The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1895-11-08

"What is all this, Harry" exclaim
ed the foremost, as he came up ant
threw a glance of surprise and con
Germ on the ruins before him.
You can see for yourselves, wal
his moody reply, as others no1
arrived, and, with inquiring looks
gathered around him.
Yes, yes; but how was it doneY"
John Peters, who just drove up Il
the tavern, yonder, with a load o.
court gentry, run over me-that's all, y
he answered, with an air that showed
his feelings to be still too much
irritated to be communicative.
But the company, among whom he
seemed to be a favorite were not to be
repulsed by humor for which they
appeared to understand how to make
allowance, but continued to press him
with inquiries and soothing words, till
their manifestations of sympathy and
offers of assistance had gradually won
him into more cheerful mood when,
throwing off his reserve, he thanked
them kindly, and frankly related what
he knew of the affair, the particulars
of which obviously produced sensa-
ton among the listeners. All present,
after hearing the recital of the facts,
and on coupling them with the we'll
known disposition of Peters, and his
previous injuries to WOODBURY., at once
declared their belief that the aggres-
sion was intentional, and warmly es
poused the cause of their outraged
friend and townsman. A sort of coun-
Gil of war was then holden; the affair
was discussed and set down as another
item in the catalogue OF injuries and
expressions of which the court party
had been guilty. Individuals were
despatched into all the nearest houses,
and elsewhere, for the purpose of dis
covering what evidence might be OBJ
tanned towards sustaining prosecu-
ton. 1t was soon ascertained, how
ever, that no one had seen the fracas,
except the parties in interest, all
Peters company being so accounted,
and that, consequently, no hope re-
NAMED of any legal redress. On this,
some proposed measures OF club law
prisals on the same principle, and
should appear in the street, to make
restitution for the loss he had occa-
stoned. And SO great was the excite
ment, that had the latter then made
his appearance, which, it seemed, he
was careful not to do, it is difficult
to say what might have been his re-
ception. But contrary to the eypecta-
tions of all, WOODBURY., who had been
thoughtfully pacing up and down the
road, a little aloof from the rest,
during the discussion, now came for
ward and, in firm and manly man
ner, opposed all the propositions which
had been made in his behalf
"No," said he, in conclusion,
"such measures will not bear thinking
of. threatened him myself with
something of the kind you have pro-
posed. But little reflection has con
WINGED me l was wrong; for should !
take this method of obtaining redress,
however richly he might deserve it at
my hands, l should but be doing just
what condemn in him, and thus
place myself on level with him in
his despicable conduct. No, we will
let him alone, and give him all the
rope he will take and If he don't hang
for his misdeeds, he will doubtless, by
his conduct aid in fastening on the
time, which, from signs not to be
cannot, l think, be far dis
tant, when general outbreak will
place him, and all like him, who have
been riding over US mere rough shod
for years, in spot where he and they
will need as much of our pity as they
now have OF our hatred and fear. I"
GAY, ay," responded several, with
mods and looks; that time
will come, and sooner than they dream
Of"
"And then, /" said one, it will not be
when, just as winter was coming on,
and milk was half our dependence for
the children, our only COW was knocked
off by a winking sheriff for eleven and
three pence to this same Peters.
"Nor as it was with me-" said an
other poorly clad man of the crowd
when for debt which before it was
sued was only the price Of bushel of
what l bought to keep wife and little
ones from starving, my pair of two
year-olds and seven sheep were all
seized and sold under the hammer for
Just enough to pay the debt and costs,
to Squire Gale, the clerk of the court,
who is another of those conniving big
bugs. who are seen going round with
the sheriff, at such times, with their
pockets full of money to buy up the
poor mans property for song, though
never dollar will they lend him to
redeem it with" az
"No, my friend" said tall, stout,
broad -chested man. with clear,
frank, and fearless countenance, who,
having arrived at the spot as Wood
burn began to speak, had been stand
ing outside Of the crowd, silently
listening to the remarks OF the differ
snt speakers, mo, my friends; when
the time Just predicted arrives. it will
40 longer be as it has been with any
IF us. We shall then. l trust, all be
allowed to exercise the right which,
to my notions, we have from
Tod-that of choosing our own rulers,
who, then, would be men from among
knowing something about
The wants and wishes of the people,
and willing to provide for their dis
tresses in times like these. l have
little to say about individual men,
,r their acts of oppression; for such
men and such acts we may expect to
zee. so long as this accursed system OF
ioreipn rule is suffered to remain. We
,ad better, therefore, not waste much
# our ammunition on this or that tool
# royalty, but save it for higher pur-
,oses. An, for this reason, highly
,nnrove of the course that my young
,eighbor, WOODBURY., has just taken,
n his case although, from what
n, Such cases as these were of frequent oc-
unrrapce. as explained In note last week.