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Theſe proceedings were ſoon known at the old farm. Great and terrible was the uproar there. The old Gentleman fell in to great wrath, declaring that his abſent children meant to throw off all dependence upon him, and to become altogether diſobedient. His wife alſo tore the padlocks from her lips, and raved and ſtormed like a Billinſgate. The ſteward loſt all patience and moderation, ſwearing moſt prophanely that he would leave no ſtone unturned ’till he had humbled the ſettlers of the new farm at his feet, and cauſed their father to trample on their necks. Moreover the Gruel merchants roared and bellowed for the loſs of their Gruel; and the clerks and apprentices were in the utmoſt conſternation leſt the people of the new farm ſhould again agree to have no dealings with their father’s ſhop.—Vengeance was immediately ſet on foot, particularly againſt Jack. With him they determined to begin; hoping that by making an example of him they ſhould ſo terrify the other families of the new ſettlers, that they would all ſubmit to the deſigns of the ſteward, and the Omnipotence of the old Lady.
A very large Padlock was, accordingly, prepared to be faſtened upon Jack’s great gate;[1] the key of which was to be given to
- ↑ Boſton Port Bill
