The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-05-05

"What authority have you to ask? p
demanded the smith, fercely cycling his
interrogation.
"The authority of the people of Ten
nessee," was the reply.
II deny it"
'Your denials amount to nothing. You
are accused of harboring an abolitionist
and the penalty of that act you know is
death"
~ say that it is lie, and that he who
utters such charges against me is a
scoundrel!"
"Simpson," said the chairman to the
leader of the band that had captured
Bradley, and who now appeared with a
large bandage 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 had
tracked the preacher to the blacksmith s
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 concern
ing him.
0Do you hear that, Mr.. Bradley?" said
the chairman.
~ do. What of it?" was the reply.
''Is it true?"
eyes"
"Where is the preacher?'
"That is none of your business"
'.lIr. Bradley, this tribunal is not to
be insulted with impuuity. [ again de-
mand to know where Mr. Peters is. Will
you tell 2"
"No."
'Ar. Bradley, it is well known that
you are not only member but an exhor
ter in Mr.. Peters church, and, therefore,
some little excuse is to be made for you.
He is from the North, and has long been
suspected, and is now accused Of being
an aboIitionist and a dangerous man.
Y ou do not deny sheltering him and re-
fusing to give him up. If you persist in
this you must take the consequences. |
ask you, for the last time, if you will in
form US of his whereabouts 2"
"And again [ answer, no"
"Ar Bradley there is also another Sc
rious charge against you, and your con-
duct in this instance fully confirms it
You are accused of giving comfort to the
enemies Of your country. What have
you to say to that 7"
~ say it is false, and that he who
makes it is a villain
"I accuse him of being traitor, aiding
the cause of the Union" said Simpson.
"If my adherence to the Union merits
for me the name Of traitor, then | am
proud of it. | have been for the Union,
and will be for the Union as long as life
lasts"
At these words the chairman clutched
a pistol that lay upon the table before
him, and the bright blade of Simpsons
bowie-knife glittered near Bradley's
breast but before he could make the ia
tai plunge a swift-winged messenger of
death laid him dead at the feet of his in
tended victim, while at the same instant,
another plunged into the heart of the
chairman and he fell forward over the ta-
Bile, exhausting the light and leaving all
in darkness. Confusion reigned. The
inmates of the room were panicstrlcken.
In the midst of the CONSERVATION firm
hand rested upon Bradley's shoulder; his
bonds were severed, and he was hurried
out of the open window. lie was again
a free man, but was fastened forward IN
to the woods at the back of the tavern,
and through them to a road a quarter of
mile distant, then into wagon, and
driven rapidly off. In half an hour the
smith made one of the party at the rem
devious that was to start at midnight a
cross the mountains.
"John," said the smith, as he grasped
the hand of his rescuer, while his eyes
glistened and tear coursed down his
furrowed check, 81 should like to see
Matte before | go"
"You shall" was the reply.
Tn another hour the blacksmith clasped
his daughter to his bosom.
It was an affecting scene-there, IN
that lone house in the wilderness, sur
rounded by men who had been driven
from their homes for their attachment to
the principles for which the patriot faith
ers fought and bled-the sturdy old smith,
a type of the heroes of other days, press
ed his daughter to his breast, while the
tears coursed down his furrowed cheeks.
He felt that perhaps it would be his last
embrace; for his resolute heart had re-
solved to sacrifice his all upon the alter
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 O.
pened wide field for them to display the
abilities with which nature had endowed
them
"Mr. Bradley" said his rescuer, after
a short pause Gas you leave the State, il
will be necessary, in these troublesome
times for Matte to have protector, and
| have thought our marriage had better
take place tonight"