The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-02-22
Srlsft Misrtllaup.
THE TENNESSEE BLACKSMITH.
A Story Of the war-Complctc,

Near the cross roads, not far from the
Cumberland Mountain, stood the village
forge The smith was sturdy man Of
fifty. lie was respected, wherever known.
for his stern integrity, Ho served God.
and did not fear nan--and. il might be
safely added, nor the devil either. Ills
courage WAS proycrbial in the neighbor-
hood and il was common ramark, when
wishing to pay any person high compli.
incnt. To say, lie is as brave as Bradley.
One night. toward the close Of September
~ he stood alone by the anvil plying his
lahors, his countcnancc evinccd peculiar
satisfaction az ho brought his hammer
down with u gorgeous stroke On the heat
ed iron While Blowing the bellows he
would occasionally pause and shake his
heal. as II communiilg with himself. lie
was evidently mcditating upon something
Of a seriou, nature. II was during one oil
open, and pale, trembling figure stag
gered into the shop. and. sinking at the
smiths feet, laintly eiacuated:-
In the name Of Jesus, protect me!
As Bradley stopped to raise tho pros
trate form, three men entered, the foremost
one exclaim' ng:
w q We tTccu niIu IVAob iHctc 10
seize HIM and AS he spoke he pointed
at the orouchins figure.
The others advanced to obey the orler
but Bradley suddenly arose, seized the
sledg e.ham,ner, and brandishing it about
his head a. II il were a sword, exclaimed;
Back? Touch him not; or, by the grace
Of God, I'll brain ye!'
They hositatcd, and stepped backward
not wishing to encounter the sturdy smith
for his couniehanco plainly told them thai
he meant what ho said.
do you give shelter to an sbolitionist?
iercely shouted the leader.
4 give shelter TO weak. dcfcnseleSs
man. replied the smith.
lie is an cneny!' vociferated the lead
er.
'0f the devil! calculated Bradley.
lie is spy! an abolition hound J eX
claimed the leader, with increased vehem
ence; IA d We mnst have him. So ! tel
you, bradley, you had better not interfere,
You know yOu are already suspected, and
ii ron insist upon sheltering him, will con
firm IT,
'Sas-psct eV Suspected Of WHAT cx
claimed the smith. in firm tone, riVeting
his gaze upon the speaker.
Why, Of adhering TO the North, wal
the reply.
'Adhering to the Nortllr ejaculated Brad
ley, as he cast his defiant Elances at tho
speaker. j adhere 10 no North he contin
ued; / adhere 10 my c0uitry-my whole
courtry-and will 30 help me Cod as long
as have breath. hs added. as he brought
the sledge-hammer 10 the ground Will
great force.
'Yon had better LET us have him. Brad
lev, without further trouble. You arc only
risking your own neck by your nterier
ence.'
Not so long IS have life to defend
him, was the answer. Then painting to
ward the door. he continued, Leave TnI
sAopt and as he spoke he again raised th'
sledge-hamner.
They hesitated . moment. bat the firm
slemeauor of .,le eRi.h axed them into com
plianee with IL ybydeS
'Yau'll regret this in the morning, Brad
ley said the leader. as lie retreated.
i CO. was the Tepiy OF the smith, as h'
pointed toward ihe door.
/ Bradley followed them menaccingly b
the entrance Of the shop, and watches
them until they disappeared from sigh
i down ths road. When ks iarncd 70 g
back into the shop he was mot by mo in
tgitive, who, gTasping his hand, exclaimed
t'Ohs how shall ever be ablc to thank you
Mr.. Bradleyr
This is no siSne for thanks, Mr.. Peters
unless il is 10 the Lord; you must fly tn
country, and that at onceF 49,
hui my wife aaAl chiIdreui'
Matte and A will attend 10 them. Blu
yoM nlust 20 tO,nighip s-.r- .sf
'To-nighr IL.
Yes. In the IaoEniag. il not soOnel
they will return with a large force an