Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-09-21
From the Merchants Day Book
THE QUAKER PUNISHMENT.


A Long Island Quaker, who had very mn.
ruly negro boy living with him, and whose
disposition he had tried fot a long time to bring
under the control of the peaceful influence OF
Quakerism in vain, tried d new species of
punishment, that he related thus:
Tired of moral suasion, the old Quaker was
about giving up In despair, when thought
struck him. 81 will punish the lad" said
Ablnidab 10 himself, 81 will not strike him,
for he is one of Gods creatures on which men
should not lay their unworthy hands. "Josh-
ua,' said he, addressing the boy, I" come
here" Josh, whose keen eye discerned in
the look and manner of the old Quaker signs
of some mysterious movement, came doggedly
up to bis master, and hung his head in token
of humble submission. JOSIAH" continued
the old man. s. thee has been bad boy, a We
ry bad boy, and thy master has lost all pa
thence with thee. Dost thou know, Josiah,
where the wicked and unruly lads like thee
go TO ," NO. wtined the negro mo !.
boy has thee never heard of the bad place ?"
:" YES" was the reply,"I have heard that bad
boys go 10 - down. down, down 10 dat
dark dungeon where dey get de birthstone
from.'
"That is the place, boy" continued the
Quaker, in solemn tone, " and there must
take thee, josiah"
" Me, massa. me, or Lora, or Lora, Ill
0 Lora massa''
''Get thy hat, Josiah, get thy hat and come
with me, can hear no words from thee -
The boy get his hat and followed the Quaker
to the railroad depot, where they took the cars
for Brooklyn. On few the cars at rate the
boy never had rode before; the engine snort
ing and putting not unlike what his magma
ton had pictured the chief of the internal re-
gions. Trees, houses and fences seemed to
fly as if on wings, and before the cars reched
Brooklyn, the poor hoy's head was perfectly
bewildered, and he scarcely knew whether he
was going up or 3" down, down. down." Fur-
Gus as the wind came the train down Atlantic
st.; horses snorted and dashed away from the
track in fright, the boys booted and screamed,
and poor Josh looked as if he thought he was
on his way to the world of spirits Present
ly the engineer gave one of those terrible
whistles that echoed throughout the whole
city, and the engine plunged mo the tunnel.
"Good bye. JOSIAH" said Abinidab, and he
suddenly stepped from his seat to the
platform outside the cars. A screech-a
groan-and then stifed moan was heard
where the negro sat. and then all was dark
and still, save the putting and whistling of the
engine and the ratting of the cars, as they
whistled on through the narrow passage
Once or twice noise like struggle or catch
ing for breath was family heard coming from
| the negro's seat, but nothing was known OF
the horrors of that middle PASSAGE until the
train emerged from the tunnel on the west
side. The passengers were then Mortified al
a sight which they supposed was case OF
cholera in their midst. "dead niger sure,
was right among them. The old Quaker had
poor Josh by the collar. shaking and scolding
and trying to make him stand upon his feet.
But Josh was gone niger" TO all appear
ances, and it was an hour before the passen.
gers and " Josiah" could understand that he
had passed through the Internal regions Fol
few minutes the old Quaker was as frighten-
ed as anybody. and thought that his punish.
ment had terminated in manslaughter, Josh
finally came &C out right and it is hoped thai
he will hereafter be a better boy and long re-
member his visit to the 6 bad place.