Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-30
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concluded from first page.l
should be ruined. We must leave the
country forever. But 1t is absurd to think
of such thing. The struggle is an utter
" hopeless one. We have no money, no
arms, no food, aud England has every
No." said Mrs Arneti '.you have
forgotten one Thing which England has
not and which we have-one thing which
outweighs all highlands 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 weak and
few; but God is fighting for us. We en-
tered into this struggle with pure hearts
and prayerful lips. We had counted the
cost and were willing to pay the price,
were il 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 your
selves men--the sons of those who gave
up home and fortune and fatherland to
make for themselves and for dear liberty
a resting place in the wilderness Oh,
shame upon you. towards y
Her words had rushed out in fiery
flood. which her husband had vainly
striyen TO check. do not know how
Mrs. Arnett looked. but fancy her lit
tie fair woman, with kindly blue eyes and
delicate features--a tender and loving lit
tie soul, whose scornful, blazing words
must have seemed 10 her amazed hearers
like the inspired fury of a pythoness. Are
we not all prophets at times-prophets OF
good or evil, according TO our bent, and
with more power than we ourselves sus-
pect to work out the fuliillment of our
own prophecies? Who shall say how far
this fragile woman aided to stay The wave
of desolation which was spreading over
the land?
"Gentlemen," said good Mr.. Arnett I'M
easily, 81 beg you to excuse this most
unseemly interruption to our conncil. My
wife is beside herself, think. You all
know her, and know that it is not her
wont to NEEDLE with politics, or to brawl
and buster. Tomorrow she will see her
folly, but now, pray your patience"
Already her words had begun to stir
the slumbering manhood in the bosoms of
those who heard her. Enthusiasm makes
its own fitting times. No one replied
each one felt too keenly his own petit
ness, in the light cast upon them by this
woman's brave words.
Take your protection, if you WILL"
she went on, after waiting in vain for n
reply. proclaim yourselves traitors and
towards, false to your country and your
God. but horrible will be the Judgment
you will bring upon your heads and the
heads Of those that love you. tell you
that England will never conquer. know
it and feel it in every fibre of my heart
Has God led US so far to desert us now ?
viii He, who led our fathers across the
stormy sea forsake their children who have
put their trust in himp For me, stay
with my country, and my hand shall new
err tonch the hand, nor my heart cleave to
the heart of him who shames her,"
She flashed upon her husband a gaze
which dazzled him like sudden lightning.
Isaac, we have lived together for 20
years. and for all of them have been a
true and loving wife to you. But am
the child of God and of my country. and
If you do this shameful thing, will never
again own you for my husband"
MY dear wife !" cried the husband
aghast, .you do not know what you are
saying. Leave me for such a thing as
this 7" ~
..For such q thing as this y she cried
scornfully. ''What greater cause could
there be ? / married a good man and
true, faithful friend and loyal Chris
tian gentleman, and it needs no divorce
to sever me from traitor and coward.
If you take your protection you lose Your
wife, and IL lose my husband and my
home !"
With the last words the thrilling voice
broke suddenly with pathetic fall and
film crept over the proud blue eyes. Per-
haps this little touch Of womanly weak
ness moved her hearers as deeply as her
brave, scornful words. They were not all
towards at heart, only touched by the
dread finger of panic, which, now and
then, will paralyze the bravest. Some
had struggled long against it and only
half yielded at last. And some there were
to whom old traditions had never quite
lost their power, whose superstitious con-
sciencies had never become quite recon-
ciled to the stigma of rebel. though rea-
son and judgment both told them that,
borne for the cause for which they bore it
it was . title Of nobility. The words of
the little woman had gone straight to each
heart, be its handspring what it might.
Gradually the dropping heads were raised
and the eyes grew bright with manliness
and resolution. Before they left the
house that night they had sworn solemn
oath to stand by the cause they had adopt
ed and the land Of their birth, through
good or evil, and to spurn the offers of
their tyrants and foes as the deadliest
insults. E-a4eats sssel 4 sss..H.ss
Some OF the names Of those who met in
that secret council were known afterwards
among those who fought their country's
battles most nobly, who died upon the
field of honor, or rejoiced with pure hearts
when the day Of triumph came at last.
The name of the little woman figured on
no heroic roll, but she was no less her.
oinef
This story is a true one, and in this
centennial year. when every crumb OF in
formation in regard to those old DAYS of
struggle and heroism is eagerly gathered
up, 1t may not be without interest.