The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-12-10
Trapping a Spy.
CONCLUDED.
BY NJ. QUAD.

II hauled him very shortly, but he refused
to check his pace until had given him a
bullet in the shoulder. Then, with hor-
rid oath, he let fall the weapon which ne had
grasped, and lie was my prisoner. hitch
up beside him, turned the vehicle about
and started for the city.
/ will give the man all due credit. He
was brave fellow. He tried hard to get
away fought well, and though his wound
was painful and the way rough not so
much as groan escaped him. And when
had taken him to the old Capitol Prison,
found the letters, and he knew the case
would go hard with him, he would not
bend an inch. No threats or promises could
make him compromise any one. Even
when he was offered his liberty if he would
tell who had written the letters, he bit his
lips and refused to speak.
But knew all about it, and his cell door
had hardly closed, when l was planning to
capture the others. 1t was hardly prob
able that they would hear of Stevens cap
ture for day or two, but must work
fast aud make no mistakes. My object was
to start Elliott or Payson through the lines
with letters, that / might capture them
with proofs. At the tea-table invented
another big yarn, full of just such points as
the trio were waiting to secure, and had
no doubt that another bundle of letters
would be made up that night for the milk
man. But no milkman appeared next
morning. The lady apologized at break
fast time. And the conclusion was that
the man was sick. After leaving the house
went to the office, got soldier to dress
in citizens clothes, took the milk cart from
the barn, purchased few quarts of milk at
a grocery, and then sent the soldier on his
errand. He was instructed to tell my land
lady that Mr.. Stevens had fallen and hurt
himself, and had been obliged to send him
with the cart. This would lull all suspi
cion, and also account for the milk not
being delivered at the usual hour. The
soldier did his errand well, and the wagon
came back and was again secreted.
At dinner-tme the accident of Mr.. Stev-
ems was thoroughly canvassed, and my re-
grets were as numerous as any In further
ance of my plan, stated, as a secret which
must 60 no further, that all arrangements
, had been made for an advance on Center
ville within five days. The news caused
fiutter, as hoped it would. Letters were
written again that night, but Mr.. Stevens
did not put in his appearance next morn
ing. Instead, the soldier was sent around
again, and he told them that Stevens would
not be out for week. If this was the case,
some one must take Mr.. Stevens place.
Such information as had given must be
forwarded without delay.
At noon, the lady began quizzing me as
to how one could secure pass to go
through the lines. l told her that it could
be had at the War Department, providing
one was loyal and had good excuse.
'Now there's good fellow-try and
get pass this afternoon for Mr.. Elliott,
will you? ?' she pleaded. "He has some
property which he wants to look to, and you
yourself can testify that we are all loyal
and prtriotic."
couldn't testify to any such thing, but
promised to secure the pass so that Elliott
could have it at five o'clock. knew that he
was going to carry letters through to Gen.
terville, and proposed to aid him all l
could to partly accomplish his object. I
did not know how he would go, and so /
must watch him. 1t was of course an easy
matter to secure the pass, and for certain
reasons I sent it to him by messenger.
Before he received it, had changed my
disguise. This time had on well worn
suit, an old hat, carried whip in my hand,
was padded out to increase my size, and
was genuine specimen of Virginia farm
er Taking my situation near tho cafe /
had not waited ten minutes before Elliott
appeared and walked down the street. Fol-
lowing after him, trailed him to q livery
stable, and heard him order saddle-horse
to be ready for him at nine in the evening.
This was sufficient. / saw that he was going
over the long bridge, and that he could be
captured as had captured Stevens.
did not go 10 the house again that even
ing, thinking that the family might want
to make some preparations for ElliOtt's
expedition which would be retarded by my
presence. They would ascribe my absence
to the pressure of business at the War
Department, and this idea would hurry
Elliott Off After a lunch, and a talk with
the chief, secured horse and rode out to
the picket line, arrived there about dusk.
r.