The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1865-01-12
FIRST AND LAST.

FIRST AND LAST.
Some of the time during the period Of
the Revelation when the State Of Con-
necticut was under the iron sway Of the
blue laws brother Constant Burroughs,
q member of certain church in Wood.
stock, was appointed Sunday constab . OF
the Parish. His general duty was to
arrest all persons travelling during the
sacred hours of Sabbath, except to and
from public worship, or in case of actual
necessity and among other instructions,
he received the following:
u, "If, while the church was open for
service, a person should make his appear
ance who was evidently on journey, the
constable was to request him to stop and
enter the house; and if he refused to 60
in, or to remain during the service, his
refusal would be regarded as proof of a
willful disrespect of law and the consta-
BILE was requested to take him into custo-
dy at once"
- On the very first Sabbath after Con-
stant's appointment he took Lis post near
the church door at least an hour before
service.time. Ere long dusty traveller,
mounted upon jaded horse, came riding
slowly up the road. "Of course, he's a
traveller, and a desecrater of the Lords
day." unused the constable, as he advan.
ced several yards to meet the stranger,
and grasping the bride close to the bit,
he exclaimed, in stern tone: "Yo
must dismount and 90 into the church,
or | will arrest you for Sabbath break
ing 3"
Il was intending to dismount, friend,
the man replied, alighting and brushing
the dust from his cloak with his whip.
Leading his steed up beside the con-
stables, which was hitched to the fence,
the traveller commenced removing the
bride and saddle from the latter, and
substitutirg & his own in stead.
"What do you mean to do, sir - de-
manded the constable, in fierce tone,
stepping up to the strangers side.
"Oh, nothing but what the regulations
allow me, my stern FRIEND" be replied,
quickly bucklng his saddle. girths
"What regulations do you refer to
I am the Sunday constable, and have au
thority to lodge you in Jail in less than
fifteen minutes aud how dare you med
die with my horse?" The dignitary hac
now become very much excited, and wa.
about to lay violent hands upon the Of
fender.
The stranger threw open his clcak
displaying the uniform md insignia Of ,
scout, and replied, as he mounted: "And
| sm bearer of dispatches for the
American army, having authority to take
fresh horse whenever l can find one
and for you Cor any other citizen) to in
terfere, is to subject yourself to an arrest
fer treason. Please take good care Of
my horse until | returf Good day
Sir"
Before the astonished constable could
reply, the stranger was dashing swiftly
down the road. Now, next to his wife
and church, Constant loved his dapple
grey; nay, he was proud of him, for HI
was the finest beast in the parish; but
nevertheless, he knew it would be useless
for him to object to the scouts move
ments. He had never suffered his equine
pet to be driven fast, or on long journeys
and to see him thus sacrificed to the pur
poses of reckless bearer of army dis
patches, caused the constable's heart tt
sink within him. Although he felt sat
isfed that bis steed would probably b'
returned, he feared that it would be il
ruined condition; and a nomentar,
vision Of the dappe-grey with broker
wind and two lame legs passed before hi
heated brain. Long and earnestly h
sazed after the retiring forms, until
distant turn in the road hid them from
view. The worshipers had now begu'
to arrive rapidly, but still the constabl
stood leaning against the fence, evident.
ly unconscious Of what was going OF
around him, and thinking only of hi
mis- fortune. At length Deacon Warrel
aroused him, exclaiming:
/ "How's this, brother Burroughs VIII
amt ye tending to the duties of ye
orfce !? One of Satan's servants, WHOM
you ought to have arrested, has jus
driven fur ously down the road"
eyes, deacon, know it to my sorrow
He's in Gen. Washington's employ, an
has taken my best horse. This is m
first day as Sunday constable, and L
I've concluded it will be the last
AMERICAN Union.