Thrilling adventures and daring deeds of Lieut. Benjamin Everest and others. Favorite poems, spirited and inspiring for the home and fireside

Thrilling Adventiir

and

Darind Deeds

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

MiLO A. Everest.

THRILLING ADVENTURES

AND

DARI NG DEEDS

OF

Lieut. Benjamin Everest
AND Others

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Favorite Poems, Spirited and Inspiring
FOR THE Home and Fireside

ROXBURGHE PUBLISHING COMPANY
Boston, Mass.

LIBRARY of CONGRESS
Two Copies Weceived

DEC 16 i904

Oopyn^iix t-ritry
I CUSS <a^ XXc ?io{ i

COWY B.

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COPYRIGHT BY

Milo A.Everest

Everett, Mass.

1904-

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

PREFACE.

■♦♦♦♦♦

Whenever a new publication is presented to
the public, it is very common for the author to
make some excuses by the way of introduction;
and when a new author issues a book, the gen-
eral inquiry is. Who is this author and where
does he hail from? Such information may be
found on page 200 —

There were brave and noble men in the early
history of this the-American Republic, whose
THRILLING ADVENTURES will be cherished by the
true and the fearless, and their history will pass
down from one generation to another.

The DARING DEEDS of Lieut. BENJAMIN
EVEREST-and others, as related in this little
book, are not fictitious or imaginary, but authen-
tic, and took place when America had need of
the bravest and ablest men and women on earth
in order to secure their liberty and maintain
their independence.

True honor, and wisdom, have maintained this
REPUBLic-until she can now, and hereafter be
properly called-THE star of the world.

THEILLma ADVENTUEES
AND

DARING DEEDS.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ » ■

Lieutenant Benjamin Everest and his brother
Joseph were born in Salisbury Conn. , and moved
with their father Benjamin to Addison Vt., in
1768. Three years before this their brother Zad-
ock, who was born in Shay brook Conn., moved
to Addison; became one of the first settlers, and
was the first appointed court judge in Addison
County . His dwelling was made for a time the
court-house and jail.

His Brother Benjamin was well known, and
noted when a young man for his power and act-
ivity in all athletic exercises.

There was not one in all the settlement that

could RUN, JUMP, OR WRESTLE WITH HIM.

With a heart that never knew the sensation of
fear, and a frame capable of enduring any hard-
ship he was by nature well fitted to take part in
those early and troublesome times.

In August 1Y73 when Allen, Warner and

2 THRILLING ADVENTUEES

Baker came up to help the settlers drive off
Col. Eeid and his Yorkers from their position at
Vergennes, Everest with his brother Zadock and
other neighbors joined them .

After having torn down the mills, burned the
dwellings, and destroyd the settlement, being all
ready to return, Allen made such an impression
on Benjamin, their spirits were so much in un-
ison, that he wished to go with Allen as more
trouble with the Yorkers was expected .

Allen was glad of his service and soon gave
him a sergeants warrant in hand. From that
time until the opening of the Revolution, Ever-
est was with Allen more or less .

On receipt of intelligence of the battle of Lex-
ington, Everest immediately reported to CoL
Allen's headquarters, where he received a Lieu-
tenant's commission, which was afterwards con-
firmed.

He was very active and useful in procuring
men and information, and in many ways aided
in the capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point,
and was with Allen when he demanded the
surrender of the fort ( ticonderoga ) in the
name of the ''great jehovah and continental

CONGRESS."

After Allen was taken prisoner at Montreal

AND DARING DEEDS. 3

Everest and his company were incorporated
into Col. Seth Warner's regiment and was with
Warner at the battle of Hubberton, and with
his company as rangers held the British in check
by making a dash here and there, in and out of
the woods, facilitating and covering the retreat
of Warner who had decided it was best to fall
back to a better position.

Everest at this time received the thanks of
Warner for the bravery there displayed by him-
self and men.

Everest commanded the fort at Eutland dur-
ing the summer of 1TY8. Major Careton having
come down the lake in the fall of that year with
his fleet, undertook extensive repairs in and
-around the old fort at Crown Point, concerning
which the American officers desired some cer-
tain information. Everest was asked to go.

He was willing and was called one of the best,
as he was acquainted with the locality, having
lived for a number of years in that section of the
country. Doffing his uniform, he soon procur-
ed a Tory dress (gray), and boldly entered the
garrison and offered his services as a workman.
He was set to tend masons. At this work he
made himself very acceptable by his promptness
and cheerfulness.

4 THRILLING ADVENTURES

After a few days he had acquired about all the
information that was desired, and was planning
to give up his position and return to the Ameri-
can army when, as ill fortune would have it, a
man by the name of Benedict who was an early
settler in Addison, but who espoused the British
cause; came into the fort for some purpose, and
there saw Everest and knew him; but Everest
did not see Benedict.

Benedict at once informed the officer who was
then in command at the old fort that one of his
workmen was a spy, and that he was an officer
from the American army, and before Everest
was aware that he was in anyway suspected, a
sergeant and a file of soldiers, who were on duty
that day, came to him and informed him that
the commanding officer desired to see him at
his office. Everest at once believed that some-
thing of an unusual nature was to be made
known to him.

He readily obeyed the summons and accompa-
nied the soldiers to the commander's office.

Soon after entering the office Everest was
asked, -^ 'Have you been in any way connected
with the American army? Everest did not
know at first what sort of a reply to make, but
as soon as he could collect his thoughts he said^

AND DARING DEEDS. 5

'^What do you take me to be? I'm a laboring
man sir, and came here to obtain work."

^'But, said the officer in charge, ^'I have some
valuable information relative to your work prior
to entering this place. Mr. Benedict with whom
I presume you are somewhat acquainted, will be
a witness against you. I therefore shall hold
you-as prisoner of war, and your trial will take
place sometime in the near future."

He was then ordered to be put in prison, where
he was confined nine days.

Meanwhile Major Carleton of the British army
had collected thirty-nine prisoners of war, and
a number of them were neighbors and acquaint-
ances of Everest; and all this was accomplished
through information furnished by the old tory
Benedict. The British officers held a counsel in
regard to Everest and decided to take him to
Montreal, and there try him as a spy.

Soon after this he was ordered to be put in
irons and taken on board one of the vessels that
was about ready to set-sail.

On board this vessel was his younger brother
Joseph, Kellogg, and Spaulding, who were also
held as prisoners.

It was now a little past the middle of Novem-
ber, a severe storm from the north-east came o%

^ THEILLING ADVENTURES

with the wind blowing furiously. The vessel
ivas ordered to sail down to Ticonderoga, and
there take on more freight before proceeding to
Canada. While at this place the wind shifted
to the north-west, and the storm increased.

The prisoners were kept on the quarter deck
so called, with nothing to cover them but a
leaky old canvas. Everest would often ask the
officer in charge to take off his irons, and give
them the prisoners, something better for a shel-
ter, to protect them from the storm. His reply

was, ^'GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU REBELS." After

some time however, Everest prevailed . The irons
were taken off and a better canvas was put up,
which made it somewhat more confortable.

Everest and the prisoners, then had a good op-
portunity to consult with one another in regard
to making their escape that night as they under-
stood the boat was to set sail for Canada in the
morning. Everest suggested that sometime in
the night, they swim to the shore or bridge but
there was a sentinel to contend with, and how
to overcome this difficulty was the great ques-
tion. It was proposed to buy a bottle of rum,
and then treat the sentinel until he became of
no account, and by so doing they would have no
further difficulty, as they could easily swim to

AND DAKING DEEDS. T

the bridge that crossed the lake.

