The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-12-29
Geleft Galcs.,.
THE SILENT HUNTER, 4!
AN INTENSELY INTERESTING
STORY


STORY
2 The ensuiog narrative is. strictly histo.
rical and truthful. We are indebted TO
the Oen OF the hunter naturalist-W ebber
for it. -.t
Shortly before the American " ar of In
dependence, there arrived at New Eng.
land an orphan boy called Bill Smith. -
Some friends of his parents took an active
interest in him, and apprenticed him
though only eight years of age-to an old
farmer in North Carolina. The linden.
lures stipulated that he was to have be-
sides sufficient food and clothing, reason
able opportunities Of educali but Saun-
ders. the yeoman, thought it Jolly; and
all Bill learned was in spite of his preju-
diceS. There was a little daughter Of the
old farmers however-Mattie.a blue eyed
child with gold ringlets, and dimpled face I,
who took fancy,,to instruct the young
allen who hadIuomei under her fathers
roof. He learned dhlesreast and 10 write
and soon became sop Proficient in both,
that he began In turn, 70 teach his tutor.
a This pleasant exchange of mutual kind.
ness went on till the children grew up, and
Matte was unconsciously betrothed in the
spring time OF her life TO the orphan youth
who had been perpetually by her side
The farmer discovered this, and immedi,
ately began to punish Smith by a series
of petty abominable prosecutions. He
made him sleep in barn, on a pile Of hay,
with only one tattered blanket TO cover
hin, and cut him off from alteonSolations
of little Mattie's love. lie was rich, and
hated any one who appeared to aim al be-
ing the heir to his fortune. He jealousy
watched his daughter and tortured poor
! Bill by every kind of cruelty ill his be-
havior became notorious, and some hu
name persons resolved 10 summon hin
before court of justice for barbarity and
neglect oil duty. -r -, 49,
Before this was known however the or
phan boy had formed plan of running
away. lie made up his little bundle. anc
one night creeping into Maltle's room
through The wi dow bid her gentle good
bye. lie embraced her and kissed her
and told her he would come back grea
man, and maze her his wife; and sh'
said, "l'll wait for you.' He ran all nigh
along the highway, and came next NOR
: ming to the settlement Of Raleigh. Their,
{ he lived for some lime lie prowled abou
the kitchens of the gentry by day, sub
I sisting, en- the scraps which some KIM
d, hearted slaves bestowed on him, and whel
it was night he crawled into some shed T.
sleep. ,gH' ar" "l.
1t thappened tina, a Judge Campbell
! very humane man then was presiding i
the circuit court. He found Bill Snil
one morning among his horses and cattle
: half dead with hunger and cold. He too
I him into his house fed him, learned hi
: story, and began to consider how his ur
' bumsnmasier mightbe punished. Grea
therefore, was his delight when' on look
}, ing over the list OF causes to be tried be
2 tore him in that circuit, the very first wa
i Commonwealth Us. Samuel Saunders, fC
e abducling, numbering or otherwise ut
lawfully making away with an indenture
male child, known as William Smith,
The trial came on. Judge Campbe
! compelled the strictest scrutiny into II
n, facts. His counsel was startled. cove
a and almost hopeless. The winding I
ne was near. All felt the verdict must
: guilty 81.
Suddenly there was a commotion
Court Carriage wheels were heard ra
: idIy nearing the place. The Sheriff can
s. iD and with him was the boy, still atten
~ ated from suiTeling, but neatly clothe
~ land with the bloom of life reviVing on b
cheek Ola Saundc5s vas carried fro
: the dock in convulsions--the lllie!...SS chs b
I ling heard till the prison doors were clos
| {. upon him. He was acquitted, but COZ
peiled 10 give security for the maint
es nance and education OF Bill Smith till I
" age OF eighteen.
That was the FIRST public scene in b
Smiths career. The next was when,
an eloquent. VivaciouS, bold young la
, yer, he pleaded his first cause at the b.
- lie gained many after 1t, and gradua
y rose 10 great honors, wealth and prosp'
lily. Matte became bis wife, and th
=, home was blessed with sons and daug
n'' ters, till, when the Declaration of Int
pendence was made, men knew no hap