The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-02-13

2 and Joseph, drawing MIN lOto conVerSa-
: tioD, soon learned that he was from Massa-
|, chuSetts "You didn't cum out yere ter
t stand guard ober runaway darkies -shore?'
said Joseph.
, "Well, didn't" answered the man
Il enlisted for another sort of work-for
freeing 'em. I'd help you if | could but
must obey orders. What do you mean
to do"
"Die, sooner dan go back into slavery p
''That's the talk" responded the sol,
dier, ,"and here's knife to help you. But
whatever happens don't hurt yourself
t Kill the emen-stealarS-never kill yourself
'Dar'S gall up Norf would keep me
frum doin' dat any how" said Joseph,
putting the weapou-which was half dirk
half butcher knife-into the lining of his
Jacket. ovid dis I'll git my freedom !"
The soldier left him, and the hours
wore slowly away until he came again
with his dinner. The mans face wore
a look Of more than usual animation, and
closing the door carefully, he SAID /: "Your
captain has just been here. He did all
he could, but old Patterson has decided
against you. The captain says your mas
ter will no doubt come here within an hour
and he. wants you to go with him peacea-
bly,; for tonight, with half dozen men
he'll kidnap you, and have you twenty
miles away by morning. He'll do it if it
costs him his commission"
Tears were in the slave boys eyes as
he sat down and ate his dinner in silence
He was not utterly forsaken; white men
were not utterly false ; some Of them had
yet hearts somewhere about their bodies
This feeling Yves yet uppermost within
him, when an hour or two later, he was
summoned to meet his master.
The old man had come alone, with an
open wagon. With the lieutenant of the
guard, and half dozen other soldiers,
lie was standing .,e the doorway of the Jail
as Joseph came out with the attendant
A look of grim satisfaction was on his face
when be caught sight Of the chattel but
1t changed to an expression Of serious
concern as he noticed that neither his
hands nor his feet were manacied. Turn
ing to the soldiers, be said /: "Here, give
me piece of rope. I'm sure the general
don't know you haven't tied the boy"
The general was high in favor with the
slave owners and deservedy so He had
not only poured cut loyal gold BIZ the
bushei in payment for rebel crops-which
gold was at once converted into the sinews
Of rebel War-but had also allowed every
kdnapper in Virginia free access to his
camp in pursuit of runaways and thus
afforded johnson full information of the
strength and probable movements Of bis
army. History will be at loss for the
reason why Patterson with twenty thou
sand men, marched up hill and then
marched down again
The lieutenant gave no heed to the
planters request; but one of the men
threw him Il piece oftent rope, with which
be attempted to tie Joseph's ankles to
gether But, strange as il may seem, the
ankles objected to beiug tied Only one
Of them could possibly be made to submit
to the operation and; after tugging away
at the other until he was out Of breath
and red in the face, he tnrned to the off,
Ger, and said-a sickly smile playing
round the corners of his sunker mouth
| say, leftenant, just let one of your men
lend ne hand to tie the boys legs. He's
burned lghtFoOted."
The officer was Boston boy, aud this
was work he was rot accustomed to. With
great effort he had smothered his wrath
until then; but then it burst forth like a
clap of thunder. "Begone you internal
ruHian ~ he cried. "Take your property
and begone! If one of my men touches
your rope, III give him what will make
him hate rope as long as he lives Be
gone, 1 say Take your property, and
begone y
The planter had heard thunder before;
but never thunder that foretold such a
storm as then was brewing. Hastily
turning to Joseph, he said, in a whining
pleading tone "Joseph, wont you-wont
you-get into the wagon?"
Joseph could gain nothing by refusal
He could not possibly escape in the midst
of the camp, surrounded as be was by
thousands bound to obey the orders of the
general; SO, releasing his ankle from the
rope, he stepped nimbly into the wagon;
aud babe good by to the soldiers. His
master took seat beside him, and apply
{ ing the whip to the horse; drove rapidly
away.
He drove down the broad street which
runs through the center of the town but
what was Joseph's CONSERVATION when,
reaching the outskirts, he turned into a
, road leading directly away from the plan
tation. By fash of thought the slave
lad took in the situation" He vas not
, going "home." He could not be liberated