The National tribune., 1898-10-27
CHAPTER XVI.

About 10 miles farther down the road
heard the deep, sonorous tones of {
preacher belaboring a sinful congrega
ton He was evidently a deyout be
lever in terrible and endless punish
ment for the wicked for he was holding
out TO his audience the fearful picture Of
lost sinner in hell making compaTi-
son between his condition and that OF
Dives, who he asserted was once In a
similar state of sinfulneSS while on earth
and who eventually brought up In he'll,
and from whence he expressed strong
desire TO visit Abraham in his new abode;
adding that the wishes OF the unfortunate
Dives could not be complied with Tor some
geographical cauSe-somethlng IN the
topography of the country-a gull IN the
way. believe.
Over this subject he grew eloquent, and
had probably got about to his thirdly,
and the CONGREGATION were almost breath
less with attention, when 1t occurred to
me that there -IniEht be soldiers IN the
church. and | had better look after them,
otherwise they might give me some
trouble Riding up to the door made nay
horse enter about half way, so that
could see every man in the house. AS
his feet struck the floor of the church with
loud banging sound the people were
astonished to see seidier under arms
riding boldly in among them.
Turning to the preacher l inquired If
there were any Southern soldiers IN the
house. The clergyman was standing with
his hand raised as he was about to en-
force some point he had made, being the
very picture of earnest honesty, looking as
If he believed every word that he had said.
When he saw me his hand dropped and
he seemed as badly frightened as if the
identical devil he had so wildly de
scribed had appeared before him. He
was almost overpowcred with fright and
supporting himself by the rough pulpit
he glanced at the back door and then
faltered out:
Not now believe sir
I saw that there had been rebel sol
diers there, and that they had escaped in
the direction of his glance. | instantly
pulled my horse back, and spurred to the
corner of the log church Just in time to
see four men disappear in the brush
across field which lay back of the
building. They were too far off for me to
shoot at and not desiring To disturb the
worship further than the strictest mill
tary necessity demanded, | rode on, after
desiring the clergyman to pray for the
President of the United States.
The rebel papers had an account OF the
affair, but they lied when they stated
that tried TO make the preacher take a
drink of whisky, for hadn't drop to
bless myself with.
MEETING A CHIFF JUSTICE
The next man / met was an old citizen
riding a very spirited horse, and dressed
In suit of butternut-colored homespun
Tall, thin-featured and gaunt, he was the
very picture of a Secesh planter. stop
ped him and inquired the way to CamarGo.
He pointed to thef road he had Just left
and told me to follow that
] now told him ! was Confederate Off
Ger, and that had orders from Gen.
Beauregard to gather up ali the straGglcrs
] could find. and bring them forthwith to
Corinsh: that we were expecting a great
hattie fhrrp with nIrF fsdQtaSt a i.le fns.
the Yankees, and that it was absolutely
necessary for every one to be at his post
You will, - said i, do me favor and
your country good service by giving me
the names of all soldiers who arc at home
without leave in your neighborhood."
"Certainly, sir, he replied; Il will do so
with pleasure, and If / had time, he added
Il would go with you and help to find
them
/ then drew out a note book and wrote
down each name he gave me, with the
company and regiment of each man to-
gether with his residence, and then asked
him 10 refer me to some responsible citi-
zens who would give assistance if neces-
sary. He gave me the names of half a
dozen who he said would not only assist
me but would give the names Of other de-
linquents
He now prepared to ask me a few
questions, and prefaced them with the
statement that he was the Chief Justice Of
tOuttF, ana lIdt lic was on MS
way to Fayetteville to open court on
Monday morning.
Are there many cases to be disposed
Off" / asked
Yes, a good many" he said
What Is their nature generality" was
my next inquiry
why, they are mostly political" said
he
was at no loss to know what the
phrase meant; the accused were Union
men, who, true to their principles. had re-
fused 20 yield TO the demands of the Sc
cessionists, but chose persecution rather
than dishonor
l concluded to have a little fun Out of
the old fellow and render the prosecuted
loyalists what assistance could But as
did not desire TO Kill him in cold blood |
concluded TO brighten him a little by way
OF punishment
Pointing to the dense column of smoke
that was rising from the burning bacon, /
said roughly:
Look there, old man."
Why, what in the name of God does
that meany" inquired he, raising his eyes
In utter astonishment.
AN AsToNIsHED CONFEDERATE.
why, sir" l responded, ut means that
i am United States soldier. and have
just burned a rebel train up there. and am
now about to dispose of the Chief Justice
of Lincoln County at the same moment
raising the hammer of my gun and draw
iEg n bead on him.
Great Cod don't kill me sir" he mite
ousiy pleaded; don't kill me"
Look here, old man" said / snvapeIy.
III let you live do you think you will
trouble Union men IN this County AGAIN.
'Oh, no, no will not /"
won't bring EN- To trial?' / asked
Nc, indeed, / will not" he solemnIv
asserted; Il have been compelled to en-
force the law" he then began in extenua-
ton, when interrupted him with.
Don't talk TO me about enforcing the
laws, you old reprobate, or / will kill Won
IN your tracks. Now, see here" CON
tInued, Il will give you a chance for vour
life. This is a level road, and a straight
one; now, will count $50, and if YOU are
not out of sight in that time | shall kill
you gust as sure as God made little
apples"
gave the word and began to count
and he darted off like AN arrow. and was
soon lest TO my view in a cloud of dust.
Again taking the Athens road pushed
on rapidly for some time till 1 passed
several houses, and then reaching a shall
low creek leading into the woods, / turn,
ed down 1T so that the place where left
'hc Foad could not be found. l travelled
Up anways till near sunset, when l met
attn an old nan who had just crossed