It was not long after their plans were made
before Everest had an opportunity to visit with
one of the sailors, who said there was plenty of
old rum to be had, and furthermore he said he
would purchase a bottle for him if he could
furnish the money to pay for it.

Everest gave him some money, and the sailor
went for the article. On his return just as he
stepped on the deck the captain met him and
said, ''What have you got there?" ''Nothing
sir," was the sailors reply. Again the captain
said, in a gruff voice, *'what have you got
THERE?" The sailor then drew from under his
coat a bottle of rum, and stepping forward hand-
ed it to the captain, who while looking it over^
drew the cork and after snuffing it, he took
a look at the sailor which was far from any-
thing of a pleasant manner, at the same time
saying, "You don't want anything of the kind,"
and stepping to the side of the boat he emptied
the bottle of rum in the lake, and threw in the
bottle also, saying, "I'll take of you."

Soon after this the captain went away, and it
was supposed he had gone to forbid the sale of
liquor to his men.

But this did not however, frighten the sailor

8 THRILLING ADVENTUEES

in the least, for in a very short time he came to
Everest and said, '^To the devil with him, "mean-
ing the captain, ^^I will try and procure another
bottle if you can furnish the money to pay for
it, and the captain will not have the honor to
examine it, I can assure you*"

Everest gave him some more money and soon
he went away saying, ' 'If I am questioned as to
what became of the first bottle, I shall say it
dropped 'from my hand on the deck of the boat
and went all to smash. Meanwhile in the ab-
sence of the sailor the captain came on deck and
after looking around and making a few rough
remarks, he retired for the night.

It was not long after this, when the sailor
came back — smiling, and quickly approaching
Everest he said in a very low tone of voice, ''I
have been successful, here is a quart bottle full
of old rum, I was quite sure I would be able to
purchase another bottle." Everest and the pris-
oners were more than pleased. Soon the cork
was pulled and they all had a drink. After this
the sailor retired for the night.

Everest and his comrade prisoners again very
quietly talked over the project which was up-
permost on their minds in regard to the plan of
escape.

AND DARING DEEDS. 9

It was then about midnight and the storm
nearly over and all was quiet on the boat, the
officers and crew having retired for the night
leaving one man to guard the prisoners.

Everest went out near the guard and talked
with him-invited him to take a drink and to
stand under the canvas where it was more com-
fortable, which invitation was accepted.

After a little while they had another drink
from the bottle, and soon the guard appeared
extra friendly, and he would drink as often as
it was offered to him. About that time they all
became somewhat cheerful.

After moving some boxes to make the place
more convenient, the rum was passed around a-
gain;at this time the guard drank quite freely,
and was pretty mellow.

Everest was somewhat bold and ventured to
take the guards sword and examine it, and on
returning it he said, ''He wished he could have
the honor to carry such a one." Then it was
proposed to finish up the bottle of rum and go
to sleep, which was agreed to.

The prisoners had now accomplished their pur-
pose, the guard soon leaned over and was sound
asleep and the time now came for the escape.

The prisoners quickly took off their clothes

10 THRILLING ADVENTURES.

and tied them in bundles and fastened them up-
on their heads. Everest was to lead off and the
rest to follow. The boat was heavily loaded,
therefore the distance from the deck down to
the water was not far.

Everest said to his friends, ^'Come on, "-and
soon lowered himself into the water, and then
for the bridge he went a swimming which was
forty rods away. It made him almost cry out
aloud when he first entered the water, it was so
piercing cold. Spaulding was the next to follow
but the water was so cold he crawled back on
the boat. This so frightened the others they
would not make the attempt.

Everest however was successful in reaching
the bridge on which he crept to a small pile of
boards that protected him somewhat from the
wind, but before he could dress he came near
perishing, it was so much colder out of the water
than in. It did not take him long to dress for
he had managed to keep his clothing dry.

There was a party of British on the east side
of the lake and Indians on the west side.

After warming up somewhat and looking over
the situation, he concluded to pass through the
Indian encampment, for his dress was gray the
Tory uniform.

AND DARING DEEDS. 11

He believed that if seen by any of them, they
would think he was from the British encamp-
ment on the opposite shore of the lake, and that
he was out with special orders.

Just before reaching the shore he discovered
a large quantity of goods piled up under a shed-
like building; this he believed was the general
freight house it covered nearlv the whole bridge.
There was a narrow passage-way and in this
there stood (or rather leaned) a sentinel.

In this dismal place there was a small lantern
which furnished a little light. Everest looked
about him for a stick or a weapon of some kind
but could find nothing.

How to pass this sentinel was more than a
question. He then concluded to go back and
pass out at the east end of the bridge ; but on ar-
riving there, he found it was closed and in such
a manner as to make it very difficult to climb
over without making considerable noise.

He therefore concluded to go back and exam-
ine the west end once more.

He recollected he had a razor in his pocket,
and with this article of defence approached very
cautiously. He then discovered the sentinel had
not moved out from his former position.

This circumstance led Everest to think he was

12 THRILLING ADVENTURES.

asleep. With his razor in hand, and his face to-
ward the sentinel, he passed within six inches
of him, ready to cut his throat, if necessary, in
order to make his escape.

Having reached the shore, he then folded his
arms like it was the custom with the British
Lords, and walked slowly through the Indian
encampment. Only a few Indians were up and
they were sitting on a log near an old fire and
did not appear to notice him.

Everest then went in a north-westerly direc-
tion with a quick step for he was cold and had
a strong desire to get out of that section as soon
as possible for he was in the enemy's country.

He had not gone far before he came into a
field the French had cleared some years before,
and through it there was a deep ditch dug that
he knew nothing of previous to this time.

It formed on one side a steep — embankment
with pointed stakes firmly embedded.

It being dark, and Everest in somewhat of a
hurry, he tumbled into the ditch, which was full
of water. It was then a struggle for life, or a
life-struggle to get out. Finally he succeeded in
climbing the embankment after breaking off a
number of stakes . Then dripping wet he hast-
ened on to keep warm.

AND DARING DEEDS. 13

He then went in a south-westerly direction
about one mile, and came to where there had
been a big fire . After satisfying himself that no
one was near to the place, he rebuilt the fire
which gave him a good opportunity to dry his
clothes. This fire was probably built by some
Indian hunter the day before.

He there lingered by the fire until about day-
break, and then he secreted himself in a thick
piece of woods and-amongst some large trees
that had fallen down in a cluster; This he said
was a good hiding place although it could not
be called very pleasant.

In that lonely condition, with no company but
that of brush and logs, he managed to be con-
tented through the day, at night he went up on
the hill south-west from BuUwaggy bay.

From that place he had a most excellent view
of the surrounding country.

Knowing the British were most everywhere
along the line of the lake he kept well back con-
sidering this to be in his favor.

Early the next morning he concluded to ven-
ture down and call on Mr. Webster, an old ac-
quaintance of his who lived near the lake about
one mile south of Port Henry.

Webster was out chopping wood when Everest

14 THEILLING ADVENTUEES

met him. It did not take him long to relate the
trouble and condition he was in; they started to
go in the house, but on looking up the lake they
saw a number of British vessels coming down
the lake in a good breeze, under full sail.

Everest immediately, by advice of Webster,
went into the woods near by. Webster then
carried to him some food which he desired very
much, having been without food for nearly three
days. Webster agreed to keep on the lookout
until after dark; and when the coast was clear to
go out to the woodpile and chop some wood and
whistle a tune agreed upon.

