The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-01-10
A STORY Of THE WAR,
The Tennessee Blacksmith.

n BUM UT II wan.
or
The Tennessee Blacksmith.
Near the cross roads, not far from
the Cumberland mountains, stood
the village forge.
The smith was a sturdy man offifty.
He was respected, wherever known.
for his stern integrity. He served
God, and did not fear man-and, Il
may be safely added, nor the devil,
neither.
His courage was proverbial IN the
neighborhood and it was a con
mon remark, when wishing to pay
any person a high compliment, TO
say:
"He is as brave as old man Brad
lev"
One night toward the close Of Sep
temher. as he stood alone by the an
vii plying his labors, his c~ountenanct
evinced a peculiar satisfaction rs h
brought his hammer down with a
ponderous stroke on the heated iron
While blowing the bellows he would
occasionally pause and shake hi
head as ifcommuning with himself.
He was evidently meditating upon.
something of a serious nature. II
was during one of these pauses that
the door was thrown open, and a
pale, trembling figure staggered into
the shop, and, sinking at the smiths
feet family CALCULATED
In the name of Jesus, protect
meI'
As Bradley stopped down to raise
the PROSTATE form, three men enter
ed, the foremost n exclaiming:
We've freed him at lastl There
he is-seize himl" and as he spoke
he pointed to the crouching figure
before them.
The others advanced to obey thc
order, but Bradley suddenly arose.
seized the sledge hammer, and
brandished il about his head as if it
were "A sword, exclaiming:
Back Touch him not or by the
grace of Col, I'll brain yel"
They hesitated, and stepped back
ward, not wishing to encounter the
sturdy smith, for his countenance
plainly told them that he meant
what he said.
"
"Do you give shelter to an aboli-
tionist?" fierecly shouted the leader
ofthe three.
Il give shelter to "A weak, defense
less man." replid the smith.
He is an enemy?' said the lead
er.
"Of the DEVIL !" CALCULATED Brad
ley.
"He is a spy an abolitionist
houndl y exclaimed the leader, with
increased yeiiemence; aud we must
have him So | tell you, Bradley,
YOU had better not Interfere. You
know you are already suspected, ana
If you insist upon sheltering him, ii
viii confirm it,"
"~Suspectedl Suspected of what?'
exclaimed the smith, In "a firm tone.
riviling his gaze upon the speaker.
"Nhy, of adheiing to the North y
was the reply.
"Adhenng to the North p ejacu
lated Bradley, a he cast his defiant
Chances at The Speaker. Il adhere to
the North ie continued: Il ad-
here To my country-my whole
country-and Will, SO help me God /!
as long as | have breath" he added,
as he brought the sle'ige hammer To
the ground with great force.
You had better let us have him,
Bradley, without further trouble.
You are only risking your W neck
by your interference
Not so long az ] have life 10 de-
lend him, was the answer. Then
pointing toward the door, he con
hnued:
Leave my shopl'
And as ne spoke be again raised
the sledge hammer.
They hesitated a moment, but the
firm demeanor of the saith awed
them into compliance with the or
der.
"You viii regret this before morn
ing, Bradley" said the leader as he
retreated.
Col" was the reply of the smith,
as he pointed to the door.
Bradley followed them menacing-
ly to the entrance of the shop, and
watched them till they disappeared
fre9 sight down the read. When
he turned TO 60 back into the shop
he was met by the fugitive, who,
grasping his hand. said
"Oh, how shall | ever be able to
thank you, Mr.. Bradley ?"
This is no time for thanks, Mr.
Peter, snless it is to the Lord; you
must fly the country, and that at
once"
"Butm my wife and children.n
Matte and | will attend to them
But yop must 60 to-aight.s
TO night"
"Yes. In the mogping, il not be-
fore, they will return with o large
force and carry you of. and prai,a.
bly, hang YOU to the first tree. You
must leave tonight"
But how 2"
Matte will conduct 70 the
rendezvous of your friends. There
is a party IA de up who intend to
cross the mountains and join the
onion forces i'm kentucks. they
seTs - start tonight. They have
provisions fos thu journey, and will
gladly share with YOU
At this moment a girl entered
the shop, and hurriedly said:
Father, what is the trouble to-
night?" Her eyes falling upon the
fugitive, she approached him, and
in a sy%mpathizing tone continued
"Ahl MI. Peters, has your turn
come so soon ?n