Litchfield enquirer., 1861-08-01
A1isfella11p.
From the N. '. Herald.


 ander of Leanader over the Helespont the modern Dardanelles) to meet his beloved Hero on the other side, as an extraordinary feat, and l a great deal has been said and written about Lord Byrons performing the same exploit. A Massachusetts boy has, however, thrown both the ancient Greek and modern Englshman into the shade, by swimming across the Potomac at Aqua Creek, a distance of eight miles, thereby escaping an abhorred servitude to the rebel ar my. But let the young man till his own story as it was taken down from his lips ceybmims by your correspondent :-
 | My name is John Bowling am a native of Great Darlington, Berkshire county, Massachu- sets. l am twenty-one years old, and by trade a carpenter 1 left home in April, 1860, with the view of bettering my circumstances, and went to New York, whence l left for Savannah, Georgia, on the 10th of August ensuing, and ar rived there on the 18th of the sshne month. l worked at my trade in Savannah till the l2th of November, when 1 left for Montgomery city, Alabama where I worked at my trade for three months, when 1 returned to Pine Level, Mont gomery County. then worked for two months with Mir. Martin Noli, when hearing of the blockade of the Southern ports, 1 thought it high time to endeavor to reach home before all the vessels should have left. did not leave at the beginning of the troubles because 1 had no idea that they were going to be serious, besides, winter was coming on and did not like to tray | el North at that season. Another reason for my wishing to leave was the fact of my having been drawn out, in private conversation, to ut 1 ter Union sentiments which were made public. in consequence of which, threats of assassina- tion were held out against me and was taunt- ed on expressing desire to leave. with wishing to go back to my abolition home. One day, Martin Noll, the man was working with, asked me to join military company, and upon my re- fusing, he caught hold of me by the coat-collar to urge his demand, but l persisted in my refu- sal, upon which he inquired, ' What is the req son you will not fight for the South?' replied, Because it is against my principles. am a Stripes" On this fact becoming known, the little village which contains only two or three stores, was strictly guarded, to prevent my es- cape secretly; and one man who was friendly disposed, informed me that there was desire abroad to shoot me. In fact, they had already hanged five or six s. utherners-w white and black Tor giving utterance to Union sentiments and Martin Noli Was the ring-lealer in all these ille gal proceedings. declared that in speaking ia volibly of the Union ] had no desire to offend any one, and that did net do so ostentato,s'y y or in public. l merely repc. to questions ask ed me in private, without the least idea that my answers were to be used against ne. Mr. Noli ha Il brother who was a preacher. and he threat ened to whip me, because asked for my wages. i It happened in ths manner-when made up my mind to leave. i tcid Martin Noll that 1 was going away, upon which fte begged me to work i on a few days longer. l did so, and remained over till the following week. when heard that he had joined military comlmny that had been ordered off to-Pensacola. 1 then thought it high time to demand my wages, and did so; but as he gave me no satisfactory answer, followed him to Montgomery, where l again asked him for my money. He said his brother was going to Plattsvle-about fifteen miles from Mont gomery, near the Alabama river-that night, l might go with him us the lady he (Alartin) work ed for lived there, and she would pay me my wages as she owed him from $500 to S600 lf however, it should so happen that the lady re- fused to pay, the preacher would give me his note for the amount, SSl.25. told him the ar engagement was satisfactory, for l knew the preacher to be a man of means. 1 then went to the Exchange Hotel, where I met the preacher and on telling him what his brother had said, he replied that it was all right. and promised to give his note in the event of Mrs. White, (the lady referred to,) not paying me. Next morn ing we started-he on horseback and l on foot We went on together till we crossed the Alaba ma river, about four miles from Prattsville, when availing himself of a sudden turn in the road he pushed on ahead and went out of sight. Ar rived at Prattsvillc, where was perfect stran ger, had some difficulty in inquirlng the way to Mrs. Whites house, but at length found it Mir. Noll was there at dinuer when l arrived , On seeing me he said, /" You have got here, have your" l replied that had. He then went out into the yard, without noticing me any farther or introducing me to the lady, upon which 1 in formed her that wished to see Mr. Noil. She then sent for him. when I informed him that wished to have that little affair settled as wa; i anxious to get back to Montgomery. He wen
 with me into the house to the lady and her hus ,. band, to whom she had been married since tn, work was commenced, and stated my case, upor = which she told me that so far from owing Mar tin Noll anything, he was indebted to her fo
 over $500 on an old account. Mr. Noll thel started off and I followed him out on the piaz : ga and asked him according to promise. A
 this he became somewhat alarmed, and said h.
 had not promised me his note. told him h had, upon which he got quite mad, and aske, me if intended to tell him he lied He the put his fist in my face, threatened to- whip me , and ordered me out of the yard. At this go mad, too, and was in the act of throwing off m coat to pitch into him, when Mr. White cam
 out and told me not to raise row in the yaro I told him that l had no intention that all
 wanted was my wages, which the parson and hi brother wished to humbug me out of. wa E then ordered off the premises and threatene r with death if I did not quit pretty quick. + then started back on foot to Montgomery, whe d l once more met Martin Nol in the street. H n asked me what luck? I told him none, statin Il what the lady had said, adding that his brothe e had refused to give me his note on the plea tha h he had never made any such promise. He r' Id piled that he had promised; but now perceiN
 ca that it was made up trick between them * then asked Martin Noll for dollar or two, as ne was entirely without money, but he refused t give me any money, though I knew he was Ill possession of large sum. Next morning
 askeu nm ior note, in the hope of" realizin
 soihething TOT It, when he gave it for SSl .25. .
 then returned to Pine Level, where found tl
 people there were as well posted on the tric JS that had been played off on me as was myse] ITS On offering the paper for sale, found that e. was unsaleable, till merchant bought if for tt de dollars, observing that he had often risked tn he amount in lottery, and that he might as W,
 run the risk Out of that small sum Mrs. No
 the wife of Martin, demanded, and paid ht - one weeks board. This affair settled, start
 on foot with my valise on my shoulder, for H. ion Springs, Alabama, on my way to Columb' - Georgia.
 On the road met with foreman carpent
 of my acquaintance, about two miles out of t s village He was surprised at seeing me tra' - in that manner, and told me l would be hang
 l if ! narSistnd- in Hoinc sn This in form aII