The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-30
,ntences were muIllated Win ink and

sentences were mutilated with ink and I
pen.
protested against such action, and |
for some time | received no papers at |
ali. became very uneasy, and wrote |
for publication an article, signed hy |
myself, which l sent to Montreal 10 be |
forwarded for publication in the New |
York World. 1t Is needless tu say IL |
never went. Things continued in this |
way for some time, until could stand |
the suspense no longer. l determined
to send messenger to Washington for
that purpose, and secured the services
OF an Intelligent and educated gentle
man. | started him off Immediately,
paying all expenses. l gave him a let
ter TO a friend of mine in Washington,
with instructions to say to him to put
nlmsolf in communication with the
counsel for the defence, and to make
correct report to me as to how the case
stood Ii there was any danger; and
also, to communicate with me If nv
presence was necessary, and inform me
without delay with an urgent request
that he would see and inquire for him
sell how matters stood. He left me,
aud God alone knows the suspense and
anxiety of my mind during the days of
MS absence. [ imagined and thought
all kinds of things yet / was poweriess
to act. AT last he returned and so bright
and cheerful was his contenance that |
confess one-half of my fears were dis
PEELED. He represented everything as
progressing well, and brought me this
message from the gentleman in Wash
tngton to whom l mad sent him: "Be
under no apprehension as to any serious
consequences. Remain perfectly quiet,
as any action on your part would only
tehu 10 make matters worse. If you
can De OF any service TO US, we will let
5uu know but keep quiet"
1nese were the instructions received
from my friends in Washington, in whom
1 fclt the utmost reliance, and who
tnOugut would never deceive me. lie
also sent me copies of the National In
tettt3encer, containing evidence TOR the
deience' 1 certainly felt greatly reiev-
Ell, though not entirely satisfied. This
news reached me some time in the lat
ter part OF June, just before the party
oil gentlemen of whom l have spoken
arrived. They, too, assured me there
YVES no cause for fear. What else could
do but accept these unWaveriRg as.
surances? Even had 1 thought other.
wise, could not have taken any nc
ton resulting in good.
just on the eve of my departure to
JOIN party of gentlemen on "a hunting
excursion, While l was waiting at the
hotel ior the train, the proprietor han
ued me paper, aud said "Read that
about the conspirators" Little old the
man Know VINO was, or how closely
tnat paragraph bore upon me or mine.
mat paper Informed Inc that on day
Which was then present, and at AN hour
wiiich had then come and gone, the
most heillsh of deeds was tu be enacted
Az hau been determined upon and car
rleu out even before had intimatiop
that there Was any danger. 1t would
Dc ioNy iOr me TO attempt to describe
ny. icclinss. After gazing at the paper
lof some time dropped it on the floor.
turning ON my ..'eel, and going directly
10 the house where had been stopping
before. Wnen | entered the room, 1
iound my friend sitting there. As soon
rs ne saw me he turned deadly pale,
Dul never uttered word. [ said,
ou doubtless thought you were act.
ing a friend-the part of friend-t3r
walus me, put you have deceived me.
forget it," '"' "o'e'
-, We III 2 u thought it for the best, Char
is--,> he commenced to say, but l did
not stay to hear more. | went to my
room, remained there until dark, and
then signified my intention to leave the
place Immediately. / felt reckless as to
what should become of me.
After visiting Quebec and other pla-
ces, with the reward of $25, 900 hanging
over my head, did not think it safe to
remain there, and so / concluded to
seek an asylum in foreign lands. / had
nothing now to bind me to this country
save an only sister, and 1 knew she
wonld never want for kind friends or
good home. For myself, it maltered
little where l went, so that ] could
roam once more free man. | then
went on venture, and now, ladies and
gentlemen, go forth again on ven
ture. Gladly would l have remained
hidden among the multitude, but the
stern necessities arising from the blast
ing of my earthly prospects have forced
me TO leave my solitude and to stand
again before the public gaze as the his
torian of my own life. One mitigation
of the distastefulness of this my first
attempt, however, is the kindness with
whcih j have been received, and the pa
thence with which have been listened
to, for which return you, ladies and
gentlemen, my sincere and heartfelt
thanks.