The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-07

he was going to set matters straight directly,
get him off, and bring him back with flying
colors; and that all they had to do was to make
themselves easy and happy, and see that Sally
get the young prodigals rooms in order for him
in the course of the next week." He then threw
himself into the cars, and travelled day and night
till he found himself at the door Of Tadmor jail
1t was barbaric fortress, of what may be called
a new composite order of architecture. The
| walls were about four feet thick, and made of
| four layers-the outer one brick, the next of
hewn logs, the next stone, and the inner one
| again of logs. A guard stood at the door, with
| his musket
! "Can see Mr. Arden 2" said Edward.
| al reckon, if you go around to that third
winder on the right hand. When thar amt no
| gentlemen or ladies thar a-lookin in at him, he's
mostly close to it, a-lookin out. If he amt in
sight, yer Jest boiler at him, an tell him to stir
his stumps an let yer see him. Most that comes
is disapp, inted, though he amt so much of
ruffian to look at"
| Z" Drunken rascal muttered Edward j,
"whom is he talking about? Tell the jailer that
| gentleman wishes to speak to him..
| The jaier appeared, Mr.. Arden is confined
here is he not?"
| " He is So"
| a have come to see him.
! "Walk in, sir; this way, if you please. Uni
versal curiosity is experienced generally to see
that young man."
| He accompanied Edward into the building,
and unlocked cell, where two villainous-look-
ing fellows crouched on the bare stone floor.
single chain, fifteen or sixteen feet long, came
from the wall and they were fettered to it about
yard apart from one another. 1t was towards
dusk, and the window was small; but what lit
tie light there was, fell upon them. They glow
cred up doggedly from under their matted locks,
but did not speak. Edward turned, impa
tiently:
Here is some mistake"
" Edward y exclaimed a wellknown voice
from a dark corner the chain, clanking and
jangling, writhed like snake and Herman
was in his arms.
whats all this? How dared you'll" cried
Edward turning upon the jailer, in perfect
tornado of rage; but he was just locking the
door upon them, confding in the espionage Of
the other rascals, who would he knew, be only
too happy to turn States evidence, if there
should be any treason talked.
"Good heavens, Herman! What is all this !!
Had you no acquaintance no money to bride
them into treating you like gentleman till |
could have time to get at your"
~ did not try. l chose rather to stand on
my rights as a citizen. l was willing to know
how poor men fare under the laws which we
help to Make
Edward actually stamped with his feet
"Quixptic nonsense I'll have no more of it.
Halloo, here Fire, MURDER MURDER murder |
Guard /! shouted he, battering on the door,
till it shook on its hinges, and the guard came
troopng and galloping through the passages,
followed hard by the jailer. While the door
was unlocking however, Edward recollected
himself, though he shook from head to foot in
an ague-ft of suppressed passion, as he said, in
the low, deep tone of thunder, that mutters be-
fore it bellows, How dare you chain this gen.
tleman to those felows?"
(which gentleman, sr?" asked the iailer,
COMPOUNDED.
90 Which gentleman, sir p The gentleman,
sir--Mr. Arden 2"
! HThey are kidnappers, sir; he's kidnapper,
He is young gentleman of fortune and
the very highest responsibility, taken up, through
mistake, by some blackguards who did not
know him, for mere thoughtless boyish frolick
and, in serving him in this manner, you have
probably done the worst piece of work for your
self that you ever did in your life. have come
to bail him out, with letters to everybody of any
consequence in your State, from the Governor
down. If you do not know how to treat gen.
tleman decently for day or two, | presume
that some of them do, and will have the good
ness to teach you. Oh you have some sense,
! l see the jailer was giving, in undertone,
an order to send the blacksmith, with his ham
, mer and chise to strike the fetter from Her
mans ANGLE. "Now, show him into the best
room you have; and give him something to sit
on and sleep on, and something to eat and drink,
: too, if you've been starving him into the bar
gain," added he; for, as the light Of the smith
lantern fell upon his brothers face, he was
startled by its ghastliness "and there's some
thing to buy medicine for you, if you fall sick
with the fright you've had"
MAY ask your name, sir 2"
"Yes-of the magistrate, when you see him
| here with me tomorrow. It is one you will be
likely to remember to the last day of your life,
| unless you take better care for the future"
Herman was taken to another room, also
upon the ground floor, accommodated with a
chair, bed, lamp, and table, and left alone with
his brother. This won't do, Ned" said he,
l family smiling, but shaking his head.
, Wont do! / should think not Who but
you would ever have supposed it would? My
e poor boy, can it be actual famine. that has
= changed you so. in fortnights time?''
, "Oh, no believe they have always offered
), US something or other, two or three times a
/ day."
|, "What sort of a something or other ?"
a Really don't remember l haven't no
, hardship has been my companions, Ned. They
are kidnappers, as the jailer told you-wretches
part of whose regular businessit is, to decoy
4 slaves away by promises Of freedom, and tc
l sell them again and, conceive oft the gentry
Q here have wrought up their notions of right and
! wrong into such inextricable confusion worse
d confounded, that they really can see no diff
0 ference between my offence and that of my fel
t low-prisoners," The sighed deeply, or if any, i
d is in their favor, not in mine. The State AT
torney did me the honor to look in upon me
the other day, and said, in words that shall
never forget, they bore such internal evidence
of truth, Had you done what you did out o
rascality, would have felt for you but YOU
had had no personal interest in view and suci
meddling | despise Or if it had been some
poor, ignorant, foolish, fellow, l could hav,
sympathy; but you are sensible man, and
have no sympathy for you Candid, WASH
f, it? and showed selfknowledge. But seriously
!. now, my dearest brother, you must change you
|, tone. Yon cannot, with all your weight o
. presence and responsibility, bear down ths
: higher powers as you did this stupid jailer and
i his underlipgs. You have made them thinl
4 you are the Vice President at least, or Genera
. fotten. Twas a notable feat; and | hop,
: you'll be satisfied with it. The magistrates ant
:. influential people here, at least, suppose them
selves to be republican noblemen as well a
- you; and whether, on acquaintance, you agre,
with them upon that point or not they will ex
:, pect all observance. Your position is an ex
: ceedingly delicate one, as well as mine. shall
: not be easy abont you for one single instant til
!. | you are gone"
S % How so? I've done nothing. The law can
o touch me-"