The fleet soon after this come to anchor right
in front of Webster's old house. When all was
favorable the signal was given for Everest to re-
turn to the woodpile.

That night Mr. Webster with his canoe car-
ried Everest across the lake to the Vermont
shore very near his old home in Addison.

After visiting a short time with many of his
acquaintances he then returned to his station at
Eutland, where he made a full report relative to
the condition of things at Crown Point, how he
was arrested, and how he made his escape.

While at Eutland he received orders to enlist
as many men as possible, and no time was lost,

AND DAEINO DEEDS. 15

for in less than two months he had enrolled two
hundred as brave and able bodied men, he said,
"^As ever wore shoe-leather."

They were early settlers, mostly from Mass.,
Rhode Island, and Conn. Everest would often
8 ;vy, "They were men of the right stamp, "they
would not bend or bow the knee to any foreign
power. They hated oppression of every kind,
and abhored slavery, both of body and mind, and
regarded all bondage a great hindrance to that
onward progress which alone can elevate man-
kind to the true standard of liberty, which is
marked out by the finger of Grod.

And so long as memory shall cluster in the
chamber of wisdom, the war of the Revolution,
and its heroes will not be forgotten.

A PICTURE NOT FORGOTTEN

Oh, never may be mine the heart that feels
No thrill of joy at memory's fond appeals!
While many a weary pathway we may tread,
And thick inwoven boughs wave on o'er head;
These scenes the mind's historic leaves unroll,
Will wake the finer chords that thrill the soul.

16 MEMORY ABIDING.

There are memories that linger forever,

And yearnings deep hid in the breast;
There are feelings unspoken, that never

Shall change till the heart is at rest.
There are hours when the soul is all sadness,

And darkness sits down like a pall,
Pierced by no ray of sunshine or gladness.

And life seems a weariness all.

There are friends whose sympathies cluster,

The loving, the true and the kind
Oh, would that they might ever be near us

To change the sad gloom from the mind.
There's a pathway our feet may leave never,

Marked out for the glory of Grod,
Where stern Duty is beckoning us ever

Where the footsteps of saints have trod.

There are hopes that will cheer us in sorrow,

Thus faith sheds her heavenly light.
While time points to a fairer to-morrow,

A day not succeeded by night;
Where the faithful ones, wayward and weary,

Are gathered to mansions of rest.
There exchanging the earth-scenes so dreary.

For joy in the home of the blest.

DARING DEEDS. 17

CHAPTER TWO

»♦■♦♦♦

In the spring a council was held for the pur-
pose of considering plans for taking Ticondero-
ga, and thus secure the military stores at that
place, and convey them to Bennington.

Accordingly Col. Allen was chosen to carrey
out the plan, and take with him all the force he
required. Everest was sent with a body of men
numbering sixty to Whitehall, to reconnoitre
and find out the position of the enemy if there
were any at that place, and then to join with
Allen at West Haven.

Everest with his 60 men arrived at Whitehall
late in the afternoon, and encamped that night
at a place called "Fiddler's-elbow." In the mor-
ning early, Everest told his men that he would
take a walk around the point and up the lake a
short distance, to see how things looked in that
direction, saying as he left, '^I will not be gone
long; stay here until I come back."

After Everest left the camp and passed around
the point a short distance, he was surprised and
taken prisoner by a party of twelve Indians, who
were secreted in a little clump of bushes that
grew in a ravine near the bank of the lake.

18 THRILLING ADVENTUEES

The Indians no doubt discovered him walk-
ing along the bank and had made their plans
to capture him as soon as he came near, for they
were all prepared to spring upon him.

Everest knew it would be an act of folly to
attempt to break away from them, therefore he
submitted to their orders. They soon took from
him his knee-buckles and razor, then they bound
him according to the Indian custom with raw-
hide, and led him up the lake a short distance to
where they had several canoes.

They wasted no time in conveying their prison-
er to Crown Point, for they acted as though
they had something valuable for the British.

At Crown Point they delivered him up to the
British officers and soldiers there in camp.

Soon after he was received, a prison pen was
built, which consisted of four poles about ten
foot long, each end resting on crotched stakes
drived in the ground.

In this enclosure Everest was told to be con-
tented "and stay, "while a guard was put over
him. Shortly after this, Everest asked the In-
dians who captured him if they would before
going away, give him back his knee-buckles and
razor, which they did. It was not long after
this when a small boat left the shore with one

AND DAEING DEEDS. 19

officer on board. Everest overheard some one
say, ^ 'They have gone, "meaning the officer had
gone after some irons to put on him which they
said were kept on board one of the large vessels
that was at anchor nearly two miles up the
lake, and near the old fort where he had been
once arrested and put in prison.

Meanwhile a great crowd had collected to see

who the prisoner was, and among a number that

Everest knew was Bennagor Benedict, who had

previously given information which caused his

arrest while at work in the old fort.

This Benedict was a genuine old Tory, a man
vrho could make a great noise about nothing.

At this time he was loaded with words of
thunder, because they did not tie him.

He swore that Everest would get away from
them, for said he, ''I know him, he made his es-
cape once and he will again before the irons can
be put on him."

During this time Everest put on his knee-
buckles, and kept walking about the inclosure
thinking over what Benedict had said, and was
saying; and he knew if the irons were put on
him he would be taken to Montreal.

Everest realized what had already taken place
and felt somewhat excited, but did not manifest

20 THKILLINa ADVENTUEES

it in any manner, while Benedict kept up a war
of words to create excitement.

Meanwhile a number of young men and sol-
diers that were off duty, commenced playing
and fooling around with each other, by pulling
and hauling, and grabbing off their caps and
throwing them up in the air, and from one to
the other-saying in a musical tone-and from
many voices, * 'Ketch him! ketch him!!"

One of the caps was thrown into the prison-
pen, Everest quickly picked it up and placed it
on his own head finding it a good fit he wore it,
(the cap belonged to a British soldier.)

Everest then threw his own into the crowd,
and feeling the need of a little exersise he jump-
ed out of the enclosure or prison pen, and joined
in the concert that was then going on, shouting,
**Ketch him! ketch him!! ketch him!!!"

Everest did not know what this would lead
to, but he saw there would be soon an opening
to try his foot power for liberty while in this
state of confusion. Soon there was an opening,
and Everest entered in with all the foot power
he had. He ran up the road some forty rods
and then entered the woods in better time than
he had ever made before.

Only a few pursued him, one by one they

AND BAKING DEEDS. 21

gave up the chase and went back . One big fel-
low followed him for sometime and quite near,,
not more than ten rods away.

Everest had become somewhat angry by this
time, and concluded to halt, and let the big fel-
low come up to him for an introduction if he de-
sired one. Everest stopped running suddenly,
and threw off his coat quickly, then faced about^
and was ready to meet him.

The big fellow also stopped, and looking back
found himself all alone, he then turned and ran
nearly as fast back toward the camp. Everest,
then began to think about a place to hide, for he
believed the enemy would resort to all possible
means to capture him, and that a line would be
formed from the lake to Bull-waggy-bay before
he could get through that place.

His first plan was to find a hollow log or a
thicket of under-brush to conceal himseK in, but
he soon thought this would be unwise, for the
Indians would be employed to capture him, and
he knew their method of hunting.

He therefore concluded to hasten on as fast
as possible, and take the chances on getting out
before they could surround him.

Everest, realized he was in a difficult position
for soon he came to an open field, here he rested

22 THRILLING ADVENTUEES

for a time watching in every direction . It was
not long before he discovered the enemy in the
woods nearly opposite, having got their line es-
tablished. Near to where he was standing be-
side an old stump of a tree, was a ditch used to
drain this swanp land and over this ditch there
was part of a bridge made of poles and brush.

