The Lansing state Republican., 1862-05-21

tnropSn q strip OF WOODS, closely fOll0Weo oy the
fugisive. A brisk yak Of half An hour brought
then 20 Q small house that stood alone in Q se-
.clsded spot Here Matte Vas received By
warm welcome by several mes. some Of whom
were engaged in running bullets: while Others
we're cleaning their rifles and fowling pieces-
The lady Of the house, hale woman of forty,
vac busy stufing the wallets Of the men With
biscuits. The fugitive. who ~as known TO two
o: three OF the party. VAS resolved in Q Llufi,
frank spirit OF kindnes by al, saying that they
would make him chaplain Of the Tennessee Un.
ion regiment when they got to Kentucky.
When Matte was about 10 return home two
of the party prepared to accompany her, but che
protested. warning them Of the danger, as the
enemy we're dolb less 10 search Of the minister
But notwithstanding. they insisted, and accom-.
panied her until she reached the road short
distance Shove her fathers shop.
Matte hurried on, but was some what surprised
on reaching the shop to end it vacant She has
tened into the house, but her father vas not
there. As she returned to 60 into the shop she
thought she could hear the noise Of horses
hoofs Gathering down the road She listened
but the sound died away. Going into the shop
she blew the FIRE into q blaze; then beheld that
the things were in great confusion, and tha,
spots Of blood we're upon the ground. She Was
nov convinced that her father had been seized
and carried Of, but not without . desperate
struggle on his part.
As Matte stood gazing ct the pools Of blood,
q wagon containing two persons drove up, one
Of whom an athletic young man of five and
twenty yesrs got out aud entered the shop.
Good evening. Matte! Where is your IA.
ther," he said
Then observing the strange demeanor of the
girl. he continued,
'Why, Matte, what ails you! What has
happened"
The young girls heart was too full for her
tongue to give utterance, and throwing herself,
upon the shoulder of the young man, she SOB
bingiy exclaimed:
They have carried him Offl Don't you see
the blood!"
"Have they dared to lay hands upon your fa.
ther! The internal wretchesw
Matte recovered herself sufficiently to mar
rate the events of the evening. When she had
finished, he exclaimed:
ooh, that should have lived to zee the day
that old Tennessee vas to be thus disgraced!-
Here, Joel"
At this the other person in the wagon alighted
and entered the shop. He was q stal~art ne
gro.
''Joe," said the young man, "would you like
your freedoms"
swell, Massa John, wouldn't like much to
leabe you. but den, Use ike to be . free man."
Joe, the white race have maintained their
liberty by their valor. Are you willing to fight
for yours! Ay! 6ght to the DEATH!
Use 6ght for you any time, Aassa john"
II believe you, John. But I have desperate
work on hand to night, and do not want you
to engage with ne in it without . prospect Of
reward. II succeed I will make you . free
man. 1t tis a matter Of life and dcath-will you
go."
Il will, Massa."
''Then kneel down aud swear before the ever
living God, that if you falter or swerve the dan
ger, you may be hereafter consigned TO everlast.
ing frs!"
Il swear, Nassa," said the negro, kneeling.
"an' hope that Cor Almighty may strike me
dead if don't 90 wid you through 6re and va
ter and ebery ting"
81 am satisfied, Joe," said his master.
Then tursing to the young girl. who had been
q mute spectator Of this singular scene. be con
tinued:
snow, Matte. yoa get in the wagon and I'll
drive down to the parsonage, and you remain
there with Mrs. Peters and the children until
bring you some intelligence Of your father
While the sturdy old blacksmith Was awaiting
the return OF his daughter, the party that be
had repulsed returned with increased numbers
and demanded the minister. A fierce quarrel
ensued, which resulted in their seizing the smith
aud carrying him Of. They conveyed him to =
tavern half q mile distant from the shop, and
there be was arragned before what wss termed
vigilance committee. The committee met in .
long room on the ground 6oor, dimly lighted BY
q lamp which stood upon q small table in front OF
the chairman.
In about half an hour after Bradley's arrival,
he vas placed before the chairman for examins
ton. The old mans arms we're pinioned, but
nevertheless, be cast defiant look upon those
around him.
'Nr. Bradley, this is grave charge against
you. What have you to ssy!' said the chair
man.
"What authority have you to ask ?" demanded
the smith, 6ercey eyeing his interrOgator.
The authority Of the people of Tennessee,
rs .i.o -.Piy
II deny it."
"Your denials amount to nothing. You are
| accused Of harb0ring an abolitionist, and the
penalty of that act you know is death. What
have you to say to the charge:"
II cay that it is lie, and that be sho utter,
such charges against me. is . scoundrel"
"Simp.on," said the chairman to the leader O
the band that had captured Bradley, and who
nov appeared with . large bsndage about biz
head, to bind up wound which was the result
OF blow from the fist Of Bradley. ''Simp
son." coptiuued the chairman, "whst have yos
you to say"
The leader then stated that be had tracks,
the preacher to the blacksmith shop, and ths
Bradley had resisted his arrest, and that upo'
their return b. could not be fosnd, and that tn
prisoner refused TO give any information concern
ing him
''Do you hear that Mr.. Badley," said tn
chairman.
II do. What Of hs" vas the reply
"Is il true!"
"Yea"
"Where ID the preacher!"
"Tbat is none of your business"
"Mr Bradley, this tribunal 10 not to be insult
ed with impunity. l again demand to kno'
where NJ. Peters is. Will you tell.",
"Eo.n
"Mr Bradley, it is we'll known that ven o.
not only an member bat 40 exhorter in Mr.. n
tsr's church, and therefore some little excuse
to be made for your zeal in defending him. b
10 from the North, and has long been suspecte
and is nov accused Of being an abolisionist aud
i, dangerous man. You do not deny shelterin
him, and refusing 70 give him up. If you persi
in this you must take the consequences. u
you for the last time If you will inform us Of
: whereabouts:"
"And again answer no."
D "Mr Bfadley, there is also another sssio'
charge against you, and your conduct in this i
!, stance confirms it You are accused Of giviI
e cenfsrt to the enemies of your country. VIII
e have you 70 ssy TO that!"
J. 81 say it is false, and that he Who makes il
q Q villain"
II accuse bin with being traitor-aidisg q