The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-21
re might not be forced to give evidence against

For the most part, however, Herman, still,
silent, and braced, appeared like an athlete
straining every nerve to bear up against a
weight thrown upon his shoulders, which must
crush him if for an instant he gives way be-
meath it-frm, collected, but too selfconcen-
trated to be fully conscious of anything but the
burden and the bearing, well-nigh speeches.
and breathless.
In the novel circumstances in which both
were placed, it was remarkable to see how much
more at a loss the man of the world found him
self, than the man of the other world. Few
men, probably, have ever led life of selfindul-
gence in modes more innocent, or with fewer
marked stains on their consciences, than Ed
ward Arden bnt life of mere selfindulgence,
in modes how innocent soever, is bad training
for season of trial. He was driven almost
beside himself in the course of the first three
or four days, angry with everybody and every
thing about him, and angry with himself for
being angry. The "public readily recognised
his relationship to the culprit; )" and he was
once or twice booted in the streets The law
yers, on Shon he called to defend his brother,
were civilly "too much occupied already by
press Of business to do Justice the case" or
insolently little disposed to mingle up their
names in any such transaction )" and he sue
ceeded in retaining only an inferior practitioner
at an exorbitant fee. Through him, he made
almost unlimited offers of compromise money
" for the sake of saving time," to Squire ST.
Dominique; but Shylock preferred his pound
of flesh, and seemed not altogether unlikely to
be able to help himself to it in simple earnest
if he chose, in person or by proxy.
On the third night, Edward dreamed, at his
hotel, that he was presiding in the midst of
frog caucus. He woke but the croaking and
clamor sounded still in his ears, louder and
louder. He sprang to his window, threw it up,
and heard the peculiar sound of crowd of
mems clamoring voices echoing from STILL
midnight sky. They were attacking the jail.
He tossed on a few clothes, armed himself,
muffled up his face, found the bar-keeper, and
told him that if be would draw off the crowd to
carouse till morning before his door, he would
pay for all that they could eat and drink. The
man agreed. He rushed on before him, and
mingled with the mob, shouting, and feigning
to join them in their attack, and worked his
way on towards the foremost ranks, meaning,
if the door shou Id be forced, to reach Herman,
and cut passage through for him, or die with
him. But how should he let him know that one
heart was beating in unison with his in all that
hendish uprOar There was a peculiar whistle,
by which they had been used to make signals
to one another 10 their earlier days-a free imi-
tation of the call of the whip poor-will. Throw
ing up showerof stones, Edward gave it now,
and in a moment it rang back, soft, but clear,
through the grim wall between them-how
rangely-seeming to coniure up about them
the green common, the brown walls, the frog
pond, the old boyish gaiety and security, the
comrades, and the freedom, which, they learned
every day at school, was the proud privilege
and birthright of every American of the United
States Could they be in the same country
fbair
Omutz?
In his utter helpessness, Edward had re-
course the next day again, even to Mr. Trim
mer, told him his difficulty in obtaining coun-
sci, and asked his advice:
"Ah! Share brothers unpopularity, at first
natural unfortunate Prejudice dissipated on
further acquaintance. Invite some prominent
members of our bar to dine, suppose. Couldn't
attend myself. dyspepsy; but loan my cook
with pleasure"
Edward gave the very best dinner the place
could afford. He succeeded in getting togeth-
er a number of middle-aged and elderly men.
who ate and drank his good things with en-.
couraging avidity. He told his best stories
with the best humor that he could, and propti.
ated them so far that, by the time the cloth
was removed, and the cigars lighted, they APP
peared to concur in the opinion, I" Doubt not
that your brother was infatuated, and acted
under the most amiable motives"
I" You are very kind, nd very right, believe,
in not doubling that he always acts from the
most amiable motives but, what proof you
have of his being infat uated, l have yet to
learn"
:" How Did he not purloin Esquire St.
Dominiques Sam? ?"
=" Excuse me. In my opinion, he never pur-
Joined anything in his life but that Is IA ques-
ton not for me, but for Judge and i4ry AS
| am a stranger here, could not you recommend
to me some good senior counsel, gentlemen, if
you can none of you undertake the case your
self?"
Regret not to find it in my power"
Very unfortunate that it occurs thus"
AT any other period, l would rejoice to do
So"
There's Broadstone down to Capet City,
Mr.. Provant. Wouldn't he? He has never
an undue amount of engagements
I" A sagacious suggestion. Provant's hit it,
conjecture. Mr.. Broadstone is a very talent
led man by nature, DR.. Arden. He might be
very high at the bar, were he not too irascible,
and otherwise fanatical."
Edward wrote to Mr.. Broadstone, but received
no answer. Mr.. Trimmer informed him in the
mean while that he had disappointed his
guests most favorably. Now, suppose you
were to pursue it mp, and invite some of our
young chivalry? Colonel Hangfellow's gone
over into Kansas, leading party Of them for
a few days, to vote at different precincts but
Judge Lynchs son, the captain, who has great
influence with his father and with the public
generally, is yet here, with many of his retain
ers, and does not purpose to leave prior to the
day after tomorrow. Suppose you we're to
dine them to- morrow take your pencil, and |
will dictate to you the names of some of them.
No one need be made aware whence you OBJ
tanned them"
Edward did so, and sent his invitations with
such fortitude as he had. His messenger pres
emily returned, saying that Captain Lynch, on
reading his own note, had called him back,
looked over the addresses of all the others, and
taken them from him, saying that he would
take care of them. The next day, dinner time
came and passed. Dinner was served, and
stood an hour, at the end of which, shouts
of toasts, speeches, and laughter, began to
grow louder and louder, from a public room
over the way, and from the house a servant
stepped across the street with note, in these
terms:
"Captain Lynch and his Borderers present
their compliments to Yankee Arden, senior,
and have the honor to inform him, that when
they want tall feed, they know where to get
it. Further, that if he has come on hither,
thinking to interfere with the execution of law
and order in any COMPOUNDED sneaking, insinu-
ating method, they will feel themselves COM
PEELED, as patriotic and spirited sons Of the
South, to supply him with something that he
will not like to eat |
"Signed for Captain Lynch and Borderers,
"ROBERr A. Dill, Secretary.
"P. S.-Al right on the goose. NIB. Like
wise on the hemp"