Here the wildgrass grew thick and rank. Ev-
erest dropped down and crawled under the old
bridge; he then pulled some grass and sticks
around him leaving a place open where he could
look out. This proved to be a most excellent
hiding place and no doubt saved his life.

Shortly after Everest hid some of the British
scouts came marching in haste through the field
about four rods apart, and one came within ten
feet to where Everest was lying.

They were looking too high to find him. After
they had all passed by and had time enough to
have gone out of sight, Everest raised his head
and saw one of their company looking back; but
soon they were out of sight.

Then he turned his head in another direction
and saw a man about fifteen rods off coming
across the field. He came within a short dis-
tance and for some time he thought this man
would surely discover him.

AND DAEING DEEDS. 23

Everest meanwhile had made up his mind, if
discovered, to give himself up, and at an oppor-
tune moment disable his captor. This officer
expected to find him up a tree from the way he
looked for him. It was not long after this when
he discovered some Indians out near the woods,
soon they came near the middle of the field and
sat down in a line back to back, until sundown,
and when the evening gun was fired they got up
and started for the fort . There was a foot-path
through this field which they had made.

From time to time, other squads of Indians
were seen by Everest passing through this field
until after 10 o'clock that night.

Everest believed there were more than two
hundred in all who passed over this clearing
while he was there. At about 11 o, clock, he left
his hiding place and and crept through the wild
grass to the woods on the opposite side

Then he took a south-westerly course intend-
ing to reach Lake George. His courage was
then good, but soon he came to another clearing
on the opposite side, and in the direction he was
going he discovered a dim light at the edge of
the v/oods. This brought on a change of feeling,
fearing it to be an Indian camp.

After standing still for a short time and not

^4 THRILLING ADVENTURES.

■discovering anyone in that direction, he crept
toward the dim light until he could see that no
one was stopping there — from the appearance

OF THINGS THERE HAD BEEN THE DAY BEFORE.

Everest rekindled the fire and was soon com-
fortably warm . After this he entered the woods
and hastened on fast as possible.

He had proceeded scarcely fifty rods before he
was surprised and somewhat frightened to hear
a dreadful clatter and cracking in the brush and
bushes near by.

His first thought was Indians. But he soon
discovered a number of deer had been frighten-
ed out of the camp this led him to believe that
Indians were not in that section of the country.
Everest then listened to the noise of the deer
and soon discovered their course was south-west
and about the same direction he wanted to go,
therefore he thought it would be wise to follow
their direction for they would not lead him into
any difiiculty.

He traveled on in their direction until about 3
o'clock that morning. Meanwhile he was think-
ing there was a farmer living in Benson by the
name of Fuller who had two sons in the Amer-
ican army. Everest had never met Mr. Fuller
but had met his sons and daughter on two occa-

AND DARING DEEDS. 25

siotts, and had no doubt they were loyal to the
American cause, and that it would be safe to call
there and obtain something to eat.

Therefore he concluded to change his former
plans and call on Mr . Fuller for refreshments .

He then changed his course for Fuller's where
he arrived at 7 o'clock that morning.

He met Mr. Fuller when he was coming from
the barn to the house where he had been doing
chores. Everest made himself known as well as
he could in a few words. Mr. Fuller then invit-
ed him into the house. His house was substan-
tially made of logs, the parlor, sitting-room, din-
ing-room and kitchen were on the ground floor,
and they were all in one, which was much the
style in thoes days .

Everest had not been in the house but a few
moments when a bright little woman came in
with a pail of milk and said, ' ^Father can't you
take the gentleman's cap." Then taking another
look she quickly recognized him~whom she had
met on two former occasions.

It did not take her very long to manifest her
pleasure in meeting him at this time.

Her mother was busy preparing the break-
fast. Everest found them loyal to the American
cause; and there was nothing too good for him.

26 THEILLINO ADVENTUEES.

' 'How quickly the voice of friends strikes deep
upon the ear, and vibrates through the heart."

While stopping with Mr. Fuller, some of their
good friends came in, and the day was spent in
the good old fashion way — In the evening about
eight o'clock Everest left for West Haven.

It was a most delightful starlight night, the
moon was full and beautiful.

His new acquaintances made that day were of
much value in directing him to West Haven,
where he arrived a little after midnight. He
came to the main road nearly one mile from the
little garrison, and when he discovered he was
so near he took off his coat and ran puffing along
making noise enough for a regiment. Soon he
was inside the picket line his appearance created
much excitement among those on guard and oth-
ers. But in a little while all was quiet again.

In the morning he had breakfast with the
officers and after relating his experience to them,
and taking a couple hours rest he started on for
South Bay to find his men he left at Fiddler's-
elbow, near Whitehall.

On arrival at that place he found his men all
there and in good health. If friends ever were
glad to meet it was at this time, for they had
worried night and day while looking for him.

AND DARING DEEDS. 27

As soon as Everest could account for his
absence and relate his experience which they
were so anxious to hear, they packed up their
tents and equipments and then started back for
West Haven, and there joined Col. Allen's reg-
iment, and from this place they soon went up to
Ticonderoga, and took that town.

Everest had orders here to stay and superin-
tend in moving the military stores which they
had taken. A few boats were obtained to trans-
port the goods to Whitehall, no time was lost in
loading the boats, for it was reported that some
of the British vessels were in sight coming up
the lake in a good sailing breeze.

All the boats that were then loaded with goods
-were orderd to leave at once, or soon as possible.
The boat that Everest, and his brother Zadock
had command of was the last to leave, and they
were obliged to run their boat to the shore in
order to prevent being captured. At this time
they lost many things of value. After landing
and climbing up the hill from the shore, Everest
ventured back to secure his coat that he had
left in the boat. He had not proceeded far be-
fore the British commenced to fire at him.

Everest said, '^It did not take me very long
to climb back over the hill, and disappear from

28 THRILLING ADVENTURES

their sight.'' After overtaking his brother and
party, he was somewhat surprised on looking the
coat over, to find he had secured his brother's
in place of his own.

THE SOUND OF WAR.

Friend, hast thou from dark clouds heard

thunder break,
In peels so loud you'd think the dead

would wake?
And livid lightning flashing, darting

thro' the air.
Causing the mind to fill with terror

and despair.

Friend, hast thou been where hosts

engage in war?
Where balls and shells with terror

pierce the air?
Where the hero stands firm amid

explosions dier,
Inwrapped in clouds of powder-smoke,

and flames of fire.

AFTER THE BATTLE. 29

Soon after the Battle, our boys wrote home.

They'd been out gathering the dead,
They could not then, all their losses relate,

For the field was covered, they said.
Many hundred slain, in the graves were laid,

This slaughter, our General, called hell!
The fiery-blue hale, made the earth look pale

Where many brave soldiers fell.

In that letter it said, '*You may all know,

Our boys had pure courage, and grit;
While time after time, a gap in their ranks

Would tell where some missile had hit."
They have bravely answer'd to every call.

While meekly they owned God's favor,
And now through history we can recall,

The Nation's roll of honor.

They also said, ''We have burdens to share,

While for this our Nation we stand,
And should it cast down the last soldier here.

Our Banner shall wave o'er the land."
There are millions on this beautiful shore.

The shore of the brave and the free;
Who can look back to the years long past.

When war-clouds rolled like the sea.

30 THKILLING ADVENTUKES

CHAPTER THREE.

