Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-10-19
0gE. 49,.
GlrauiuQG frurr 8uuks.

lent new work and we now proceed to com
ply with our promise, by selecting a few
choice pages for the edifcation of our male
readers. We are glad to learn that Mr..
PoNERoY, our enterprising and obliging Book
seller, has sent for q number of copies of
"Maplcton," which will perhaps have been
received by the time this will be seen 10y our
readers.
The first portion we have marked to copy
to-day, is a scene between a hypocritical, re-
ligious liquor dealer by the very appropriate
title Of " Skampton," and his pimp and ac-
complete "Gilrort," and "Saphead," a cor
rupt, pettifogsins lawyer. They are discus
sing the question as to what steps it is best
to employ, to prevent the passage of a Pro
hibitory Igor law. Saphead has just arri-
we'd, and is made acquainted with efforts
plans which he had just made known to
%Skampton
'Saphead, such and such are Mr.. Gil
forts plans said Skampton, detailing to
him the particulars. What do you think?'
Il think two wiser heads do not rest on
shoulders, AMI what you approve / 90 for,
said Saphead, with labored breathing.
You deserve a drop for that said Gil
fort, pouring out a glass Of champagne,
which Slphcad swallowed with a gusto, it
put life into his sluggish corporosity.
you will then undertake to drum up re-
cruits for the campaign in February and
March, will you, Mr.. Saphead? said Skamp-
ton.
Il will, sir. I'll go first to all the liquor
dealers, an get a lugc subscription for its
money makes the mare 60. Then, I'd get
every conservative mans influence on our
side; l mean yours, as you arc men skill
led in all matters of law and legislation
They'll 90 for US, to Il man. Then all the Ii
quJr-drinkers-l numerous host, will bring
up the rear, with their petitions, to scare
the dough.faces into a vote on the right
side
you understand thething,' said Skamp-
ton. we shall need a large subscription
to buy over the papers
At that moment the dOor-bell rang, and
Peter PECAN, Esq, a conservative editor of
distinction, was ushered in. just in time,
Mr.. Pegan,' added Skampton, detailing the
several features Of the plan. Can we re-
ly upon your able aud influential journal ?
That's the very object of my coming
said Pcgan, with an involuntary twist of his
meagrc person. The battle wakes hotter
and hotter. | have just heard that Bud.
gcon* has set the north and west of the state
all in a flame. They have already begun
to empty the liquor-casks by mob violence
and are confident of being sustained in theil
vandalism by the coming Legislature. | an
prepared to lead off with all my power il
fayor Of law and order; and have come t
to rally as many as you can to my help
You see, my good Pegan,' said Skamp
ton, 'we have anticipated YOU
EYes, l 90 to New York this very night,
added Saphead. FTll kindle in the grca
metropolis a counter-hame, which will con
sumo Bludgeon and all his combustion
I'm keep my host here to assail the com
ing members of both houses said Gilfort
And I'll help YOU added Skampton
The next scene to which we will intro
duco our readers, is that of a Temperance
meeting, at which Bludgeon, the Lecturer
was to address the people. The village o
"Maplcton" had been ravaged by the demon
Alcohol. and a public meeting had been ca
led to give vent to the Indignation of its bel
ter ]citizons, on account oftho bloodshed, deg
radiation and suffering that were the legit
mate fruits of tho grog-shops stationed in tina
community. The Rumites hearing of it ha
determined on making n demonstration, /
rising in q mob to break up the meeting an
wrcak their vengeance on Bludgeon. II
heard Of their intentions and sent them O
invitation to attend the meeting, assurir
them he should handle them without GLOW
and expose fully their n]efarious business
The temperance meeting is about being q
ganizod:
When the rum convention arrived, in
the pomp of procession, they were surpI
Sod to find seats reserved for them in a bod
and no signs of timidity evinced on accou
of their presence. They expected to S
Bludgeon cover before so augusta presence
whereas he seemed hardly aware of it,
~intently was he absorbed in higher int
osts. The audience was made up of g
kinds of characters, -drunkards, gambler
cxtortioners, liars, iu6dels of every grad
s%cofers, profane swearers, libertines, al
all the wrecks and pests of society, as W,
rs Of the decent and the v%irtuous. The Ii
ter had come from curiosity, or to aid t
cause Of reform, while the former determ:
ed to protect themselves from the dread
exposures, even if they had to do it W
the blood of him who should venture
make them. In~terspersed among the o
cast multitudes, here and there, were BIZ
geon's forlorn hope, or body-guard, W
whom he had arranged to help him, in
event of a tumultuous outbreak. The
dience being duly seated, and ready, Bl
gcon rose coolly and fearlessly, while
stiffness Of death reigned on every hand.
He stood Oh a platform, near the centre
n sea of heads. The bleak winds of MAJ
howlcd around the vast structure, and,
mid the awe-inspiring sounds, now distin
ly audible from the deep silence, BludgC
exclaimed, abruptly,
Il beheld Satan as lightning fall fir
heaven =
His eyes flashed fire as he spoke, and
pale, haggard face, and croaking voice,
tokencd a man from the tombs rather Il
from the activities of the living world. :
audience were electrified by the first on
tSuch my friends, is what l behold
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