of
a very clever pamphlet maintaining the unconstitutionality
of slavery, also published some papers attacking the authenticity
of Christian miracles. In these days of Bob Ingersoll such
views would be met with entire toleration, but they shocked
Major Newton exceedingly, as they did most persons of his
time. Spooner studied for the Bar and applied to be admitted.
He was able to pass an examination. But the Major, as _amicus
curiae,_ addressed the Court and insisted that Spooner was
not a man of proper character, and affirmed in support of
his assertion that he was the author of some blasphemous attacks
on Christianity. The result was that Spooner's application
was denied. The Court adjourned for dinner. It was the day
of the calling of the docket, and just before the Judge came
in in the afternoon, the whole Bar of Worcester County were
assembled, filling the room. The Major sat in a seat near
one of the doors. He had dined pretty heavily, the day was
hot and the Major was sleepy. He tipped back a little in
his chair, his head fell back between his shoulders and his
mouth opened, with his nose pointed toward the zenith. Just
then Spooner came in. As he passed by the Major, the temptation
was irresistible. He seized the venerable nose of the old
patriarch between his thumb and finger, and gave it a vigorous
twist. The Major was awakened and sprang to his feet, and
in a moment realized what had happened. He was, as may be
well supposed, intensely indignant. No Major in the militia
could submit to such an insult. He seized his chair and hurled
it at the head of the offender, but missed, and the bystanders
interposed before he was able to inflict the deserved punishment.

The Major lived to a good old age. His mental faculties
became somewhat impaired before he died. He had great respect
for his excellent son-in-law, Colonel Wetherell, who was on
Governor Andrew's staff during the War, and thought that anything
which ought to be accomplished could be accomplished by the
influence of the Colonel. Somebody told him during the hardest
part of the war that we ought to bend all our energies to
the capture of Richmond. If Richmond were to fall the rebellion
would be easily put down. "You are quite right, sir," said
the Major. "It ought to be done, and I will speak to Colonel
Wetherell about it." But everybody who knew the worthy Major,
unless it were some offender against justice, or some person
aga