The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-07-31

On the evening Of The following day,
: as he approached Boston, he fell in with
scouts Of the American army then pa "a
ding in the vicinity; and his answer moi
proving satisfactory, he was captured
and taken before the proper officers
He did moi disguise his intentions, but
made known his determination OF join,
ing the royal army. He was according
" sent up into the country, and lodged
in Jail in one Of the western towns to a.
wait his trial The place was almost
thirty miles from his own home; and as
whatever ofintcrest lranspired was made
known through the different committees
Of correspondence the true character
of the prisoner was soon learned. The
piety, the undoubted honesty olthe pris-
oner, the affecting circumstances IN
which he had left his family, and the
awe OF Furnishing a RAN with death who
had followed the dictates of his con
science in what he had believed TO be
| his duty, all consplred to awaken intense
interest in the breast of the sheriff, and
he determined to give him an opportu-
nifty to escape.
He accordingly observed to him one
evening, These chains, fear will gall
your aucIes. will therefore substitute
smooth pieces Of leather for non bands,
but don't you cut them off, and break
out, for | will certainly catch you if you
do You need not fear me- replied
the prisoner, as a smile passed over his
features; and he babe the keeper good
night. The sheriff retired to bed with
a light heart, determined to take nap
in the morning Of an extra len til; but he
was disappointed, for the voice OF the
| prisoner, chanting his morning psalm,
as usual, broke his slumber. I he next
night, on leaving his prisoner, he in
formed him that there was something
the matter with the key, aud that, una
bile to lock the door, he would tie it with
a Iope on the outside At the same
time he charged him not to think of es
Gaping, as he had a very fleet horse land
would certainly catch him. As he walk
ed away, he mutered to himself, 'The
fellow is tool if he don't understand
that
Next morning the prison door was
open; bu: on entering he found the
prisoner as he had left him: winl du-
ring the night had blown open the door.
The honest hearted rustic, considering
himself in the hands OF lawful authority,
holding as he did the maxim which his
Bible had taught him, hat he who breaks
the smallest order of law is guilty Of u
violation Of principle which tends to sub
vert the whole. He then thanked the
keeper for the kindness which he had
shown him; and as he had given oPpor
tunties Of escape which he could not
eonscicntiously use, he besou hit him for
permission to 90 into the harvest fields |
by day, and earn bread for his suffering |
family. The request was granted the |
leather straps that bound on his chains
were severed, and during the months Of
harvest. and some time after, the prison
err went out daily to labor, and returning |
at nj hit TO be locked up in his cell
One evening The keeper waited in vain
for his return. The sun set-twiIight |
Sc! in, and then darkness - and yet he |
came not He waited until late hour
in the evening, and then relircdto sleep, |
assured and graiiied that his charge
had fled. The next morning on avail
ing he found the prisoner lying with his
head pillowed upon the prison steps
where he had sunk down from fatigue
During the day and night the miserable
man had been TO visit his family, and in
going and returning had travelled dis
lance Of SIXTY miles
The time of his trial came on, and |
the sheriff made preparations to conduct
him to Springfield, where he was TO be
tried for high treason before the coun-
ell Of Massachusetts, at that time the
supreme executive of the State. The !
prisoner assured him that it was unncc
essary to incur the trouble and expense
oil journey in order to take him there,
as he could 60 as we'll himself. His
word was taken without hesitation, an
he set out on his journey TO present him
self for trial and certain condemnation
As he proceeded onward, night over
took him in large wood; and on com,
ing to a cross road he was in doubt
whittier TO direct his steps Fati1ued
with walking, and full of uncertainty, he
sank upon his knees and poured forth
his soul in an agony Of prayer until he
was aroused ty the tramp Of feet, and
on loo ing up beheld person on horse,
back beside him. The stranger had
heard his pious petitions and with kind
soliciude inquired into the ma ure Of his
journey, and all the little particulars of
his history He took him to his Own
house, and having entertained him for
the nj , ht, sent him to Springfield in care
Of friend. The officer (Ior it was an
officer in whose care the stranger plac-
ed him) conducted him to Springfield,
and the tIal began.
The country was then Struggling A.