The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-02


down after us six or eight strong SO, now,
what's TO be done"
The group that stood in various attitudes.
after this communication were worthy of a
painter. Rachel Halliday, who had taken her
hands out Of a batch of biscuit, TO hear the
news, stood with them appraised and foury and
with face of the deepest concern. Simeon
looked'profoundlyt thoughtful; Eliza had thrown
her arms around her husband. and was looking
up to him. George stood with clenched hands
and glowing eyes and looking as any other
man might look, whose wife was 10 be sold at
auction, and son sent to a trader, all under the
shelter OF Christian nations laws.
What shall we do George!" said Eliza
family.
81 know what I shall do said George as
he stepped into the little room and begun ex-
aiming his pistols
Aye, aye" said Phineas nodding his head
tn Simeon thou seest Simeon. how it will
work"
al see" said Simeon, signing; " the Lord
grant it come not to that
e don't want to involve any one with or Cor
me- said George If you will lend me your
vehicle and direct me, | will drive alone to the
next stand. Jim is n giant in strength, and
brave as death and despair--and 50 am l."
All, well, friend, said Phneas but thee'll
need driver for all that Thee's quite well
GENE to do all the fighting thee knows; but |
know thing or two about the road that thee
doesn't"
But | don't want to involve YOU said
George
"lnvolye," said Phineas, with curious and
keen expression of face. "When thee does in
yolye me, please to letme know"
'EPhineas is wise and skillful man. said
Simeon. Thee does well, George to abide by
his ludgl9ect; 9-9, y he added }ayng his hand
kindly on Georges shoulder, and pointing TO the
pistols, "be not over hasty with these-young
blood is hot0
81 win attack no man, said George, "All
ask Of this country is TO be let alone and !
will 60 out peaceably; but "--he paused, and
his brow darkened and his face worked. I've
had sister sold in that New Orleans market
! know what they are sold for; and am going
to stand by and see them take my wife and sell
her, when God has given me a pair Of strong
arms to defend herr No; God help me I'll fight
to the last breath before they shall take my wife
and son. Can you blame me ~
"Mortal man cannot blame thee, George
Flesh and blood could not do otherwise" said
Simeon. "Wo unto the world because of Of
fences, but wo unto them through whom the Of
fence cometh."
"Would not even you, sir, do the same, in my
place :"
THE Lord grant be not tried, said Sim
con; 1.-The flesh il weak
IL think my flesh would be pretty tolerable
strong in such case" said Phineas, stretching
out a pair Of arms like the sails of u windmill
al amt sure, friend George, that | shouldn't
hold a fellow for thee, if thee had any accounts
to settle with him"
"lf man should eUer resist evil, said Simeon
"then George should feel free TO do it now but
the leaders of our people taught more excel
| lent way for the wrath Of man worketh not
the righteousness of God but it goes sorely
against the corrupt viii of man, and none can
receive II save they to whom it is given. Let
us nIe 5aX the lb kI asd that we be not tempted"
that's alln
"Its quite plain thee wasn't born Friend,
said Simeon, smiling. 1.-THE old nature haiti
its way in thee pretty strong "a yet"
To tell the truth, Phineas had been hearty
, two-fsted backwoedsman---a vigorous hunter
and dead shot at a buck-but having wooeC
a pretty quakeress had been moved by tn
power of her charms TO join the Society IN hi
neighborhood; and though he was an honest
sober, and efficient member, and nothing par
tioular could be alleged against HIM, yet the
more spiritual among them could not but dis
, Germ an exceeding lack Of SAVIOR IN his deVel
opments.
I, '"Friend Phneas will ever have ways OF ms
own said Rachel Halliday smiling; but We
; all think that his heart is IN the right place
: after all"
aWello said George, isn't it best that We
hasten our fight" 3,
al got M at four o'clock, and came ON with
all speed full two or three hours ahead OF them
! if they start at the time they planned IL ism
safe to start till dark at any rate, Tor there are
, .one evil persons in the villages ahead, thai
4 insight be disposed to NEEDLE with us II they
= saw orr wagon, and that would delay us more
! than the waiting but in two hours think we
NAV venture will 60 over TO Michael Cross
|; ana engage him to come behind ON his swift
/, NAG and keep bright lookout on the road
and warn Ms il any company Of men come on
Michael keeps n horse that can soon get ahead
of most other horses. and he could shoot ahead
and let MS know if there were any danger
am going ont now 10 warn Jim and the old wo
man 10 he in readiness, and 10 see about the
I horse. We have pretty fair start and stanC
a GOOD chance TO get to the stand before they
can come up with us So, have good courage
: friend George-this isn't the first ugly scraps
! that Pve been in with thy people" said Phlneas
AZ he closed the door.
q ph;neas il pretty shrewd" said Simeon
" ala will do the best that can be done for thee
George"
. GbIl | am sorry for" said George, is tn
Il risk to you"
! "Theell much oblge us friend George, Il
saw no more about that What we do we ar
: conscience bound 10 do; we can do no othe
!, Uav And now, mother" said he, turning 3
= Rachel, hurry thy preparations for thes
!, friends for we must not send them away last
ing" LIZ. go.
4 busy making corn cake and cooking ham an
N chicken, and hurrying on the ct ceteras OF th
evening meal. George and his wife sat in thei
- LITTLE room. with their arms folded about eac
- other in such talk M husband and wife hay
4 when they know that few hours may pal
K them forever.
q EI;zaD said George, people that hay
- fr;ends and houses. and lands, and money, an
4 all those things eanf love as we do, who bay
- nothing but each other. Till knew you, III
= "a no creature ever had loved me but my poo
= beart-broken mother and sister saw poo
- Emily that morning the trader carried her Of
She came 10 the corner where ! was lyin
asleep, and said, Poor George, your last frien
, is going. What will become Of you, poor boy
n And got up and threw my arms round he
- and cried and sobbed, and she cried too an
. those were the last kind words got for ten Ion
wears and my heart all withered up, and &c
10 as dry as ashes till ] met You. And your 10
m ing me! why, it was almost like raising Oh
% from the dead! I've been a new man eV
re re sincel And now, Eliza, I'll give my last dr'
" OF blood but they shall not take you from IN
/ Whoever gets you must walk over my de'
" body" a..
il ooh, Lord, have mercy said Eliza, sobbin
a q IL he will only let us get out Of this count
| a Y. Ill al ~