Plymouth banner., 1853-09-29

/ Dul lie can Stdt Hcic lOIS' We 'C III
suited him a dozen times; and he has less
spunk than think he has if he don't re-
sent it some day. Well get him into
quarrel then, and have him discharged. :"
But" said "do you know anything
bout his history? He may have some
all absorbing end to accomplish, which is
the cause of his untiring assiduity.-Yeu
should have little charity for the fellow,
and taking Crockett's motto, be sure you
are right, before you 60 ahead 2"
"No, we know nothing of him; and if
circumstances are as you suppose. il will
be his own fault if they are discovered
too late, for we have tried often enough
to scrape an acquaintance with him
You had better not take up on his side if
you do not wish to incur the displeasure
of the whole office. GOOD night"
had some charity for the fellow, ond
was resolved to see him righted should he
get into difficulty. | soon saw that he
was very unpopular, and that l, as l felt
rather disposed to make allowances for
him, was considered his friend. When
ever the Quaker corner Gas the place
occupied by us had been dubbed) was
mentioned, universal litter ran around
the Office. These things irrilated me
some, but as / was not the principal OBJ
iect at whom these arrows were aimed,
resolved to forbear and to let him be the
first TO speak.
Il say, fellows" said a rowdy looking
customer, who went by the name of Zeke.
do Quakers ever have camp meetings."
YES" answered another, sthey have
campmeeting over there in Quaker cor
ner every night. That fellow camps out
upon the floor every nap he takes"
WELL" said another, 1--we heard of
boa oarding at the market house and sleep
ing on the bridge. but never saw an il
ustration OF 1t before"
"W onder if they wouldn't take in
boarders?" asked the first speaker. "rll
see if they don't want he rules and reg
ulations of the house printed. If they
do, I'll board out TIE bill"
glanced at my neighbor to see how
he bore this ridicule. His face was flush
and his lips firmly compressed, as if to
choke down the rising Indignation. But
he said not word. [ fancied, however
that he picked up the type faster than
usual.
Things could not so on this way much
longer, for as god-like a quality as for
hearance is, it cannot hold out against
every thing. l saw that storm was
gathering. and prepared to act my part
man when it burst forth.
1t was Saturday afternoon, the hands
were ranged round the stone with
their bills in their hands waiting to be
paid off. Quaker" happened TO be at
one end OF the ''stone," and Immediately
opposite stood "Zeke." As usual "Qua.
kerr was the "observed of all Observers
and SLY whispers, which was answered by
litter or nudge of the elbow, passed
round the group. As the forman paid
"Quaker" the amount due him, he gave
him "a new quarter dollar to make out the
change. This did not escape '.ZekeS'
eye, and he said in tone loud enough TO
be heard by all
"If the eagle on that quarter had life.
and l were State prison convict, L
wouldn't swap places with it, for my
confinement would be far more prefera
/ DtC to "
This was the hair that broke the cam
els back. With an exclamation, You
d ID scoundrel!' he made one bound.
and. with stunning blow brought "Zeke"
to the floor. Then jerking OF his coat,
and placing himselfin fighting attitude.
he turned to the astonished group with
"come on now, cOwardly rutlians. II
Lot L. n I i'll
make you do it by force. l have borne
your insults long enough, and if you
have any more to offer come on with
themi"
This challenge was sufficient. Goats
came off and sleeves were rolled up in a
minute. l saw that my friend would be
apt to get the worst of the fight, and for
cling him into a corner, | exclaimed.
! "Gentlemen, one word if you please
1t would be cowardly for you all to at
tack this man; L will not see it DONE
And if you will attempt it have some
thing here (tapping my breast signifi-
cantly) that will stop it. He is not to
blame, he has only resented an insult,
which any OF you would have done. You
have all insulted him because he has con-
Quoted himself strangiy; let him explain
his conduct, and perhaps we can make up
our quarrel. He owes you an explana-
tion--if not you, he certainly does to me.
And, now, sir" said |. turning to him.,
81 demand it of you as a right"
He hesita ted moment. Come, my
friend" said |, ''let us have it, whatever
it is. and at once put an end to this quar-
rel"
"Well. gentlemen" he said, Il am not
Opposed to lay my private affairs open to
public gaze. but l suppose | must do it
for once. You must know, then, that
from my earnings | must not only sup
port myself, but my mother. two sisters