The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-07-02

Va4E@eSDNH@-- da. Thus does MS
tory repeat ITSELF Josh had been mar
ried many years and was beginning to
show the effects of a long servitude.
II yum, I don't know how he's stood
that woman fer twenty odd year." Dea-
con Hummel would remark now and then
to the crowd that gathered nightly at
Barton's store and kicked their heels
against his sugar barrels as they smoked
their pipes and gossiped about their
neighbors, the crops, the weather and
Joshuas unhappy fate.
why" continued the deacon one even
ing, after the foregoing preface, :"
stopped in there on nay way up and asked
Josh to come along. Eff you leave the
house tonight, Joshua Simpson, yelled
Matilda, I'll lock you out. Do you hear
me-? Poor Josh smiled sadly and said:
I can't go, Deacon. I've got some things
to do for Tidy"
Its queer" commented Bill Barton,
the proprietor of Bungtown's only store,
"'cause Josh amt no coward. Member
how he licked that strappin' pedler from
up in Maine? Then agin, he jumped into
the crick and saved Ben Barnes's boy from
drownin'. Josh is an alfred good fellow.
I wish we could do suthin' for him."
why don't he git a divorce?" asked
flippant youngster who had imbibed few
modern ideas from a fortnight spent in
New York.
Matilda wouldn't let him." answered
the deacon, and shout Of laughter arose.
Fellow citizens" broke in a sonorons
voice, arising from the much tried vocal
organs of Lawyer Decker, this is not
matter to be treated lightly. The plain
tiff in this action, one Joshua Simpson,
brings complaint against his wife Matilda,
that she has for years treated him with
cruelty, that she has abridged his liberty
has made him laughing-stock and has
deprived him Of two things granted him by
demonstration Of the United States, to- wit,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He
'prays the court for relief, not from the
bonds Of matrimony but from the chains
of domestic slavery. Now, gentlemen Of
the jury, you are in possession. both by
hear-say and by your own individual OBJ
servation, Of many facts that substantiate
the plaintiffs claims. 1t is with no hypo-
critical emotion that beseech you to de-
wise some plan whereby the aforesaid
Joshua Simpson may be freed from the
calling servitude thathas for years warred
against his manhood. 1t Is no easy task
that impose upon you, but as has been
we'll said by our neighbor, my client Is pos
sessed of courage, and his submission. to
the will Of an over-bearing woman is not
only unworthy Of his nature but dis
grace to our town. 1t lie our duty as men,
| as friends Of Joshua Simpson, and as citi-
| zens of Bungtown to organize society for
| the prevention of cruelty to husbands and
to begin our work by crushing the tyranny
exercised by one Matilda Simpson, wife
of the Aforesaid Joshua Simpson
| Il swow, but that's goldarned elo-
quent." exclaimed an admiring voice.
| Yer right, counsellor" remarked
Deacon Hummel, refilling his pipe and
gazing abstractedly at the rising smoke
as he pulled the tobacco into glow. But
it AMT no easy job you put upon US
| Matildas been on top 80 long it won't be
like plantin' corn to mako her come down
Amt tellin you the TRUTH
Perhaps So" returned the silver
tongued limb Of the law, "but I have 9
scheme to propose that think will be ef
| fective.'
The silence Of curiosity followed this re-.
| mark and all eyes were turned upon the
| only legal light the village possessed.
| Nov, tomorrow is the Fourth Of July
that glorious anniversary that common.
crates the birth Of liberty, the day wher
| the American Eagle burst from its shell
and hurled defiance at all tyranny. al
| despotism, all forms of slavery"
| Excepting Niger" broke in the dip
pant youth who had been to New York.
Not noticing the interruption, the law.
yer vent on:
This will be an appropriate date To-
Joshua Simpson to rise in his manhood
assert his independence, seize the granl
prerogatiyes of liberty and tell Matilda t,
60 to rooSt.'
| "Jenima that idee's as big as a hay
now exclaimed the admiring voice.
"'Tain't bad" put in Bill Barton bu
faint practicable.
Yes it is, sir" said the lawyer testify
"Now have popdcred on this topic fo
fifteen years. The opportunity has at las
come for Joshua Simpsons emancipation
and tomorrow, the Glorious Fourth, viii
find him free man."
What's your plan, COUNSELLOR"
"Well, I'll tell you, friends, and II
meets with your approval and cooperation
I am sure it will be successful. At tn
hag-raising tomorrow am, as you know
to deliver an Grafton. l want five or ST
| Of you to stand near Josh and, when
give the signal. you must drag him for
ward to the front of the stage and hol,
him close to me. Never mind wha
Matilda says, and II Josh resists whispe
to him that the land Of promise Ia just /
sight, that the knife to cut his chains is o
the grind-stone, that new and bette
life awaits him. Fellow citizens, will 70
give me the aid l ask?"
= You bet we will, j." cried chorus Of cage
voices and the fippant youth added
Decker you're a daisy"
The sun came up in splendor on tn
l 18th