But the speech stayed where it was put, in the speaker’s hat, and failed to materialize where and when it was wanted on the speaker’s tongue.  As the mountain would not go to Mahomet, Mahomet like a sensible prophet went to the mountain.  Our orator in imitation of this illustrious example, bowed to the inevitable and went to his mountain.  Pulling his extempore remarks out of his hat, he delivered himself of them to such effect as to create quite an Otis sentiment in the meeting.  This performance was, of course, a shocking offence in the eyes of those, whose plans it had disturbed.  With one particular old fogy he got into something of a newspaper controversy in consequence.  The “consummate assurance” of one so young fairly knocked the breath out of this Mr. Eminent Respectability; it was absolutely revolting to all his “ideas of propriety, to see a stranger, a man who never paid a tax in our city, and perhaps no where else, to possess the impudence to take the lead and nominate a candidate for the electors of Boston!” The “young gentleman of six months standing,” was not a whit abashed or awed by the commotion which he had produced.  That was simply a case of cause and effect.  But he seemed in turn astonished at his opponent’s evident ignorance of William Lloyd Garrison.  “It is true,” he replied, with the proud dignity of conscious power, “it is true that my acquaintance in this city is limited.  I have sought none.  Let me assure him, however, that if my life be spared, my name shall one day be known to the world—­at least to such extent that common inquiry shall be unnecessary.  This, I know will be deemed excessive vanity—­but time shall prove it prophetic.”  To the charge of youth he makes this stinging rejoinder, which evinces the progress he was making in the tournament of language:  “The little, paltry sneers at my youth by your correspondent have long since become pointless.  It is the privileged abuse of old age—­the hackneyed allegation of a thousand centuries—­the damning crime to which all men have been subjected.  I leave it to metaphysicians to determine the precise moment when wisdom and experience leap into existence, when, for the first time, the mind distinguishes truth from error, selfishness from patriotism, and passion from reason.  It is sufficient for me that I am understood.”  This was Garrison’s first experience with “gentlemen of property and standing” in Boston.  It was not his last, as future chapters will abundantly show.

CHAPTER II.

THE MAN HEARS A VOICE:  SAMUEL, SAMUEL!