The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army

g a T

Table of

n a single traitor within its border. The squire took no pains to conceal his treasonable sentiments, though the whole town was in a blaze of patrio

ns in town and county. He had come to regard himself, as his townsmen were for the most part willing to regard him, as the social and political oracle

abuse the loyal spirit of the North, some ventured to dissent from him. The oracle was not in the habit of having men dissent, and it made him angry. His treason became more treasonable, his condemnation more bitter. Plain, honest men, to whatever party they might have belonged, were disgusted with the great man of Pinchbrook; and some of

his own views, that, perhaps, he expected to manufacture a public sentiment in Pinchbrook that would place the town on the side of the rebels. All day Sunday, and all day Monday, he rode abo

the wind, and would reap the whirlwind. The good man even hinted that he had ro

intended to speak his honest sentiments, as every citizen had a right to do; and h

ee them, Squire Pembert

re they please and

is your single arm again

t fear them. I am true to my

ng you. Do you think Benedict Arnold's convictions, if

ompare me to Bene

nd, as your friend, I am compelled to say that I don't see much

ean to in

side of your government, on the side of law and order, you are going about Pinchbrook Harbor deno

to say what I pleas

nst it. You may criticize the government as its friend, but not as its foe. When armed men conspire against the

ruin of the country," sneered the

se pernicious views, I entreat you, keep them to yourself. You may t

etop," replied the squire, angrily, as h

on that day of the Great Awakening he was pouring treachery and treason into the ears of a neighbor who happened to pass his house. Half an hour later in the day, there was a

a multitude of persons for Pinchbrook; and no doubt the obnoxious oracle thought so when he saw the sea of heads that surrounded his dwell

Three gentlemen, the principal of whom was Captain Barney, had been appointed a committee to

on the house and the surrounding grounds. It was as light as day in the vicinity when the committee

low-citizens, about two hundred in number, have ca

?" demanded

he Stars and Stri

ictim, as he slammed the door

aid Captain Barney, qu

locked upon them. The shoulders of three stou

thundered the squire, as he conf

in our faces before we had finished our sto

ak in my door?" g

that, squire, if you don

stle," added the squire,

strong enough to shield a traitor from the indignation of his fellow-citizens. We

d the squire, whose rage was increased by

had intimated that your fellow-citizen

e to do

ade up their minds not to tolerate a traitor withi

no tra

rate to your fellow-citizens assembled outside

do it on c

e obliged to resort to

squire, who was evidently alarmed by the th

rton," answered Capt

"has it come to this? The laws wi

abetting those who are trying to destroy them? Is there any law to protect a traitor in

se I r

oat of tar and feathers, and remove you beyond the limits of the t

e that my fellow-citizens a

nswer,

ask," interposed his wife, who had been a

ruth almost for the first time in forty-eight hour

rrow, to preach a crusade against the North, and to raise an army to destroy the free institutions of the country, I s

ut at the front window up stai

hat you please, but if you utter another word of treason in Pinchbrook during the te

ed it out of the window over the porch. It was hailed with three tremendous cheers by the multitude

members of the assemblage, who would gladly have joined in the work of pillage and destruction, but much