The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-06-01
.WISCEEL.I.VEGUS.
THE BROKEN BOND.

Wirt's graphic life Of Patrick Henry, have
actually supposed the effects uscrbed by
the inimitable biographer TO the powers OF
that selftaught orators eloquence, in the
parsons cause, The beef cause, and the scene
in the House OF Burgresses OF Virginia, on
the adoption Of the Federal institution, 10
be mere fantasies Of the writer's brain, aud
GU, Of the question in the practice OF real
life. To those who have never witnessed
the force of eloquence upon The nInds OF
listening multitude, such inference may Ger.
talnly appear natural and very eScusahie,
especially if they had no, the pleasure OF
knowing the exalted character and pure
purpose Of Mr.. Writ. But for others to dnubl
the veracity Of his pen, seems very much
like questioning ones own existence.
Patrick Henry, however, Is not the only
orator of our infant republic. who by the
force Of eloquence, has cleared the courts
OF Justice and the halls Of legislation. And
to back this assertion, we here offer the
simple story Of the events, connected with
the 81 Broken Bond" referred TO at the head
of this article.
Just b,fore the war Of the revolution,
Deacon Dudley c. Of Newhampsbire, ac.
companled Zebins c. his ueighborng iner
chant, to the town of Boston. They had
called on Mr.. Frazer, a large importer Of
foreign fabrics; a.lh whom Mr.. 4. &. ). as
ia the habit Of dralius. The deacon
thoughtful and enterprisiug, proposed trade
also; but the wary citizen declined the pur.
chase Of his butternut and hickory pitts, his
pickle trout, aud bales Of peltry bu, final
ly expressed has wish to purchase drove
OF cats, for a ship which he was about to
send 10 quar,er Of the world where the
animal was unknown. B0, sud the crafty
purchaser, they must be trained 10 The whip,
bad to regulate marches across the country
10 ship board, and den to a market in 70
reign trade. The deacon thought Of the
offer, and concluded that as horses, mules,
horned cattle, sheep, tcgs and iurkies bad
been trained and driven by thousands across
the country 10 market, he could not see
Why the cat also ml hi not be trained for
the same purpose. At all events if he
could drive not them he was sure he could
train them TO follow him, for bis old Tab
often followed him to the field aud woods.
He therefore concluded 10 furnish the drove
Of cats A bond was drawn aud executed,
and large sum Of money was advanced III
order TO enable HIM tc prosecute hts arfang
meni. On reaching his home, the Deacon
Immediately prepared room 10 his garnet,
and began to collect his drove, exercising
them every morning under the crack aud
lash Of his long whip, to regular marches
round the room.
The plan operated favorably while the
number Of cats were smaH, aud the space
sufficient for free movement; but when he
had assembled large number opposition
arose and when the whip vas applied to
force obedience, the whole mass as by com
mon consent and simultaneous movement,
pounced upon the poor Deacon, and would
have tsrn him piecemeal, bat for the iiulels
aid of the family, ~ho reused by the uar-e
burst the door Of the chamber, ana allowed
the cats 10 escape. The d-acon fortunate
" survived his wounds, returned the money
advanced him by Ffaz,er thfoa2h the gen.
cy Of hts neIghbor C., and renquished the
contract.
The war which ensued called the whole
strength Of The country into the battle field.
and both the high contracting parties to the
cal contract, dad their country some little
service.
Some ten years after the peace Of 1888
Frazer on closing his business, jou,aeyed
through the interior tncallect his baanees ;
and among the rest call.d on the deae n
for tho fBlfiiment Of his bond, demanding
the amount Of advance (Which the country
u,erchan, had never returned ~.th Interest,
and heavy sum as smart money for ne.
glectiRg 10 perform his covenant.