Weekly Trinity journal., 1863-02-21
WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL.
The Tennessee Blacksmith.
An INCIDENT OF THE WAR.

smith was sturdy man Of fifty. lie was respect
ed wherever known for bis stern integrity. He
served God. and did not fear man-and might be
safely added nor devil either. His courage was
nroverbial in the neghborhood it was COM
IN remark when wishing to pay any person a
compliment 10 say, " he is brave as ole
y One night towards the close of Sep
he stood by his anvil plying his labor
Nnce eviDced peculiar satisfaction
his hammer down on the heated
owing the bellows, be would oc
and shake his head, as if com
If He was evidently medi-
hing of serious nature. 1t
lese pauses that the door was
en-, and pale trembling fig
the shop, and sinking at the
med:
Jesus protect me ~
ped to raise the PROSTATE form,
d, the foremost eXclaiming:
him at last! There he is ! Seize
he spoke he pointed to the crouch
rs advanced to obey the order but
dddenly arose, and seized the sledge-
and brandishing it about his head as if
sword, exclaimed
touch him not, or by the grace Of God,
ew
tated, and stepped back, not wishing
the sturdy smith, for his counte
told that he meant what be had
give shelter 10 an ADolllloulsI
tied the leader.
shelter to weak defeDseless man."
smith.
an enemy" vociferated the leader.
4e devil" calculated Bradley.
Is aspy an Abolition hound ~ exclaim-
leader with increased vehemence, and
lst have him. So / tell you, Bradley, you
better not interfere. You know that you
already suspected, and if you insist on shell
ring him it will confirm it,"
Suspected Suspected of what ~ asked the
tmtb in firm tone, rvitiDg his gaze upon the
speaker.
"Wby, of adherng to the North" was the re-
"Adhering to the North" calculated Bradley
ss be cast his defiant glances at the speaker. 81
adhere to the North. ! adhere to my country
my whole country-and WILL so help God as
long as l have breath ~ as he brought the
sledge-bammer to the ground with great force.
"You had better lie. us have him, Bradley
without further trouble. You are only rsking
your own safety by your interference"
mot so long as have life to defend him.
was the answer.
Then pointing to the door, he continued:
"Leave my shop" aud as he epoke he again
raised his BANNER.
They hestated moment, but the firm demean-
or of the smith awed them into compliance with
the order
you'll regret this in the morning, Bradley"
said the leader as he retreated.
"GO," was the reply Of the smith as ho pointed
toward the door.
Bradley followed them to the entrance of the
shop, and watched them till they disappeared
from sight down the road.
When be turned to go back into the shop, he
was met by the fugitive, who grasping his hand,
exclaimed:
oh, how shall ever be able to thank you,
Mr. Bradley"
This is no iYna fnr nIxo NJ Do NJ
it is to the Lord you must fly from the country
and that at once."
"But my wife and children ?"
"Mattie and will attend to them. But yoa
must go to night"
To-nightE
Yes In the morning, if not sooner, they will
return with a large force and carry you Off, and
probably hang you to the first tree. You must
leave tonight"
"Mattie will conduct you to the rendezvous Of
friends. There is party made up who in
tend to cross the mountains and join the Uuion
forces in Kentucky. They were to start to ight.
They have provisions for the journey and will
gladly share with you"
At this moment young girl entered the shop,
and burriedly said
"Father what is the trouble to night?"
Her eye rested upon the fugitive, and in sym
pathizng tone she continued
An, Mr. Peters, has your turn come so
soon?"
This was Matte She was fine rosy girl, just
past her eighteenth birthday, and the sole daugh-
Ter of Bradley's house and heart She was all
hs-bis wife had been dead five years. He
turned toward her. and in mild but firm tone,
said
Matte, you must conduct Mr. Peters to the
rendezvous Immediately then return and we
will call at the parsonage to cheer bis family
Quick no time is to be lost The blood hounds
are upon the track They may return sooner
than we expect. So haste, daughter, and God
bless you"
This was not the first time that Matte had been
upon TO perform such Office. She had
anducled several Union men, who were
n their homes and sought shelter with
the place designated, from whence
their escape across the mountains
Tuning to the fugitive, she
Peters. do not stand upon cere-
W me-"
hop and proceeded but q short dis
pad, and then turned off into a
a strip Of woods, closely follow
Fe. A brisk walk of half an hour
a small house that stood in a
here they were received with q
y a party of loyal men, some of
aged in running bullets, while
aning their rifles and fowliBg
Iy of the house, bale woman Of
tufing the wallets of the men
The greeted Matte very kindly
was known TO two or three Of
9ceiyed in bluff, frank spirit OF
lying that they would make him
tennessee Union regiment when
ltucky
7as about to return home two Of
red to accompany her but she
g them Of the danger, as the en-.
IS on the track of the minister.
ing they accompanied her until
Dad short distance above her
Hattie buried on, but was some.
on reaching the shop TO find it
stened into the house, but her
ere. As she turned to go into
lght she could hear the sound of
horses hoofs Gathering down the road. She lis