The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-03
Chapter III.
TEA AND SALT WATER.

e.. -, = TEA AND SALT WATER.
The great meeting was silent in the old
South church. A few candles lit the editce,
casting shadows into corners, revealing but
uncertainty the hundreds OF faces ranged
within the pews The meeting was waiting;
there was no discussion Hours before. the
citizens. had resolved that the tea should on
no account be landed. They had sent Rotch,
the owner Of the first Of the tea-shtps, to
carry a message to the governor at Milton,
demanding that the ships be allowed to clear
for London. Since them, only murmurs had
passed through the church Doctor Church
arrived late, and for him they made room.
Doctor Warren went out to the wonderment
OF some: he returned in a quarter hour, to
their relief. ~
=. Doctor Warren took his seat again by
Church's side. What has happened" asked
the older man., turning his eyes, a little
haggard on his mere active colleague. WAS
your. patient dead? He read a change in
Warren's continuance ..-
Yes" answered Doctor Warren. Apo
plexy.' AS If unwilling to speak further, he
dropped his eyes and shook his head.
Without and within, the great crowd waited.
The: light in the west had gone dusk de-
parted, night came Then at last was heard
at the door of the church the stumbling OF
weary: horse The crowd upon the church
stairs made way for man as weary as, mis-
steed, and through the church the whisper
passed, "Roteh has returned
The meeting reused into life. Prentice and
merchant tradesman and workman, looked
each at, his neighbor. Then all eyes were
il&ea upon the ship-owner as he passed. to the
platform, fall ears We're ready for his words.
The moderator met Rotch; a question was
given and answered. Then the moderator
turned to- the meeting: The governor has re-
fused a clearance
One long universal breath: then cries Of
anger. Figures sprang to their feet; there
was an instants tumult, quickly stilled.
Above The confusion rose calls to order: the
impulsfve ones pulled back into their seats.
Mr. Rotch, said the moderator will you
tell the meeting IT, on your own responsible
ity, you will order the ship to leave the
town."
The quaker stood firm; his aspect was
honest. II cannot" he. answered clearly.
1.-THE, ship would be conhscated. II would
ruin me-
viii you attempt, then, to land the tea to-
morrow"
7.''It called upon to do so by the customs
house officials, l must
Silence now, a silence OF minutes. But all
thoughts. all .glances, were fixed upon one
man, Samuel Adams. What will he say?
Samuel Adams looked about him, and
( caught the eye OF Doctor Warren. The docto,
nodded slightly. His eye passed to Doctor
Church, who nodded also: to Mr.. Hancock
upon whose lip fitting smile appeared. al
most sneer, whose eye spoke with meaning
He met the glance Of Paul Revere, who
frowned and nodded yes, and caught the eye
of Moiineux, whose face was set in inf1eNible
resolution. Then slowly Samuel Adams ros
to his feet and said: .r
This meeting can do nothing more to SAVE
the country. --,.. -. - .~-
That was all. Then came the abrup, sount
of hundreds OF people rising to Their feet
Without words. the meeting was dissolved, an
the men of Boston turned their backs upol
the scene of their long waiting.
The church was half empty. but the leader