After the capture of Burgoyne Everest obtain-
ed a furlough, with the intention of visiting Ad-
dison to look after his father's property, his fath-
er having gone back to Connecticut with his fam-
ily. Not knowing how matters stood in that
section, he approached warily, keeping on the
highlands between Otter Creek and the lake, in-
tending to strike the settlement at Vergennes,
and then turn back to Addison. Arriving at the
Falls at dark, he kindled a fire and lay down.

About midnight he awoke by the warwhoop
and found himself a prisoner to a party of Ind-
ians that were on their way to lake memphram-
AGOG to attend a council of most of the tribes
of Canada, New York and New England.
He suffered much from the thongs with which
he was bound at first, but understanding the na-
ture of the Indians very well, he so gained their
confidence that they shovf ed him more leniency
afterwards. On the breaking up of the coun-
cil he was brought back to the western shore of
LAKE CHAMPLAiN near Whallons Bay, where they
encamped for the winter.

Everest had been pondering in his mind for a

AND DAEING DEEDS. 31

long time various plans for escape, but conclud-
ed to wait until the lake was frozen.

It was now December, and the lake had been
frozen some two or three days, the ice was as
smooth as glass, the sun shone out quite pleasant-
ly, and the air was comfortable.

The Indians prepared for a frolic on the ice;
many of them had skates and were very good
skaters. Everest asked to be permitted to go
down and see the sport, as he had never seen
any one skate; they gave him leave to go, two or
three evidently keeping an eye on him. He ex-
pressed his wonder and delight at their perform-
ances so natural that all suspicion was luUed.

After a time when the Indians began to be
tired somewhat, and many were taking off their
skates, Everest asked a young Indian who had
just taken off a very fine pair to let him try and
SKATE. This the Indians readily consented to,
expecting to have some sport out of the white
man's falls and awkwardness.

Everest put on the skates got up, and no
sooner up than down he came, striking heavily
on the ice; and again he essayed to stand and
down he fell, and so continued to play the novice
until all the Indians had become tired of watch-
ing him and were somewhat scattered about the

32 THRILLING ADVENTURES

LAKE. Everest had contrived to stumble and
work his way some 15 or 20 rods from the near-
est, when he turned and skated a rod or two to-
ward them, and partly falling, he went on his
knees, and began to fix and tighten his skates.

This being done, he rose, and striking a few
strokes toward the eastern shore, he bent for-
ward to his work, giving himself a few insulting
slaps to denote that he was off.
With a whoop and a yell of rage- the Indians
that had on their skates started in persuit. He
soon saw that none could overtake him and felt
quite confident of his escape.

After getting more than half way across the
LAKE ; and the ice behind him covered with Ind_
ians,he looked toward the east shore and saw two
Indians coming arround a point directly in front
of him. This did not alarm him for he turned
his course directly up the lake. Again he look-
ed and saw his persuers [excepting to or three

OF THEIR best SKATERS, WHO FOLLOWED DIRECT-
LY IN HIS track] had spread themselves in a line
from shore to shore. He did not at first under-
stand it, but after having past up the lake a-
bout three miles, he came suddenly upon one of
those immence cracks or fissures in the ice that
so frequently occur when the ice is glare.

AND DAEING DEEDS. 33

It ran in the form of a semicircle from shore
to shore, the arch in the centre and up the lake .
The Indians on his flank had already reached
the crack, and were coming down toward the
middle. Everest flew along the edge of the
crack but could find no place that seemed possi-
ble for human power to leap. But the enemy
were close upon him, he took a short run-back-
ward, and then shooting forward like lightning
T^ith every nerve strained, he took the leap and
just reached the farther side — None of the Ind-
ians dared to follow.

KEEPING IN MEMOEY.

There are deeds long past, that linger
And shall we call them blest?

They may cheer, and they may sadden,
Far down within the breast.

The power is not within ones-self
To bid such things depart;

The lurking memories will intwine
Within the human heart.

34: THKILLING ADVENTURES

Out in the twilight, all alone,

Out by the little gate;
I lean, and listen, for footsteps,

I listen, watch and wait.
Bright golden light, fades in the west,

A shade comes o'er the sky.
The dew-drops gather on the leaves.

And tear-drops cluster nigh.

Deep darkness shades the valley round,

And rests upon the hill;
The stars gaze at me lovingly,

While I am waiting still.
Waiting, yes, praying, all for one

As moments swiftly fly.
While in each breeze, yet all unseen,

They whisper, ^ 'Coming nigh."

A light, a soft pale silv'ry light,

O'er-speads the mountain brow;
The cold moon above the hills shine

While I am sad somehow.
Hark! to the steps, I know so well,

I hear him coming now;
Be still, ''My throbbing heart, be still,

Belov'd where linger'd thou?"

AND DARINa DEEDS. 35

CHAPTER FOUR.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

After the war Everest returned again to his
home in Addison, where his father Kved from
1769 to 1TT6, then he was driven by the enemy,
and returned to Salisbury Conn. with his family,
and there died before the close of the war.

A number of useful articles that belonged to
his father had been hidden away by some one of
the family, and no doubt expected Benjamin
would find them on his return home — And sure
enough he wasn't at home long before he found,
an ax, two old books,.one iron-kettle, and the old
kitchen tongs. These articles Everest would
often refer to, as of much value to him.

He soon returned to Salisbury the place of his
childhood, and there purchased a number of arti-
cles that belonged to the estate of his father; and
then with the articles and his venerable mother
returned back to Addison and there engaged in
farming. Meantime he could not forget Miss
Patty Fuller, who had taken so much interest
in his welfare while stopping at her home after
making his second escape from the British.

He said, ^^I'll never be contented until I have
seen Miss Fuller, once more." It was not long

36 THRILLING ADVENTUEES

before he had business out in that section of the
country where she lived, and quite frequently,
which resulted in an old fashion wedding, [most
royal]- And for more than 60 years they shared
each others company, in joy, and in sorrow.

During these years they were blest with a
family of children, 7 boys and 4 girls, who grew
up to love and honor their father and mother,
and who were a credit to their country and
name. Each year as time past on, the children
would return home and there have a re-union
by the old fireside, and there present to father
and mother, a token of some kind, to beautify
their love and affection for them.

The first break in the family circle was caused
by the death of Benjamin F. at the age of 42.

The next to follow was the beloved mother, the

STAR OF THE HOME.

Passed beyond all toil and trouble.
Passed beyond this world of care;
Entered through the gates to glory,
Entered where the loved ones are.

Her trust was in God who gave her wisdom to
direct in the destiny of her children. On the
3rd of March following, her true and life-long
companion crossed life's river to meet her.

A CHAPTER COMPLETE ST

Among the early pensioners who were granted
a pension by act of congress, was one to Lieut ►
Benjamin Everest, of $240 a year. This sum
was at that time considered a large pension.

In every war America has been engaged in,
some of the descendants of Benjamin Everest
were there, loyal, faithful, and true to the
FLAG OF LIBERTY.

On a monument at West Addison, Vermont,
bears the following inscription:

Lieut. BENJAMIN EVEREST

WAS BORN AT SALISBURY CONNECTICUT

Jan. 12th, 1752,

AND MOVED WITH HIS FATHER BENJAMIN
TO THIS TOWN IN 1768, AND DIED HERE

March 3rd, 1843,

AGED 91 YEARS.

Thus lies the Christian,

The Philanthropist
The Revolutionary hero
And the Patriot.

38 THEILLING ADVENTUKES

Should we who live to laud the deeds of our
ancestors, and who in part live by the result of
their labor, be content with less intelligence, or
less patriotism? A state exists in its history.

