Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-11-06

his mind that this must be Mr.. Andrew Herman.
Here was dangerous situation. To 90 back
was madness-to 90 forward was like rushing
into the lions Jaws. 1t was, however, necessary
TO decide quickly, for the enemy was now as
cending the stairs. In another moment they
were face to face. Instead of a cowhde this
second assaiant rejoiced in the possession of an
enormous cudgel. As the editor imagined. it
was Mr.. Herman and if ever a man testified
his intention by his look, it was plain that the
said Mr.. Herman was bent upon committing
assault and battery upon some person or other
lie seized the lucklcss Lick by the collar, and
without uttering a word, had already raised his
cudgc high in the air, in order that it might
descend with the utmost violence on the person
of that worthy, when the latter, with a forgiving
and good-natured smile, said, presume you
wish to see the editor olthe Citizen !; if SO please
to 90 TO the room above"
"Oh! beg pardon. Slight mistake of mine.
! Up stairs, | see" With chuckle of infinite
! glco Licg s;r,ightwa, proceeded TO the coffee
room on the opposite side of the road to wait the
issue of lis stratagcm."
Meanwhile, Mr.. Abel Wright prepared him
self for the reception ofthe editor, and hearing
some one ascending the stairs just after Lick's
departure, he, naturally enough, supposed it was
that gentleman coming. Placing himself close
behind the door, and twisting the thong tightly
round his hand, he stood prepared TO dea Glen
cher" the moment his fancied libeler should
enter Mr.. Herman presently bolted into the
room, and was saluted in the instant, with a
tremendous whack across the shoulders, and in
! the next Mr.. Wright was favored with smart
tap on the head from the others culgel. As
may be imagined, a tremendous contest ensued
and the hide and cudgel were piled stoutly. No
words passed for some time, but the epithets of
Internal scamp, rascal, scoundrc, villain" &c;
presently, however, Mr.. Wright beginning to
get the upper hand exclaimed. "Iou blighted
scoundrcl. I'll teach you to abuse honest men "
to which Mr.. Herman replied, Put anything in
your humbuggng paper again about me. and
skin me alive, if do MT break every bone on
your body - On hearing this. the former gen.
tleman began to think there must be some mis-
take in the matter and prompted by sudden
thought. he exclaimed, l. vour name Lick p
Thinking this fresh and most deliberate
insult, Herman recommended using his cudgel
and another desperate encounter ensued.-
Everything in the room was overturned,-ed
ter's desk, stool fender files ink spilled, bottle
broken, &c; at last, having thoroughly exhaust
ed themselves, the combatants stood painting and
glazing sayagely at each other.
Hear me- gasped Herman :" you skinfn
lightnng-driver every time you put my name
in your paper you shall fare like this.
As may by supposed, the extraordinary cir
cumstance of each accusing the other Of tht
same offence at last induced an explanation
and, when the mystery was cleared up, grea
was the wrath and modification of these amiabl,
gentlemen, on finding that the object of the
vengeance had escaped scot-free, while they
had each received a sound thrashing Great, OF
the contrary, was the glce of Mr. Washington
Wolfe Lick, as he saw. from the window OF tn,
coiiee-room, his fiery visitors emerge from the
house, flushed and heated by their exertons
ticir hats broken. ncckefchieis united, dressc,
dlsordercd, and countenances expressive of tn,
direst evaporation and cbagrin.
Two days after this occurrence, Messrs
| Wright and Herman were summoned to the po
lice office, at the instance of Washington Wolff
Lick, editor and proprietor of the citizen Of III,
WeH, newspaper, charged with having entered
the house OF the latter in his absence and create,
an uproar and disturbance therein; and asC
with having broken damaged and spoi!t desk
stool and sundry other of the property of til,
said Lick. Fined twenty dollars each, and costs