The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-04-28

J
much sooner than we expect. So haste,
daughter, and God bless your
This was not the first time that Matte
had been called upon to perform such ar
office She had safely conducted several
Union men, who had been hunted from then
homes and saught shelter with her father, tC
the place designated, from whence they
made their escape across the mountains into
Kentucky. Turning TO the fugitive she
said:
''Come Mr.. Peters-do not stand on cere.
mony, but follow me-"
She left the shop and proceeded but a short
distance upon the road, and then turned of
in by-path through strip of woods, close
ly followed by the fugitive. A brisk wall;
Of half All hour, brought them to small
house that stood alone in a secluded spot.
Here Matte was received with warm well
come by several men, some of whom were
engaged in running bullets, while others
were cleaning their rifles and fowling pieces
! The lady of the house, a hale woman of forty,
was busy stufing the wallets of the men
with biscuits. She greeted Matte very
kindly. The fugitive, who was known by
two or three of the party, was received in a
bluff, frank spirit of kindness by all, say
ing they would make him chaplain of the
Tennessee regiment, when they got to Ken
| lucky.
When Matte was about to return home,
two of the company prepared to accompany
he; but she misunderstanding them OF
the danger, as the enemy was doubtless
abroad in search Of the minister. But not
withstanding, they insisted and accompani-
| II lo,. Ilcl,a obn1 tlo che n ie
lance above her fathers shop.
Matte hurried on, but was somewhat sur
prised, upon reaching the shop, to find it
vacant. She fastened into the house but
her father was not there. AS she returned
to the shop, she thought she could hear the
noise Of horses hoofs Gathering down the
road She listened but the sound soon died
away. Going into the shop she blew the
fire into a blaze-then beheld that the things
were in great confusion. and that spots Of
blood we've upon the ground.
| She was now convinced that her father
had been seized and carried off; but not
withouta desperate struggle on his part.
AS Matte stood gazing at the pools Of
blood, wagon containing two persons, drove
up-one Of whom, an athletic young man Of
five and twenty years, got out and entered
the shop u
''Good evening, Matte! Where is your
father ?" he said.
Then, observing the strange demeanor OF
the girl, he continued:
''Why Matte, what ais you? What has
happened" -aa .
The young girls heart was toe full for
| her tongue to give utterance, and throwing
herself upon the shoulder of the young man.,
she sobbngly exclaimed
"Ihey have carried him off! Don't you
see the blood ?'
''Have they dared to lay hands upon your
father ? The Internal wretches = -elt
Matte recovered herself sufficiently to
narrate the events of the evening. When
he had finished, he exclaimed:
''Oh, that | should have lived to see the
day that old Tennessee was to be thus dis.
graced! Here Joe y
At this, the other person in the wagon
alighted and entered the shop. He was a
stalwart negro.
''Joe,' said the young man, ''you would
like your freedoms"
''Well, Massa John, | wouldn't like very
much to leabe you; but den Pse like to be
a free man"
''Joe the white race have maintained their
liberty by their vaIor. Are you willing to
fight for yours AYE, fight to the death ~
Use light hard for yours any time, Massa
John"
II believe YOU, joe But I have des-
perate work on hand tonight, and | do not
want you to engage in it without at least
prospect of reward If l succeed, l will
make you free man. 1t is matter of
life and death-will you go?"
81 WILL massa."
''Then kneel down and swear before the
everything God that if you falter or shrink
the danger, you may hereafter be consigned
to eternal fire!
81 swear, massa !''said the negro, kneeling.
can | hopes dat Cor Almighty may
strike me dead, if | don't go wild you troo
fire and water and eberyt'ng!"
Il am sati6ed, Joe, p" said his master.
Then turning to the young girl, who had
been mute spectator Of this singular scene
he continued:
''Now Matte, you get into the wagon, and
I'll drive down to the parsonage, and you re-
main there with Mrs. Peters and the chill
dren until | bring you some intelligence of
your father"
While the sturdy blacksmith was awaiting
the return of his daughter, the party that he
had repulsed returned with increased num-
bers and demanded the minister. A fierce
quarrel ensued, which resulted in their seiz-
ing the smith and carrying him off. They
conveyed him to a tavern half mile dis
tant from the shop, and there he was ar
raigned before what was termed a vigilance
| committee. ...t -.
| ~ n he
ground floor, dimly lighted by lamp which
stood upon small table in front Of the
chairman. In about half an hour after Brad
ley's arrival, he was placed before the chair
man for examination. The old mans arms
were pinioned but nevertheless he cast a
defiant look upon those around him.
Bradley this is grave charge against
you. What have you to say 2" said the
chairman.
'What authority have you to ask? ?" de-
manded the blacksmith, tiercely cycling his
interrogation.
''The authority of the people of Tennes-
see" was the reply.
Il deny it."
''Your denials amount to nothing. You
are accused of harboring an abolitionist, and
the penalty of that act you know is death.
What have you to say to the charger?
81 say it is a base lie, and that he who
utters such charges against me is an infa-
NOUS scoundrel."
Simpson" said the chairman to the lead
er of the band who had captured Bradley,
and who now appeared with large band
age about his head, to bind up wound
which was the result Of blow from the fist
of Bradley. Simpson, continued the chair
J man, ''what have you to say ?"
| The leader then stated that he had track
ed the preacher to the blcksniths shop,
: and that the prisoner refused to give any
information concerning him.
do you hear that, Mr.. Bradley? p sale
: the chairman. -.aa
: Il do-what of it % was the reply.
| SIS it true?" a.e
eyes"
l /