Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-10-26
9Mlsttl!aNp. D .
IARTIN M ABU RY;
OR,
A Boys Oath of Vengel nee.
BY sYLvANus COBB, JR.

"Get out!''
The man who said "Get out" stood
upon the upper step of fine house in
thriving town, and terrible f:own was
upon his brow. He was merchant in
small way-or, what is generally termed
in the country "store keeper" He was
well-to-do in the world, of middle age,
and quite proud.
The person who was thus peremptorily
ordered by Peter Gooch to "get out" was
boy-a fair haired, bright-eyed, intelli-
gent looking boy. of fourteen years. HIS
lip trembled as he stood upon the graveled
walk and gazed the man in the face, and
fiery glow suffused his handsome features.
He held small bundle in his hand, which
he clutched with nervous foice.
"Get outl'' repeated Mr.. Gooch.
..I'm going, SIR" the boy said, proudly;
and then sinking his voice to low, pas
sionate tone, he added. "But let me tell
you, sir, that 1 will yet live to be revenged
have sense and reason left, WILL HAVE
vENGEANCE!'
"Get out!' Numbered the man, making
II demonstrative movement with his foot.
The boy spoke not another word, but
turned quickly away, and was ere long,
beyond the bounds of the village. lie
walked on until he had reached a small
valley, out of sight of any human habita-
ton, and here he sat down upon stone by
the roadside. Thus far he had borne up
without quiver, even; but his heart broke
down now, and resting his brow upon his
little bundle, he began to cry. He had
not sat long thus when he realized tina:
some one had taken seat beside him.
He looked up, and saw whitehall old
mana man covered with the dust OF
travel, and whose wet brow and labored
breathing told that he was worn and
weary.
"Why do you weep thus, my child %
the old man asked in a weak, tremulous
tone.
The boy pondered moment, and ther
answered.
because l have been abused, sir"
ABUSED? ? And who has done this q
"Peter Gooch did it, S l.. He has abused
me long while"
"Peter Gooch? Who is he?'
''He keeps store in the village"
"The one just over the hill here-Day
Vile"
"Yes, SIR"
"And how has he abused you, m.
child?"
In every way. He has beaten me; ant
cursed me and called me names ant
made me sleep in the barn; and made m
go without my supper; and-and-
"That's enough my son. And nov
tell me why Peter 'Gooch has done this.
''He has done it because-because-
'Speak plainly, and be not afraid that
, shall do thee harm. Now tell me all"
: The boy hesitated a while, and fnall
said:
= 81 never meant to do wrong-1 alway
= tried to do right-but he wouldn't let mt
: Sometimes l would forget, and then h
would abuse me. Then would get al
+ CRY and sulky, and he and his wife woul
both cuff me about. l couldn't be dol
so they made me ugly"
"They succeeded in making you betra
y wicked spirit" said the old man, meal
ID ingly.
= "Would you tamely bow down
: stripes that you did not deserve ?'' the Ia
Ie H asked, quickly, and with flushed chee
A cloud crossed the deeply furrowC
features of the aged man, and his
: quivered. He bowed his head momen
ID and when he looked up, there was brig
e- e- drop upon the long, gray lashes.
d. "My son." he said, with strong EN-
: ton, ''I have been obliged to bow to mai
s. a stripe-stripes heavy and humiliating-
e. through long. dark life, simply because
= could not, or would not, bow when l W
- young"
L. "But no one would bow to such strip
ct, as have been put upon me-" the boy ]
e, turned, warmly, 81 wouldn't submit.
have sworn" he continued, growing mo
ardent, "to have revenge upon that pro-
: man; and revenge I'll havel'
s. What sort of revenge do you contel
h. plate9' the worn traveller asked, IN uu
ed