The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-08-05

their wise reasoning was very lar from car
rying conviction. Mrs. Arnett, the vile OF
the host, was in the next room, and the sound
IJf the debate had reached her where she sal,
She had listened in silence, until, carried
away bv her feelings, she could bear no
more, and springrng to her feet she pushed
open the parlor door ana confronted the Us
sembed group.
Can you fancy the scene? \ large, low
room, with the dark, heavily carved furniture
of the period, dimly lighted by the tall wax
candles and the wood fire which blazed IN
the huge fireplace. Around the table the
group Of men-pallid gloomy detected, dis,
heartened In the doorway the figure of the
woman, in the antique costume with which,
in these latter days, we have become so Ia
milar. Can you not fancy the proud poise
of the head, the indignant light OF her blue
eyes, the crisp, clear tones OF her voice, the
majesty, and defiance, and scorn when
clothed her as garment?
The men all started up at her entrance
the sight of ghost could hardly have caused
more perturbation than did that Of this little
woman. Her husband advanced hastily. She
had no business here, woman should
know her place and keep it. Questions OF
politics and political expediency were not for
them; but he would shield her so far as pos
sible, and point out the improperly OF her
conduct atcrward, when they should be
alone. SO he went quickly to her with
warning whisper
Hannah. Hannah this Is no place for
you. We DO not want you here Just now
and would have taken her hand ana leu her
from the room :,
She was a docile little woman and obcycd
his wishes in general without woru Du'
now il seemed as if she scarcely saw him, as
| ,y;, IA hand che nlalpI him gently DQck
and turned to the startled group.
"IIave you made yo1r decision, gentle
men?" she asked "fIayc you chosen the
part Of men or OF traitors?
1t was putting the question too broadly
so like woman seeing only the pare, ugly
facts, and quite forgetting the delicate drap'
cry which was intended to veil them twas
an awkward position to put them in, and
they stammcred and bunged over their an
swcr, as men in false position Will. The
reply came at last, mingled with explanations,
and excuses and apologies.
quite hopeless absurd for starving,
halfclothed, undisciplined army like ours to
attempt to compete with England's unlimited
resources Rcpulses erywhere-rulned;
throwing away lite and fortune for shad-
ow." You know the old arguments with
which men try to prop up g staggering con
science.
Mrs. Arnett listened in silence until the
last abject word was spoken. Then she IN
CURED simply; But what II we should live
after all 90
The men looked at each other, but no one
spoke.
"Hannah! Hannah I" urged her husband.
"Do you not see that these are no questions
for YOU? We are discussing what is best for
you, for all. We men have no share in these
topics. Go to your spinning. wheel and leave
US to settle affairs My good little wife, you
are making yourself ridiculous. DO not ex.
pose Yourself in This way before our worthy
| friends"
His words passed her ear like the idle
wind not even the CULVER of an eyelash
showed that she heard them
"Can you not tell me? ?" she she said, in the
same strangely quiet voice. "lf, after all
God does not let the Right perish-if Ameri-
ca should win the conflict, after you have
thrown yourself upon British clemency
where Will you be then =
Then ?" spoke one hesltating voice. why,
then, if 1t ever could be- weshould be ruined
We mast leave the country forever. But 1t is
absurd to think of such a thing. The strug
gle is an utterly hopeless one We have no
men, no money, no arms, no food, ana Eng
land has everything"
"No," said Mrs Arnett; "you have forgot
ten one thing which England has not and
which we have-one thing which outweighs
all England's treasures, and that Is the Right
God Is on our side, and every volley from our
muskets is an echo of His voice. We are
poor, and week and few; but God is fighting
| for us We entered into this struggle with
pure hearts and prayerful lips. We had
counted the cost and were willing to pay the
price, were 1t in our hearts blood And now
now, because for time the day Is going
against US, you would give up all and sneak
back, like cravens, TO kiss the feet that have
trampled upon us! And you call yourselves
men-the sops of those who gave up homes,
and fortune, and fatherland to make tor them
selves and for dear liberty a resting place in
the wilderness! oh, shame upon you, poor
cowards!'
Her words had rushed out in frey Hood,
which her husband had vainly striven to
check. | do not know how Mrs Arnett look
ed but fancy her a little fair woman, with
KINDLY blue eyes and delicate featurcs-a ten
der and loving little soul, whose scOrnful
words must have seemed TO her amazed hear
ers like the inspired fury of pythoness.
Are we not all prophets at times-prophets OF
good or evil, according to our bent, and with
more power than we ourselves suspecf, IL
work out the fulfillment of our own prophe
sizes. w no 81 Ill say hoW ioi NhAo i"b 'tS w
man aided 10 stay the wave oil dcsolation
which was spreading over the land'
Gentlemen, said good Mr.. Arnett, uneai
~, IL beg you to excuse this most unseemly
interruption to our council. My wife is be
side herself, think. You all know her, and
know it is not her wont TO NEEDLE with poll
tics, or to brawl and buster. Tomorrow sht
will see her folly, but now pray your pa
1 tience."
Already her words had begun to stir The
/ slumbering manhood in the bOsoms OF those
. who heard ner Enthusiasm makes its own
4 fitting times
No one replied; each felt too keenly his
e own pettincss, in the light cas-, upon them by
r this brave woman's words.
Take your protection, il you will" SHIT
. went on, after waiting in vain for reply
! proclaim yourselves traitors and towards
! false to your God, but horrible will be the
5 Judgment you will bring upon your heads
. and the heads OF those that love you. tel
Euyland will npver cnuounr | know