Smyrna times., 1854-11-15
Sf(tsttllantous.
TIL e URIC US;
FOUR DEGREES IN KNOW-NOTHING-
ISM.

l
her, the all-absorbing topic Of Know Nothing |
ism was introduced into one of the quiet inland
| villages of Delaware. 1t was known that sew |
eral OF the inhabitants, contrary to their usual
habits, absented themselves from the domestic
circle at least one evening in the week. Fail
ing to be and appear" about the country
stores, and away from their families at the same
time, gave rise to conjecture and suspicion
Not even member of their respective house
holds could give reason for thar absence
and the inquiries of fond mothers and numerous
married ladies, added not little to nfame the
already oyerburdened curiosity of the town.
4 The ladies would whisper and shake their
heads. "Outsders" talked about midnight
plotting -" secret conclaves," and unconsti-
tutional societies" as they collected in knots
about the stores and corners, and neighhors be-
came so many spies upon the movements of
each other. Society was in dreadful state"
and nobody could say who's who"
In this dilemma" young man, whom we
shall style curious Joe, somewhat celebrated for
" finding out things took the matter in hand.
His reputation was at stake. He had ever
been celebrated for unravelling mysteries, and
knowing everything. On family quarrel, a
T runaway match, love scrape, and even down
to the lowest village scandal, Joe was always
+ posted" To him, then, all eyes were turned.
|
th1n'S up!-queer movements goin' OHIO
SIGH work as this ever known before. Can't
you find out! Let me alone for that said
Joe, Pm tree 'em.'' And at it he went He
logged the heels of some of the suspected par
ties, like blood hound. He inspected remote
dwellings, and spent half his nights in peeping
) around barns, workshops, &c. Corn fields,
meadows and swamps were explored, and every
likely spot for midnight doings watched with
the eye of a lynx. At last, about III o'clock
) one evening, he saw some half dozen men
emerge from swamp, in about the centre OF
which was an old Negroes cabin, situated on
small rise of ground, but untenanted SNOW
I've got 'em =" exclaimed joe to his landlord,
next morning, while enjoying the morning re-
past. 8" Catch wea2el asleep! I'll quietly go
out to the cabin tomorrow night, and enter be-
for they come. . Once secreted in the loft, I'll
hear all they say, and see all they do. Fool
who!"
Now be it known, that Joe's landlord was
fond of a joke; and Is said to be member of
that dark, mysterious band. He quietly visited
d some six or eight congenial spirits, and they
q agreed to take an early start for the cabin, and
= pate Joe. Disfguring themselves with
: burnt cork in such manner as to rival so
u many Congo Africans, addressed in character,
: they entered the cabin and posted themselves
3 for Joe's reception. Nor did they wait long
for Joe's step was soon heard. He walked
n around the cabin, in listening, cautious gait
:, and entered. The next moment, he was sud-
denly startled by slam of the door, and noise
!, like the rafting of strong bar to secure il
- against all intruders. "Who-o-es-th there O.
n stammered Joe. Receiving no answer, he ner.
! vously drew from his pocket match and struck
a light Holding it up, he peered around the
d room, and oh! horror--their stood eight stall
l. wart negroes, looking vengeance at him. Ere
rs the match had ceased to burn, by given sigma
!, they seized Joe, (holding him awfulIy uneasy
and made him "walk Spanish" around tht
d room, in double quick time. "Murder help =
ot reared Joe but no response. He was raised
is to the ceiling, and his head came thump agains
m the rafters, and then ker- ,ohGlLop! he came t.
:, the ground floor. This operation was repeated
y on several occasions, and every time his heat
J. struck, Joe thought he had busted the roof off
ut for be sG,o stars. i" Oh, Niggers!' screame,
10 Joe, ssdon't kill me this time. | wasn't Spiesi
"A you, was arter them No-Nothings-sav me
4 helpl Dang went his head,) murder (Squej
% went his robust carcass on the hoor,) "Oh-oh
ut oh - and thus did Joe receive his first degree
I'd The initiation proceeded. He was laid down
tn and each wrist and ankle seized by four stron.
!. fellows Swinging him to and fro, as if famiIia
7 with the game of "block and hammer" they
Y gave one awful surge, and brought the flesh
III portion of his body with terrible force agains
a one of the stout wall logs. "Ugh!" grunte
q Joe. SC I'm goner-give me time to say M
!. (npD Mercy! spare my life!" and Joe la
- Timber as rag, at the close of this his secOR
ne degree ~. Sol. j. ,a.-
en- Joe was now stripped of all his clothing, an
s- his feet and arms firmly held, when process
81 of .clear-starching was commenced on hi
II bare flesh, that made our victim SquedL. TIL
NJ sounds came-as regular as those from blacl
an smiths anvil, from hands SCARED, and muscle
to strengthened by honest labor; nor did the
~ leave him till the surface OF Joe's body locke
red enough to have gone through incipieI
NJ roasting before a good fire. All this time, Jc
ed was begging, threatening and coaxing. Thu
Die ended the third degree!
RIM The fourth was now adm mustered, whiC
:. consistedo of blacking his face and body we
- with the burnt cork, while his flesh was in q
ex- oiIv state from friction. This done he w
er, placed outside the door. Once free, our he
ind bounded from the scene of horror like rel
!. deer, and reached home, painting from frig
:. and exertion. AS the whole initiation, W
IN conducted in the dark, Joe was not aware I'll
ou- his color had changed. Onswaking up, he d
covered his sorry plight. Bed and bed cloth
hat were soiled. Joe had heard of people turn
- pale from fright, but we never knew befc
''ai they turned black. He came down, howev
the in the morning looking rather careworn. 4
i've. landlord asked very innocently if he fou
. them "Yes," said Joe, not willing to adj
~. he had failed" can find anything but did
knop they had a pack o. did niggers +.
nose door-keepers 7" Joe has never said "Kn
nur- Nothingn since. l$8@''ate'' ~" -.
- / ai DID, fss Il.
In lieu of attaching g ESQ., to mems mai
ver now, the letters s., Pr are substituted sls
ions flying "Some Pumpkins as....t.-