Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-04-22

prehend the peculiar singsong Of the
u~tterance. But as | lifted my head,
listening i~ntently, l knew the man to
be beyond the wooden partition at my
right, and that he was praying fer
vently. Somehow heartened by this
discovery | crept out from the bed Of
papers, and stole silently forward to
the narrow door which apparently led
into this second apartment. The voice
never ceased In its monotonous APP
peal, and l ventured to lift the latch,
and take cautious glance through the
slight opening.
1t was a blacksmith shop OF fair
size, fully equipped with all the tools
of the trade. The man was facing me,
but with yes closed, and uplifted, as
his lips poured forth the fervent words
Of prayer. ! was not q religious man
in those days, yet the faith of my
mother was not forgotten. and there
was something of sincerity about that
solitary kneeling figure l could not but
respect. The words uttered, the deep
resonant voice, and above all, the ex-
preston of that upturned face, held
me silent, m~otionless. He was a man
Of short. sturdy limb, but great bulk,
massive chest, and immense shoulders
e~yidencing remarkable strength. What
was this man, this praying black
smith, A patriot surely, from his
words Of petition; II who had suf-
fered much, but was willing to suffer
more. The strength chiselled in that
upturned face, those deeply marked
features, revealed no ommon mental
equipment. Here was a real man,
with convictions, one who would die
for an ideal; without doubt a radical,
ready to so to any extreme where con
science blazed the way.
AS he finally paused, his head bowed
low, | stepped forward into the light,
confident of welcome, utterly forgetful
Of the uniform | wore. At the first
faint sound of my approach on the
floor he was upon his feet fronting
me, the shortness of his limbs yield
Ing him a certain grotesque appear
ance, his deep-set eyes regarding me
suspiciously. Before l could realize
the mans intent he sprang between
me and the outer door, his hand grip
ping an iron bar.
"a son of Baal!" came the roar from
his lips. How came you here In that
uniform? Are you ~alone?"
Alone, yes" and hurled the scar
let jacket into the dirt with a gesture
Of disgust. Il had even forgotten I
wore 1t. Wait a moment. l heard
your prayer, and know you must be
with us. l am Major Lawrence Of the
Maryland Line"
He stared at me motionless.
Then how come ye here?"
Il was sent into Philadelphia by
Washington himself, but my identity
was discovered, and there was no way
TO escape except across the Delaware.
I reached here during the night, and
crept into your shop to hide The
sound OF your voice awoke me from
sleep, and l knew from your words
that 1t was safe for me to come forth"
you may know it. young man, but
| don't" he replied gruthy. We're a
bit suspicious Of strangers here in the
Jerseys these days. The minions OF
Satan encompass us about. What
have We to show to prove your story?'
l shook my head, extending ny
hands.
only my word OF honor. l had 9
pass from Hamilton, but destroyed
that before entering the British lines
If tell the whole story, perhaps yor
will understand It's truth"
The expression of his face did NO
change, yet l thought the deep-se
eyes we're not altogether unkind.
you are hungry, no doubt?'
Being human, yes"
Then We'll eat and talk at the same
time. You're only one man, an In
not afraid Of you, an if We are a Brit
Usher l wouldn't starve you to death
There's little enough, the good Lore
knows, but you're welcome to the hal
Of it. Make yourself comfortable
there OF the bench"
He threw open a cupboard In on
corner, and brought forth a variety o
food, placing this upon a wide shell
near at hand. Occasionally our eye
met, and l knew he was slowly MAX
ing up his mind regarding me. Thi
silent scrutiny could not have been a
together unsatisfactory, for, when h
finally drew up an empty box and sa
down, he was prepared to talk.
Help yourself" he began gravely
"It is rough camp fare, but doubles
you are used to that. Do you knoV
me2'
I scanned his face again intently
surprised by the question, yet recos
nized no familiar features.
NO." l replied, with some hesits
ton. Have we ever met before?"
Not to my remembrance" and tn
mans language and accent evidence
education above his apparent station
""T'INfVW