Litchfield enquirer., 1855-01-04

4
been told that two American soldiers were
seen on the road 10 the village, and he waut4
ed to know where they were geing.'
Mrs. Johnson turned pale, and her hand
shook al she laid Down her sewing, and
while looking out anxiousiy upon the road,
asked what Morgan had said in reply.
He said that he saw them come by his
place, but they looked So worn out he tho't
they did not go much farther. Then Mr..
Johnson laughed and said he hoped not, and
maybe he might come back again for Nor
gan, and he nodded and said he would be
ready; and Mr.. Johnson came up the road
~ quick as he could. did not see where
he went for i was going the other way but
itwasa long time ago, and thought he was
coming homc.'
Mrs. Johnson having assured herself that
none of those she dreaded was in sight, has
tiiy proceeded to rouse the slumberers, ex-
pressing briefly her apprehensions for their
safety if they remained longer as they had
been seen by some in the neighborhood who
| were no friends to the patriot cause. Thank
ing her for her for her friendly interest, with
| the assurance that they were much refresh
ed by the quiet rePose they had enjoyed, her
grateful guests shook her hand warmly and
turned to depart, the younger pausing to kiss
little Maggie's brow as she stood beside her
| mother, her hand fast clasped in that of her
friend Sarah, and with an expression of ST.
lent terror on her intelligent face. As they
approached the door it was suddenly thrown
open, and man rushed in, closely followed
by several others, all fully armed; ere the
| astonishcd soldiers could defend themselves
they were surrounded, disarmed and tightly
pinioned. The leader Of The gang then turn
ed to Mrs. Johnson with Gendish sneer,
saying.
: ! told you often that no rebel shall find
shelter in my house.
The troubled woman turned on her hus-
band look Of gentle reproof and entreaty,
as she replied, Il cannot refuse food to any
ofmy fellow creatures when they are in need
whether rebel or royalist.'
II have no wish that yen should he re-
turned meekly. You have just given me
a fine chance for doing the very thing
wanted, and | hope that you may have ma
ny such visitors and that you will kindly
entertain toem. Idon't erudse them meal
now and then.'
A brutal laugh, heartily echoed by the
| others concluded his words. But their
exultation was suddenly checked. The
terrified Sarah had slipped away unnoticed
in the confusion. and giving the alarm,
several of the patriotic villagers snasched
up what weapons came first to hand and
rushed to the rescue of the provincials.
They were met at the door by the tories, and
a fierce encounter took place. Mrs John
son, anxious only for the delivcrance Of the
two prisoners, and to keep her husband from
mingling in the desperate fray, chung to
his arm, impeding his exertions and beg
ging him to let the soldiers free, until one
Of the Infatuated tories sayagely thrust his
knife into her side, and she fell bathed in
her own blood on the floor Of her desecra-
ted home.
The angry conflict for moment was
stayed. Johnson looked down upon his
murdered wife with sullen composure and
In silence; while the wings and some of
the less hardened tories cast looks of re-
proof on the dastardly murderer, who with
his blood stained knife in his hand, fierce
ly returned their angry regards. Ere
word was spoken in that Mortified crowd,
one OF the tories observed that some of the
wings were removing the cords that hound
the soldiers, and with gesture of defiance
he sprang forward. followed by his com.
panions. yelling 6ercely to Johnson, RE
member your oath 2 The effect of the
words was instantaneous. What emotion
Of sorrow or conjunction the wretched
man might have felt while gazing on his
lifeless wife, and the weeping child who
still convulsively clung to the bleeding re-
mains of her mother, was gone, and answer
ing their fierce cry with. Down with the
rebels 7 he joined his struggling associates,
took deliberate aim at the younger soldier
and fired. The ball pierced the heart Of the
gallant youth, and another corpse lay on the
| door OF the once peaceful dwelling. 4 shout
Of triumph rose from the ruthless gang, as
they redoubled their excrtions 10 complete
the work Of destruction, and fierce conflict
ensued, ia which several on both sides were
disabled, and Johnson was captured and
disarmed; those of his companions who
were unhurt escaped by prcciri,ate fight.
| lnfuriated by what had taken place, and
| aware that Johnson had taken active part
in more than one similar affair, the patriots
after short deliheration were about to hang
him on the nearest tree. when littleshlsggis
falling on her knees before them, plead for
her fathers life with an earncstness that
few could have wilhstood. The soldier who
had been vainly searching for a sign Of re-
naming life ia his younger brother, ap-
proached the distressed child and tenderly
raising her from the floor, assured her that
| for her and her mothers sake her father
should be left free. The men, yielding to
the decision of him who had most cause FOR
seeking vengeance on his brothers. murder
er. procured wagon. in which the young
soldiers remains were conveyed 10 the
house Of 4 patriotic gentleman beyond the
Village, there to receive the last sad offices
of friendship. Several of the villagers con-
Quoted johnson some distance on the road
Heading 10 the neighhoring town, and with
= parting caution 10 return no more to that
vicinity they left him. not without gloomy
forehodings Of what they might yet expect
from his vengeance.
After the ilI-fafed HIS. johnson was ia.
tered in the village charch-yard, her orphan
4 child was taken 70 the home Of her maternal
grandmother which was j considerable dis.
tance from the village. There every means
H