Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-02-17

Now" said Nathan, "I viii! teach
thee a lesson, and | hope il will be
wholesome lesson. too. will seal my
self straddle Of thy breast-I win place
my knees upon thy arms thus, so tha.
thou cannot injure me when thou return
est TO consciousness. Ihope | may be
the humble instrument OF tanning thy
fierce and warllke nature and max ing a
better man of thee.
As the Quaker concluded, Jim began
10 show some returning signs of hfe.--
The first impulse OF Jim. when he fair
ly saw his condition, was to turn Nathan
off. He struggled desperately, but he
was in vlce-his efforts were unavail-
ing.
Friend, thee mus, keep still until
am done with thee" said Nathan, II
believe | an an humble instrument in
the hands Of Providence 10 chastise thee.
and | hope that when am done with
thee thou wilt be a changed man, -
Friend James, does thee not repent at
tacking met"
"No," said Jim with an oath: ..lel me
up and III shox you"
| will not let thee up, th )u inpious
wretch" replied Nathan. 'Dares, thou
profane the name of thy Maker! |
will check thy respiration for moment
Nathan. as good as his word, c!utched
Jim by the throat. He compressed his
grip-a gurgling sound could be heard
Jim's face became distorted--a iTemnr
ran through hls frame. He was evident
lv undergoing process of straugulation.
The Quaker relaxed his hold, but not
until the choking process, as he thought,
had sufficiently tanned the perverse spirit
of jim. TO inhale sufficient air to address
the Quaker.
81 knock under" said Jim. '.Enough!
let me up
mo, thou hast not got enough" re-
piled Nathan. "Thou art undergoing q
process of moral publication, and thou
must be con,ented TO reu ain where thou
liest until | am done with thee. Thou
just prolaned the name of thy Maker,
friend James; confess, dost thou repeht
thy wickedness!'
mo, hanged II | do" growled Jim.
"Wiltth thou not!' replied the Quaker;
"muss use compulsory means9 | will
compress thy windpipe again unless
thou givest me an answer in the affirna-
tive @
.No,-I--I--y-e.sI" shrieked jim in
a gurgling tone as the Qaaker's grip fas-
tened; ''yes, am sorry" "
ais thy sorrow a godly sorrowl"
Yes replied Jim. ras syE
"A godly sorrow leadeth to repent
ance, we are progressing finely. Thou
said just now" continued he. "that
was canting, lying, mischiel-making,
cowardly hypoerite. Dost thou recall |
those assertions" #az
=. "Yes," replied Jim; ''let me up"
III am not done with thee YETI said
Nathan; "lhou hast been a d:s,urber of
the peace of this neighborhood. time out
of mind. Wilt thou promise me tina, in
future thee will lead more peaceful
life, that thou wilt love thy neighbor as
tbyselR"
"Yes, all but the Quakers."
' "Thou must make no exceptions,
insist on an affirmative answer"
If ! say yes to lhat--ril die first"
A struggle now ensued between the
two but Jim had his match.
Thou must yield James, promise to
love thy neighbor as thyself, including
the Quakers."
\ ii won. promise that. I'll be cursed if
| DO" replied Jim. as
"fhee had better give 10; will choke
thee again if thee does not; see my grip
iightens.'
And Nathan did compress his grip,
and the choking process again went on.
Jim's face became distorted, then pur-
ple-his tongue lolled out. aud his eyes
protruded from their sockets-his body
writhing like a dying mans. Nathan
persisted in holding his grip until Jim
became passive, when he relaxed his
hold. Jim was slow in recovering his
speech and his senses; when he did he
begged Nathan for mercy's sake to re-
lease him.
NV hen thee will make the promise |
exact from thee, will release thee, but
no sooner" replied Nathan.
81 will give in" replied jim, 81 prom
ise to love nv neighbor as myself, in
GLIDING the Quakers.
"Thou mayest arise, then, James,"
answered Nathan, .'and trust that the
lesson thou hast learned to-day will
make more peaceable and better man
of thee"
Poor Jim was entirely humb,cd, he
left the field with his spirits completely
cowed. Not long after this occurrence
the story became bruiied about. This
was more than Jim could bear. He
soon left the scene of his many triumphs,
and his late disastrous defeat, and emil
grated To tue Far West The last we
heard of him he was making prepara-
lions for another move. Being pressed
for his reasons why he again emigrated,
he said that colony of Quakers were
about moving into his neighborhood.-
He was under many obligations to love
them; but he was of an opinion tha, DIS
tance would lend strength to his attach