Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-27
MIKE POWERS
Star Clothing Store,
Corner Market and square,
Aena collin splstP NASHVILLE TENN
THE SWEETS OF REVENGE.
.sTir,e. AZ Las, Makes AIIThIDxs Even

''Tiu,e st Last, Makes All Things Even
From the Knoxville Press and Herald.
If it indeed be true that revenge Is
sweet, then must Jim johnson, the porter
% his Excellency, Gov. Brown, have en-
jOyed a real luxury, the other day.
Our city readers know James. In his
way, he - Il genius. Indeed be might be
said to be sui geRsris. He is man Ofvaried
classical requirements, though he knows
not letter in the book He can roll of
passages from Bugns, Byron, Shakespeare,
Moore, aad the Ike, as giibly and readily as
though he had been reared IN library, not
heSi aiing 20 intaFt,rl them with explstiFes
pf Dis oTH, . occasion mag require fuller
expression.
James, furthermore, is something Of a
H'iitician--s Democrat Of tn sturdiest pat
er'i, and thereby hangs a tale. In 1865 il
.4iJiIed 40 lHtle herOism in a man Of his
'uiur "a voie tie Democratic ticket. The
ruiz Of the c, lored ledgD was almost IN
li-puied, and the demands of the Bureau
imperative. James, however, bTayed the
anger OF hisrace, and deposited his vote for
Seymour and Blair That sealed his
fate for that day. The cry of treason
sa'uted his ears from all sides, and amid
what seemed TO him a perfect shower Of
missiles from his colOred brethren, he
sought his perilOEs way to his home at the
lamar House. He suffered many bruises
for his heTOisIn. but they impaired not his
integrity. He remained true 10 bis faith,
and IS now The Porter Al Inc Capitol, enjoy
ing he reward Of fidelity 70 principle.
One Of Jim's assailants, on the occasion
aforesaid, was a crlOred individual by the
name of Doc. LOnas, whose name has
since figured in our criminal reports, and
70 whom il fell out, in the vicissitudes OF
fortune, 70 be sent to the penitentiary, a
tew weeks ago, for a term OF two and
half years, for having violated that pro-
sisiOn of our laws which prohibits misee-
cenation under the guise OF lawful mar
rai5e.
Now Il so happenad that as James, en-
iOyiug a few moments respite from bis
official duties, was strOlling about the Capt.
toi grounds, near By where the convicts
we're at work, be espied among the striped
jickeiso the well remembered features Of
ais Old prosecutor, the Inflated Doc LOnxs.
The sight thrilled him, as memories Of the
bitter past rushed through his mind. For
a moment his eye glared with fierce light
of revenge, and the next, as a smile Of
triumph relaxed his features, he broke
forth:
"Ah whom do I see9 As Mr.. Shakespeare
says, be thou a spirit Of health, or goblin
damned, bring'st thou with thee airs
from heaven or blasts from bell; thou
seem'st to be so awfully used up, I'll speak
to thee" (Doc observes him suspiciously.)
.Ahl It's Doc Lonas, as live. Now is the
winter Of our discomfort made glorious sum-
mer by the appearance of this miserable
Ethiopian in his ignoble stripes. oh, yes,
sir, Mr.. Byron has told you that time at
last makes all things even, and If we do
but watch the hour, there never yet was
human power thai could escape the terrible
indignation Of an horest man that has been
rocked with brickbats for vOtin' the Demo-
cratic ticket" doc trembles.)
"Well may yOu tremble, sir. The swift
winged messengers Of the law have Overtak-
en- you and ,ve're got yOU,dt id.tl That Pc
titiOn of yours for pardon win do you no
good. Mars. John Gov. b. and l have
examined your case. There's no hope for
you. You've sinned away your day Of
grace and no longer may the preacher say
TO you that while the lamp holds out to burn
the vilest darkey may return. No sir.
Mars. Tom O'Conner win tend to your
case. am to be Captain Of one Of tbs
convict gangs and you are to be main work
man in my gang. When there's any work
too heavy for any Of the others, you'll have
20 do il. want you 10 understand that
you're nly IviHteT meat" doc. would pray
for mercy, but dare nOt.)
For few moments, Jim surveyed his
mute victim with lordiy satisfaction, then,
as if meIting with tenderness, he resumed:
''No, siI, that's what might do, If was
brute. But as President Pierce once said
the hour Of victory is magnanimity's Oppor-
tunity. YOn wouldn't let me vote my
way and now the State won't let you vote
at all. But Ill take pity on you. Mr..
Sbakespesr says the quality Of mercy Is not
strained, il eOmeth, il it come al all, ike
the gentle dew descends, and we'll let some
Of it fall on you, if youTl mini your
work aud make good hand. Wen par
don you after awhile. Let the past suffice
wherein 70 have been bad niger. Re
member as Dir. Pope says:
Honor and shame from no condition rise,
Act well your part-tbere all The honor les
"Let al We ends thou aim'st at be thy
couutry's, thy Gods, and truths. BE Vir-
tuous and you will be happy
And Jim strO,le proudly back 70 The
Capitol. The measure Of his reSenge was
fun.