Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-01-04
kirNI and Last.

Some of the time during the period OF the rev
olutiOn, when the state of Connecticut was un
der the iron sway OF the "blue laws" brother
Constant Burroughs member of a certain
church in Woodstock, was appointed Sunday
constable of the parish. His general duty was
to arrest all persons travelling during the sacred
hours OF the Sabbath, except to and from public
worship, or in case OF actCal necessity, and
among other instructions he received the fol
lowing:
"ff. while the church was open for service
person should make his appearance who was evi
IDENTIFY on journey the constable was to request
him to stop and enter the house: and if he re
fused 10 go in. To remain during the service.
his refusal would be regarded as proof of \
williul disrespect OF law, and the constable was
requested to take him into custody at once
On the very first Sabbath after Constants ap-
pointment he took his post the church door
at least an hour before service time. Ere long
dusty traveller. mounted upon iaded horse,
came riding slowly up the road "Of course he :
traveller, and desecrater of the Lords day, =
unused the constable. as he advanced several
yards TO meet the stranger, and graspng the
bride close by the bit. he exclaimed in a stern
tone: "You must dismount and 90 into the
church, or will arrest YOU for Sabbath break
ing"
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 constable's,
(which hitched to the fence the traveller
commenced removing the bridle and saddle
from the latter, and substituting his own in their
stead.
"What.do You mean to DO. sirl" demanded
the constable in fierce tone. stepping up 10 the
strangers side
"Oh. nothing but what the regulations allow
me- my stern friend " he replied. quietly buckling
the saddle girths.
"Wha, regulations DO You refer to? am the
Sunday constable, and have the authority to
lodge you in Jail in les. than fifteen minutes
and how dare you NEEDLE with my horsel" The
dignitsry had now become very much excited.
and was about TO lay violent hands on the Of
fenuer.
The stranger threw open his cloak, displaying
the uniform and insignia of a scout, and replied
ne he mounted: And am bearer Of dispatches
for the American army having authority TO take
a fresh horse wherever ! can find one, and Tor
you (or any other citizen TO interfere j. 10 sub
ject yourself 20 an arrest for treason. Please
take good care of nv horse till return. Good
day. sir"
Before the astonished constable could reply,
the stranger was dashing swiftly down the road
Now, next 10 his wife and church. Constant
IONtu us udppic grey nay lie WAS YIOuu Ol
him, for he was the finest beast 10 the parish
but. nevertheless, he knew it would be useless
for him TO object - the scouts movements. He
had never suffered his equine pet TO be driven
fast or on long journeys. and TO see him ihus
sacrificed % the reckless bearer of army dis
patches caused she cOnstable's heart to sink
within him Although he fell satisfied that his
stecd would probably be returned, he feared that
t would be in a ruined condition and mo
meniary vision OF the dappie- grew with broker
wind and two lame legs passed before his heated
brain
Long aud earnestly he gszed at the retiring
forms. until a distant turn in the road hid then
from view The worshipers had now began tC
arrive rapidly but still the constable stood lean
ng against the fence. evidently unconscious ol
what vs. going around him. aud thinking
only 0f his misfortune AT length Deacon
Brown aroused him. exclaiming
How this. brother Burroughs way ain
YOU tending to the duties OF yer office : One O
satan's servants. whom YOU ought TO have AZ
rested has just driven furiOusly down the road
YES" Deacon know it q my sorrOW He:
in General Wasbin-io : employ, and has takei
my best horse This : my inst dsy a. Sunds.
constable. ana I-I-l've concluded 4 will b
the last American Union