Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-09-29


we have been so long engaged, we must
fight | repeat it sir, we must fight |
An appeal to arms and to the God of
Hosts is all that is left us
My gracious ~ whispered Judge
Miggs. did you hear what that fel-
low said about fighting 2"
The black orator continued: "They
tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to
cope with so formidable an adversary
But when shall we be stronger Will
it be the next week or the next year?
Those rascals mean business" growl-
ed General Booms.
80 Lord" groaned the Judge.
They say they won't even wait till
next week"
l didn't say word; but it was all l
could do to hold my tongue.
The unconscious Negro proceeded with
his speech. The sonorous words rang
out on the night air, and, barring the
African dialect, it was fine specimen
OF defamation. But my companions
did not enjoy it, and it was with difficult
ty that they were restrained from firing
a volley into the cabin. Judge Miggs
suggested an immediate attack and Gen
eral Booms agreed with him. At this
juncture / interposed.
Gentlemen" said |, you have treat
ed me rather shabbilv in this affair; but
l cannot stand by and see men of my
own race and party make fools of them
selves, and perhaps commit great
crime, without interposing."
"Shoot him!" whispered one of the
men.
just wait moment, my friends"
continued. What will you say when
l tell you that this is only harmless
debating society, and that the Negro
speaking in there is declaiming Patrick
Henry's famous Liberty or Death
speech ?"
al believe | haze heard that speech
before" said Judge Miggs, scratching
his head but l don't like the looks Of
things just now"
There was round of applause in the
cabin; and then another speaker took
the floor.
The boy stood on the burning deck, "
began the second declaimer. A general
litter ran around our party, and the
Judge and General looked dumbfound.
ed As soon as the recitation was con-
cluded the president of the meeting
spoke out;
"The question for our next meeting
will be: Resolved, that the planting
of cotton should be discouraged Th,
exercise in defamation will be 'Sparti
Gus to the Gladiators.' And | sugges
that our executive committee see the au
thorities about securing the town hal
for public debate.
This last sentence threw a wet blank
ct over the whole party.
Let's go home !" said Genera
Booms. We are the biggest set o
fools this side of the Potomac"
The guards were called off, and as W,
retraced our steps | smiled serenely anc
lit fresh cigar By the time we reach
ed the hotel the last man had disappear
ed, with the exception of the Judge anc
the General. These clever old noodles
came to time in tolerable good order.
eve must ask your pardon, SIR sale
the General, as | mounted the piazza
We have treated you with great rude
ness but it was unintentional We re
gret it very much. The fact is, thi
Niger business scared us out of oul
wits. hope. sir, that you will over
look our little mistake"
Certainly" | replied, with laugh
| understand it all now, and l congratu
late you upon the pleasant discovery
made tonight"
With your permission" said Judge
Miggs, we will call in the morning anC
show you the town"
They did call the next morning, anC
the next, and every morning during my
stay in Cottonville; and the upshot o
it all was that / spent delightful week
The people of Cottonvi:le afterwarC
laughed at the idea of an insurrectior
among the Niggers," and the colored
debating club has fourished finely.
HOME. SHOW me a woman or mar
who will make home out of any spot
where thew aIiobt and 1rn,, ,v;lI saa +,,c