Whig Against Tory | Page 3

not neglect her good advice. And, when permission was
given him, he went home to visit his friends, and always with delight.
"In 1771, the apprenticeship of Enoch ended. He was now twenty-one
years old--a man grown--industrious--honest--and ready to begin
business for himself.
"Old Mr. Crosby was a strong whig--a man of reading and
information-- one who took a deep interest in the welfare of his
country.
"About the time that Enoch first left home to learn his trade, the
troubles of America began with England. The king and his ministers
became jealous of the Americans. They thought them growing too
fast-- 'They will soon,' said they, 'become proud, and wish to be free
and independent--we must tax them--we must take away their money.
This will keep them poor and humble.'

"Those things used often to be talked over, at old Mr. Crosby's. The
neighbours would sometimes happen in there of a winter's evening to
spend an hour, or two--the minister--the schoolmaster--and others--and
although Southeast was a retired place, the conduct of the 'mother
country,' as England was called, was pretty well understood there, and
justly censured.
"Old Mr. Crosby, especially, condemned the conduct of England. He
said, for one, he did not wish to be trampled on. 'They have no right to
tax us,' said he,--'it is unjust--it is cruel--and, for myself, I am ready to
say, I will not submit to it. And, mark my word, the time will come,
when the people will defend themselves, and when that time comes, I
hope,' said he--looking round upon his sons, especially upon Enoch--'I
hope my boys will not shame their father--no, not they.'
"Enoch thought much of his father. He was a grave man--one who sat
steady in his chair when he talked--and talked so slowly, and so
emphatic, as always to be heard. Enoch, though a boy, listened--he was
then interested--and as he grew older and was at home occasionally, on
a visit, and these subjects were discussed--he took a still deeper interest,
and would sometimes even mingle in the animated talk, round the fire
side of his father.
"And, then, there were times, too, when he was seated on his bench,
thinking over what he had heard; or sat listening to some customer of
his master, who happened in, on a rainy day--and who had seen the last
paper which gave an account of some new attempt to oppress the
colonies--at such times, he would almost wish himself a soldier, and in
the field fighting for his country. And then the hammer, it was observed,
would come down upon his lapstone with double force, as if he were
splitting the head of one of the enemy open, or his awl would go
through the leather, as if he were plunging a bayonet into the belt of a
soldier."
[Illustration]
"Such were the workings of Enoch Crosby's mind--the work of
preparation was going on there--the steam was gradually rising--and

though he realized it not--he was fitting to become a zealous and active
soldier, in his country's service.
"On the 5th of March, 1770, nearly a year before Enoch's time was out,
the 'Boston Massacre' happened."
Henry. "The 'Boston Massacre!' father--pray, what was that?"
Gen. P. "William! you know the story, I trust--can you tell it to your
brother?"
William. "I have read about it; but I don't know well how to tell it. Will
you tell it, father?"
Gen. P. "Tell it as well as you are able, my son. It is by practice that we
learn to do things well."
William. "One evening some British soldiers were near a ropewalk in
Boston. A man, who worked in the ropewalk, said something to them
which they did not like, and they beat him.
"Three days after, on the 5th of March, while the soldiers were under
arms, some of them were insulted by the citizens, and one, it is said,
was struck. This soldier was so angry, that he fired. Then, six others
fired. Three citizens were killed, and five were wounded.
"All Boston was soon roused. The bells were rung. Many thousand
people assembled, and they said that they would tear the soldiers to
pieces, and I don't know but that they would have done so, if Gov.
Hutchinson had not come out, and told the people, that he would
inquire into the matter, and have the guilty punished. This pacified
them."
Gen. P. "Well done--quite well done, master William. You now know,
Henry, what is meant by the 'Boston Massacre.'"
Henry. "It was a bloody affair, I think."
Gen. P. "Bloody indeed!--inhuman and highly provoking. The news of

it spread--spread rapidly, in every direction. The country was filled
with alarm. War was seen to be almost certain; such an insult--such a
crime could not be forgotten. Even at Phillipstown,