so, William--a very just remark."
_John_. "Father! I thought you was going to tell about Enoch Crosby?--"
_Gen. P_. "True, master John, we will begin."
CHAPTER I.
GEN. P. TELLS ABOUT THE EARLY LIFE OF ENOCH CROSBY.
_Gen. P_. "Enoch Crosby was born in Massachusetts, in 1750. When he
was only three years old, his father took him, and the rest of his
family, into the state of New-York to live. He was a farmer, and had
bought a farm in Southeast, a town which borders on the state of
Connecticut.
"Southeast is a wild, rough, and romantic place. Its hills are high
and steep. Several cataracts tumble over precipices, and fall upon the
ear with deafening noise. Two rivers, called the Croton and the Mill
river, wind through the place. Several large ponds enrich the scenery.
"In this rude, but yet delightful country, Enoch Crosby lived, till he
was sixteen years old. He was a strong and active boy. He could climb
the highest hills without fatigue, and walk on the brink of frightful
precipices without fear. His playmates admired him for his courage. He
always took the lead because they wished it--they loved him, because
he was generous and noble.
"When Enoch was, sixteen years of age, misfortune came upon his
father. The family had lived comfortably. They were prosperous
farmers--but _now_, a blast came--I know not the cause--but it came,
and they were poor.
"Enoch's father decided that his son must learn a trade. It was no
hardship for him to work--this he had been accustomed to. In those
times, people laboured harder than now-a-days. Industry was a virtue--
idleness a shame. And it was hard labour, and solid fare, that made
the men of those times so much stronger, than those of the present
generation.
"Enoch loved labour, and was willing to learn a trade. But it was hard
parting with friends, when the day arrived, that he was to go from
home. It was settled that he should be a _shoemaker_, and should learn
the trade of a man in a neighbouring town.
"The morning, at length, came, when he was to go. His bundle of
clothes was nicely put up by his mother; and his father added a few
shillings to his pocket--and then came the blessing of his worthy
parents, with their good advice, that he should behave well, and
attend to the duties of his place.
"And, said his tender mother--a tear starting from her eye, which she
wiped away with the corner of her lindsey-woolsey, while she spake--
'your _Bible_, Enoch, you will find in your bundle--don't forget
_that_--and you must pray for us--my son--'
"She could say no more--and Enoch could hear no more. Without even
bidding them 'farewell'--for his heart was too full for that--he
shouldered his little pack, and took his way down the lane, which led
to the road he was to take.
"At a few rods distance, he stopped to take one more look of the old
place, so dear to him. His mother was standing at the window. She had
felt the full tenderness of a mother for him before--but his love of
home--his pause--his gaze--his tears--now almost overwhelmed her.
[Illustration]
"Enoch caught a glimpse of his mother, and saw her agony. He could
trust himself no longer--and summoning his energies, hurried over the
hills, which soon hid the scenes of his youth from his view.
"In after years--many years after--even when he became an old man, he
would speak of this scene, with deep feeling. He could never forget
it. He said he felt for a time alone in the world--cut off from all he
held dear. I do not wonder," said Gen. P. "that he felt much, for well
do _I_ remember the pain I felt, _the first time leaving home_."