Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-30
sTAUNTON, VIRGINIA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1857.

Let the people teach him lesson! Every frien
of the poor will meet at his warehouse to-day
at 10 o'clock, A. NJ, to distribute his hoarde
stock. Awake. Be vigilant
VoY PopUL1.
Of this infammatory bandbill the unsuspect
ing merchant had no idea, and he was equal,
ignorant of bitter leader IN the Herald, de
nouncing him as having forced up the price o
flour; for, on opening the paper, his eyes hat
caught sight of an announcement that tn,
jackson Musketeers, Capt. Norton Parker, pa
raded yesterday to receive the Philadelphi,
Blues, and will escort them to the boat to-day
"Militia humbugl |" he muttered IT.
Just then in came large dealer. swell, Mr.
Dalton" said he, 81 suppose you will reduce
prices q few shillings per barrel to-day"
mot "copper"" was the reply. "Indeed,
expect the steamer will bring such news that
shall advance on what have before night"
"But this affairan
20, well, there are many rogues in the world.
And he was soon busily engaged in his ledger
while the less fortunate oeiupeer left the count
ing room deeply impressed with Mr.. Dalton's
strength of mind.
And well he might be, for mob was fast
collecting around the large warehouse, utterng
fierce threats. Some were relating improbable
stories about Mr.. Dalton's raising the price Of
flour, in order to crafty luxurious tastes, and
each burning word impressed itself upon the
popular heart. At length there was cry OF
"Daltonl Delton!" which reached the inner
countng-room, and in rushed terrific clerk,
who soon informed the now alarmed merchant
that his property was doomed. fastening TO q
window, he saw the street filled with an infuri-
ated mob, aud, scarcely knowing what else to
do, lie ordered the warehouse doors to be clos.
ed. a,s re .a i o.ai 4e.4'
This but added fuel to the flames. Huge
beams were brought from lumber yard near
by, and soon the doors cracked beneath the bat
tering of the assailants. Poor Mr.. Dalton !
His fortune was in his warehouse, and his life
perhaps, would be sacrificed to the fury of the
populace. There was crash then another
The doors were forced! Barrel after barrel was
quickly rolled out, and as quickly knocked to
pieces, covering the muddy pavement as if with
snow. All this did the merchant witness, and
vet he was powerless. He thought of the police
Which he had so derisively discarded in the
morning but what could few officers do O.
gainst mob flushed with victory9
Just then the quick notes of o drum came 8.
bayonets of the jackson Musketeers' cleaned
in front of the warehouse, serried hedge
There was deep silence, and the work of de-
struction was stayed.
"By the right flank, march!" rung out the
clear voice of Norton Parker. "Charge bayo
uets" 1t was dexterous movement which
completely cleared the street, and just then APP
peared the Mayor, with small posse ofotficers.
IRE. fbott he u;o
and he hastened to thank Capt. Norton.
"We have but done our duty" was the reply,
'and are glad that we were near at hand, and
that Justice Wilcox could thus avail himself of
our services"
1t was late that night when Mr.. Dalton re-
turned home, for the steamer had arrived, and
'swhen sorrows come, they come not single
spies, but in battalions" Flour had fallen In
Europe, and had declined half dollar barrel
Immediately on receipt of the news. Yet Mr..
Dalton looked happier than bis family had seen
him many day.
"Well, WE'LL" said he on entering, "thank
Heaven am here again! 1t has been hard
day for meas Charlie has probably told you
but the reverses have opened my eyes, and l
hope we can live as we used to. Has Charlie
returned since you sent him back to the ware
house3 All, there is his ring!"
Master Charlie entered, and with him came
Norton Parker, looking more like culprit than
the burglar had.
Morton" said the merchant, "you and your
brave soldiers saved my property-perhaps, my
life. You conquered the mob, and also my foolish
notions about the militia, who, | now see, are
necessary to preserve order, and enforce the
laws. And, although l am not as rich to-day
as 1 was yesterday, can still give you, with my
daughter, handsome competence"
Lizzie's eyes had been filed with tears, but
they were tears of joy; and now through their
crystal prisms came smile so eloquent that
Norton caught her in his arms, and imprinted a
kiss upon her rosy lips.
"That's it," exclaimed Mr.. Dalton, rubbing
his hands; lit may not be the fashionable way
of sealing contract, but it is the best one
And now, while we old folks and Charlie are at
tea, fix on the wedding day. Mind, we must
have the whole company present"
"Hurra!" shouted Charlie. "By the right
flank, march!"