The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02

wife. who stood in the doorway; and
90 sooner did it pass, than she instantly
divjnes that mischief was brewing. To
prevent the capture of the stock, she
hurried to the yard, turned all the cat
tie ont, and set the dog after them.
He soon ran them out deep into the
woods. The hogses III the stable were
liberated 10 the same manner. BY this
time the detachment came up, and see-
ing her purpose, they fired their mus
kets at her, but without effect.
Some harsh language was used, bat
the English officer soon came up and
ordered his men away, having received
no instructions to damage the prop
erty, and the strong minded woman was
left to rock her babies and ponder upon
the fate of her husband, then in so
dangerous a condition. Mr.. Israelswas
taken on board the frigate, and while
the officers busted about the final dis
position to be made of him, one of the
sailors approached him, and in low
tone inquired, "Harkee, friend, amt
We q free mason ?" What prompted
the question in the mans mouth, can
not be known; but the reader will pres
emily perceive that Mr.. Israel's life WIS
involved in the answer. Startled by
the inquiry, but feeling new heart at
the very word mason, Mr.. Israel whis.
pered in reply that he was. Then,
pursued the sailor, hastily, for an Off
Ger was approaching, to order the pris-
oner below, "you had better tell it,
for the officers will hold lodge in the
cabin tonight.
A very few hours sufficed to prepare
an indictment, summon officers enough
for court martial, and commence pro-
ceedings. Mr.. Israel was led across
from the forecastle to the cabin, where
a speedy trial and q short shrift were
in store for the rebel. And the rebel
took glance across the still water to
his pretty homestead which he felt was
not long to claim as the proprietor.
The trial was mere formality. Wit
nesses testified to anything that was de-
sired of them. The Judge Advocate
evidently felt that the whole matter was
beneath him. He asked but few ques-
tions, and those in careless manner.
One witness, as crowning point to his
testimony, averted that when Lord
Howe sent to purchase cattle with
specie that the rebellious individual re-
turned for answer " that he would rather
give his cattle to Washington, than re-
ceiye thousands of British gold p
"What have you to say in plea,
prisoner ?" inquired the senior officer,
in the same breadth giving low order
to the sergeant, which hurried him on
deck, where the rattling of block,
fixed to yard arm, could be distinctly
heard. The rattling ceased. A file of
marines marched across the deck.
Something there was awful in all this,
and Mr.. Israel's lips paled as he an
swered. He made manly defence,
| ayerripg his devotion to his country's
cause, and maintaining his entire inno-
cence of ever having committed any
crime which could merit such hard
| treatment. He was plain man loved
his country loved his home thought
no harm to any one; and hoped the
court would not deprive an innocent
man of his lie in the very presence of
his family and home. !"
At the conclusion of his last remark
he gave the sign of the brotherhood.
a hasty whisper passed upon the judges;
an evident interest took the place OF
their listlessness. Their naughty bear
ing was changed !; the senior officer or
dered the Judge Advocate to recall the
witnesses. This being done, the mem
bers of the court cross-examined them
searchingly. Il was not difficult now
to sift out of their evidence so much
malice nd envy, that the senior officer
dismissed them with a stern rebuke
"for seeking to hurt SO honorable man
as Mr.. Israel" The verdict was a
unanimous not guilty. The court being
dismissed, Mr.. Israel was sent on shore
in the captains barge, and handsome
present sent to his heroic wife, whose
GOODNESS, in defending her husbands
property, had been reported to the
officers.
So long as the frigate kept her anch
orage, there were numerous exhibition
of friendship on the part of her officers
and Mr.. Israel made frequent visits h
the ship where he had been so lately
prisoner, but where he was now hailet
as q brother. It is needless to add, NJ
evil of any description was ever infictet
on the fortunate man. The records o
Pennsylvania show that Isral Israe
was for many years grand master o
| the state.