Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-03-27

|
II will not dismount," " said Nathan firmly :;
loosen thy hold from the bridle."
"You won't, won't you!' said Jim, "then
here goes" and he made desperate plunge to
collar the Quaker.
Nathan was ON his feet in an instant on the
opposite side of the horse The Quaker, al
though of much smaller proportions than his
well knit form denoted both activity and
strength. His wrath was evidently kindled.
Friend James, he implored. Thy peril
nacious persistence in presenting me is annoy
ing thou must desist, or peradventure [ may
SO far forget myself as to do thee some bodily
HARM.
by snakes!" said Jim, coming toward Ma
than, Il believe there is fight enough in broad
brim to make the affair interesting. wish
some Of the boys were here to see the fun
Now, friend Nathan am going to knock off
the end of your nose, look out u
/ Sultlng the action to the word, jim, after va
rious pugilistic gyrations with his fists, made a
scientific blow at the usual formation Of our
Quaker friend; but Tom Heyer couldn't have
more scientifically warded it off.
Jim was evidently disconnected at the i'll sue
cess of his first attempt--he saw he had under
taken quite as much as he was likely to accom-
plish. Jim, however, straightened himself out,
and approached Nathan more cautiously. The
|
firmly and warded off the shower of blows skill
fully, which Jim aimed at him.
Friend James, said Nathan, in the heat
of the contest This is mere child's play 1t
grieves me that thou hast forced me into resis-
tance, but | must defend myself from bodily
harm. / see there is but one way Of bringing
this scandalous and wicked affair to a close, and
that is by conquerng thee; in order to do this,
[ will inhict a heavy blow between thine eyes
which will PROSTATE thee. . Following out the
suggestion, Nathan struck Jim tremendous
blow on his forehead which brought him sense
less to the ground.
Now said Nathan, Il will teach thee a
lesson, and [ hope it will be a wholesome lesson
too | will seat myself astraddle of thy breast
l will place my knees upon. thy arms thus, so
that thou cannot injure me when thou returnest
to consciousness. [ hope [ may be the humble
instrument Of tanning thy fierce, war-like nature,
and make better and more respectable man
Of thee.
| AS the Quaker concluded, Jim began to show
some signs of returning life. The first impulse
of Jim, when he saw his condition, was to turn
Nathan off. He struggled desperately, but he
was in vice-his efforts were unavang
Friend, thou must keep still until am done
with thee, said Nathan, II believe am an
humble instrument in the hands of God to
chastise thee, and | trust when am done with
thee thou wilt be changed man. Friend
James, does thee not repent attacking me p
NO. said James, ''let me up and II show
you.
Il will not let thee up, thou impious wretch,
replied Nathan, "darest thou proiane the name
Of thy Maker-l will check thy respiration for
a moment, M
Nathan as good his word, clutched him by
the throat. He compressed his grip; as a
| grgling sound could be heard .Jim's face be-
came distorted, tremor ran through his frame
| He was evidently undergoing process of stran-
gulation. The Quaker relaxed his hold, but
not until the choking process had sufficiently
as he thought, tanned the perverse spirit of jim
1t took some moments for Jim to inhale sufh-
cient air to address the Quaker,
II will knock under, said jim, enough
let me up"
''No, thou hast not half enough" replied
Nathan "Thou art now undergoing process
of moral publication, thou must be contented
to remain where thou liest, until | am done
with thee. Thou just profaned the name Of
thy Maker, friend James, = continued Nathan,
confess, dost thou repent thy wickednessw
'No. hanged if do, growled JIM ,s
''Thou perverse man, replied Nathan in an
imploring tone,' say that thou repentest thy
wickedness. aa 35sl urf ~
'I'll be hanged if l do" growled Jim.
w Ill liIOu uOt, Icpll0u JIG QudhCi, uluSu
[ use compulsory means? 1 will compress thy
windpipe again unless thou givest NE an an
swer in the affirmative; say quick, art thou
soryY eesfieI,.
tone, as the Quakers grip tightened, yes l
am sorry ~ II
els thy sorrow a goodly sorrow?'' inquired
Nathan.
Jim rather demurred giving an aft rmative
answer to this question: but a gentle squeeze,
admonished him he had better yield.
I Yes" replied Jim, ''noW let me up. -
Il am not done with thee yet! - said Ma
than.
i ''Thou hast been disturber of the peace of
this neghborhood, time out of number--thy
hand has been raised against every man--thou
art brawler. Wilt thou promise me, that In
the future, thee will lead more peaceable life,
that thou wilt love thy neighbor as thyself?'
Yes answered jim, hesitatingly, all but
the Quakers.
.1hou must make no exceptions" replied
Nathan, / insist on an affirmative answer,
''If say yes to that-I'll die first
A struggle now ensued between the two, but
Jim had his match.
"Thou must yield, James, said Nathan, II
the throat. IT will choke thee into submission
thou must answer afhrmatively. Say after me,
Il promise to love my neighbor as myself, in
Guiding the Quakers
Il promise thatp' said Jim; 'I'll be cursed
if [ do.
II will check thy respiration if thou don t,
replied Nathan swift thou yield?'
mo won't, I'll be blasted if | do an
swered Jim.
sgThee had better give in replied Nathan,
II will choke thee again if thee does not-see
my grip tightens.''
And Nathan did compress his grip, and the
choking process again went on. jim S face first
became distorted, then purpe-his tongue loll-
ed out, and his eyes protruded from their sock
ets-his body writhed like a dying mans. Ma
than persisted in holding his grip until Jim be-
came entirely passive, he then relaxed his hold.
jim was slow in recovering his speech and his
senses. When he did, he begged Nathan fol-
mercy's sake, to release HIM.