Whig Against Tory Part 1

Whig Against Tory.

by Unknown.

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----"

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_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 Ma.s.sachusetts, 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 n.o.ble.

"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.

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"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_."