The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-08-25

could not comprehend. Yet there was re-
lief in those tears, and the sanctifying eff
cacy Of prayer calmed the tumults of the
breast, and poured soothing balm into the
wounded feelings, which was not Of earth.
The children were put to rest. The father
kissed them afectionately as they lay smll
ing in slumber, unconscious of the bereave-
ment they were about to sustain--embraced
his disconsolate wife again, took up his
musket, and aided by the shades of night,
started for the royal army. AS he pursued
his way, the moon that had been obscured,
broke from the surrounding clouds, and on
turning to take look of his dwelling, the
lamp shone through the open door in which
his wife stood to catch the last echo of his
footsteps. The light Of heaven and Of faih-
full love he felt were united to cheer him on
his way: ST..
On the evening of the following day, as
he approached Boston, he fell in with Ahe
scouts Of, the American army then parading
in the vicinity, and his answers not proving
satisfactory, he was captured and taken be-
fore the proper officers. He did not dis
guise his intentions but made known his
determination of joining the royal army
He was accordingly sent up into the .coun-
try and lodged in Jail in one of the western
towns to await his trial, J. The place was
thirty miles from his own home, and as
whatever of interests transPired was made
known through the difeent committees of
correspondence, the true chracter of the pris-
oner was soon learned. The piety, the un-
doubted honesty of the prisoner the affect.
ing circumstances in which he had lett his
Family, and the awe of Furnishing man
with death who had followed the dictates
of his conscience in what he believed to be
his duty, all inspired to awaken intense
interest in the breast. of the Sheriff, and ne
determined to give him an opportunity to es-
cape. ..,.., .at .lu.t, a. ,.,,,
He accordingly observed to him one even
ling ''these chains fear, will gall your an
cles, will therefore, substitute smooth pie
ces of leather for the iron bands but dom
you cut them off, and break out; for will
certainly catch you if you do" "You
need not fear me- replied the prisoner, al
a smile passed over his features, andhe bad
the keeper good night. The Sheriff retired
to bed with light heart determined to taxi
nap in the morning of an extra length, bu
he was disappointed, for the loud voice o.
the prisoner, chanting his morning psalm
: as usual, broke his slumbers. The mex
night, on leaving his prisoner, he informed
= him that "there was something the matte
, with the key, and that unable to lock tn
> door, he would tie it with rope on the out
:, side. At the same time he charged hil
not to think of escaping, as he had yer.
, fleet horse, and would certainly catch hin
As he walked away he muttered to himse
> ''the fellow is a fool if he don't understan'
that" "a,
Next morning the prison door was oper
> but ON enterning he found the prisoner a
: he had left him, wind during the nigl
= having blown open the door. The homes
y hearted rustic considering himself in tn
hands of lawful authority, holding as he di
= the maxim which his Bible had taught hin
that he who breaks the smallest law of o
~ w der is guilty of violation of principles whic
tends TO subvert the whole. He then than
! ed the keeper for his kindness which ne h'
showed him, and as he had given opport
- " mites of escape, which he could not Co
=, scienciously use, he besought permission
l., 90 into the harvest fields by day, and ca
~ bread for his suffering family. The reque
y, was granted-the leather straps that boul
- =. ON his chains was severed, and during 4
~ months Of harvest, and for some time aite
the prisoner went out daily to labor al
IN returned at night to be locked up in
;tb cell. lav.,.
The One evening the keeper waited in vain