Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-01-06

FRIEND
a STORY OF OUR OWN TINES.
There lived in a certain neighborhOod not
ia. distant from here, registering, rowdy,
bully, Jim Blander. Jim was ''some" in fight
kind of pugilistic Napoleon. Many and
bloody were the affairs he had had in his life
time, and had invariably come off best. jim
not only considered himself invulnerable, but
all the fighting characters in the surrounding
country conceded it was no use 10 fighting
Jim as he was considered to be a patent
threshing machine, that could not be improv-
ed on. In Jim's neighborhood there had set
tied quite a number of Quakers. From some
cause or other, jim hated the "shad bellies
as he called them, with his entire heart; and
be often declared that to whip one Of these in
offensive people would be the crowning glory
of his life. For years Jim waited for q pre-
text. One of Jim's chums overheard a young
Quaker speak in disparaging terms of him.
The report soon came to Jim's ears, and not a
little maguifed. Jim made desperate threats
of what be was going to do with Nathan,
the meek follower of Penn, on sight, besides
bruises and contusions he meant, to use
his own expressive language to gouge OUT
both his eyes, and chaw of" his ears.
Nathan heard Jim's threats, and very prop
erly kept out of his way, hoping that time
would modify Jim's anger. 1t seems, how
ever, that much to be desired result did not
take place. One day friend Nathan was out
riding, and in passing through a long lane,
when about midway, he espied Jim entering
the other end. Nathan might have turned
and fed, but his flesh rebelled at this proceed
ing. " will pursue my way peaceably," said
the Quaker, " and I hope the better sense of
the man Of wrath will not permit him TO do
violence to my person." Nathan's own calcU-
lations as to the lamb-lilke qualities Of his ad-
versary were doomed to be disappointed.
Oh thought the bully, as he recognized
Nathan, " have him at last. Now Ill make
mince-meat Of shad- belly. I'll salt, and pickle
him too"
Sc Wilt thou please to dismount from thy
horse ?' seizing the bride OF Nathan's horse,
and mimicking his style my soal yearneth
to give thee the biggest mauling ever man re-
ceived."
Friend James," replied Nathan, " thou
must not molest me, but let me go my way in
peace. Thy better Judgment will tell thee
thou canst not possibly be benefited by per-
sonally iDjuring me-"
"Get down in a moment" thundered Jim,
"get down you lying, Misunderstanding, coward
ly dog I'll drag you down if you don't dis
mount"
Friend james, demonstrate against thy
proceedings and against thy language" replied
Nathan. " Ny religion teaches me sincerity
am neither liar, mischief maker nor a
hypocrite am no coward but a man oi
peace I desire to pursue my way quietly. let
me pass oU.
" Get down." persisted Jim, down with
you want to beat your religion out of you
must give you fogging before 1 leave you
think by the time I'm through with you
you'll pass for tolsrably decent man. III
teach you short and easy lesson on the i'm,
portancs of minding your own business and
the risk you run in slandering your neighbors.'
al will not dismount," said Nathan very
firmly, -" wilt thou loosen thy hold from the
bride ?"
you won't" said Jim, " then here goes
and he made desperate plunge to collar the
Quaker.
NdLHdU WaS VI Ills lC6t III al iuStauE3 Ou tAc
other side Of the animal. The Quaker friend
though of very much smaller proportions than
his prosecutor, was all sinew and muscle, and his
well knit frame denoted both activity and
strength. His wrath was kinded.
Friend James" he implored, " thy peril
nacious persistency in prosecuting me is an
noying thou must desist, or preadventure
may so far forget myself as to do thee some
bodily harm"
e By snakes" said Jim, coming towa ]
Nathan, " I do belive there is fight enough in
Broadbim, to make tie affair interesting.
wish some of the boys were here to see the
fun. Now, friend Nathan, I'm going to knock
off the end of your nose, look out"
Suiting the action to the word, Jim, after
various pugilistic gyrations with his fists, made
scientific blow at the usual nasal formation
on our quaker friend, but Tom Hyer could not
have more scientifically warded it off.
Jim was evidently disconnected at the i'll
success of his first attempt; he saw he had IN
dertaken quite as mach as he was likely tC
accomplish. He however Strengthened himself
out, and approached Nathan more cautiously
The contest began again. Nathan stood hi;
ground firmly, and warded off the shower o
blows skillfully, which Jim aimed at him.
Friend James," said Nathan in the heat o
the contest, " this is mere child's play. l
doth grieve me that thou hast forced me int
resistance, but 1 must defend myself from
all bodily harm. I see that there is but on
way of bringing this scandalOus and wicked
affair to close, and that is by conqusring
thee in order to do this, 1 will inhict heav,
blow between thine eyes which will prostrat
thee"
Nathan, following out the suggestion, thel
prepared and struck him a blow upon tn
forehead, which brought him senseless to tn
ground.
Now" said Nathan, g l will teach thee
lesson, and hope it will be wholesome on
too. will seat myself astride of thy breast
1 will place my knees upon thy arms thus, 8
that thou canst not injare me when thou com
est back to consciousness. hope that ma,
be the humble instrument of tanning thy fierce
war-like nature and make wiser, better an,
more respectable man. iof Ahee."
As the Quaker concluded, Jim began t.
show signs of returning life. The first i'm
pulse of Jim, when he fairly saw his condition
was to turn Nathan of. He struggled des
perately, but he was 10 vice-his efforts wer
unavailing.
Friend James, thou must be still until
shall be done with thee," said Nathan. q"
believe that am an humble instrument in th
hands Of God to be made to chastise thee ant