Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-04-18


uneasy. About halfan hour, there was
distinctly heard a distant nurmur of
voices. / went to a window from which
| had a distant view of the Convent
gate. There could see dense, black
mass, apparently moving up to the ave-
nue. towards the house, and the sound of
their prolonged huzzas, came upon my
ears like the yells Of fends. Never
shall forget that sound. IL was not for
long time after that could hear tho
shouts ofa multitude with any thing like
plea surable emotion. For. the mo-
ment my heart sunk within me; but it
was only for moment. The thought Of
those younger thau myself, who would
look to me for support and encourage
ment gave me new strength and firmness,
and turning from the window, | begged
the girls not 10 be alarmed, for they too
had heard tho horrd sounds, and some
were crying bitterly, while others were,
hastily dressing themselves. At this In-
slant Mrs. Mary Benedict entered, say
ing that several men had come up 10 the
convent apparently inclined to be trouble
some, and the Superior wished ms to get
up and dress in case Of any disturb
ance.
We accordingly did so,and soma Of uS
went into the front rooms Of the house,
where we could hear the Superior ex-
postulating with the men, and their harsh
and abusive language in return. We
heard her tell them 10 go to their Sc
lectmRn, that they had been there that
afternoon, we're satisfied that all was as it
should be, and they might satisfy them.
selves the next day at a proper hour. AT
ter some more parleying, they retired;
and the superior, hoping that the quiet
would continue, recommended us tog go
again to rest and to sleep. This quiet
was but the hush which preceded the
storm. We were soon called up again.
They had come back in lager numbers,
and werestill more abusive and threaten
ing in their language. We were entire
ly destitute ofany means of protecting
ourselves. Some one had suggested
that the men from the farm house
should be sent for. But the Superior
rejected this plan, thinking that besides
the danger TO the messenger, any appear
ance of fear on her part would lead them
to still greater insults, while, in case
of any actual violence, the presence of
two or three Trishmen would be of lite
service. About this time, one of the
lay sisters went out TO the mob, beseech-
ing them 'tnot to molest further parcel
of helpless women and children, who
had no one to protect them. .""Ah! Ha"
cried ons Of the men, "thats all we wan
ted TO know, now we can 60 ahead" or
some similar expression, intimating all
that had res trained them thus far had
peen fear that we had some concealed
means of defence The Superior's bold
and fearless demeanor, had probably Civ
en- them this idea. She was, throughout
the whole, perfectly firm and collected,
as ware also the other nuns, with tho
exception ofMrs. Mary John, who could
hardly be said to have possession other
senses. She threw her self on the bed,
wringing her hands and groaning as if her
heart would break, accusing herselfas
the cause of all our trouble, and begging
us to forgive hers The children, too,
ofwbom some two or thtee were under
J eight years of age, and nearly all under
: sixteen, were astonishingly compos-
ed.
At the first alarm there was general
, eutcry, and few tainted in the course
/ Of the night; some, too, would occa-
, sionly burst into tears, but by far the
t greater part were very quiet snd collect
' ed. Probably they had little conscious
D ness of the reality of :he danger, and
: perfect ignorance Of the designs of the
t mob. added TO the example of their
\ Teachers, produced this state OF feel
n ing. .,,
f n mill I'D the fences and pile them into
bonfres. the light Of which soon brought
. great multitu des to the spot. ! think it
must have been near twelve o'clock
, when the Superior, thinking that though
, she had failed to excite the compassion
) of the mob, the sight and voices of chill
dren might prevail, sent for US to como
down and speak to them through the
windows and doors Of the Chapel, in the
second story. We prepared to obey
uer; but had hardly reac he'd the bottom
Of tho fight ofslAirs when tho horrid
shouts Of the mob and the crash OF
the winds below, told that the attack
had commen ced, and all further expos"
tulation would be vain. Mrs: Mary
Benedict, who was with us, led the way
to he back door of the Convent leading
into the gard en-; and opening it, !olds' us
, to run. soizing my hand with the 9th
er young ladies, we ran through ugh the PEI gar
D den and Jumping downa fence ten or
! Twelve feet in height, set of with the
;~,sDtion of going to CambridgepOrt,
mhore we had friends. We had hardly
t zone " quarter Of a mile, when consider.