Having graced the popular holiday by this involuntary
exhibition of himself, Seymour was let go without suffering any
further violence, the crowd appearing boisterously jocose rather than
embittered in temper. Master Hopkins, a young man who had recently
entered Squire Sedgwick's office to study law, was next pounced upon,
having indiscreetly ventured on the street, and treated to a similar
free ride, which was protracted until the youth purchased surcease by
consenting to wear a sprig of hemlock in his hat.
About the middle of the forenoon Squire Woodbridge, Deacon Nash, Dr.
Partridge, with Squire Edwards and several other gentlemen were
sitting in the back room of the store. It was a gloomy council.
Woodbridge quaffed his glass of rum in short, quick unenjoying gulps,
and said not a word. The others from time to time dropped a phrase or
two expressive of the worst apprehensions as to what the mob might do,
and entire discouragement as to the possibility of doing anything to
restrain them. Suddenly, young Jonathan Edwards, who was in the outer
room tending store, cried out:
"Father, the mob is coming. Shall I shut the door?"
Squire Edwards cried "Yes," and hastily went out to assist, but Dr.
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