The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-28


on the conduct of gentlemen of family? Think
yourself happy that We let you 60 ont of the
State without the punishment that your impu-
| dence deserves
Mr.. Gordon, am sorry TO hear YOU speak
ing in that way, said father Dickson, composed.
ly. SPY right of your family, you certainly
ought to know how to speak as n gentleman
You are holding language to me that you have
no right to hold, and uttering threats that you
have no means of enforcing"
You'll see if | haven't" replied the other,
! with an oath. Here, boysl 4"
lie beckoned one or two of the leaders to his
side, and spoke with them in low voice One
of them seemed inclined to demonstrate.
"No, no-it's too bad " he said
But the others said
Yes, it serves him right! Well do i'll
Hurra, boys! Wen help on the parson home,
and help him kinde his fire I"
There was general shout as the whole
party striking up ribald song, seized father
DECISIONS horse, turned him round, and began
marching in the direction of his cabin in the
woods.
Tom Gordon and his companions. who rode
foremost, filled the air with blasphemous and
obscene songs, which entirely drowned the voice
OF father Dickson whenever he attempted to
make himself heard. Before they started. Tom
Gordon had distributed freely Of whisky among
them; 80 that what little manliness there might
have been within, seemed to be "set on fire of
hell" 1t was one of those moments that try
mems souls.
Father Dickson, as he was hurried along.
thought of that other One, who was led by an
infuriate mob through the streets of Jerusa-
lem, and he lifted his heart in prayer TO the
Apostle and High Priest of his profession, the
God in Jesus. When they arrived before his
little cabin, he made one more effort to arrest
their attention.
"My brethren" he said
"None Of your brethreni Stop that cant -
said Tom Gordon.
Hear me one word" said father Dickson
My wife is quite feeble. Pm sure you wouldn't
wish to hurt a sick woman, who never did harm
to any mortal creature
We'll, then" said Tom Gordon. facing round
to him, "lf you care so very much about your
wife, you can very easily save her any further
trouble. just give US the promise we want, and
we'll go away peaceably, and leave you. But.
II you won't as true as there is a God in heaven,
We'll pull down every stick of timber in your
old kennel! I'll tell you what, old man, you've
got a master to deal with, nowl"
cannot promise not to preach upon this
subject"
"Cii' IiicI' you tnuSJ promise TO take YOUR
self out of the State. You can 90 among YOUR
Northern brethren, and howl and mawl round
there; but we are not going to have you here
have as much respect for respectable ministers
of the Gospel as any one, when they confne
themselves TO the duties Of their calling; but,
when they come down to be intriguing in our
worldly affairs, they must expect to be treated
as We treat other folks that do that Their black
coats shan't protect them We are not going
to be priestridden, are we, bOys?"
loud whoop of inf AIMED and drunken mer
riment chorused this question. Just at this
moment, the door of the cottage was opened,
and pale, sickly .lookng woman came gliding
out to the gate.
"My dear" she said, and her voice was per.
fectly calm, % don't yield a hairs breadth, on
my account. | can bear as well rs YOU | am
not afraid. | am ready To die for conscience
sake. Gentlemen" she said, "there is not much
IN this house OF any value, except two sick chill.
dren. Ii it is agreeable to you TO pail it down,
you can DO it. Our goods are hardly worth
spolhng, but you can spoil them. Ny husband.
be iirmj don't yield an inchi"
1t Is one OF the worst curses of Slavery that
1t effaces from the breast all manly feelino
with regard to woman. Everyone remembers
the story how the frail and DELICATE wife Of Love
JOY placed her weakness rs 2 shield before the
chamber door where her husband was secreted
and was fought with brutal oaths and abuse nv
the drunken gang, who were determined ga Tass
over her body, if necessary, 20 AIS heart They
who are tralNeG ~ whip women in a servile no.
l,tlHn, OF course, can have none Of the respect
which freeman feels for woman as woman.
They respect the sex, when they sae IL onshrined
by fashion, wealth, and power; but they tread
Il an the dust, when in poverty and helpiessuess
1t stands in the path of their purposes.
Woman" said Tom Gordon, "you are
fool You needn't think to come it round va
with any of that talk You needn't think we
are gong to stop on your account, FOR We shan't!
We know what VIC are about"
SO does God. said the woman, fixing her
eye on him with one Of those sudden looks Ct
power with which noble sentimen. sometimes
lights up for momea. the weakest form.
There was momentary pause, and then Tom
broke out into oaths and curses,
"I'll tell you what, boys" he said L" we had
better bring matters 10 point Here, tie him
up to this tree, aud give him six. and.thrty He
Is 40 dreadful fond of the niggers, let him fare
With them We know how to get a promise
out of him !"
The tiger was now fully awake in the crowd.
Wild oathC and cries of Give it to him Give
1t to him, Cd d-n him !" arose,
Father Dickson stood calm; and, beholdinp
him, they saw his face as if it had been that of
an angel, and they CRASHED on him with their
teeth. few moments more, and he was di-
vested of his outer garments, and bound to
tree.
"Now, will you promse?" said Tom Gordon,
taking out his watch. ! give you FIVE min
utes."
The children, now aroused, we're looking out,
crying, from the door. His wife walked out,
and took her place before him.
Stand out of the way, old woman " said
Tom Gordon.
Il will not stand out of the way /" she said,
throwing her arms round her husband. You
shall not get to him but over my bodyl"
"Ben Hyatt, take her awayi" said Tom Cor
don. Treat her decently, as long as she be-
HAYES herself"
A man forced her away. She fell fainting
on his shoulder.
clay her down." said Tom Gordon. "Now,
sir, your FIVE minutes are up. What have you |
got to say?"
~ have to say that 1 shall not comply with
your demands"
Every WELL" said Tom, otis best to be ex,
plicit.'
He drew his horse little hack, and said TO !
a man who was holding a slave-whip behind, |
" Give it to him"
The blows descended. He uttered no sound. /
The mob, meanwhile, tauntingly insulted him.
How do you like it ? What do you think of |
it? Preach us sermon, now, can't you? Come, !
where's your text?"
"He is getting stars aud stripes, now !" said
one.
81 reckon he'll see stars /" said another.
"Stop," said Tom Gordon. "Wen, my
friend" he said, "you see we are in earnest, I
and we shall carry this through to the bitter end
YOU NAV rely en- IL Ynn wont get any avn