The Lincoln County herald., 1871-11-02

the silver spoons 10 hcv bosom, stuffed
her stockings with fractional currency
and greenbacks from the til, and sat down
in the darkened store to await the Issue
Of events.
Me. Faxon fell ia with ,Ae tide Of en-
cited villagers surging along the street,
and at length found himself in the meet
ing house. Here e,erything was noise
and confusion. Groups Of people we're
gathered hero AMI there, discoursing and
conjecturing; some with open mouths
and frightened visages. taking in at .
gulp the most extraordinary state ments;
some with faces pale, but lips firm set,
talking quietly Of means Of defense.
The largest OF these groups was atou
the countryman who had brought the
news, who, in every sense felt himself
the "hero Of tho hour" lie told, as
though TO him il ~as sfSsir Of ordinary
occurrence. how he had come upon the
raiders rs they were destroying n railroad
bridge como ten miles distant; how, with
unparalleled daring he had charged
through their midst cutting and shooting
as he went, and decreasing tho population
of tho confederacy 10 no considerable
amount. All Of which was believed or
disbe elieved, according to the credulty Of
his listeners. At length, old Generel
Granlervack, who had served in the mi.
litia, and been to the legislature, and who
always took command Of Fourth Of July
and Sunday School professions, and was
therefore deemed, from his experience, 10
be the looming man" for the occnsion-
rose from his seat, and with great dignity,
walked solemnly up the aisle to the
platform, and seated his two hundred
aud odd pounds Of responsibility in an
arm chair. At this overt act the people
began to settle themselves in such seats
as they found convenient, and oil eyes
we're turned upon the great man before
them. Silence being secured, General
Grandsrvack slowly arose, and swelling
forth with the importance Of the occasion,
and in tones Of nasal ponderousness-
thus addressed the meeting
"Fsllow citizens, | cannot but deeply
feel the honor you have conferred upon
one Of the humblest of your citizens,
(herc the General bowed in self abase
me"D lin requesting me to preside over
a meeting SO important, and l may AID,
fellow citizens, SO pregnant with-wi,h
results" (Applause "Why is it. my
fellow citizens, that we are gathered here
to day in this sacred building? Is it to
engage in worship2 Is it to indulge in
festivities or social recreation e? Would
to Heaven my fslIow,oi,izens, that
cnnld answer yes: hut truth fnrhids
But short hour ago. and you were oil
engaged in the peaceful avocat,ons "t
life. The farmer at his plow, the Inc
chanic at his bench, and the merchant at
his store. Now, how changed! Fellow.
citizens, l ask you-Uhy this change ?
Why are we here to day? 1t is because"
(the speaker here lowered his voice por-
tentiously, aud shook his finger at the
audience as though shaking out some
terrible secret, word by word). 1T is
because ciuH War reigns withia our midst
Yes, fellow citizens, at this moment the
American Eagle -emblematic Of our lib
critics --sits with folded wings and strain
ing oyo. At this moment the great oppo.
site armies are brsathless and still. At
this moment, forty millions of people are
silent and dumb; the eyes Of all-aU, my
fellow citizens, are fixed with terrible
suspense, upon Elderbush IN this aw full
crisis" (Applause.) "Shall Elder bush
prove recrcant TO its duty? Shall the
hopes of the nation be disappointed, and
the cause Of liberty go down in darkness
aud eloom2' (cries of mo. no !)
"Shall the effetc monarchies Of the old
world laugh in derision, and Liberty
weep over our downfall2 NO, no, fell
low citizens, let US arise a. one man, and
tell the proud foe who dare threaten our
city-that the men Of Elderbush may
die, but they never, never will be slaves,
That the Union may be destroyed, that
state after state may sink into oblivion,
and the old banner be trailed 10 the
dust; but above all -above the ruins Of
the republic, shall float, solitary and
alone, our flag telling to the world,
that Elderbush performed her duty"
tremendous cheering "Fellow. citi-
zens, having impressed you with the i'm.
portance Of the occasion, the chair wi
now listen to any suggestions that may
be offered"
General Grandervack then resumed
his soat amid storm of cheers, which ho
received with the deprecatory modes,y
great men usually manifest on such occa-
sions. The "suggestious" the General
was waiting for, did not seem to come
forth freely, whereupon everybody looked
into every body's face in the most mild
smazemsnt, as though every last one had
left the "suggestions' he owned at home
10 his Sunday olo.hes, and had also just
heard Of the death Of bis grand mother.
AZ length, aftes . profound silence,
Squire Nailos. who was . candidate CoE
90 election % Justice Of the Peace. and
who thought the present would b good
time to make . ''showiug"-spraug to
his feet aud said:
..