The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-08-29

John Howard Payne, the author of"Home,
Sweet Home" made an extended tour of the
Southern country when it was very hazard
Gus proceeding for man from the North
to attempt the thing without some written
papers in his possession like u "iree pass"
Well, Payne was arrested as an abolition
emissary, and as the locality was some
miles from any Justice of the Peace, he was
placed On n horse, his hands were tied be-
hind him, and his feet made fast together
under the horse. He was then committed
to the charge Of a Yahoo, to whom Il paper
was given, containing the name of the pris-
oner, and stain. the offence of which he
was suspected, and his custodian had or
ders to conduct him to the nca rest Justice
of the Peace for examination, while the
witness should start soon after and pro-
coed by another route.
On the way to the scat of Justice, the
journey being tedious one, Payne's con-
ductor began to sing "Home, Sweet Home -
and said to Payne, "Thats where l want to
be, stranger; but it's over a hundred miles
off, and reckon won't get there tonight
That ar song gives me some comfort,
though anyhow. You've hear'n that song,
der say, stranger, and mebbe you know it
as we'll as l do"
Eyes, my friend" said Payne, 81 knew
it before any man on earth ever heard it
sung"
"What you don't mean to say that you
made it-that you acterly writ it yersclt
do yer, stranger I've got the book that it's
printed in, right in my pocket, and the
name is thar right over the song"
"Well," said Payne, "beforc 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 open
ed the book of songs at well worn place
and read aloud, Home, Sweet Home, by
John Howard Payne"
"Thal's no mistake about it, stranger"
said the conductor, "You are the man and
you tell the truth"
He then dismounted and drew bowie,
and, approaching Payne, said stranger,
mebbe you don't know what I'm gwine to
do, but you shall see." Thcreupon lie cut
the cords that bound his hands and feet,
and told Payne to dismount and take his
ease-walk along as he pleased, and mount
when he saw fit. Poor Payne, who was
suffering severely from his tctters, thanked
him with all his heart, and pledged his
honor that he would not attempt to es-
cape.
81 knew that, stranger" said the conduc-
tor; "thc man that writ that ar song is tit
to be trusted rs man of honor, and, stran-
ger, Pm yer fast friend, which ifyou should
swear to it on stack o. bibles as big us q
house, yer wouldn't commit PERJURY
You'll see bimeby."
So they logged along the road in pleas
ant conversation until they reached the
Justices Court, when the examination took
place and Payne was honorably acquitted,
the most important witness in his behalf
being. the conductor, who testified 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 anybody undertook
to harm him. Then Payne soon became
lion, and that night the tavern and many
other houses in the village rang with the
vocal music of "Home, Sweet Home2"