Weekly Trinity journal., 1863-02-21

ed, ne said {:
"Ob, that should have lived 10 see the day
that old Tennessee was TO be disgraced. Here
joe"
At this the other person in the wagon aighted
and quickly entered the shop. He was stall
wart negro. The young man continued
"Joe, you would like your freedomW
"Wel, Massa John, wouldn't ike much TO
leave you, but den | so like to be free man"
"Joe, the white race have maintained their
liberty by their valor. Are you willing to fight
for yours? Ay, fight to death y
al fight for you, any time Massa john"
al believe you, Joe !; but have desperate
work on hand tonight and do not want you 10
engage in it without a prospect Of reward. II l
succeed, will make you free man: IL Is
matter of life and death-will you 30
" will, Massa"
"Tben kneel down aud swear before the ever
living God that if you falter or shrink the danger
you may hereafter be consigned to everlasting
fire."
AZ swear, and l hope God Almighty may
strike me dead if don't go wild you through lire
and water, and ebery ting" said Joe.
81 am satisfied Joe" said his master and
then turning to the young girl, who had been u
mute spectator of this singular scene, he contn.
ed, now, Matte, you get into the wagon and
I'll drive down TO the parsonage, and you can
remain there with Mrs. Peters until | bring you
some Intelligence Of your father"
While the sturdy old blacksmith was awaiting
the return of his daughter, the party be had re-
pulled returned with Increased NUMBERS ana de-
manded the minister. A fierce quarrel ensued
which resulted in the seizng Of the smith and
carrying him off They conveyed him TO spot
mile distant from the shop, and there he was
arraigucd before what was termed vigilance
committee. The committee met in long room
on the ground floor dimly lighted by lamp
which stood on small table in front OF the
chairman. In about half an hour after Bradley's
arrival, be was placed before the chairman for
examination. The old mans arms were pnioned,
but nevertheless, he cast defiant look upon
those around him.
"Mr Bradley there is grave charge against
you. What have you to say?" asked the chair
man
"What authority have you to ask ?" demanded
the smith, fercely cycling his interrogator.
THE authority of the people OF Tennessee"
&C deny it,"
" Your denials amount to nothing. You are
accused of harboring on Aboitionist, and the
penalty Of that act you know is death. What
have you to say to the charge ?"
81 say that it is false, aud he who utters such
charges against me is scoundrel."
"Smpson what have you to say ?" aad the
chairman to the leader of the band that had cap
tured Bradley, and who now appeared with u
bandage about his head, to bind up wound
which was the result Of blow from the fist Of
Bradley
The leader then stated that he had tracked
the preacher to the blacksmith shop, aud that
Bradley had resisted his arrest, aud upon their
return be could not he found, and that the pris-
oner had refused to give any information con
cerning him.
"Do you hear that, Mr.. Bradley ?" said the
chairman.
10 Ub.t 81 : ,,oe Z ranIy
ais it true?"
"Yes.D
"Where is the preacher"
" That is none Of your business"
Mr.. Bradley, this tribunal is not to be insnlt-
ed with impunity. | again demand 10 know
where Mr.. Peters is. viii you tell"
"No."
"Mr. Bradley, it is well known that you are
not only member but an eXhorer in Mr.. Peters
church, and therefore there is some little excuse
for your zeal in defending him. lie is from the
North, and has long been suspected, and is aow
accused of being an abolitonist and a dangerous
man. If you persist in this you must take the
consequences l ask you for the last time if you
will tell me of bis whereabouts ,"
" And again | answer no."
Mr.. Bradley there is another serious 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 ?'
- say it is false, and he who made it is a vii
lain.D
II accuse him Of being a traitor and aiding
The cause of the Unon," said Simpson.
"If my adherence to the Union merits me the
name Of traitor, then | am proud of it. | have
been for the Union-I am still for the Union
and will be for the Union as long as my life
lasts"
At these words the chairman clutched pistol
that lay on the table before him, and the bright
blade of Simpsons bowie knife glttered near
Bradleys breast, but before be could make the
fatal plunge a swift winged messenger of death
laid him dead at the feet of his intended victim,
while at the same time another plunged into the
heart of the chairman, aud he fell forward over
the table extinguishing the light, and leaving all
in darkness. Confusion regned. The inmates
of the room were panic stricken In the midst
of the CONSERVATION a firm haud rested on Brad
ley's shoulder his bonds were severed and he
was hurried out Of the open window. lie was
again free man, but he was FASTENED forward
into the woods at the back of the tavern, and
through them to a road quarter Of a mile dis
tant then into wagon and driven rapidly off
ln half an hour the smith one OF the party
at the rendezvous, that was to start at midnight
across the mountains.
john" said the smith, as be grasped the
hand of his rescuer, while his eye glistened, and
a tear cOurSed down hls lurr0Weu cheekI II should
like to see Matte before | 60"
In another hour the blacksmith clasped his
daughter to his bosom.
slt was an affecting scene there, 10 that lone
house in the wilderness, surrounded by men who
had been driven from their homes for their at
tachment to the principles for which their patriot
fathers fought and bled the sturdy old smith, a
type of the heroes of past days pressed his daugh
ter to his breast while the tears coursed down
his furOwy cheeks. He felt that perhaps it
would be his last embrace, for bis resolute heart
had resolved to sacrifice all upon the altar of his
country, and he could no longer watch over the
safety of his only child. Was she to be left to
the mercy Of the parricidal wretches, who were
attempting to destroy the country that had given
them birth, nursed their infancy, and opened
wide field for them to display the abilities with
which she had endowed them?
Mr. Bradley" said his rescuer, after short
pause, "as you leave the State it will be neces-