The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-01-02
NO. 40.

arms, followed their commanding officer.
They stood to attention before the house,
and the owner opening the door bowed
respectfully. Edgerton presented him
with his commission, duly sealed by the
Geueral-in-chie and endorsed by the
civil authorities at Washington: purport-
ing, that pursuant to certain informa-
tion received, the arrest and transporta-
tion of the above named prisoners was
enforced, and entrusted to Colonel Ben
jamin Shirley to be conducted to Fortress
Monroe"
They entered, and in little while the
prisoners were located in the best sleep
ingroom their host cold afford, while the
rest helped themselves to the good things
which were soon prepared. During the
early part of the day, the Colonel related
with some warmth the popular scenes Of
the war = told anecdotes portraying tho
peculiar characters of the different COM
manders = euloguiziDg their bravery,
and displayed iD great measure his own
ability and enterprise. The jocund farm
er was delighted, and having inquired
whether his guest was married, to which
he was answered in the negative; he po-
litely, and with little embarrassment,
affirmed that be had three daughters, all
of whom were comely, and wondered why
they could not procure husbands.
| 1t was evening when they departed.
Austin and his companion were now led
forth handcuffed, and took their seats In
the wagon. The others seated themselves
on either sides, and they proceeded on
/ heI ell
was observed, when at last, Austin ad-
dressed the leader in quiet and mean
ing tone:
Sir, as you appear to be the COM
mandant, pray tell us the nature of this:
strange abduction; and by what authority
1t is executed? We don't believe that
gold should purchase the honor Of such
man as we judge you to be; nevertheless,
the public law don't sanction such unac-
countable arrest as this. We await your
answer, Sir?"
Believe and be saved" bluntly ejacu-
lated Edgerton. % We know our duty
perfectly, and mean to perform it. Your
places are those Of criminals, and you.
must be silent and submissive. Ask no.
more"
"Our places are honorable, sir" said
Austin, with little pride, = and yours,
from your method of your performance,
must necessarily appear in the light you
speak of. None skulk in the darkness,
but those who fear detection, and again
say that your position is criminal one"
Edgerton laughed in derision, though
a little piqued, and said in careless tones :.
6 See here, lad. The best policy is to
be silent. 1t matters not to US if you are
disposed to be stubborn, your heads shall
answer our purpose just as we'll as if we
delivered you alive; our business is to
conduct you to your destination in no par
ticular way, only so that your heads are
presented. Do you hear, boy? - yoar
heads"
Austin looked upon him disdain--
fully, and his companion more than
once prayed him to be still; but he dis
regarded his injunctions and replied: =
" thought so, your occupation instead
of being soldier is hireling, thank
God. The Army is free from the con-
tamination of one scoundrel; but | sup
pose that your absence is counteracted
in another way, and still calculated to DO.
injury = be it so, such men as you need!
not trouble yourselves about honorable
pursuits; enough villany is performed to
enable you to live handsomely, without
the labor of honest exertion, and you are
credit to your employers. Your ole-
ment is villany = too subtle for honor,
: too cowardy for the felon, and too mean
for the spy"
AuStin sDOta =, oprar orJ nc bo
ished, he turned scornful glance upon
Edgerton. The latter was too full to,
speak; but he fixed himself in such
position as to strike Austin with his,
, sword = his companion rose little and.
looked upon him with significant air.,
, aud sat down - Edgerton resumed his.
seasand remained quietly.
They travelled all night, and by morn
: ing they began to look around for some
place of rest and entertainment; but the
country afforded no such expectations
' Our friends kept silently transfxed, and
! with much interest took note of the sur
: rounding landscape - the old man evil
! IDENTITY settled in his thoughts, and plan
: ming in his mind some means of release,
; and Austin now and then watched his
face with hope, and depended wholly on
his conclusions. They arrived early in
: the day at country seat, and were soon
A comiortly located.
S Austin and his companion were placed
; in an apartment by themselves, with a
soldier to report their movements and
conversation; and each were obliged to
2 sit apart with the sentry between them.
D A week passed in this mode OF living,
e until the old man was fatigued IN watt
: ing, and determined to contrive some
r means of escape. He knew perfectly
: the nature of the men he had to deal with.
/ They arrived at small village one fore
t noon, aud located in the usual way, The