The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-02-07


name, who was not quite so strong. II
tie only good done by the clergyman
had been the conversion Of the black
smith, his work in the mountains might
we'll be considered success. Bradley
no longer swore nor drank, nor had he
had fight for years This remarkable
change, added to the fact that he was
man of few words, gave the impression
to many that religion had took all the
pluck and snap out Of strong Dick Brad
ley"
As the men in the hills all voted the
Democratic ticket, the most exciting
elections never created ruftle among
them, but as soon as it became known
that the southern states had seeded and
that war had come the stagnation was
broken up, and the mountaineers evinced
for the first time in their lives an awful
anxiety to learn what was going on in
the outside world. Bradley's blacksmith
shop became a headquarters at which
the war was discussed and men specu-
lated as to the time when the strife
would come to the hills, for they knew
it must come as the only relief to the
strain between the Union and disunion
elements.
have tried to point out in the course
Of these sketches that q majority Of
southern mountaineers were Union
men, yet there were places where, with.
out any apparent reason, the secession
element largely predominated. This
was certainly the case in Father Peters
neighborhood. As in most places, the
secessionists were here the loudest in
their abuse and the most eager for the
war.
The old clergyman noted with alarm
the change that had come over his con-
gregation. As he was northern man,
they took it for granted, and they were
right in the surmise that he was devot-
ed to the Union. But, knowing that q
loud protestation of his loyalty could do
no good and might do great deal Of
harm, he kept his views to himself and
by every means in his power tried to
pour oil on the troubled waters.
But when everybody else was so out.
spoken the reticence Of Father Peters
told against him, and the stories Of his
being an abolitionist which were SO rife
on his first coming were again revived,
and this time with more bitterness, for
the people believed the charge was true.
One night as Father Peters was read
ing in the little log annex he had built
for study the door opened without any
preliminary knock, and strong Dick
Bradley came softly in, and with an air
of great mystery noiselessly closed the
door behind him.
81 am glad to see you, Brother Brad
ley, said the clergyman. ''Sit down
and tell me the news, for you are in a
position to learn what is going on here
about"
The blacksmith pulled his chair near
er, and with his big hands to the sides
of his mouth to shield his voice he whis-
pered:
"I'm sorry to tell yo', Father Peters,
that there's trouble a-brewin harabout,
and lots of hit
Trouble to whom, Brother Bradiey9''
Cant yo' guess?''
II cannot.
"Waal, hits to yo' and yours, " said
the blacksmith, with an emphatic shake
of the head.
but surely no one could wish to an
noy me. did not think had an ene-
my in the world" said the alarmed
clergyman.
That's jest hit" responded Brad
ley. Thar hain't no one ez doesn't al
low yer the best preacher in the noun
tains, but the boys say they don't like
yer politics, and SO they'll make trou-
bic. ~
Father Peters protested that he had
. not meddled in politics. and that since
the breaking out of the war a few
months before he had guarded his words
that he might not give offense.
That's hit. That's why they've got
so doggone sespichis. Now, Father
! Peters, yo' know I've ailus been good
friend of yer's, ez should be blamed
dog not to be, seeing chat you took me
by the hand and led ms up TO the light,
bless the Lor! But thar's dainjah all
about we uns mos powaphul dainiah,
ez me and the wife allowed this night.
And we said that af so be yo' could go
tn TO- awhile till the trouble kinder
blows oyah that hit'd be bettah fo' yo'
and fo' yer friends. -
More than once Father Peters and
his wife and daughter had discussed
this very question, but the old man g
strong aensc of duty and his innate
courage led him TO draw back from the
serious consideration Of IL course that
meant the abandonment of his mission
airy work, for he knew that if he left
in the circumstances he couid never re-
turn with the hope of being useful. He
pointed out these arguments to Bradley
and added.
{ IF were to fly north with my fam
lily at this time, / have no assurance
that they would let me depart i'll peace.
It is not six weeks since teacher named
( White who was trying to make his way
from Tennessee to Portsmouth, o., was
murdered in these hills, and his body
might be bleached up the mountain if
you and had not carried it down and