Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-02-17
VOL 5.---NO. R.----WHOLE NO. 900. .a ... .s' r.
MISCELLANY.
From the N. Y Spirit of the Times.
Jim Blander and the Quaker.

not lar distant from here, a registering,
rowdy bully named Jim Blander. jim
was "sum" in fight. kind OF pugilis.
tic Napoleon. Many and bloody were
the affairs he had in his lifetime and as
invariably came off frsl-best. Jim no,
only considered himself invulnerable. but
all the fighting characters in the sur
rounding country conceded it was no
use fighting Jim, as he was considered
to be patent threshing machine, that
could no. he improved on. In Jim's
neighborhood there had settled quite a
number of Quakers. From some cause
or other, Jim hated the ..shad bellies" :"
as he called them. with his entire heart;
he often declared that to whip one of
those inolfensive people would be the
crowning glory of his life. For years
Jim waited for pretext. One of Jim s
chums overheard young Quaker speak
in disparaging terms of him. The re-
port soon came TO Jim's ears, not little
magnifed. Jim made desperate threats,
what he was going to do with Nathan,
the meek follower Of Penn. on sight
besides the various bruises and contu.
sions he meant to inflict on Nathaa's
body--in his chaste language he meant
10 gouge out both eyes and chew off both
ears.
Nathan heard of Jim's threats, and
properly kept out of his way, hoping
that tue would modify his anger. Il
seems, however, this much to be desired
result did not take place. One day Ma
than was out riding, and passing through
a long lane. when about midway, he es-
pied Jim entering the other end. Ma
than might have turned and fled, but his
flesh rebelled at his retrea,ing. n.
81 will pursue my way peaceably,"
said the Quaker. "and | hope the better
sense OF the man of wrath will not per-
NIT him to modest me, or allow him TO
do violence on my person."
Naihan's Calculations, as TO the lamb
ike qualities of his adversary, were
doomed TO be Disappointed.
"Oh, ho!' thought the bully, as he
recognized Nathan. II have him at
last. Now I'll make mince meat Of
shad belly! | will sal, him and pickle
him tool
"Wil thou please dismount from thy
herse! said jim, seizing The bride of
Nathan's horse. ant mimicking his style;
my heart yearneth TO give thee the big
g~st mauling ever man received"
Friend James, replied Nathan, 'thou
must not molest me, but let me go my
way IN peace. Thy better judgement
will surely tell thee that thou cannot
possibly be benefitted by personally in
juring NO."
''Get down in a moment" said Him;
"get down, yon canting, lying, mischief.
making, cowardlv hypocrite. I'll drag
you down if you don't dismount."
Friend James, remonstrate against
Thy proceeding and thy language re.
piled Nathan. "My religion teaches me
sincerity. am neither liar, mischief
maker or hypocriie; l desire TO pursue
my way quie,ly--lst me pass on"
''Get down. persisted Jim, "down
with you--l want to beat some of your
religion out of you'll must give you a
flogging before lleave you. think by
he time am through with you that you
will pass for lolerable honest man.
will teach ou, ia sho.l and easy les.
son, the importance of minding your
own affairs, and The risk ) ou run in SLAM
dering your neighbors."
III will not dismount," said Nathan;
"loosen thy hold from the bridler' as
"You won't, won't you!" said Jim,
''then here goes" and he made lunge
10 collar the Quaker.
Nathan was on his feet in an instant
on the opposite side of the horse. The
Quaker, although of much smaller pro.
portions than his prosecutor, was all
sinew and muscle, and his well knit form
denoted both strength and activity. His
wrath was evidently enkindIed. mt
.Friend James," he implored, "thy
pertinacious persistence in persecuting
meis exceedingly annoying, thou must
desist, or peradventure may so forget
myself as TO do thee some bodily harm. !"
"By snakes!" said Jim. coming to.
ward Nathan, 81 believe there is fight
enough in Broadbrim TO make it inter-
esting. wish that some of the boys
was here to see the fun. Now, con,in.
ued Jim, friend Nathan l am going to
knock off the end Of your nose--look
out!"
Suiting the action to the word, Jim !,
after various pugilis,ic gyrations Of his
fists. made a scientific blow at the ma
sal formation Of our Quaker friend, but
Tom Hyer could not more scientifically
have warded it off,. Jim was evidently
eisconceried at tie i'll success of his frs,
attempt-he saw he had undertaken
quite as much as he was likely to accom- :
plish. He however straightened him
self out and approached. Nathan more
cautiously. The contest began again.
Nathan stood his ground firmly. and
skillfully warded of the shower of blows
which Jim aimed at him. II
4 "Friend James" said Nathan in the
heat of the contest, ",his is mere child q
play. II grieyes me that thou has forced
me into resistance, but | must defend
myself fiom bodily harm. see there