The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-11

"Joe, the white race have maintained
their liberty by their valor. Are you willing
to fight for yours? Ay! fight to the
death 2"
"Ise fight for you any time, Massa
john"
believe you, Joe. But have desperate
work on hand to night, and l do not want
you to engage in it without q prospect of
reward. If succeed l will make you q free
man. 1t is matter of lie and death-wll
you go?"
81 will, massa."
"Then kneel down and swear before the
ever living God, that, if you fa'ter or shrink
the d niger, you may hereafter be consigned
to everlasting fre!'
II swear, Massa," said the negro, kneel-
ing. An hope that Cor Almighty may
strike ne dead if don't 60 wild you through
fire and water and ebery ting !!
II am satisfied, Joe," said bis master !;
then turning to the young girl, who had
been mute spectator of this singular scene,
be continued, "Now, Matte, you 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 intelli>
gence 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 min
ister. A fierce quarrel ensued, which re.
suited in their seizirg the smith and carry
ing him off. They conveyed him to tavern
half mile distant from the shop, and there
be was arraigned before what was termed a
vigilance committee. The committee met
in long room on the ground floor, dimly
lighted by lamp which stood upon a small
table in fro1t of the chairman. To about
half an hour after BradIey's arrival be was
placed before the chairman for examination.
The old mans arms were pinioned, but new
ertheless he cast defiant look upon those
around him.
bradley, this is grave charge against
you. What have you to say" said the
chairman.
"What authority have you to ask 2" de.
manded the smith, fercely cycling his inter-
rogator.
"The authority Of the people Of Tennes
see" was the reply.
Il deny it,"
"Your denials amount to nothing. You
are accused of harboring an aboliticnist, and
the penalty of that act you know is death.
What have you to say to the charge ?"
II say that it is lie, and that he who
utters such charges against me is scoun-
drel."
"Simpson," said the chairman to the
leader of the band that had captured Brad
ley, and who now appeared with a large
bandsge about his head, to bind up a wound
which was the result of a blow from the
fist of Bradley. "simpson," continued the
chairman, what have you to say ?"
The leader then stated that he bad tracked
the preacher to the blacksmith shop, and
that Bradley had resisted his arrest, and
that upon their return he could not be found,
and that the prisoner refused to give any
information concerning him.
"Do you hear that, Mr.. Bradley said
the chairman.
Il do. What of it ?" was the reply.
els it true?"
eyes"
"Where is the preacher
"That is none of your business"
MIR. Bradley, this tribunal is not to be
insulted with impunity. 1 again demand
to know where Mr.. Peters is. Will you
tell?"
"No"
"Mr. Bradley, it is well known that you
are not only member but an exhorter in
Mr.. Peters church, and therefore some little
excuse is to be made for your zeal in defend.
ing him. He is from the North and has
long been suspected and is Low accused of
being an abolitionist and dangerous man.
You do not deny sheltering him and refusing
to give him up. If you persist in this you
must take the consequences. 1 ask you
for the last time if you will inform US of his
whereabouts
"And again answer no! T.
"Mr. Bradley, there is also another seri
Gus charge against you and your conduct in
this instance confirms it. You are accused
of giving comfort to the enemies of your
country. What have you to say to that ?"
II say it is false, and that he who makes
it is villain"
81 accuse him with being traitor, aid
ing the cause of the Union" said Simpson.
Ii my adherence to the Union merits
for me the name of traitor, then l am proud
OF it. have been for the Union-I am
still for the Union--and will be for the
Union as long as life lasts !"
AT this the chairman clutched pistol
that lay upon the table before him, and the
bright blade of Simpsons bowie knife gilt
tered near Bradley 3 breast but before he
could make the fatal plunge swift-wiDged
messenger of death laid him dead at the
feet OF his intended victim; while at the
same instant another plunged into the heart
of the chairman, and be Iell forward over
the table, extinguishing the light and leav.
ing all in darkness. Confusion reipned.
The inmates of the room were paric strick.
en-. In the midst of the conservation q
firm hand rested upOn Bradev'a ahnnldar