Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-22


AN ANEcDoTE OF OLD JOHN BRowN.-
Early in the spring of the year which witnessed
the John Brown sacrifice, Judge Cunningham,
holding commission from Buchanan, rode out
to little country seat near Atchison, where he
had heard Brown was staying, for the purpose
of arresting him. Arriving at the house he
rode up TO the door, dismounted with his four
companions, and inquired for John Brown. The
lady asked the party to sit and she would call
him. Presently he appeared, and Cunningham
seeing that Brown did not know him, and feel
ing certain OF his victim, began to converse with
him. After an exceedingly pleasant interview,
Cunningham informed Brown that he had come
to arrest him. and that he must have his COM
pany forthwith to Atchison, where Brown
knew death was certain.
"Fromthe mans demeanor at this moment"
said Cunningham afterwards, 81 saw that was
to be disappointed, but how could not imagine.
For he was completely alone with my soldiers
and myself and l knew that the country
through which we should pass was unfriendly
10 the ab0litloniSt, should he attempt to escape.
Furthermore, | knew Brown was ignorant of
my mission up to the moment when declared
it. He could not, therefore, have been prepared
iOr me. But the mans Self-cOntrOl was Won
derlul. His countenance did not change line
from the light cordial expression it had worn at
the conclusion of his last sentence. He con-
tinted the subject, as if | had not spoken; and,
for = moment, | staggered into the belief that
my t9ngue had slipped and had not said what
l he'd intended. However, | repeated
my GRAND and took step forward
to formally arrest Brown, when | felt
myself detained by hand on my shoulder. |
turned and an armed man, not one of my SOL
diers, stood at my back. Behind him was an
other, and behind him another-a vertebrated
chain of men extending from the corner of the
house to the bushes They must have come at
some signal from Brown, who Immediately said,
"You see you are all my prisoners" His tone
was unchanged. But his countenance was sad
as if weighed down with new responsibility.
He seemed to be perfectly unaware of my dis
comhture, and, after a moments pause, said
simply, II believe l must find out what to do
with you ALL" He retired 10 a corner OF the
piazza, as supposed to consult with confeder-
ate. But presently whispered remark from
one of my men made me turn, and 10, there the
old man was, kneeling in prayer, in an inaudible
voice, but with great earnestness, | could not
help laughing, In a moment Brown rose and
coming up, said the soldiers should be released,
but 81 shall not ask God about you, for you
laughed" And he positively kept me there
three days, and lectured me in the interim
about reverence!
Those who share Cunningham's feeling of
merriment at Browns en- treaty of God, will also
share his amazement at Browns supremacy
over self. Both belong to a region of religious
experience little treSpassed upon. Of both, as
is well known to lovers of the heroic in history,
Browns career furnishes much more striking
instances. For he was man already "pos-
sessed, J." in the old Jewish sense, and nothing
could be of significance enough to dispossess
him. His soul took fast hold on God; and to
the man, John Brown, there probably never has
come, perilous moment.-[ Charles J. Wood
bury, in the Golden Age.