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

said:
Matte, you must conduct Mr.. Peters
to the rendezvous Immediately, then re
turn, aud we will call at the parsonage t.
cheer his family. Quick No time to b(
lost. The bloodhounds are upon the
track, They have scented their prey and
will not rest until they have secured him
They may return much sooner than VIC
expect. So haste, daughter, and God
bless ye!"
This was not the first time that Matte
had been called upon to perform such an
Office. She had safely conducted several
Union men who had been hunted from
their homes and sought shelter with her
father, to the place designated, from
whence they made their escape across the
mountains into kentucky. Turning to
the fugitive, she said
"Comc, Mr. Peters, do not stand upon
ceremony, but follow me"
She left the shop and proceeded but a
short distance up the road, and then
turned off in by-path through strip of
woods, closely followed by the fugitive.
4 brisk walk of half an hour brought
them to a small house that stood alone in
a secluded spot. Here Matte was re-
ceived with warm welcome by several
men, some of whom were engaged In
running bullets, while others were clean
ing their rifles and fowling pieces. The
lady Of the house, 4 hale woman of forty,
was busy stufing the wallets of the men
with biscuits. She greeted Matte very
kindly The fugitive, who was known to
two or three ofthe party, was received in
a bluff, frank spirit of kindness by all,
saying that they would make him chap
lain of the Tennessee regiment when
they got to Kentucky.
When Matte was about to return home
two of the party prepared to accompany
her, but she protested, warning them of
The danger, as the enemy were doubtless
abroad in search of the minister. But,
Notwithstanding, they insisted, and ac
companied her until she reached the road
a short distance above her fathers shop.
Matte hurried on, but was somewhat
surprised upon reaching the shop to find
it vacant. She FASTENED into the house,
but her father was not there. As she re-
turned to 90 to the shop, she thought she
could hear the noise of hoofs gathering
down the road. She listened but the
sound soon died away. Going into the
shop she blew the fire into blaze; then
beheld that the things were in great con
fusion. and that spots Of blood were upon
the ground She was now convinced
that her father had been seized and car
ried of, but not without desperate
struggle on his part.
As Matte stood gazing at the pools OF
blood, a wagon, containing two persons,
drove mp, one of whom an atheletic young
man of five and twenty years, got out and
entered the shop.
Good evening, Matte! Where is
your father?" he said. Then observing
the strange demeanor Of the girl, he con-
tinued, "Why, Matte, what ails you?-
What has happenedY =
The young girls heart was too full for
her tongue to give utterance, aud throw
ing herself upon the shoulder of the
young man she sobbingly exclaimed:
"Thcy have carried him off! Don't
you see the bloodY'
"Have they dared to lay hands upon
your father? The internal wretches" F."
Matte recovered herself sufficiently to
narrate the events of the evening. When
she had finished, he exclaimed:
"Oh, that | should have lived to see
the day that old Tennessee was to be
thus disgraced! Here, Joe!'
At this the other person in the wagon
alighted and entered the shop. He was
a 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
ike 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
the death"
Use fight for you any time, Massa
John"
II believe you. Joe. But | have des-
perate work on hand tonight, and L do
not want to engage in it without a pros
pect of reward If | succeed | will make
YOU free man. 1t is a matter of life and
death-will you go?"
81 will, Massa."
"I am satisfied, Joc," said his master
then turning to the young girl, he con-
tinued, "Now, Matte, you get in the
wagon, and I'll drive down to the par
sonage, and you remain there with Mrs.
Peters and the children until bring you
some intelligence of your father"
While the sturdy old blacksmith was a
waiting the return of his daughter, the
party that he had repulsed returned with
increased numbers and demanded the
minister. A fierce quarrel ensued, which
resulted in their seizing the smith and
carrying him off. They conveyed him to
tavern half mile distant from the
shop, and there he was arraigned before
what was termed a vigilance committee.
Tbo oopmittee mot In a lOno room on