The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-04-05
HOME. SWEET HOME.

John Howard Payne the author o,
Home, Sweet Home, made an exSnded
tour Of the Southern country when il was
very hazardous proceeding for a man
from the y North 10 attempt the thing with
out some written papers IN his possession
like free pass. Well, Payne was ar.
rested as an abolition emissary, and as the
locality was some miles from any Justice
Of the Peace, he was placed on a horse his
hands were tied behind him, and his feet
made fast together under the horse lie
was then committed 10 the charge of a
lahoo, TO whom a paper was given con
tanning the name Of the prisoner. and
stating the offence Of which he was sus
pected, and his custodian had orders To
conduct him 10 the nearest Justice of the
Peace for examination, while the witnes-
ses should start soon after, and proceed
by another route
On the way TO the seat of justice the
ourney being a tedious one Payne's con
ductor began 10 sing Home, Sweet Home"
and said TO Payne " }hdy'a where | want
20 be, stranger; but its over a hundred
miles off, and reckon won, get there
tonight. That ar song gives me some
comfort, though, anyhow. You 'ye Leer'n
that song, der say, stranger and mebbe
y0R kH0c Il a. well as do.
Yes, my friend said Payne, 4 knew
il before any man on earth ever heard il
sung
What you don't mean to say that you
made it-that you acterly writ it yerself
do yer. stranger: I've got the book that
it's printed in, right here in my overcoat
pocket and the name is thar right over
the song.
Well, said Payne. before you open
the book, just look at the paper you have
in your pocket, and read the name under
which have been made prisoner"
The conductor did so and then he
opened the book of songs az a wellworn
place and read aloud, Home Sweet
Honme, by John Howard Payne
Thar's no mistake about it, stranger"
said the conductor, you are the man and
you tell the truth"
He then dismounted and drew a bowie,
and, approaching PAYNE, said Stranger,
mebbe you don't know what I'm gwine to
DO, but you shall see TAereupon lie cnt
the cords that bound his hands and feet
and told Payne 10 dismount and take his
ease-wa,k along us he pleased and mount
when he saw ft Poor Payne, WHO was
suffering severly from his letters, thanked
him with all his heart and pledged his
honor that he would not attcmp. 10 es-
cape.
Il know that, stranger said the con-.
ductor; the man that writ that ar song is
tit 10 be trusted as man OF honor, and
stranger, Pm yer fast friend, which if you
should swear to it on a stack o bibles as
BIG as house, yer wouldn't commit per.
jury You II see bimeby"
, 30 they logged along the road in pleas
ant conversation until they reached the
Justices Court, when the examination
took place and Payne was honorably ac-
quilted, the most important witness in his
behalf being the conductor, who testified
that there was nothing against him, that
some fools had arrested him on suspicion,
and put him in his charge, and that there
would be trouble in the village if any body
undertook 70 harm him Then Payne
soon became lion, and that night the
tavern and many other houses in the vii
age rang with the vocal music of Home,
| Sweet, Home p
Purity is the feminine, truth the masci-
line, of honor
We may look coldly upon the sweetest
and most gentle dew of love till it becomes
snow or frost
Much of the unhappiness in this world
arises from giving utterance to hasty, un-
kind words.
Simnlicitv is the rreat friend Of natnrn i.