Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-07-21
gnt,rtsting GaIs.
cspywrghs secured according 70 taw.
lHI MYSTERIOUS PARCHMENT.
OR
THE SATANIC LICENSE.
CHAPTER VIII.
ruE TEMPERANCE MEETING.

Athrili, q voieelsss challsngs aud reply,
And sudden parting aner.n
As soon as the stranger took his seat.
parson Holyday announced that the
meeting was closed. IL was not strange
ut all that hc wanted Il clos ed Tor the Sc.
we're castiQuiion from the lecturer made
him feel nnxiuus To yet awiy from the
penetrating eyes 0! bis parshloners.
The stranger took the arm o: Parks
and Huif. and left the h,0ss. Waep
they were few PAGES from the church.
he looked up into Parks lace, nnd said
"Didn't I tell you I would give 'em
some u l had chance!"
To this sarcastic question no reply
was made. and they all walked on Ia
silence to the tavern. After Parks,
had stirred up the embers, laI the
brand together, and started brisk ire.
the stranger said, Landlord, | guess
will retire, feel somewhat fatigued.
II should think you would, to max
such speech ~ you did" replied Parks
Speech. Wy, what abouI that!
Why yourabuse to parssn Hoydny-
thst's what abunt IL. didn't care So
much about myself; can bare il; my
shoulders are broad. Bat u see that
man aoused. who always minds his
own business, is more than ! can bear,
said Parks, in al angry toae.
What do you mean by his minding
his own business. inquired the stranger
Why, | mean tha' he never msddles
with politics or any other exciting ques
tion He always breaches the gospel.
love TO 90 ihele to church occasion
ally, tor when he breaches | AN sure Vi
hearing the Truth. hav, slip there.
pnd give twenty dollars year Tor his
sa,ary.
Yes. you give him the twenty dolars
because he says nothing about rumsel-
ling, presume.
give il because he minds his own
business. and breaches the gospel, ard
lets other things alone.
Well, landlord, | think | will retrs;
! guess we have said enough on this
question Tor one night.
Parks took candle, led his guest up
stsires, and gave hm room directly
over the bar room.
During the conversation between
Parks, and the stranger, Gale Morlmer,
Zene Huff. and Sam Crowtoot sat de-
Inurely by the fire, without u,tering Il
word. When the stranger retired they
were there still. lie was a httle anx-
ious to know how they received his taik
at the church. He bad some lears lsa
Parks should excite them To mob him, or
kill his nurse. He saw ia the floor
stove. pipe hole, to which he Carefully
put his ear 10 hear what wus said when
Parks returned.
Well, Gale, what did you think OF the
strunger's talk tonight! asked Parks.
Well, pretty hot, | thought; but No
better than true, guess.
Didn't you think he abused the parson
most rascaliyl
Nc, can't say do. About all oil
Holyday cares tor is bis salary. he
never breaches against any thing that
will sndanger u cent of hs salary, re-
piled Cule.
Zsne, what did you think Of III said
Parks.
| thought he biz the nail on the heal.
Do You swallow such abuse as that
| thonght you was a man that alwul
went for order and decenry, continued
Parks.
II II Is disorderly AMI indecent to tell
the truth about sUm,ellinl aud rum
driaking, then alter this mean to DC.
disorderiy. answered Zene.
Well really; you are coming OUT
You're getting along last. You're go-
ing to Join old Piatt's party, aud BE- u
lulLbloodcd colj.wutrrite, eh' said
Parks.
dou'tknow yet whose party shall
join; bet have mOfe up my MUD 10
leave yours. You have got ala the man-
ey out OF me you ever will, replied
Zene, In determined tone.
Sam, how did you leel about itl Didn't
you think the old lark was rather severe
on the parsun! again asked Pirks.
| will give you NY opiniod soon in
writing, said CrVwioot, who had taken
u plcee OF paper aud a pencil lram his
pot kei, and Nas busly ng,ged m w'i-
ting No one IN The rOom but himsrl
had The least idea what he was 1t Ina
SHIRT time he Strengthened up, aud said.
Parks, would liLe 10 hear my opinion!
should, very much.
! Grow foot then read the follow ing:--
We, whose nBmes are hereto annex
ell, solmply pledge ourselves that We
will carefully abstain irom the use o.
spirituous liquors, strong beer, wines,
and cider; and 80 ar as we are able, We
will discountcnance their use in others.
SAMUEL cRoWFoOT.
What DO you say " that, Iene; will
you 30 ~ asked Crowlo1t.
will, vas the firm reply.
Will YOU, Mortimer!
BE sure | will. am not ohe Of thr
kind that hangs back.
Walk up to the light, then, aud put
down your names like men, SAID Crow.
toot.
They deliberately signed their names
to what they considered declaration
ot independence; aud they did Il in
their sober moments, Tor they had drank
nothing since some time IN the after.
uoon. Being in iull possession oi their
reason, they signrd the pledge with a
cleur understanding o: It's impcrt aud th,
obligations II imposed upon them.
After they hud completed The work
aud resumed their seats, Parks brok,
out, Well, you have cut 0 pretty iigur
now.
In what wayl asked CrowIoot.
! Why, in the signing away your !ber
ties. replied the chagrined liquor dealer
i Yes. we have signed away our hbert,
TO get drunk abuse our wives, and stare,
our children, said CrOwloOt.
And ! guess We have signed away
your liberty too. Me-. Parks; that's wha
troubles You, added No,tmer.
ny liberty! How have you signe.
away my liberty uskcd Parks.
Yes, your liberty 20 nke rom u oe
saraings and give " no equivalent 10