The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-09-21

i
the victim OF despots, and the martyr OF iree-
doml
Great was the CONSERVATION and confusion
that now prevailed. The man was mad
north northwest and al! around The compass
politically mad-a mad patriot: nobody
| doubled that Some asked what was to be
done-oth-rs would have argued the mad
man out ofhs phrenZy-others again slipped
out OF The door, and all stood ready for Il
| run.
In The meanwhile, the maniac, re-inspired
by his own sloquence, or The pusillanimiiy
oihis enemies which even mailman might
perceive, lifted up his voice again. but lifted
it up in defiance. You are The hired myr-
midons Of powerr he cried, purse proud,
rich men-tyrants that grind the faces ofIhe
poor-ihat live on the sweat ofihe poor mans
labor and rob his hungry children Of their
food am poor man and the psor mans
friend. hate you'll defy you--l call you
10 The reckoning, Yesp he roared. snatch
ing UP his knife from The foor, and waving
IL aloit as ito unseen hackers, your triumph
is now over your hour has come! l call
you 10 the reckoning of blood! Advance
men OF the people. and cut their tyrannica'
ihroals
And with that he advanced himself, -four
Ishlns his weapon against our aritocraiic
breasts. There was no withstanding that
terrific charge-pel-mell we went, one over
the Other, out Of the door, which We esteem
ed ourselves fortunate in being able 10 close,
and thus securing ourselves from the distrac-
ted assailant.
We then made our way down TO the bar
room, where we found The glum host and his
naughty spouse in as great alarm and as elc-
giant dlshabille as ourselves-ihey,a and indeed
every soul in the house, having been aroused
by the madman's vocilerations.
What was now TO be doDel The unfor-
tunate man was still raving. We could here
him humping against The door as if endeav-
orlng 10 break trough, and roaring all the
while, with phrenzied cry OF 'vcioryr-
with that savage knife in his hand, nay. with
adozen knives, perhaps for arms and clothes
were all in the hurry Of the flight. LETT TO-
gether in the room-who should attack and
dlsarm him? Nobody showed any appetite
for the enterprise, and although the ugly
landIady proposed, in her ecstacy of terror,
plan that might have ended the difficulty
namely, that some Of US should take her
husbands gun and shoot the bejlmiate
through the keyEole, and really she did mol
seem 10 consider the shooting of mad
Yankee any very atrocious crime)-the
business was ended by our sitting up all
night in the bar room, in exceedingly simple
costume, debating the difficulty.
The terrible din with which we had been
rousted from the garre, did not continue
long, but was succeeded, first bya dead,
portentous calm, then by half EroaEiDg,
half-snorting kind Of noise, that was repre-
scented by some who had the courage once
or twice slowly TO creep 10 :he garrct door 10
listen, to the peculiar terrific, and which, in
deed lasted all night long,
When the morning broke, we held another
consultation; and finally growing more cour-
ageous as the day grew broader. wrought
ourselves TO the resolution proceeding in
body TO the travellers room--the landlord
magnanimously leading the van, armed with
a broad axe, ourselves inlrepidly following
at his heels some carrying such means oil
defence as could be gathered, and others,
cart-ropes and bed cords TO tie the mailman.
and mine hostess, behind with the dog. We
paused moment at the door, listening TO
the groaning sound, which was still kept
up, and then softly entered the room, where
we had the satisfaction Of finding the poor |
fellow lying very soundIy and comfortably |
asleep in the best bed, sending from his up |
turned nostris those anomalous and horrid |
sounds which now appeared TO US the nat |
ural music of sleep, He opened his eyes.
stared upon US somewhat inqulringIy, yet
with look so extremely natural and lucid
that we refrained from laying hands upon |
him as we supposed would nave been nee
essary,i
Good morning, gentlemen said he, quite
like sensible person; "a fine morning We
have after the rain and very fine sleep
I've had. too,' he added, i hope you can
say the sameF
Its his lucid moment, poor devil said The
and gathering up our indispensa-
bles, we all went down TO breakfast.
The Yankee was the observed Of all OBJ
servers'-as solemn, as sad, modest as ever.
and 10 all appearance quite unconscious oil
his late paroxysm, We were all 100 prudent
Jr too generous 10 remind him OF il, even by
A distant hint, and for the same reason, We
all took care not 10 cross him in anything a
he table. Whatever dish he looked at was
surrendered TO him; even the
Ugly old landIajy requested his acceptance
If a lumber OF cream, she had poured Out
or her own use, but on which he CHANGED
O cast bis eye. And thus il happened that
,ur gentleman, whose appetite by no means
suffered from his affliciion, ate the best as
veil as the hugest breakfast of all; after .
which he ordered his horse, called and paid
lis bill, and with every air OF sanity depar-
ed.
A lew minutes after, we were ourselves on
he road, laundering along in our mail coach,
nd by-and-b by we caught sight of our extra [
odger on the Top ola hill. at cross road, {
where indeed, he seemed waiting Tor us as
e looked back upon US frequently while he 7
lowly mounted the hill.
Mad again quoih the braying gentle
ian, with an air Of commisserarion-'poo b
evii' d
Gentlemen, said the mailman, touching il
is hst with an air Of great suaviiy, and Civ h
e the sweetest information 10 his sepulchraI a
'ice. 4 believe forgot To bid you farewell :
at ali events omitted 10 express my g
thanks for the Uncommon .
ndness you all displayed in giving Il
e, poor Yankee pedIar, SO much more is
'om Than had any occasion for. Il