, 1860-11-23
The Redemptionist.

was not unlike that which is still countenanced
among many Of the mongrel tribes OF the East
alludc to what was called Redemptionism )"
but the mere name, without further explanation,
is not sufficiently expressive to be universally
understood. The emigration from the Continent
Of Europe to the American Colonies was by no
means so great as it now is; but nevertheless,
large numbers Of Irish, Germans, and Dutch,
oppressed and driven to want at home, we're
landed at the ports Of New York, Boston and
Philadelphia, on every arrival Of vessel from
the Old Country and in physical condition
sometimes Of absolute nudity and starvation.
In majority Of instances, these emigrants
would agree with the master Of the vessel in
which they embarked to be at his disposal at the
termination Of the voyage, by which he might
secure the amount Of their passage money, or, in
other words, that he might sell them to the high
est bidder, for a limited period, and thus accom-
plish the same end. The emigrant SO circum-
stanced was called Redemptonist;" and the
person purchasing was caleda "Redemptioncr."
The business, though conducted with some Sc
cresy, did not appear to be confined to one class
Of ship-owners, or skippers; it was universal, or
at least winked at by all. A great deal Of money
was coined by the commerce, and from a consid-
Grafton so argumentative there was no appeal, even
for the more considerable Now to our story.
A worthy Quaker. residing within day and
a-halfs journey of Philadelphia, moved by a
spirit of avarice, or hard put for funds to culti
vate his fields took it into his head to turn Re-
dcmptioner," for the once, and buy an emigrant
for the purpose Of lessening his farm labors,
and not, let us be charitable enough 10 suppose,
with any view to speculation. lie accordingly
mounted his horse, and after a forty hours ride,
the city Of Brotherly Love rose to his view. A
vessel, crowded with "Redemptonists,' had just
landed, and the Quaker proceeded to make his
selection. As he wandered through the jostled
crowd, his eye fastened upon hal :, raw-bon d,
devil.may-care looking Irishman, and he at once
determined to secure him. The bargain with
the skipper was not long in being concluded,
and the Quaker congIatu' ated himself on having
managed the affair on such easy and favorable
terms The Irishnan was informed Of the dis
position that had been made Of him. He seemed
contcnt--even r,joiced-with the prospect be-
fore him, for while the servitude would be brief,
il would furnish him, nevertheless, with many a
good meals victuals- sumptuary comforts to
wi ich he had ong been a stranger. That same
afternoon, the Quaker on horseback, and the
Rcdemptionist" on foot, started for the country,
and abont dusk arrived at a way-Side inn, at
which the Quaker proposed to tarry until morn
ing The landlord was summoned, the horse duly
stabbed, supper prepared, and everything passed
off agreeably, and to the Quakers infinite graf
fcation. lie stroked his capacious stomach,
propoundcd a few questions to his help" and
as the night waned, retired to rest.
Landlord" said the lrishman, entering the
bar-room, "yez niver seen any av US aiore, ]
take it,"
The landlord never had.
swell, then, jist bit av word in yer ear"
The landlord was all attention. He was a
bonifce of the true stamp, although hid away
in the country. lie listened TO what the Irish.
man hal to say, elevated his ey, brows, shrugged
his shoulders, and at last exclaimed:
Treat, my hearty, and it's bargain"
"A,ra be me sowl, but yez a tight one.
But diyil care have for trate, at all at all.
Bring out the crather.'
Tie liquor was forthcoming, the two pledged
eacl other in bumper, and then, after som
trifling observation, they separated for the night
The next morning, before the sun had clearly
revealed itself, the landlord was up and attend
ing to bis duties. Presently the Quaker came
waddag into the bar-room, his lace expressive
with smihs, and his whole bearing less demure
than usually characterizes his sect.
Friend" he remarked to Bonilace, thee is
early stirring"
"Habit, old fellOw--all habit. You will &C.
quire it soon"
This reply rather muffled broad-brim. It was
quite too rough. But he was determined to be in
good humor, so he replied:
"Doubtlcss, friend. But | take credit to my
self for being no sluggard. Thy remark pleases
me, nevertheless"
"Glad to hear it; shows you will be reasona-
ble But come, you must not play the game
any longer. After breakfast you can put aside
your shad-belly and broad.brim, and put on
your more Christian clothes"
"Shad-belly clothes !" exclaimed the Quaker,
in unfeigned astonishment /" Friend, thee is
disposed to be mirthful."
"0h, d-n II, don't be fool ] tell you,
all's right. You'll not be moested now, / as
sure you. You played the game capitally, how
ever" and the landlord laughed. 81 should
never have known any better but that you were
Simoi .,ure Broadbrim, and again the Ian llord
laughed until his sides shook
"But declare to thee, friend" urged the
Quaker, with his eyes protruding from their
sockets, " thee mistakes, indeed. -"
"Therc-that will do. Now to heikfast,
and aflcrward will show you what to do first.
You see that patch Of underground there.
When that is cleared, which will take you about
three wceks-"
A light began to break in upon the Quaker.
Friend" he inquired, "where is the young
man who accompanied me hithert'
~ should think" replied Boniiace, "every-
thing considered that he would just about be IN
the city by this time"
The Quaker gave three gasps and sat down.
Friend" he said, after an effort, "thre has not
permitted him to delart!"
But have, though And now the sooner
you begin to understand that will not be tri-
fled with, the better"
The respiration began to start on the fore
head OF the Quaker
"frieI d" he uttered, with terrible cIlmness,
" thee has tolerated q robbery. ! purchased
the young mans time oC the Officer called n
skipper, and paid ten pounds, as the certificate
whereof ! hold will certify"
The deuce you did - exclaimed the landlord,
now nstounded in turn "and purchased you
Of him last night for live pounds ten shilli"gs, as