Take away the memory of the past, and what
remains? A name, and only a name. Takeaway
the sample and all the recorded wisdom of the
past, and what ray of light would be left for our
guidance? What could we do but grope through
darkness and inexperience, and wonder in the
maze of perpetual childhood? If we are bound
to respect the claims of posterity, we likewise
owe a debt to our ancestory.

A few recorded circumstances and events are
herein related, touching the early experiences

of the GREEN MOUNl^AIN SETTLERS whicll might

serve to interest the reader, and keep within a
proper limit so as to be prudent, and not dwell
long upon any single line, but at the same time
relate some of the trials and perplexities our
venerable fathers had to encounter, and the la-
bor they experienced in subduing the forests, and
braving the dangers and vicissitudes to which
their condition exposed them.

Besides the labor and privations with which
they all had to struggle, the country at that time
was considerably infested with wolves, panthers

AND DAEING DEEDS. 3^

and bears, which rendered it somewhat danger-
ous many times to venture a great distance from
home without being properly armed and equip-
ped to meet a deadly foe in the charactor of
some ferocious and hungry wild beast. Still
they were often under the neccessity of journey^
ing into the wilderness, and sometimes to a con-
siderable distance.

At that time, most of the inhabitants owned
one cow, and for many years the pasture which
they had for their cattle consisted of the forest,
and not unfrequently they would ramble to a
considerable distance, in which case the only
guide the owner had in seeking them was the
sound of the bell, fastened with a leather strap
to the neck of the favorite cow.

I have heard of several instances of inhabit-
ants being beset by bears in their ramble, in
search of cattle. Wolves were not so plenty in
Vermont as in many other sections, yet flocks
of sheep, though small, were sometimes destroy-
ed by them — Yet some of the wild animals, were
a benefit at times, especially bears, as their flesh,
many times, served in part to furnish the settlers
with meat, (which from domestic animals was
very scarce,) and their skin were used for moc-
casins and varisus other purposes.

40 THRILLING ADVENTURES

The early inhabitants of Vermont were never
slow to show themselves capable and willing to
make war against all intrusions of wild beasts .

It was many years ago told how Ranney and
Brown went down to visit the old bear's den as
it had been the custom, there they found much
the same appearance as the year before. Im-
mediately, Ranney's dog went into the den.

Mrs. Bruin not liking such an unceremonious
call, or being partial as to what company she
entertained, soon ejected him from her domicile,
and followed him out, intending to give him
such a flagellation that he would be more man-
erly in introducing himself upon the notice of
strangers. As quiet as she was, he acted as if
he thought she had hurried him out rather too
quick, and that in doing so she had been as
rough and unceremonious as he had, and that
he shouldn't hurry about leaving the dooryard,
but would take the next lesson there.

The bear and dog immediatly closed in for a
fight. The men, with their snow shoes on stood
by. Ranney saw at a glance that his dog would
get the worst of the fight unless he had help im-
mediately ; so he stepped astride of the bear, and
took an ear in each hand. When she felt the
whole weight of this new element in the contro-

AND DARINa DEEDS. 41

Tersy was made to bear upon her, she turned her
attention from the plaintive and suppliant tones
of the dog to the more defiant antagonist on
her back. In her effort to get rid of Eanney,
she took his hand into her mouth and bit it
through. Kanney couldn't fight any more ; but
Brown's dog, when he found there was fighting,
applied himself to her haunches, which had a
tendency to lacerate her feelings so severely, she
now turned her attention to him, having no fur-
ther fear of Eanney or his dog.

Meanwhile Brown had cut a small club, and
came to the scene of action just in time the bear
turned upon his dog. She had hurt him so that
he wouldn't trouble her any more than Eanney
and the first dog. The bear at once raised her-
self upon her haunches to fight Brown.

He struck at her, but she would either dodge
the blow or ward it off with her fore feet, and
every time she warded off or dodged a blow she
would step back and strike again. Eanney
in the meantime begging Brown to desist and
let the bear go, and come and do up his hand.

Brown, however, didn't feel like beating a re-
treat under such circumstances, and kept plying
the blows. After some time spent in striking,
dodging, and hitching up, the bear made a mis-

42 THKILLING ADVENTUKES

take in the rule of fencing and a blow fell upon
her nose, which she instantly dropped into the
snow, and Brown, plying his club vigorously,
soon killed her. He then did up Eanney's hand,
and he started for home. Brown dressed the
bear, and found the ball he had shot her with
the year before . He then went into the den and
found two more cubs, which he killed on the
spot.. When asked why he didn't keep and
tame them, he replied. ''He found it a d- sight
easier to kill young bears than old ones."

ON THE LINE OF WISDOM.

■ ♦ ♦ »■♦ »

A handful of common sense is worth a bushel
of learning.

A bridle for the tongue is a necessary piece
of furniture.

It's no use hiding from a friend what's known
to an enemy.

A rich dress is not worth a straw to one who
has a poor mind.

If you would know what a dollar is worth try
to borrow one.

Soft words, warm friends ;bitter words, lasting;
enemies.

AND DARING DEEDS. 43

It is impossible at this day to form a just con-
ception of the hardships encountered by early
settlers of Vermont, leaving the comforts and
conviences of an older country, moving to a
distant wilderness into dwellings insufficient to
protect them from the wintry blast and with
but scanty fare : yet with unremittng toil th ey
sought to clear them up a home. And yet with
all their industry and frugality, for the first few
years it was difficult to raise sufficient provis-
ions to subsist upon.

Their corn had to be brought from the river
towns upon horses, a great part of the distance
through the forest, guided by marked trees.

At one time being out of provisions Jonathan
Gray and a neighbor started for the Connecticut
valley in quest of corn. Not being able to find
any on the Vermont side of the river they re-
solved to cross to the New Hampshire side.

No regular conveyance near and although late
in the evening they mounted their horses and
attempted to swim them to the other shore, but
the darkness was so great that they reached the
shore at a considerable distance below the old
landing place where a steep bank covered with
a heavy growth of bushes prevented their horses
from obtaining a footing.

4:4 THRILLING ADVENTURES

A few lusty haUoes, however, brought a sturdy
farmer to the bank who exclaimed with a strong
Scotch accent: ''Hoot, mon, what do ye here."
A few words sufficed to explain to him their sit-
uation and with the assistance of himself and
sons they were soon upon terra firma once
more, where wet and benumbed with cold they
gladly availed themselves of the invitation ex-
tended to them by the hospitable Scotchman to
spend the night at his home.

The following morning having procured their
corn, they crossed the river by means of a boat
and proceeded homeward. Mrs. Brown has of-
ten told that when she first came into the town
the only covering to their cabin consisted of
strips of bark confined to the roof by means of
large timbers placed at right angles.

A few plank were split out, upon which was
placed her bed ; while two more pinned together
served them for a door; and in such a dwelling
surrounded by wild beasts, and exposed to the
vicissitudes of a New England climate, they liv-
ed, and they prospered. No hardship so great,
no labor so severe, no undertaking so hazardous
as to daunt their spirits, or cause them to waver
from their firm determination to build them up
a home. Hiram Jennings said at one time

AND DARING DEEDS. 45

when he was a young man and just commenced
in life. His family consisted of a wife and one
child ;they lived in a rude log house, the door of
which was without suitable fastenings.

