Year: 1863

smith was sturdy man Of fifty. lie was respect
ed wherever known for bis stern integrity. He
served God. and did not fear man-and might be
safely added nor devil either. His courage was
nroverbial in the neghborhood it was COM
IN remark when wishing to pay any person a
compliment 10 say, " he is brave as ole
y One night towards the close of Sep
he stood by his anvil plying his labor
Nnce eviDced peculiar satisfaction


his hammer down on the heated


owing the bellows, be would oc


and shake his head, as if com


If He was evidently medi-


hing of serious nature. 1t


lese pauses that the door was


en-, and pale trembling fig


the shop, and sinking at the


med:


Jesus protect me ~


ped to raise the PROSTATE form,


d, the foremost eXclaiming:


him at last! There he is ! Seize


he spoke he pointed to the crouch
rs advanced to obey the order but
dddenly arose, and seized the sledge-
and brandishing it about his head as if
sword, exclaimed


touch him not, or by the grace Of God,
ew


tated, and stepped back, not wishing


the sturdy smith, for his counte


told that he meant what be had


give shelter 10 an ADolllloulsI
tied the leader.


shelter to weak defeDseless man."
smith.


an enemy" vociferated the leader.
4e devil" calculated Bradley.


Is aspy an Abolition hound ~ exclaim-
leader with increased vehemence, and
lst have him. So / tell you, Bradley, you
better not interfere. You know that you
already suspected, and if you insist on shell
ring him it will confirm it,"
Suspected Suspected of what ~ asked the
tmtb in firm tone, rvitiDg his gaze upon the
speaker.


"Wby, of adherng to the North" was the re-
"Adhering to the North" calculated Bradley
ss be cast his defiant glances at the speaker. 81
adhere to the North. ! adhere to my country
my whole country-and WILL so help God as
long as l have breath ~ as he brought the
sledge-bammer to the ground with great force.
"You had better lie. us have him, Bradley
without further trouble. You are only rsking
your own safety by your interference"
mot so long as have life to defend him.
was the answer.


Then pointing to the door, he continued:
"Leave my shop" aud as he epoke he again
raised his BANNER.


They hestated moment, but the firm demean-
or of the smith awed them into compliance with
the order


you'll regret this in the morning, Bradley"
said the leader as he retreated.
"GO," was the reply Of the smith as ho pointed
toward the door.


Bradley followed them to the entrance of the
shop, and watched them till they disappeared
from sight down the road.


When be turned to go back into the shop, he
was met by the fugitive, who grasping his hand,
exclaimed:


oh, how shall ever be able to thank you,
Mr. Bradley"


This is no iYna fnr nIxo NJ Do NJ
it is to the Lord you must fly from the country
and that at once."


"But my wife and children ?"
"Mattie and will attend to them. But yoa
must go to night"


To-nightE


Yes In the morning, if not sooner, they will
return with a large force and carry you Off, and
probably hang you to the first tree. You must
leave tonight"


"Mattie will conduct you to the rendezvous Of
friends. There is party made up who in
tend to cross the mountains and join the Uuion
forces in Kentucky. They were to start to ight.
They have provisions for the journey and will
gladly share with you"
At this moment young girl entered the shop,
and burriedly said


"Father what is the trouble to night?"
Her eye rested upon the fugitive, and in sym
pathizng tone she continued
An, Mr. Peters, has your turn come so
soon?"


This was Matte She was fine rosy girl, just
past her eighteenth birthday, and the sole daugh-
Ter of Bradley's house and heart She was all
hs-bis wife had been dead five years. He
turned toward her. and in mild but firm tone,
said


Matte, you must conduct Mr. Peters to the
rendezvous Immediately then return and we
will call at the parsonage to cheer bis family
Quick no time is to be lost The blood hounds
are upon the track They may return sooner
than we expect. So haste, daughter, and God
bless you"


This was not the first time that Matte had been
upon TO perform such Office. She had
anducled several Union men, who were
n their homes and sought shelter with


the place designated, from whence


their escape across the mountains


Tuning to the fugitive, she


Peters. do not stand upon cere-


W me-"


hop and proceeded but q short dis


pad, and then turned off into a


a strip Of woods, closely follow


Fe. A brisk walk of half an hour


a small house that stood in a


here they were received with q


y a party of loyal men, some of


aged in running bullets, while


aning their rifles and fowliBg


Iy of the house, bale woman Of


tufing the wallets of the men


The greeted Matte very kindly


was known TO two or three Of


9ceiyed in bluff, frank spirit OF


lying that they would make him


tennessee Union regiment when


ltucky


7as about to return home two Of


red to accompany her but she


g them Of the danger, as the en-.


IS on the track of the minister.


ing they accompanied her until


Dad short distance above her


Hattie buried on, but was some.


on reaching the shop TO find it


stened into the house, but her


ere. As she turned to go into


lght she could hear the sound of
horses hoofs Gathering down the road. She lis