Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-09-28
But he said not word; fancied, how
ever, that he picked up type faster than

lOfOearance is, IL cannot nOiu out aXalnS'
ever thing. saw that storm was gath
ering, and prepared to act my part rs
mai when it burst forth.
1t was Saturday afternoon; The hards
were all arranged around the stone
with their bills waiting tn be paid OH
Quaker happened 10 be ut Que end Ut the
stone. and Immediately opposite to him
stood Zeke. As usual, Quaker "was the
observer of all observers" and sly whis-
pers. which were answered by tittei
or a nudge of the elbow. passed round
the group. As the foreman paid Quaker
the amount due, he gave him quarter
of dollar to make out the change. This
did not escape Zeke's eyes, and he said
in tone to be heard by all
IF the eagle Oh that gu irter had life
and were u states prison convict,
wouldn't swap places with it tor my con.
finemcnt would be far more preferable
TO being squeezed to DEATH"
This was the hair that broke the cam
els back. With the exclamatiOn-"you
scOundrel!' he made one bound, am,
with a stunning bow, brought Zeke to
the floor. Then jerking off his coat and
placing himself in a fighting attitude, he
turned to the astOnlshed group. with
Come OH. now, you cOwardly ruffiins.
If you cannot let me alone peaceably, l
will make you do it by force. l have
borne your insults long enough, and il
you have any more to offer, come OIL
with them!"
The challenge was sufficient. COats
came off and sleeves were rolled up in a
minute. 1 thought that my friend would
be apt to get the worst OF the fight, and
forcing him into corner, l exclaimed !:
Gentlemen, one word it you please.
1t would be cOwarhly for you all TO at
tack this man; will not see it done.
And it you will attempt it haye some
thing here Gaping my breast signifi-
cantly) that will stop it. He is not 10
blame; he has resented an insult, which
any OF you would have done. You have
insultpd Linn because he has conducted
himself strangely; let him explain his
conduct. anu perhaps we can make up
the quarrel. lie owes you an eXplalla-
tiOn-if not to you. he certainly does to
me. And now, SIR" said l, turning 10
hun, Il demand it of you as right"
He hesitated moment.
"Come, my frieud," said |, Il It us have
it, whatever it is, anu ut once put al end
to this quarrel"
well, gentlemen" lie said. am not
disposed to lay my private affairs open to
public gaze, but suppose L must do it
for once. You must know. then, that
from my earnings, must not only sup
port myself, but my mother. two sisters,
and three small brothers, who reside in Il
distant state. | could earn enough al
home to support them well. bat my rea-
sou Tor coming here is this: One of my
sisters, who is now beautiful girl oi
sixteen, and the pet of the family, has
been blind from her birth. We had no
hope OF her eyer acquiring t. e faculty OF
sight, and were n0ntent to abide by what
we thought Il dispcnsatiOn OF Providence.
But recently | have seen Csc similar
to hers--a young man-who was restored
10 sight by an cminent physician of Paris.
l lave corr esponde'l with that physician,
and he has hopes that in my sisters Cast
he can effect cure. This gentlemen, is
what have been labOrlng for since i
Ia I'VE been. thereto rise funds Sufficient
to tlke her t. Paris. love that sister Us
L love my own life; l have deprived my
>elf of many comforts, and borne your
taunts an jeerS tor her sake. But | can
bear it no longer. Is you are men, you
will dcsi-t; if you do not, warn you U.
the cons, qielIc :.
Zrke had raised TO his feet and heard
all my friend had SAID. As lie listened
TO the Quaker, coul | see the moisture
coming 10 his eyes; and wheel he had flu
iShcd, he stepped IOrwaTUi, ind gruSpliy
Quakers hand, while the tears Irickl, d
down his lac :, he said i'll low voice.
quivering with emotion:
My noble fellow, we have wrOngcd
Won, deeply, ana |, Tor one, ask yonr Tor
givenesS. Had you but told us what
your object was, we Would not have
placed single object in your way
Il forgive you freely, sll: forgive you
all, sIit! Quaker.
And how much have you to iaise yet ,
asked, ''Dcfure you have the requisite
sum?'
About one hundred and fifty dollars.
Ii have my health, and continue to make
good bills. shall be ready TO start iOr
Europe i'll about TWO months"
You won't have to walt that long,
said Zekc," laying the IN >ney he had III
hand upon the stone; If my week 5
wages, every cent OF which you are well
come TO, will help You along amy. Come,
boys" he added, .hOw m.lny Of you will
follow suit?"
"Well, there's mine" said Jim. laying
an N upon the pile; 'aud mine, and
mine, and minc," said doZ II voices, as
each hand deposited an equal amount.
and they had made quite pile OF bank
bills.
There, stranger, take that, and may
God prosper yOu,n said Zeke, rendering
him the money.
mo, gentlemen" answered the Qua
ker, Il thank you tor your liberality. but
L cannot take your money. am 10
beggar; all ask is. tn It may be allow
10 DO my work without being disturb"
But you must take H." urged Zeke,
growing warm."'we owe it to you, and you
shall take it. We've done YOU Il great
wrOng+We've abused you-aDd have no
other way to make amends. Besides. if
you don't take it, it will be spent before
Monday morning, AMI know that tor
my part, IL will be- much pleisan;er to
commence the week with the conscious
ness of having appropriated my money
IN a suitable way, than with tOggy
head. aching limbs ami empty pockets,
which always follows a Free a,d Easy"
Still the stranger hesitated.
Take it, take it for your sisters sake, "
said three or four voices.
Il accept it, gentlemen" said The QuN-
ker, lis you say, tor my sisters sake, and
l hope some day to return it. principal
and interest"
Quaker left for Paris shorty after; and
i'm few months we had the satisfaction
of hearing that his sister was complete
ly restored to sight, and tLey were on
their way home.
have beard from him several times
since. His lines have been drawn i'm
pleasant places; and he is now a judicial
lunctionary in neighboring STATE OF
Kentucky.