Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-25

men have 10 be fed. Run up that column
Doctor, and see il I'm right ; one hundred
ami iweniy against two hundred
The things all q theory Sir :" the Doe
tor shouts with another mighty thump, by
the way of dismissing it. ''By ginger mean
to stick to my niggers, Sir and make 'em
stick to me, Sir -
1t would have been cold blow to Doctor
John to have told him that his son, on whom
he had built such strong hopes that he would
inherit with the plantation, all his fathers
opinions, including his bitter hatred
of Yankees, was at heart exactly his
| opposite; and yet the father had Strange
suspicious that all was not right-Or
rather wrOng-with his sons political pro
clivities. Argument never rose between them,
for Willis was too wise for that; but there
was no lack of those among the neighbors
who could hint to the old man enough for
him to hang his doubts upon.
There were also those who did not hesitate
to speak out openly, and say that since the
advent of Clara Cooper, great changes had
come to pass with Willis Sayre, and that he
was strongly given to raise his voice IN re-
monstrance, when any ultra measure of
Southern Rights was urged A; and some even
went so far as to accuse him of the rank
heresy of Unionism.
There was no denying the fact that Willis
Sayre was charmed with the blue eyes and
northern beauty of Clara Cooper. Before she
arrived at her Tennessee home, Willis and
George had been warm friends, and many
times had the sister been the subject Of their
conversation, until it seemed to Willis. when
| they did meet, that he was greeting an old
friend, or one he had loved in the past. 1t
was net strange that from such antecedents
| a love should grow that defed all surround
ings, and fOurished in spite Of the opposition
of DR.. John.
All this is the key to the last injunction of
Dr. John Sayre to George Cooper, that he
should "get some dirt between you an
Nashville, iist as soon as the Lord let ye;
and take that white-faced sister of yourn
along too" 1t grated harshly upon the ear
and the temper of Cooper, as he rode on from
the plantation to Nashville, and through all
that day he knew that it must disturb his
usually quiet manner, if he could judge from
the anxious looks that came in a turtlye way
from Clara every time she glanced at his face.
George Cooper was sufficiently posted IN the
operations of Vigilance Committees and pat
riotic Southern Rights men, to feel that he
was sleeping upon a volcano, which might
burst upon his head at any moment that
Doctor John or his compatriots chose to de-
nounce him as an AbOlitionist, or even as a
Unionist. The States had not reached an
open outbreak, but to such quOndam friends
OF the South as the Doctor, 1t was consum-
nation indusriously worked for and ardent
lv wished and already Cooper had been
looked on with no very friendly eyes by hls
neighbors, who were anxious that be should
make one Of the squads who met for drill,
ostensibly and openly to overthrow the Fed
eral Government.
1t was upon the evening Of this day, aud
George Cooper sat smoking thOughtiu.Iy
upon the piazZI of his own home, while his
sister was touching, In llstless way, the
piano, and looking occasionally out through
the windows that communicated with the
spot where her brother sat. There was
another cause for anxiety, besides the dr.
turbed face she was watching, 10 trouble
Clara Cooper. 1t was as absolute that W IL
lis should ride in each evening from the pan
tation as that her brother should be present,
this evening, but though the hour was last
growing toward ten, he had not arrived.
Her mind, though untutored upon either
cause. Immediately evolved the belief that
both were connected, and that the troubled
face OF her brother and the absence OF Willis
boded no good.
While the city time was striking ten, and
Clara was in the act of rising from the
niano. the sound of horses hOofs was heard
at a distance Gathering upon the stones of
the street. Clara started and strained her
ear TO listen, for the tread of Willis's horse
was as well known to her ears as was his
own and that was surely it, though why
so late, or with such speed, was more than
she could divine.
| She had little time for thought-the rider
ctme on too rapidly, and in a few minutes
stood in her presence. HIS face was flushed
| and his whole appearance testified high ex-
citement. Without waiting for greetings,
| he spoke hurriedly
"Clara-George, am sorry to bring you
had news, and from such a source but you
must hear it, and act upon 1t as quickly and
as calmly as possible. You have been denounc-
ed 10 the Vigilance Committee, and that by
nv father. | have the knowledge from one
who is deem in their secrets, but VINO IS also
| too deep in my friendship to allow my friends
TO suffer. You have been denounced, and,
perhaps. before tomorrow morning, you may
be in the hands Of some of those desperate
men who will make no distinction between
yourself and Clara. You must get away
from this, and have provided the means
YOU must make the best OF your way TO "a
| ducah or Cairo, and you must reach Bellvllle
tonight Listen to me follow my direct
ions strictly and you will not regret II.
Gather such necessary things as you must
carry with you, and within an hour walk
ouietly awav from this house; follow
| this street out, and about a mile from
here, close by the old Touring mil, you
will find nv man Jack with horses
| shall be there as soon as yourselves. be
quick aud quiet, and God guard you
lie was gone in an instant ; and both
GEORGE and Clara knew well that all he said
was truth. and that only on him could they
relv for aid IN this emergency. They did not
consider long but within half an hour from
the time of Willis departure the two were
fupitiyes, leaving every thing IN their home
as il stood, bearing away only articles oi
iewelry, money, and few pieces OF clothing
such as were absolutely necessary for lmme-
diate need.
The streets were quiet, and the distance to
the old mill was soon traversed, where stood
Jack with two horses. besides the one upon
which he was mounted.
% It's marster's orders, sab You is to
ride right on to ards Bellville. an is to g
wild We, sab Marster Willis is to JIne df
party somewhar ON de road
/ The masters orders were complied with
3 and five miles out of Nashville, by eros
4 | road, came Willis Sayre. For some time
i after the first greetings were over. they rod
b. on in silence, until they were within mil
b or two of Bellville, when George Coope
: refined up to a walk and addressed Willis
Now, my dear boy, we must part here
@ | cannot suffer you to commit yourself iar
V ther for our sakes. Should you ride with u
+ into Bellville, you will be known as havinl
: assisted at our escape; as it is now, we car
surrender our horses to Jacks care outsid
: the town, and from that point We can 20 o.
IT alone
n Willis gave little, low, chuckling laugh
"You are arranging it well, my dear tel
: low, but my consent has to be obtained
e; yet don't 60 back, George. My loI
with you and my country. shall get ava
a from the soil where | am not allowed
sreak like n freeman and il needs be,