One night, weary with the labors of the day,
they had retired to rest: when about midnight
they were awakened by something traveling up-
on the outside of the bed. They at first sup-
posed it to be a dog, but upon looking up, they
at once discovered that their visitant was in
fact a full grown bear. They were terribly
frightened, but Mr. Jennings quickly springing
upon his feet caught him by the hind leg, and
endeavored to pull him from the bed, but Bruin,
it seems was as much frightened as the rest, for
quickly extricating his foot from the grasp, he
sprang from the bed leaned for the door, and put
for the forest with all speed.

The mountain streams were formerly a favor-
ite resort for the beaver tribe. There are sever-
al meadows in town, which were once formed
by these industrious little creatures, all of which
produce a luxuriant growth of grass.

Some of their dams still remain almost entire,
but the greater part of them have been leveled
by the plough of the farmer, and the beaver
have been destroyed by the hunter.

46 WHISPEEING BILL.

So you're taking the census, mister? There's

three of us living still,
My wife an' I an' our only son, that folks call

Whisperin' Bill;
But Bill couldn't tell ye his name, sir, and it's

hardly worth the givin'.
For ye see a bullet killed his mind and left

his body livin'.

Set down for a minute, mister, Ye see. Bill

was only fifteen
At the time o' the war, and as likely a boy as

ever this world has seen;
An' what with the news of battles lost, the

speeches an' all the noise,
I guess every farm in the neighborhood lost

a part of its crop of boys.

'Twas harvest time when Bill left home;every

stalk in the fields o' rye
Seemed to stand tiptoe to see him off, an'

wave him a fond good-by;
His sweetheart was here, with some other

girls-the sassy little miss!
An' pretendin' she wanted to whisper 'n his

ear, she gave him a rousin' kiss.

Oh he was a hansum f ellew, an' tender an'

brave an' smart.
An' tho' he was taller then I was, the boy

had a woman's heart.

WHISPERING BILL CON., 47

I couldn't control my f eelin's but I tried with

all my might,
An' his mother an' me stood a-cryin' till Bill

was out o' sight .

His mother, she often told him, when she

knew he was goin' away.
That Grod'd take care o' him, mebbe, if he

didn't fergit t'pray;
An' on the bloodiest battlefields, when bullets

whizzed 'n the air.
An' Bill was a-fightin' desperit,he used to

whisper a prayer.

His old comrades have often told me, that Bill

never flinched a bit,
When every second a gap in the ranks told

where a ball had hit.
An' one night, when the field was covered

with the awful harvest o' war,
They found my boy 'mongst the martyrs o'

the cause he was fightin' for.

His fingers were clutched in the dewy grass-

oh, no, sir, he wasn't dead.
But he lay o' helpless and crazy, with a rifle

ball in his head.
An' if Bill had realy died that night I'd give

all I've got worth givin',
For, y' see, the buUet had killed his mind an'

left his body Hvin'.

48 WHISPERING BILL CON.,

An officer wrote an' told us how the boy had

been hurt in the fight,
But he said that the doctor reckoned they

could bring him around all right.
An' then we heard from a neighbor disabled

at Malvern Hill,
That he thought in course of a week or so

he'd be comin' home with Bill.

We were that axious t' see him we'd set up

an' talk all o' nights.
Till the break o' day had dimmed the stars

an'put out the northern lights.
We waited an' watched f er er month or more,

an' the summer was nerly past.
When a letter came one day that said he'd

started for home at last.

I'll never forget the day Bill came-'twas

harvest time again.
An' the air blown over the yellow fields was

sweet with the scent o' the grain.
The doorway was full o' the neighbors who

had come to share our joy,
And all of us sent up a mighty cheer at the

sight o' that soldier boy.

An' all of a sudden somebody said: '^My God,.

don't the boy know his mother?"
An' BiU stood a-whisperin', fearful like, an'

starin'from one to another;

WHISPERING BILL CON., 49

**Don't be afraid, Bill, " said he to himself, as

he stood in his coat of blue,
^^God'll take care o' you. Bill; God'U take

care of you." .

He seemed to be loadin' an' f irin' a gun, an^

to act like a man who hears
The awful roar o' the battlefield a-soundin'

in his ears.
I saw that the bullet had touched his brain

an' somehow made it blind.
With the picture o' war before his eyes an'

the fear o' death in his mind.

I grasped his hand, an' says I to Bill: ^^Don't
ye remember me?

I'm ye father-don't ye know me? How fright-
ened ye seem to be?"

But the boy kep' a-whisperin' to himself, as
if 'twas all he knew :

* 'God'U take care o' you, Bill; God'U take
care o' you."

He's never known us since that day, nor his

sweetheart, an' never will.
Father an' mother an' sweetheart are all the

same to Bill,
An' many's the time his mother sets up the

whole night through
An' smooths his hair an' says: Yes, Bill, God'U

take care of you.

50 WHISPEKING BILL, CON.

Unfortunate? Yes; but we can't complain;

it's a livin' death more sad
When the body clings to a life o' shame,

an' the soul has gone to the bad.
But Bill is out o' the reach o' all harm,

an' dangers of every kind.
We only take care of his body, God takes
care of his mind." -irying bacheller.

» ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

ELDEE MOSES CHENEY.

The venerable Dr. Moses Cheney of Sheffield
Vt. of whom it can be said that probably no man
ever preached, prayed and sung more for thirty
years than he. By nature he was a natural spir-
ited and gifted orator, always setting forth so
plainly his ideas, that all who heard understood
and were pleased. He was a man capable of
the most deeply solemn feelings and looks; but
he enjoyed a little fun at the proper time, as
well as any other man, and was capable of us-
ing sharp words, and was sometimes sarcastic,
but never bitter. He used to say sometimes
he was sorry to have people laugh under his
preaching, but they would, and yet as often the
tears would flow with smiles. A stranger to
him once told it about right, when she said.

AND DARINa DEEDS. 61

* ^Father Cheney, I heard you preach once, and I
never laughed and cried so much in one sermon.

He abhored dishonesty in any man, and hated
above all things to be cheated ; we give an anec-
dote to illustrate this: The Baptist Society in
Derby, on a certain time thought they ought to
do more than they were doing for the Elder. So
they appointed a committee to purchase a cow
and present her to him . They did so, and he
was very grateful. But upon trial, the milk of
the cow was found to be skimmed milk and that
continually.

She was faithfully tried for one week; during
which time the Elder assertained that the com-
mittee had bought her of a man who had once
made him pay for a pair of blinders twice, and
that, together with the fact that there was ^'no
cream on the joke," determined the Elder to re-
turn the cow. So one morning he called one of
his boys to him, and said: ''Here P., take this
whip, and drive that cow back to where she
came from, and tell Deacon Carpenter that your
father says he will stand a law suit before he
will take the gift of her."

He was a high-tempered man, but usually kept
that temper under his control, or as he used to
say, ''he kept down the Dustin blood."

52 THRILLING ADVENTUEES

He was not in the habit of doing things hast-
ily, but when it was necessary for any work of
severity to be done, he was not the man to flinch.
Among the many peculiar things in his history
we may mention some narrow escapes and ad-
ventures, when there seemed but a step between
him and death. " Once barely escaping freezing,
having fallen into the water on a very cold day,
and having miles to go before he could reach a
house. At two different times it was thought
he must die with fever. His life was despaired
of when he had the measles; and he was once
thrown from a carriage and his neck nearly bro-
ken. At the age of 18 he had an encounter with
a cross bull, which so well sets forth his physical
powers, and so well proves that the Dustin blood
was * 'strong blood" even to the fourth genera-
tion, we are tempted to a discription of it in his^
own words. '^I was requested by my employer
to go to a certain pasture and drive said animal
to the bars, I had heard by the by, that he was
cross, and drove his owner out of the barn yard
only a few days before.

