The Soldier Boy | Page 8

be rash. If you must cherish these
pernicious views, I entreat you, keep them to yourself. You may think
what you please, but the utterance of treason makes a traitor."
"I shall proclaim my views from the housetop," replied the squire,
angrily, as he abruptly turned away from the minister.
The squire continued obdurate to the last. Neither the persuasions of his
friends nor the threats of his enemies had any effect in silencing his
tongue; and as late as sundown 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
great gathering of men and boys at the bridge on the outskirts of the
village. They were singing Hail Columbia and the Star-spangled
Banner. Thomas and John Somers were there.
Presently the assemblage began to move up the road which led to
Squire Pemberton's house, singing patriotic songs as they marched. It
was a multitude of persons for Pinchbrook; and no doubt the obnoxious
oracle thought so when he saw the sea of heads that surrounded his
dwelling. If this was a mob, it was certainly a very orderly mob, for the
crowd thus far had done nothing worse than to sing the national airs.
The arrangements had all been made before the multitude started from
the place of rendezvous. Three gentlemen, the principal of whom was
Captain Barney, had been appointed a committee to wait upon the
squire, and politely request him to display the American flag on his
premises.
In the road, in front of the house, a large fire had been kindled, which
threw a broad, bright glare on the house and the surrounding grounds. It
was as light as day in the vicinity when the committee walked up to the
front door of the house and rang the bell. The squire answered the
summons himself.
"Squire Pemberton," said Captain Barney, "your fellow-citizens, about
two hundred in number, have called upon you with a simple and
reasonable request."

"What is it?" demanded the squire.
"That you hoist the Stars and Stripes on your house."
"I won't do it!" roared the victim, as he slammed the door in the faces
of the committee.
"That is insolence," said Captain Barney, quietly. "We will go in."
The captain led the way; but the door had been locked upon them. The
shoulders of three stout men pressed against it, and the bolt yielded.
"What do you mean, you villains?" thundered the squire, as he
confronted the committee in the entry.
"You were so impolite as to close the door in our faces before we had
finished our story," replied the immovable old sea captain.
"How dare you break in my door?" growled the squire.
"We shall do worse than that, squire, if you don't treat us respectfully."
"A man's house is his castle," added the squire, a little more
moderately.
"That's very good law, but there isn't a house in Pinchbrook that is big
enough or strong enough to shield a traitor from the indignation of his
fellow-citizens. We do not purpose to harm you or your property, if you
behave like a reasonable man."
"You shall suffer for this outrage," gasped the squire, whose rage was
increased by the cool and civil manner of Captain Barney.
"When you closed the door in my face, I had intimated that your
fellow-citizens wish you to display the national flag."
"I refuse to do it, sir."
"Consider, squire, what you say. The people have made up their minds
not to tolerate a traitor within the corporate limits of the town of
Pinchbrook."
"I am no traitor."
"That is precisely what we wish you to demonstrate to your
fellow-citizens assembled outside to witness an exhibition of your
patriotism."
"I will not do it on compulsion."
"Then, sir, we shall be obliged to resort to disagreeable measures."
"What do you mean by that, sir?" asked the squire, who was evidently
alarmed by the threat. "Do you mean to proceed to violence?"
"We do, Squire Pemberton," answered Captain Barney, decidedly.
"O my country!" sighed the victim, "has it come to this? The laws will

no longer protect her citizens."
"That's very fine, sir. Do you expect the laws to protect you while you
are aiding and abetting those who are trying to destroy them? Is there
any law to protect a traitor in his treason? But we waste time, Squire
Pemberton. Will you display the American flag?"
"Suppose I refuse?"
"We will pull your house down over your head. We will give you a
coat of tar and feathers, and remove you beyond the limits of the town.
If you ever come back, we will hang you to the nearest tree."
"Good