The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-02

" 1hs Embassy" I" The Ynte Log" /" Philip If
| Lutctta," DC.
CHAP XIX.
Zactariah Exercises his Lngenuity
Once clear of the house, Grit bounded along
| through the streets like hare, regardless of
the observations of the more sober-minded Pc
deStrians whom he encountered, and some of
whom he almost knocked down. He made his
way direct to the hotel, nor staid to take breath
until he reached Leonard's apartment. A hasty
glance satisfied him that his friends had not vet
gone ont. In the exuberance OF his delight at
| this discovery, he dashed his han down on the
| floor, and, well as the shortness of his
breath-induced by his recent speedy locomo-
| tion-would permit performed loud crow, as
was his wont when in high spirits. This effort
seemed quite to exhaust him, for he incontinent-
ly allowed himself to fall into an easy chair, and
commenced forthwith putting and blowing and
wiping the pcrspiration from his face. He fur
| Their placed himself quite at his ease, by throw
ing his legs across arm of the chair in which
elegant position Leonard and Mildred found
him when they presently entered the apart
| ment.
II knew it could be no other than Zacha-
riah," exclaimed Mildred, smiling. At the same
time she advanced towards him, holding out her
hand.
Can't do no more jeS' now, Miss Mily," he
said, taking her profered palm languidly. " It'll
be bellows to mend with me for a good five
minutes yet. Whew -
Why, what's the matter, Zach?" chimed in
Leonard. Something unusual to cause you to
run like this" q
Zacharah made an affirmative sign.
Well, you can sit and take long rest" re-
marked Leonard. q and Mildred are going out
to pay few visits
No you aint," retorted Zach, with an cf-
fort
Mildred and Leonard exchanged chances OF
surprise, and both looked inquiringly at Grit,
at the same moment.
You jes set down, cool, both on you, till
I'm come III a bit" said he, and listen to what
I've got to say. Alter that, you can go if you
chuse. Oh, my I'm a most busted"
Leonards experience of his singular friend,
and some secret misgivings of his own, indef-
nitely associated with his peculiar position, in
duced him to defer to Zach's bluntly expressed
| wish Mdred's countenance, too, underwent a
slight change, for she fanced Grit's tono was as
serious decisive.
Something has happened, Zachariah T. she
| exclaimed. Don't keep us in suspense. What
| is it?"
"Tve arays felt kinder sort O. likin' for the
| folks that speaks up agin stringin' men up like
| dogs, l have" remarked Grit. "Perhaps it
was out of sort of a notion / had, that what |
done some of these yer odd times might bring
my own neck in a Uncomfortable kind of a
moose. I've come to change my 'pinion, that's
| a fact
Leonard and Mildred seated themselves.
| They knew it would be Of little avail to attempt
eliciting information from Zachariah in direct
manner, and therefore patiently resigned them
selves, as if by common consent, to hear his
| story out.
ayes, sir" he continued addressing neither
| of them particularly. Ny minds made UP
that hanging s e'en-a-most too good for some
folks / knows on
He paused Mildred and her brother fixed
their eyes anxiously upon him. but he did not
pursue the course of his observations. After
waiting some few moments, Leonard addressed
| him.
know. 1t is Mark Aveling."
| Mildred turned paler yet but uttered not a
word
Good !" CALCULATED Zach. g True as Holy
Gospel. And the other?"
Il cannot guess, ZACH" answered Leonard,
after a little consideration. " | know of no one
deserves dogs death so richly as that bad, bad
man."
| Reckon you consider that lawyer as come
here a few days ago, kinder sort o friend to
you, Leonard, don't you?" asked Grit, with a
provokingly sarcastic air.
| "He has behaved well to me-" replied Leon
| ard. / consider he acted friendly part"
| "All along o liking to do the thing that's
| right" continued Grit, in the same bantering
| tone. He don't like what's onfair. He hon
ors your noble sentiments concarnin' the Mig
! gers -
Mildred gave perceptible shuddcr, and look
| ed with strange expression at the speaker. He
noticed it, and stopped short, but presently went
on:
.'No fence, Miss Milly. Niggers is niggers.
cotch EN- where you may. God Almighty made
EN- black, but they re human critters, for all
| that. 'Taint fault O yourn, eff calm 'em by
| their right name comes home tn YOU You
knows L wouldn't go for to say word to make
| you feel unpleasant cos these yer laws of ourn
makes them and you kinder near relations T
| on'y means to say as this yer lawyer is cussed
downright pray -and-be-damned everlasting ole
hvpocrite, ash give ole Sam a tarnation deal O
trouble afore he quite gets over him."
"Zach, ZACH" demonstrated Leonard, some
what shocked at the peculiar force of his eccen.
trio friends adjectives, "you forget my SIS
ter"
"No, sir" retorted Grit, with heavy en-
phasis upon the appellative. I've been all
along thlnkln OF ner more thah nave OF
you that's a fact / knows my lingo isn't Of
the elegantest style. picked up my grammar
you see in bye places and among them as
didn't kear bout speahSin' like dictionary, pur
vidin' they found words to fit their notions of
things. i thinks hard, sometimes, and speaks
to measure, in course; and l amt no hand at
soft words when I've got bad things to speak
on. So, Miss Milly won't take fence, | knows,
if jes' says what i means in plain straight-up
native 'merican, which is the best lingo in the
univarse for saying what you're a mind to say
right off, and no turnns."
"Well, well, tell US what it is has brought
you here in this unusually excited state" OBJ
served Mildred, glaneing at Leonard, as hint
| for him to take no notice Of Zach's mode of ex
pressing himself in her presence. r :;
| ave got to say" resumed Grit. " that when
Mark Aveling's hung, for being villain, that