[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

associated in the gallant stand for Freedom and for Right? The
assembly was divided at this point. There were some groans and
hisses, but the general sense of honour was much too strong for the
condemnation of a man unheard.  Be sure you re right,
115
Slackbridge!  Put him up!  Let s hear him! Such things were said
on many sides. Finally, one strong voice called out,  Is the man
heer? If the man s heer, Slackbridge, let s hear the man himseln,
 stead o yo. Which was received with a round of applause.
Slackbridge, the orator, looked about him with a withering smile;
and, holding out his right hand at arm s length (as the manner of
all Slackbridges is), to still the thundering sea, waited until there
was a profound silence.
 Oh my friends and fellow-men! said Slackbridge then, shaking his
head with violent scorn,  I do not wonder that you, the prostrate
sons of labour, are incredulous of the existence of such a man. But
he who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage existed, and Judas
Iscariot existed, and Castlereagh existed, and this man exists!
Here, a brief press and confusion near the stage, ended in the man
himself standing at the orator s side before the concourse. He was
pale and a little moved in the face- his lips especially showed it;
but he stood quiet, with his left hand at his chin, waiting to be
heard. There was a chairman to regulate the proceedings, and this
functionary now took the case into his own hands.
 My friends, said he,  by virtue o my office as your president, I
ashes o our friend Slackbridge, who may be a little over hetter in
this business, to take his seat, whiles this man Stephen Blackpool is
heern. You all know this man Stephen Blackpool. You know him
awlung o his misfort ns, and his good name. With that, the
chairman shook him frankly by the hand, and sat down again.
Slackbridge likewise sat down, wiping his hot forehead- always
from left to right, and never the reverse way.
 My friends, Stephen began, in the midst of a dead calm;  I ha hed
what s been spokn o me, and  tis lickly that I shan t mend it. But
I d liefer you d hearn the truth concernin myseln, fro my lips than
for onny other man s, though I never cud n speak afore so monny,
wi out bein moydert and muddled. Slackbridge shook his head as
if he would shake it off, in his bitterness.
 I m th one single Hand in Bounderby s mill, o a the men theer,
as don t coom in wi th proposed reg lations. I canna  coom in wi
 em. My friends, I doubt their doin yo onny good. Licker they ll do
yo hurt. Slackbridge laughed, folded his arms, and frowned
sarcastically.
 But  t ant sommuch for that as I stands out. If that were aw, I d
coom in wi th rest. But I ha my reasons- mine, yo see- for being
hindered; not on y now, but awlus- awlus- life long! Slackbridge
jumped up and stood beside him, gnashing and tearing.  Oh my
friends, what but this did I tell you? Oh my fellow-countrymen,
what warning but this did I give you? And how shows this
116
recreant conduct in a man on whom unequal laws are known to
have fallen heavy? Oh you Englishmen, I ask you how does this
subornation show in one of yourselves, who is thus consenting to
his own undoing and to yours, and to your children s and your
children s children? There was some applause, and some crying of
Shame upon the man; but the greater part of the audience were
quiet. They looked at Stephen s worn face, rendered more pathetic
by the homely emotions it evinced; and, in the kindness of their
nature, they were more sorry than indignant.
  Tis this Delegate s trade for t speak, said Stephen,  an he s paid
for t, and he knows his work. Let him keep to t. Let him give no
heed to what I ha had n to bear. That s not for him. That s not for
nobbody but me. There was a propriety, not to say a dignity in
these words, that made the hearers yet more quiet and attentive.
The same strong voice called out,  Slackbridge, let the man be
heern, and howd thee tongue! Then the place was wonderfully
still. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]