The Irish standard., 1912-05-11

stantly held my attention. At first
could not locate the speaker, nor com.
prehend the peculiar singsong Of the
utterance. But as I lifted my head,
listening intently, 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 ap-
peal, and I ventured to lift the latch,
and take cautious glance through the
slight opening.
It was blacksmith shop Of fair
size. fully equipped with all the tools
Of the trade. The man was facing me.
but with eyes closed, and uplifted, as
his lips poured forth the fervent words
Of prayer. I was not a 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 could not but
respect. The words uttered, the deep
resonant voice. and above all, the ex.
preston of that upturned face, held
me silent, motionless. He was a man
Of short, sturdy limb, but great bulk,
massive chest, and immense shoulders
evidencing remarkable strength. What
was this man. this praying black
smith, A patriot surely, from his
words Of petition; one who had sui.
fered much, but was willing to suffer
more. The strength chiselled in that
upturned face, those deeply marked
features, revealed no common mental
equipment. Here was real man.
with convictions, one who would die
for an ideal; without doubt radical.
ready to go to any extreme where con.
science blazed the way.
As he finally paused. his head bowed
low, l 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 grotesqae appear
ance, his deep-set eyes regarding me
suspiciously. Before I could realize
the mans intent he sprang between
me and the outer door, his hand grin.
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 I hurled the scar.
let Jacket into the dirt with a gesture
Of disgust. II had even forgotten I
wore it. Wait a moment. I heard
your prayer, and know you must be
with US. am Major Lawrence Of the
Maryland Line"
He stared at me motionless.
"Then how come ye here?"
Il was sent into Philadelphia bX
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 ! knew from yorr words
that twas safe for me to come forth. "
"You may know it, young man, but
I DON'T" he replied gruffly. "We're a
bit suspicious of strangers here in the
Jerseys these days. The minions Of
Satan encompass US about. What
have 70 to show to prove your story?"
l shook my head. extending my
hands.
"Only my word Of honor. had q
pass from Hamilton, but destroyed
that before entering the British lines.
If tell the whole story. perhaps you
will understand it's truth"
The expression of his face did not
change, yet I thought the deep.set
eyes were 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 I'm
not afraid Of you. an if ye are Brit
fisher / wouldn't starve you to death.
There's little enough, the good Lord
knows, but you're welcome to the half
Of it. Make yourself comfortable
there on the bench"
He threw open a cupboard in one
corner, and brought forth variety Of
food, placing this upon a wide shelf
near at hand. Occasionally our eyes
met, and knew he was slowly max
ing up his mind regarding me. This
silent scrutiny could not have been al
together unsatisfactory, for, when he
finally drew up an empty box and sat
down, he was prepared to talk.
Help yourself" he began gravely.
ut is rough camp fare. but doubtless
you are used to that. Do you know
met" =.
I scanned his face again intently,
surprised by the question, yet recog-
nized no familiar features.