The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-12-10

was 30 anxious to obtain information Of the
family, but they got little satisfaction.
Stevens house being situated on the neu-
trail ground between the armies, had an
idea that it was frequently resorted to by
the Confederates who came after letters
and other information. If / could, was
determined to break up the whole neat at
one blow.
believed that Elliott would call at the
house, even if he went further. II seemed
to me that he must deliver his letters to
some one there, stop while, and then re-
turn within the Union lines to continue
his vocation. Though l could capture him
on the road, thought it better to let him
pass on to the house, and then follow him
and see what sort of nest it was Acting
and at about nine o'clock slipped away
from the men and went off down the road
without letting them know which way l
had gone. had two good revolvers with
me, and had borrowed a par of hand cuffs
of the chif, thinking that Elliott might
prove refractory.
| went down to q point within thirty
rods of the lane running to Stevens's house,
and then secreted myself in the bushes be-
side the road. was then within quarter
of mile Of the Confederate picket. After
satisfying myself that my weapons were in
order, had nothing to do but wait. The
night was quite dark, and so cool that at
first shivered and could scarce keep my
teeth from playing tune. But the excite
ment of watching and listening soon put
me into sweat, and thought no more of
the chilly winds.
Shortly after ten o'clock two sounds full
was the tramp of horses feet down the
road, the other the roll of carriage-wheels
up the road. In moment more had WIS.,
i:ors from each way, and they met exactly
opposite my hiding-place. Captain, Ell
lott came from Arlington, and the daugh-
ters of my landlady, seated in buggy with
negro driver, came from the SOUTH AS
they met all stopped. The next moment,
Elliott sang out to know who the party
|
was.
| "Why, that's Captain Elliott p exclaim-
ed female voice. "Why, what are you
doing here?"
For ten or fifteen minutes the friends did
nothing but explain exclaim and inquire.
Elliott told them that he was goingto Stew
ems with letters, and the ladies stated that
they were on their way home. heard
them tell him that he would meet some one
at the house who was expecting messen-
ger from Washington; to which he replied
that he would remain there all night and
return to Washington in the morning.
had made up my mind that he would visit
Washington again that night, but l did
not tell him SO. Finally, he drove away,
the carriage rolled on, and then got out
of my hiding place. Knowing the..location
of the house, crossed the fields to reach
it, instead of keeping in the road
Getting within few rods of the building,
waited several minutes in order that the
inmates might settle down to conversa-
tion with Elliott. / was within rod of
the lane, and had just started forward,
when heard some one cough, and the
next moment caught sight of man coming
through the gate. argued that he must
be one of the news-carriers, and if so,
would have letters with him to deliver to
Elliott. could capture him then as well
as at any other time, thought, and so
stepped out and confronted him.
"Halloo, Stevens - he exclaimed, with a
start of surprise at my sudden appearance,
"What in the devil did you want to scare
me 80 for?"
"See, here, stranger y replied, click
ing revolver under his nose; "my name
isn't Stevens, and if you don't hold up your
arms, I'll blow the top of your head over
the gate p
"Why, what do you mean"
"Do just as tell you, and do It instant
Typ interrupted, raising the weapon as
if to fire.
Up went his arms, and made him walk
up to the fence. Telling him that would
surely kill him if he spoke loud word or
attempted any resistance, laid down my
revolver and searched him, getting at least
a score of letters. When had searched
him handcuffed his hands behind him and
drove him past the dwelling to the smoke
house. knew that the farmer must have
a smole-house, and kept hunting around
for it until it loomed up in the darkness
81 am going to put you in here for a