The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-07


The next letter was written August 6.
1t follows the same general plan of the
preceding letters. 1t begins Abraham,
this is the second time that / in this
manner deliver the Lords message unto
you, but it seems that you have, like
Pharaoh, hardened your heart and are
determined not to comply" He de-
nOunces Morehouse, orders him to bring
the money as before, and closes by
threatening that "astonishment shall
take hold upon thee and thou shalt be
eaten by worms, and driven out
of all thy possessions, for the Most
High must be obeyed, or smite his wrath
heavily"
Again he, e,writes on Lords day morn
ing, August 7th,' and begins, "Abra-
ham, Abraham, Abraham, twice have 1
written unto thee" etc. He claims the
Lord was angry, but he had kindly stood
in the gap and prayed the Lord for
Abraham. Monday morning, August
7th, brings another in the same strain,
"Oh, Abraham, Abraham, Abraham, my
soul hath had hard wrestling with thee
because of thine obstinacy." He
subscribed himself "a real servant of
Jesus Christ"
But his continued addresses seem to
have brought some result at last, for by
Tuesdays letter it seems that reply
had been written. A marginal note says
the publication referred to was written
by friend of Mr.. Morehouse, who,
without his knowledge, was disposed to
amuse himself in this way" His letter
of Wednesday, which followed regularly
says: ''Didst thou not behold how
he answered thy thunderings yesterday"
A note on this point briefly informs
the reader that "a thunderstorm hap
pened."
After the close of the letter another
note tells that on that morning he was
apprehended. So that justice overlook
him as it will anyone who indulges
in this vicious method of obtaining
money.
Whether the writer of this unique
series of epistles intended to help on the
arm of the Almighty in despoiling Abra-
ham Warehouses; property in not known.
1t seems certain, however, that he had
determined to leave his intended vic
tim to his fate, as after sign
ing his old title ''Secret at present" he
closes $50 farewell, Abraham"
Then follow four le.Jers in differnt
strain, denoting either the fanatic or
coward. They are the 'Recantation' of
this misled individual, written by the
prophet while in confinement" They are
dated from the "Gaol." He claims that
what had taken place was done in the
innocency and integrity of his own soul.
1t is rambling appeal for pardon, clos
ing with the desire that MorehOuse
should set him at liberty and leave it to
God to deal with him if he were really
To fl,a fnlln,,rt,,nr 1oy,
in answer to letter evidently written
him by Mr.. MorehOuse He states that
his blackmail scheme appears to him to
be ian atrocious error, which the evil
adversary of all good hath been suffered
to take advantage of me, in my hours of
deep study and contemplation, humbly
asks pardon, and pleads his business at
home AZ reason for his release.
That-he had better have attended TO
his own business at first, rather than to
have attempted to blacken an honest
mans character, seems not to have oc-
Cured to him until too late. His second
and third letter are dated August IL,
the latter to return thanks for small
sum of money sent him by Mr.. More
house, to request visit and to again
urge release from Imprisonment. A
last letter is written August 18th brief
and in the same strain as the rest.
Lastly is a proof conclusion of the
nobility of Abraham Morehoue's char
acter being letter from him to A. Rust,
Esq, one of the magistrates, ''endeavOr-
ing to obtain the prisoners discharge,
which was granted" 1t should be read
in full:
Dear Sir, enclosed is letter from
-- which / send for your
perusual. Should you - be inclined
to substitute mercy for justice and or
der him discharged, shall freely give
my consent and likewise acknowledge
it particular favor. For really such is
the weakness of my nature that it re-
volts from punishment which his con-
duct deserves. (Here he refers to
the prisoners business and family
affairs, etc) But should it be thought
expedient and bail be required, /, my
self, will stand the security, under the
full conviction that the prosecution will
never be brought forward.
So this misguided individual was set
liberty and received the mercy which
was clerly undue him. 1t furnishes a
wholesome lesson to blackmailers of our
time. The whole is printed on parch-
ment paper, uses the long s." and is q
most quaint and unique witness of sim
ple-mindedness and courtesy which is in
strange contrast with the rush and hurry
of this day.
AS relic of past century it is inter-
esting and valuable las character study
1t is even more interesting.