The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-31
WINGS, TORIES AND REpcoArs
CHATTER I.
ROXIBURY TAVERN

The afternoon OF Dec. 16, 1773, was lower
| ing and cold. Snow lay upon the ground,
| caves were cased In Ice, and the country road
! round about Boston was grim and iurly as
| the temper Of Its people. But on the hard
| packed roads was much travelling, and from
whatever points commanded the peninsuIar
| town, men often paused and gazed across the
| water at its cluster OF spires, as if endeavor-
| ing to read in them the actions that were
| taking place beneath. Unseen, on farther
! shores, other observers were in spirit watch
| ing. Boston that day was making history.
| Amid the numerous wayfarers, a traveller
from the north ended his long march, and in
| the little village of Roxbury sold his wood
| mans clothes. The tailor-dea1er in old APP
| parel we'll as new-studied with curiosity
the tall, athletic fellow, whose eyes and COM
| posed face showed wisdom greater than his
| years and upon whose arms werep scars.
! Such clothes, also, seldom come SO far to the
south. The traveller exchanged all his outer
garments for new and stood forth different
| being The tailor struck by what seemed
| more than an external change, was mastered
| by his inquisftiveness.
| You have come far?" he asked
Friend said his customer, smiling, 'yo,l
| have charged me well, L make no doubt; /
| gave my money without haggling Let me
| keep my information to myself . ~
| "Gad.' said the tailor, peering after him
| through the frosty panes. High as Han
cock and as free with hts money. Yankee
too, dare swear, OF town upbringing. He
! picked up neither his accent nor his breed
ing Ia the woods
| The traveller walked to the tavern. He felt
himself a new man, and looked down at his
clothes as at Disguise He opened the door
! OF the tavern and entered the common room
The landlord, portiy and fair, regarded hin
silently from behind the bar. ITO book for
the Boston stage" said the traveller. 1.-The
front seat, it may have it,
+ "Ay," gaid the landlord as one resigned
He opened the book fwhere It lay and marked
cross. mo trade tor me this night Afoot
or by the stage, all Bostonward.
The traveller looked about him at the empty
room. rs all the village gone to Boston,
| landlord? A mtg OF porter"
l The landlord drew nuEful and pushed
It across the Oar. 'tAll Hoxbury,' he aaid
Would might 60 myself. There will be
things to see and hear this night
What do you expect?' the traveller asked,
What will Boston do with It's tea ships?'
THAT depends said the landlord The
| traveller hid his face behind his mug The
landlora began TO. polish his pewter.
There entered next {throwins hastily oper
the outer door, stamping In the passage, COM
| ing into the room with unany ehivers) a hand
some man Of middle age, With cloak drawn
close. Fastening to place himself before the
aonishment 'sDr. Church,
1 "a raw evening, Landlord Jonsst' cried
the newcomer. His resonant voice was good.
4 natured In spite Of his discomfort; his manly
I features were but touched with the signs Of
dissipation. "a raw evening. Your servant
sir. Friend Jones, 4 mug of toddy, and make
1t hot"
! The traveller had half risen, his hand to his
4 hat, then, rscollecting himself, sank back In
his chair But the doctor turned to him al
1 the landlord went back to the bar.
| Your servant, sir,'' he said again, though
don't recall yoAr face
/ .Ah, DOCTOR said the young man, rising
1T was instinct that tempted the salute
4 can claim no acquaintance
i Claim 1t by all means" said the doctor
"You seem traveller" he went on; .'ye
4 you have no cloak. B-r-r! But you Arr
i young. So once was /, and cared not for ths
cold. Sir. sometimes ! think too much d
liquor dries up the bleod within MS,
He reached for the today and took a Ions
draught. Then he looked at his two hearers
All he said with satisfaction and as on,
accustomed to have the floor I'VE who ar,
II out in all weathers need good homespur
cloaks, and warming vine
"HomespunH' said the landlord II can
be- satisfied, doctor, to see you in sucl
clothes. You who look so we'll In silk ant
4 broadeloth."
"If should wear English cloth, why the1
. should any one wear horaespun. Or il
should drink tea
"Tea! cried a voice at the door. LADS
can you picture Dr.. Church drinking anythin,
SO weak MS tea
The bulk Of a great frame filled the door
way; there stood one who vas neither boy no
man. But he was n1l good nature. from hi