I did not wish to discover cowardice; so not a
word was to be said, but out into the large pas-
ture I went in pursuit of the chap. But, by the
way, it looked proper enough to furnish myself

AND DARING DEEDS. 5S

with a tough beech sprout about six feet long.
I thought it best to go at him as one having au-
thority. At first he seemed to consider me so^
and started off very peaceably; but suddenly, a&
we were rising a steep bank, he whirled and
came at me with great fury. I voided out of his
way, and flew to a large clump of bass bushes
that surrounded a great stump.

Eound the bushes, I went, and he after me,
on the clean jump. I soon overtook him, and
put on the cudgel the whole length of his back.
Then he whirled again after me, and I after him^
and as often as I overtook him he took six feet
of beech . In this way I played circus till my an-
tagonist gave a frightful roar, and took off for
the bars. I was still at his heels laying on the
beech, till I saw the battle was won.

That was a terrible fight! It was both furious
and long; I was very warm and rather short for
breath; and as for curl-head, if he did not puff
and blow and sweat, no matter.

Moses was at this tine a healthy and powerful
man, stood six feet and an inch in his boots, broad
shouldered, with long and strong arms. Morever
he was not only strong, but remarkable quick^
and could leap a line that he could walk erectly
under with his hat on.

54: THRILLING ADVENTURES

Moses when a child, was a weakly boy; kept
in doors pretty much in childhood. He sat on
the split basswood floor by the side of his moth-
er, and learned to read of her while she spun
linen. Their library consisted of the English
Primer, Watts' Psalms and the Bible. The first
he committed to memory and much of the New
Testament, which he retained through life.

The family was emphatically poor. Moses
never had clothes proper to wear from home till
after he was thirteen. That spring, in imitation
of his father and brother who were making sug-
ar, he split troughs and dug them out, tapped
several trees, obtained sap, and after the others
were done boiling and retired to rest, then he
could have the kettles, and in the dead hours of
the night he boiled his sap, and alone,

He made wooden "clappers" for shoes, drove
nails through the bottoms to keep them from
slipping on the crust, and with some rags wound
about his feet for stockings and the clappers on,
he was able to brush about and do his work.
With his sugar he bought 8 yards of tow cloth,
which was colored black with white maple bark,
all but enough for a shirt,which was bleached as
white as snow, and made up by his mother, who
also made his whole suit; and when it was com-

AND DARINa DEEDS. 55

pleted he put it on, and went into the field to
show his father and Daniel. When his father
saw him coming he exclaimed. ^ 'There comes
our clergyman; see there, Daniel, I guess our
Moses will make a minister." It is to be borne
in mind that only the clergymen wore black in
those days. When a small boy, he went out
to carry his father's dinner to him where he was
felling trees. He had arranged a "drove" of
trees, so that by starting one, they would all go
down. He did not see his boy approaching, un-
til the trees had started. In an instant he cried
out. ''Eun Moses!" but Moses had no time to
run. He was close to a large hemlock, when
he saw his danger, and he dropping between
two large roots that had grown in such a way
as to leave a cavity just large enough to receive
him. The thick limbs fell all round about and
over him. His father shrieked. ''I have killed
my boy! I've killed my boy," but Moses was not
hurt. His father cut away the limbs and took
him out, and was so much affected, "he went
home, related the story to the family and went
to bed.

56 THRILLING ADVENTURES

Once in the absence of a legitimate goverment
in Pownal, a committee of 'Tublic Safety" was
appointed, whose duty it was to adjust points
of differences as might from time to time arise
among the people, and also to superintend the
police of town. This committee, although o-
riginally calculated to meet present exigency,
but soon became an indispensible branch of the
town goverment. Its members, three in num-
ber, possessed almost absolute power, their de-
cisions, although generally just and impartial, yet
they were occasionally tinctured with caprice
and favoritism.

A complaint was then whispered about that
they always decided in favor of the plantiff , and
unless they improved their style of deciding, a
new board should be appointed. It is said that
embarrassed by such slanderous reports, and in-
timidated by these threats, a consultation was
lield and a new method of proceedure adopted.

It was determined that future decisons should
be rendered in favor of the defendent.

Stimulated by these deliberations the first
application of this new rule incurred a novel dif-
ficulty. The case was this. A man was arrang-
ed for stealing a harrow. The day of trial came;
witnesses were present ; the court opened when

AND DAEINa DEEDS. 57

the defendent unexpectedly plead guilty to the
offence, with the explanation that his intention
was only to use the harrow, and to return it be-
fore the owner had occasion to use it. Here
appeared a perplexing question.

How could they favor the defendent? He had
admitted the theft without compulsion. How-
ever, after some deliberation they agreed upon
a decision remarkable for its ingenuity and jus-
tice. It was decided that the defendent should
return the harrow and pay for the use of it,
while the plaintiff should pay the court because

he had neglected to prove his charge.
• — ^ — •

Now in those days certain parts of the town
were famous for rattlesnakes. Among the high
and frowning cliffs, which skirt the river near
the manufacturing village of North Pownal,
-were the chosen reudervous of these dangerous
pests. Here they wintered and at early spring
slipping forth from their dens, scatterd themsel-
ves about the neighboring fields. A capacious
^ 'SNAKE story" survived the final extermination
of these reptiles. Benona Hudson, upon one au-
tumn morning, seeing a large rattlesnake cross
the river from its western banks, roll itself in the
sand, and hasten toward the rocks ; Hudson f ol-

58 THEILLING ADVENTURES

lowed close after and watched him as he entered
his den. He at once proceeded to cut a short
walnut cudgel and a short pole, with which he
quickly invaded the sturing retreat of the snake.
Forthwith there was a hissing and promiscous
crawling forth. Rapidly the blows decended
and all were dispatched, as fast as they would
come out. Upon counting he found eighty
seven. Thus much says tradition; but it does
not add, as did the Mississippian, who told of
killing four cords and a half of black snakes be-
tween sunrise and sunset, and it was not called
then a good snake day either. For it did not
involve any question of law.

A WARNING.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

I was drinking one night as I sat in the den.

With some friends that I'd long wished to see:
We drank to the good health of each other then^

'Till I found myself drunk as could be.
My mind soon left me, my strength too was gone,

And in darkness I naught then could see;
And I tumbled around till at length I fell down^

Then and there did I have my last spree.

A WAENING CON., 59

I was thinking would any one care now to know,

How I spent that last night in the dive;
A friend picked me up then, and out did we go,

Or I might not now still be alive;
And when my drunken spree fully was o'er.

Through distress I was bent like a bow;
I found that my watch and my wallet were gone,

And 'twas lucky my life didn't go.

I've drank my last glass, and my mind is clear.

No more shameful rum drinking for me;
My chains are all brok'n and I've naught to fear.

For the Lord hast in love set me free.
At home now they all dwell in safety and peace,

I'm not crazed with strong drink anymore;
And as friends call to see me, need not to cease.

Singing praises to God we adore.

Keep out. Keep out of the rum shop, young man.

Keep out of the rum drinkers room.
Keep the honor you have, and earn all you can,

And thus joy bring to parents and home.
Now you have encountered some duties in hfe,

With prospects so bright full in view;
Your lot will be blessed in your dutiful strife.

So long as you are sober and true.

60 A WARNING CON.,

The greatest wretchedness, which human na-
ture in this world is called to indure is connected
with the use of inebriating drinks.

There is nothing else that degrades and debas-
es man like it- nothing so mean that a drunkard
will not stoop to it- nothing too base for him to
do to obtain his favorite drink. