The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1864-04-07

cured him. They may return much
sooner thanwe expect. So haste, daugh.
ter, and God bless yel'
This was not the first time that Mat
tie had been called upon to perform
such an oilico. She had safely conduc.
tod several Union men who had been
hunted from their homes and sought
shelter with her father, to the place de.
signaied, from whence they made their
escape across the mountains into Ken.
lucky. Turning to the fugitive, she
said:
Come. Mr., Peters, do not stand upon
ceremony, but follow me.
She lelt the shop and proceeded but a
short distance up the road, and then
turned off in by,path through the
woods closely followed By the fugitive,
A brisk walk of half an hour brought
them to a small house that stood alone
in secluded spot. Here Matte was re-
ceived with warm welcome by several
some Of whom we're engag ged in running
bullets, while others were cleaning
their rifles and fowling pieces. The la.
dy Of the house. a hale woman OF forty,
was busy stutling .he wallets Of the men
with biscuits. She greeted Matte very
kindly, The fugitive who was known
10 two or three Of the party, was receiv-
cd in bluff, frank spirit of kindness by
all, saying that they would make him
chaplain of the Tennessee Regiment,
when they got to Kentucky.
When Matte was about to return
homo, two Of the party prepared to ac
company her, but she protested, warn
ing them OF the danger, as the enemy
were doubtless abroad in search of tie
minister. Bu:, Notwithstanding, they
insisted, and accompanied herunti she
reached the road short distance above
her fathers shop Matte hurried on,
bnt was somewhat surprised onreaching
the shop 10 find it vacant. She hasten.
ed into the house, but her father was not
there. As she returned TO 60 to the
shop, she thought she could hear the
noise of hoofs CATERING down the road,
She listened, but the sound soon dice
away. Going into the shop she blew
the fire into blaze then beheld that the
things were in great confusion, and that
spots of blood were upon the ground
She was now convinced that her father
bad been seized aud carried of, but not
withouta a desperate struggle on his part.
As Matte stood gazing al Che pools
l.olshlaad "a Suagoa tainiae tss
sons, drove up, one of whom, an ath'
letic young man of FIVE and twenty
years, got out and entered the shop,
Good evening, Mattel Where is
your father?' he sOid. Then observing
the strange demeanor of the girl, he
continued, why, Matte, what ais
you? What has happened?'
The young girls heart was too full
for her tongue 10 give utierancc, and
throwing hersolfupon the shoulder Of
the young man she aobbingly excluim.
edA
They have carried him Off Don't
you see the blood?'
Have they dared 10 lay hands upon
your father? The internal wretches!
Matte recovered herself sufficiently
to narrale the events of the evening
When she had finished, he exclaimed:
i0b, that | should have lived to see
the day that old Tennessee was to be
thus disgrocedl Here, joel
At this the other person in the wag-
on alighted and entered the shop. He
was stalwart negro.
Joe. continued the young man, you
would like your freedom!'
well, Massa John, | wouldn't like
very much to leabe you; but den Use
like TO be a free man.
Joe, the white race have maintained
their liberty by their valor Are you
willing to fght for yoursl Ay, fight to
The dealhP
Use fight for yous any time, Massn
john
Il believe, you Joe, But | have des-
perale work on hand tonight, and do
not want you to engage in it without a
prospect Of reward. If l succeed | will
make you free man, It is amattsr Of
lie and death-Will you go?'
y will, Msssa,'
'Thcn kncel dowa and swear botore
the ever living God that, if you fuller
or shrink the danger, you may hercaf.
tor be consigned TO everlasting fre!'
Il swear, Massa,' said the negro,
kneeling, AN l hope that Cor AL
mighty may strike me dead il don't 60
wid you through Ere and water aud eb-
cry ting!
I'm satisfied, Joe, said his master; then
turning to the young girl, who had
been mute spectator OF this singular
scene, ho continued, Now, Matte, you
gel in the wagon, and I'll drive down
to the parsonage, and you remain thOre
| ..l Al. D.,os, al tl,n chlI.nn ,,at;1