The advocate., 1895-05-08


Stone feeling satisfied that the residuum might at
least contain the substantial TRUTH but of these men
tai operations she said nothing, although the temp
tRtiOn to reveal them was almost irresistible.
Soon someone arrived with the intelligence that the
rebels had just placed strong guard about the jail,
but before Stilweu could express his indignation,
the sound of marching men was heard directly In
front of the house, and Dobbins sank into himself
like telescope in his efforts to get smaller and not
be visible to wicked rebel eyes. Looking out the
window, Gertrude saw that the officer in command
of the squad was placing Sentries in front of the
house. Having completed his task he approached
the door which was opened by Stilwell in person
"There is great deal of ill.feeling against you"
explained the officer, ''psrtly on account of your
hsrboring one Rskestraw, and Captain Stone has oil
rected me to guard your house to see that no harm
shall be done
StilWell was wild with rage and was beginning
TRADE, The officer checked him and struck him
dumb by quietly remsrking:
Remember, Mr.. Stilwell, you have valuable prop
erty The men in the street have ears But, be dis
courteous if you think it discreet. Our business
here is to give you protection. If you do not wish
to be protected, we will withdraw
The idea that he was to owe his security to Sgd
ney Stone was nauseating to the pOmpous rich man,
but danger to property abased him, and he meekly
requested the officer to remain with his guard. Dob
bins nearly tainted when he heard himself men
toned as a cause of rebel animOsity to Stilwell.
Gertrude understood that her father owed to her
the protection afforded him; but she was not anxious
then to explain the fact.
at midnight the victorious rebels awakened the
jailor and demanded the instant release of every
prisoner for debt. The trembling turnkey speedily
complied, and six cells were thrown open, while
bsyonets glistened in the uncertain light of the
candle in the turkeys shaking hand. The prison
ers were awake and were told to come with their
friends.
News of the uprising had reached the jail, as had
also the information that the leader was Sydney
StOne and the guard stationed about the prison had
limited that freedom near. All the prisoners OF
poverty readily accepted their deiVerance and made
instant preparation to depart all but Nathaniel
Stone The old soldier enraged at his sons dis
loyal conduct, and sought, with his one arm, to
wrench from one of the men musket with which
"to kill the ungrateful rebel"
The five rescued prisoners having been started to
their widely scattered homes on horses provided for
the purpose, the little army left Worcester silently,
and, marching to its rendezvous in the woods, dis
persed-until needed again.
Next morning the people were surprised at the alb
sence of armed men on the streets. All was peace
full again. Soon the news spread of the liberation of
prisoners and of the meritorious conduct Of Nsthsn
iel Stone In their enthusiastic admiration for that
heroS noble respect for law and order, the men of
property made up purse to release him; Isaac Still
well himself generously throwing off four shillings
and Dobbins contributing two The old Revolution
sry soldier, who would have murdered his son for
being later reVolutionist, was brought out with
ecat and taken to public place where he was fiat
terngy greeted by the leading citizens of Worcester
and had highly laudatory speech made to him by q
leading lawyer. And Nathaniel Stone was as proud
of this greeting he had been few years before Of
the commendaton of his bravery in the engagement