The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-25
Davis turn to watch the night Stevens men

Davis turn to watch the night Stevens men
burned the bridge, but he excused himself
from duty on the plea of sickness, and Jen-
kins stayed in his place. So quietly did the
br1dge-burners enter the town that not even
dog barked to alarm the sleeping citizens.
Leaving their horses in grove of trees just
outside the town, they made their way to
the bridge and captured the single watch
man without struggle. Then saturating
the bridge top with spirits of turpentine,
they applied torches at each end, anG the
long bridge was soon in flames.
| Taking their prisoner with them, the ''loy-
al men, sought their horses and, mounting,
rode out the Indian Creek road toward Car
ter county before the citizens of Union De-
pot fully realized what was the meaning Of
| the bright glare that reused them from their
peaceful slumbers. The bridge-burners
were all masked, and addressed one another
by numbers instead of by name, but their
voices betrayed them, and jenkins recog-
nized among his captors several of his old
neighbors. lie had been placed on the
horse in front of one of the band, bound
hand and foot. When they had left the
town about mile in the rear they halted,
and after brief consultation, three men
dismounted and led the prisoner into the
thick woods fringing the road on either side.
The rest of the band rode on. The man
who had sat behind Jenkins on the horse
produced rope, and fixing 1t about the
prisoners neck, babe him prepare for death.
He had not spoken till now, and without
show OF cowardice or fear, entreated them
to spare him for his wife and children. He
babe them take heed that he was guilty of
no crime-unless it was crime for a man
to love libertY-and that no advantage
would be had them if they took his life
So reasonably and logically did he argue his
case that one OF the party was in favor OF
liberating him, and finally won his two
companions over to the same way of think
ing. They would not release him, howev-
er, until he had taken a solemn oath not
to betray them. This he did, and the man
who had first plead his cause placed him
again on the horse and rode back with him
toward the town. When they were in
sight of Union Depot he caused Jen-
kins to dismount, and extorting from
him fresh promises of secrecy, babe him 60
home. So grateful was Jenkins that he
asked permission to clasp his unknown de-
liverer's band. The man leaned out of his
saddle to grant the proffered request, but
his horse SHE'D, and in endeavoring to curb
him the mask fell from his face and Jenkins
recognized the savior of his life as the man
now standing in our midst, with the death
rope hanging over his head-John AGREE.
We had listened to Miss Tennie's story
with deep attention, and when he at last
finished, a silence of several minutes sue
ceeded the close of his recital. Finally the
scout who had brought AGREE in stepped
forward and said:
''Boys, move that we turn the prisoner
ouer to Miss Tennie.''
ssAye aye - was the answering chorus
and one man pulled down TIE rope. AGREE
had listened to Miss Tennie's story with
head dropped forward on his breast, notion
less and noiseless, but when the latter
touched his arm and whispered something
in his ear, his emotion found utterance in
a choking sob, and throwing himself into
Miss Tennes arms he burst into tears. So
genuine was this emotion that tears stood
in every mans eyes, and Miss Tennie con-
soled him as one would child. Finally
his sobbing stopped, and he dashed away
the few remaining tears with the back OF
his broad, brown hand.
'Boys," said he, looking around him,
'sthere's no more bushwhackin' for John
AGREE, Pm goin' back to Tennessee" Seiz-
ing his deliverer's arm he pulled him for
ward with him down the defile, and when
Miss Tennie returned alone, his eyes were
red and swollen, and he spoke no more
that night.
The extraordinary success attending the
efforts of Hon. John Sherman to bring about
resumption of specie payment by the LIST of
January, 1879, is the source OF congratula-
ton from all intelligent men. Last week
he placed $50, 100000 Al bonds with the syn
dictate, which embraces the Rothschilds and
other leading European and American ban
kers, which gives him command Of 5000, 00O,-
600 gold with which to resume specie pay
ment at the time fixed by the resumption
act. It is stated, indeed, that he could re-
sumo the 1st of July. Already has resump-
ton been practically realized in Chicago,
where the Northwestern National Bank has
advertised that it will redeem its circulating
| notes which may be presented at it's coun-
| tiers.
The effect of the action of the Secretary
has inspired confidence all over the country,
in the speedy resumption of business in
dustries. We see unmistakable evidences
OF returning confidence, and that is all that
is wanting to break the spell Of prostration
that has rested upon the nation for the past
five years. We may confidently look for
ward to reiving trade, and healthy activ-
ity in all branches of industry.
New POST OFFICE REGULATIoN.-The
Postmaster General has issued an order
amending the regulation of the departure emit
governing the transmission of printed mat
ter, which is very important in its bearings.
inasmuch as it overrules long establish
ed practice of the department. Heretofore
nothing but business card was permitted
on the wrapper Of printed matter. The
Post master-General now has given instruc-
tions that any matter in print which may
be transmitted within an enclosure may also
! be transmitted at the same rate if printed
on the wrapper or envelope. This includes
business cards. directions for returning, and
any matter on the outside of the wrapper
or envelope. Postmasters, however, are in
structed not to regard requests for the re-
turn of such matter, unless stamps as return
postage are presented.
ESCAPED LUNATIC.-The Highland Re
corde7 of last week says: Many of oul
readers will remember Samuel Beverage
who was taken from this county to the
Western Lunatic Asylum some two or three
years ago. On Saturday evening last he