This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1848 edition. Excerpt: ... % 5 along the road, he came across a fellow named Goudy, who h;id the reputation of having a dyspeptic brain. He was cutting barberry bushes. "Goudy," said the Dr. "for what purpose do you suppose barberry bushes were made?" "I dun know for sartain," was the reply, "but I raylher guess to whip ministers with, and make them stick to their texts .'" This Goudy was one day away from home, and a severe thunder-storm commencing, he turned to go, saying: "I must go home; my wife is bashful when it thunders!" CHAPTER IV. The spirit of freedom that actuated the revolutionary sires, and spurred them onward in their efforts to snap the manacles of oppression, was exhibited in Danvers at a very early period. The people of this town seemed to scent the danger from afar, and while the mass of the colonists were unconscious of the progress of the tide which was slowly rolling in over their rights and privileges, they beheld it, and prophesying its further advance, sounded the tocsin of alarm. The celebrated Stamp Act passed in the year 1765, and became the law of the colonies. Dr. Franklin, then in London, wrote a letter to Charles Thompson, the night after the passage of the act, in which he said among other things: "The Sun of Liberty is set; the Americans must light the lamps of industry and economy." To which Mr. Thompson sagaciously roplied: "Be assured we shall light torches quite of another sort!" Kindred to this spirit, was that of the people of this town, who, on the twenty-ninth of October, instructed Thomas Porter, their representative, as follows: "Sir. We the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of Danvers, in Town meeting assembled, the Twenty first of October, A. D. 1765-- "Professing the Greatest Loyalty to our Most Gracious...