Maryland free press., 1866-08-09

the room, He found himself in the, midst
OF o party Of armed men, carefully wearing
Grape over theif. faces, from their noisy and
manner, it was very evident
that they were under the influence of Ill
quor. Whilst an eager and important de-
bate apparently occupied a part Of the
number, and completely drowned his at
tempts to be heard he was calm enough to
scan the forms and listen to the tones of
those who where near him, and in spite. of
the disguise something every now and then
escaped that was familiar to his eye aud
ear. He turned to look on him who had
seized and held himlin ,hisgrasp as tiger
would his prey; he started; he could not be
mistaken it was Clifford; and from his loud
and frequent curses on their folly and de-
lay. it was evident he was their leader,
and that his life was inilothe hands of
personal enemy.l For a moment Mr. II
-----closed his eyes in ,despair--for, o
moment he determined to address the
wretch by name-but the impulse was mer-
cifully checked; and ere the temptation
could be repeated he was suddenly in the
middle of the room, and the party formed
a close circle Around him. rom. ,15,a,,,a,.
The leader deliberately cooked hisn rpis-
tol, and taking Mr.. .P-----'s watch from
his side and handing it to q coinrade, said,
"Ofer up prayer, as'y you are fond Of the
business; you have FIVE minutes allowed
you-when they.pass, you die, ,a.5, Giag
b A wild shrek of agony rang through
the room as he closed the brutal address;
and BY sudden movement of the circ'e
the poor victim saw in corner of the room
his wretehed wife, on her knees. aud hold
ing up as if in Pppeai, his sleeping infant
She had thrown around herself and her
babe large scarlet cloak, and following
her husband, had hitherto in silent horror
witnessed the whole scene A mist seemed
to blind Mr.. P, as his eyes rested
on her-a faintness to pass over him which
might we'll be termed the agony of death
But he had dauntless spirit; and lie raj
lied when he thought his enemy would tri-
umph in his weakness. He looked stead
lily upon him, as he said, II know not why
or wherefore you are about to murder me;
but since am to die, if already pre-
pared for the hour, assuredly it is not here
that | can pray. Fire" 1.i tiaa,-o ed.
The wretch obeyed. He was perfect
marksman; but either be was embarrassed
by the noble bearing Of his victim, or some
slight movement eluded his eye, for he did
not kill. Mr.. P------AhadI involuntary
raised his left arm as he spoke, and the mo-
tion saved his life.I The bullet shattered
his hand, and passing through it grazed
his temple. lie stood covered with blood:
the sight of this "certain mark Of crime"
softened Instantly those around him. The
scene had TALL passed in momeht, and anti
the flash of the pistol, they perhaps never
dreamedathat Clifford meant more than to
insult and torrify. They now 6ercely pro-
tested against father violence, and insisted
on being led to seek the booty be. had
promised them; He sullenly submitted,
Every part of the house was ransacked,
and all that was valuable secured; and
then, dreading lest an alarm should reach
some of his friends in the neighborhood.
they hastily retreated with their ''spoik
from the rebel" .....,.,;..ta ...,.
BY that time Mr., P ------- had become
weak and faint from loss Of blood. He
had never moved, but with his stern CONF
posure stood and supported his. shattered
hand until the last OF the band rode flu
riously from the door, Then he turned
and called upon his wife, But, she did not
heed him-her ,ey es were fixed with horrid
glare; one hand was held up as if to shield
them from some fearful sight; her lips were
apart as if struggling to utter sound;
but she uttered none, and her whole apr
pearance would have served as q, .persopi-
cation of approaching madness, MIR: P
tottered towards her, and sunk at
her side. any wife, said he, rouse your
self and aid me; for ifyou do not II must
die." And he,held up his bleeding hand.
The sight acted on ber as he hoped. .--
She gazed slowly and fearfully round the
room, as if to see that tile murderers were
gone; and then, with a burst of mingled
anguish and joy, she threw her arms a.
round him and Yept bitterly, ,c
Mr.. p ----- permitted her tears to Row
in silence, and when with uplifted. hands
and eyes she had re urned thanks to a mer.
ciful God for his preservation from a cruel
death. she by degrees became composed,
and placing her infant by his side, she
went to seek for aid in binding up his
wound. z But not domestic was to- be
found, and believing that they had Indeed.
all deserted, she was endeayoring; weak
and trembling as she was, t, drag mat
rass to Che parlor, when Cyrus cautiously
peeped in at the door. His cabin was at
some distance, and he told her that on
hearing the alarm, he had Immediately
run towards the dwelling, but seeing II
filed with armed men and terrified byther
shrek, he had Withdrawn and, watched iat
o distance until he beheld them departing,
with many Of his fellow servants in COM
pany. Then. drcading lest they should
seek for him. be had actually concealed
himself in deep. dry ditch 50 long as he
heard even the faintest sound Of the !, re-
treating hoofs. The faithful creature ut
tered a 'thousand simple but affecting exA
pressions of sorrow and pity for his wouG-
ded master. but busted himself in arrang.
ing the matrass; kindled cheerful blaze.
(for the night air was cold, } 4and seeing
a II 4 - II L II Al