Stoned by Graham Johns

Author:Graham Johns [Johns, Graham]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-20T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

GOING…

GOING…

GONE…

BUT NOT DONE.

Despite a distinct lack of local folk witnessing the eviction at Gordon’s farm or even reading the noticeboard, it didn’t take long for word to spread around the village. The reason for this remained unclear for several days until someone recalled noticing Verity Smythe whispering to Elizabeth Gibbs, known by many as the ‘Mouth of Nether-Staining’. Other parts of the body did not yet have owners thereabouts. Once Elizabeth knew, the rest were sure to follow.

Like all good villagers everywhere, but especially one with farms, barns and a plentiful supply of tools, they loved any excuse to grab a pitchfork, light a flaming torch and form an angry mob, especially after dark. So it was that this very mob arrived at Gordon’s farmstead a few days later after the sun had fallen from the sky. Mick had tagged along with them in the hope that someone might buy him a pint afterwards, only realising when they arrived the extent of the apparent rage that had spread through the fledgling nation; and that he was most likely to go thirsty.

Shouts were heard, placards were raised and lowered, objects were thrown and alcohol was consumed – not perhaps the most sensible activity with naked flames abounding. It wasn’t entirely obvious to anyone why they were suddenly so enraged by one of their neighbours and fellow villagers but sometimes you just get carried along on a wave you cannot stop, and if you can’t beat them, well, you may as well join them. Even the young children were shouting abusive statements, though that was more at each other.

“Come out, fattie!” one lady shouted from under a sign which proclaimed “Foreign Bastards Out!”

“Yeah, get out of ‘ere, you miserable liar!” shouted her husband under a slightly less vulgar statement of “York-sure! Lanca-surely not!”

Not everyone is a wordsmith, but they still get points for trying.

Retired policeman, Arthur Truth, took it upon himself to try to control the crowd which only amounted to wearing his old uniform and standing at the front with his arms outstretched. It seemed to do the trick as no one was really jostling and they were happy to keep a distance from the house.

Reverend Burns, loving a bit of fire and brimstone, and eager to swell his congregation further next Sunday, took to a small box he had carried with him for the occasion. He stood between the crowd and the house and boomed out a loud sermon.

“Friends, neighbours and countrymen of our fine land of Nether-Staining!” The mob became silent. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good.

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