The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-12-27

Peoria (In.) CALL

er whipped in my life that l wasn't
whipped unjustly. I know now that
l never did anything to deserve the
whippings that I got. But in those
days they whipped childred more
than they do now. My father whip.
ped me because he loved me-whip.
ped bis children to keep them out OF
hell. Every real or supposed infrac.
ton of q divine law must. to accord
with his views, be visited with severe
and immediate punishment.
Il remember circumstance which
happened when 1 was about ten years
of age. Near our house was q wagon
makers shop. 1t was favorlte resort
for all the small boys of the neighbor-
hood. Four or five Of us were congro-
gated there one morning, when some
thing happened there which incensed
the wagon-maker. One or two days
afterward my father called me up and
wanted to know what said or did
at the wagon-shop on the occasion re-
ferred to. tried to remember, but
could not recall anything in particular.
The fact was had been making some
thing or other for myself at the time,
and had not paid any attention to
what was going on. However, 1 re-
peated as near as could all that had
taken place.
SIS that all 2 asked my father.
sAll that I can remember
Didn't you say so and SOP O have
forgotten what the particular charge
was).
NO, sir, did not.'
Don't tell me lie, or shall have
to punish you for that
| Il stuck to it that had not used the
language attributed to me, that 1 had
taken no part in the conversation and
knew nothing whatever about it. Ny
father belieyed was lying to him, and
came at me with gad. After whip
ping me severely he asked if would
now acknowledge my guilt. l main
tanned that was not guilty, and he
whipped me again. This was repeat
ed two or three times, and each time
protested my innocence. Atiength,
when he asked me again il would
admit that had lied to him, 1 said
yes, I'll admit it,
Greatly relieved, he exclaimed,
well, why didn't you admit before2'
Because it wasn't true,' 1 said.
What do you still deny lse
And he came at me again.
Itook this beating, which was Sc
verer than the others, when he asked
me again if would now acknowledge
my wickedness, l again replied. Yes,
I'll acknowledge any thing yoa want
me to, I'll admit that lied, that used
the language you say l did any thing
well. why didn't you admit before
why did you persist in denying itand
have me whip you in this way? 81
Because it wasn't truei'
Because it wasn't true 2 he repeat
ed Haven't You just admitted that
it was true? What do you mean by
this insane conductr
said, Il told you the truth In the
fret place. / don't know a thing about
the matter you charge me with. 1
didn't do what you say Il did, but
confessed it because I thought you
would never quit beating me until l
did confess. l confessed to q lie to
save myself any more beating.'
Fully convinced of my guilt, anger
ed Al my cbstinacy, and taking this as
another and most appalling evidence
of moral turpltude ON my part, he
seized me by the collar and began OH
me again with the gad.
At first l had cried and screamed
with pain. 1 had begged and entreat-
ed for mercy in vain. Then l got
stubborn and desperate. I felt that
my punishment was unjust, that 1 was
being outraged and 1 made up my
mind that l would die right there be-
fore would utter another groan or
answer another question. would |
neither speak nor plead. When my
father paused the next time in his flag
citations, and asked me if would ad-
init my fault and my sorrow for it, L
aaid Yes, I'll admit anything you
please, but It isn't SO. l told you the
truth in the first place. aud 1 won't
you again ifyou kill me-
This conduct seemed to my father
SO utterly depraved that he continued
whipping me until he was forced to
stop from sheer exhaustion.
Cruelty bruised in body aud spirIt,I
shrunk away out of sight and got over
it as best could.
1t must have been two years after
this that in . conversation with my
father concerning this matter, one of
The boys little sneak, by the name Of
Horter, confessed that he had used
the language attributed to me, and
that, in point OF fact, had taken no
part in the conversation, aud had been
busy with some affair of my own at
the time and in his opinion had not
even Leard word oft.
My father felt very badly about it,
and tried to speak of the matter with
me. But l wOuld not hear anything
Of it-I never could bear to-never
did. And although loved my father
dearly, and never consciously did a
wrong thing in the world to hurt his
on the contrary, j
lid everything in my power to prove
my affection for him-I do not think
eyer forgave him for that whipping,
Or that ever loved him quite as we'll
ss might have loved him. If II hsd