Come 'long, Ezry," and the two old men went sorrowfully away.
It seems that Israel and Ezra were not the only persons in Stockbridge
whose minds turned to Perez as the only available force which could
restrain the mob, and end the reign of lawlessness in the village.
Scarcely had those worthies departed when Dr. Partridge rode around
into the back yard and approached the young man.
"I come to you," he said, without any preliminary beating about the
bush, "as the recognized leader of the people in this insurrection, to
demand of you, as an honest fellow, that you do something to stop the
outrages of your gang."
"If I was their leader the other day, I am so no longer," replied
Perez, coldly. "They are not my followers. It is none of my business
what they do."
"Yes, it is," said Dr. Partridge, sharply. "You can't throw off the
responsibility that way. But for you, the rebellion here in
Stockbridge would never have gained headway. You can't drop the
business now and wash your hands of it."
"I don't care to wash my hands of it," replied Perez, sternly. "I
don't know what the men have done of late for I have stayed at home,
but no doubt the men who suffer from their doings, deserve it all, and
more too.
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