Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-04-10
THE TENNESSEE BLACKSMITH.


The smith was sturdy man of fifty He was
respected, wherever known, 'or his stern integ
rity He served God, and did not fear man
and it might he safely added, nor devil either.
His courage was proyerbal in the negbborhood
and it was II common remark, when wishing to
pay any person high compliment, to say, ale
is as brave as Old Bradley" One night toward
the close of September, as he stool by the
anvil plying his labors, his countenance eyinced
peculiar salisiacti n as he brought his hammer
down with a vigorous stroke on the heated
iron. While bloAin the bellows lie would oc-
casionaly pause and shake his head, as if COM
muning with himself lie was evidently med
itating upon something of n serious nature. 1t
was during ole OF these pauses that the door
was thrown open, and pale trembling figure
staggered into the shop, and, sinking at the
smiths feet, iaintly CALCULATED
"ln the name of Jesus, protect mel"
AS Bradley stopped to raise the PROSTATE
form three men entered, the foremost one ex-
claiming,
We've treed him at last There he isl
seize him y and as he spoke he pointed at the
crouchng figure.
The others advanced to obey the order but
Bradley suddenly arose, seized the sedge-ham
mer, and brondshing it about his head as if it
were Il sword, exclaimed
Back Touch him not or. by the grace
of God. I'll brsin ycw
They hesitated. and stepped backward, not
Wishing to encounter the sturdy smith, for his
coun,enance plainly told them that he meant
what he said.
"Do you give shelter 10 an abolitionst P"
iercely shouted the leader
81 give shelter to a weak, defenseless man."
replied the smith.
"He is an enemy !" votiferated the leader.
"Of the devil !" calculated Bradley.
"Ie is a spy! an abolition hound," exclaim-
ed the leader, with increased vehcmence; "and
we must have him. SO l tell you, Bradley,
you had better not interfere. You know that
you are already suspected, and if you insist up
on shellerirg him it will confirm it,"
Sm-pect-ed! Suspected of what P" exclam-
| ed the smith, in fierce tone, riveting his gaze
upon the speaker.
"Why, of adhering to the North was the
reply.
"Adherng to the North !" calculated Brad
ley, as he cast his defiant glances at the speak
er. II adhere to the North' he continued ;
Il adhere to my country-my whole country
and will, so help me God as long as | have
BREATH" he added, as he brought the sledge-
hammer to The ground with great fore.
"You had better let us have him. Bradley,
without farther trouble. You are only ri,king
your own neck by your interference"
"Not as long as have life to defend him, "
was the answer. Then pointing toward the
| door, he continued, Leave nv shop !" and as
he spoke he again raised the sledge-hanmcr.
They hesitated moment, but the firm de-
meanor of the smith awed them into compli-
ance with the order.
you'll regret this, in the morning, Bradley,
said the leader, as lfe retreated.
Cor was the reply Of the smith, as he
pointed to ihe door.
Bradley followed them menacingly to the en-.
trance of the shop, and watched them until
they disappeared from sight down the road
When he turned 10 20 back into the shop he
met by the fugitive, who, gtaTping his hand
exclaimed.
80 how shall ever be allie to thank you
Mr.. Bradley? ?"
This is no time for thanks, Mr.. Peters, un.
less it is to the Lard; you must fly the country
and that at once!'
"But my wife and children ?"
"NIoue and will attend to them. But yor
must 90 Tonight"
"'ro-night!" !"
"Yes. In the mor ing, if not sooner. the,
will return with IA large force a. d carry you off
and probably hang you On the first tree. lot
must leave Tonight"
"But tow?'
"Matlie will conduct YOU 10 the rendezvous
of our friends. There is party made up VIII,
intend to cross the mountains and join tn,
Union forces in Kentucky They are to star
tonight. They have provisions for the jour
ney, and will gladly share with YOU"
At this moment young girl entered th
shop, and hurriedly said,
Father what is the trouble tonight ?" He
eyes resting upon the fugi i've, she approached
him. and, in sympathizing tone, coniinurd
Mr haS tur
This was Matte. She was a fine rosy girl
Just past her eighteenth birthday and the sol
daughter of Bradley's house. She was his al
his wife having been dead five Years. ii
turned toward her, and in Il mild but firm tor {
said
Matte, you must conduct Mr.. Peters to III
rendezvous Immediately then return, and W
will call at the parsonage to cheer his tamil,
Quick No time is to be lost. The blood
hounds are upon the track. They have scente
their prey, and will lot rest until they hav
secured him. They may return much. soone
than we expect. So haste, daughter, and Go
bless ye !"
This was not the first time tha, Matte ha
been called upon TO perform such an Office
She had seIely conducted several Union mel
! who had been hunted from their homes an
sought shelter with her father, TO the place de'
ignatel, from whence they made their escap
across the mountains into Kentucky. Turnin
r to the fugitive, she said,
Come, Mr.. Peters, do not stand upon cert
mony. but follow me-"
!. She left the shop ard proceeded but sho
n distance up the ,oad, and lEen turned off in
n by-path through strip of woods, closely 70
lowed by the fugitive. A brisk walk OF ha
l. an hour brought them 10 a small house th
i stood alone in a secluded spot. Here Matt
1 ! a1 x,ith hN or
u men, some OF which were engaged in runnir
bullets, while others were leaning their riff
and !owling pieces. The lady of the house.
D. hale woman of forty was busy stufiing the wa
lets of the men with huiscuits. She greetC
- Matte very kindly The fugitive, who W
ID known to two or three of the party, was r
h ceiycd in bluff frank spirit of kindness
% %,e ALL saying that they would make him chapla
" of the Tennessee Union regiment when tn
n n, got to Kentucky
r. When Matte was about to return home ty
Of the party prepared to accompany heri b
ir she protested, warning them of danger, as 1
enemy were doubtless abroad in search OF Z
minister. But, Notwithstanding, they insiste
. and accompanied her until she reached the ro
- a short distance above her fathers shop. Nj
es tie hurried on but was somewhat surprised II
be on reaching the shop to find 1t vacant. >
:" hastened into the house, but her father was n
nd there As she returned to go into the ST.
IRE she thought she could hear the noise OF hors
&C. hoofs clattering down the road. She listen'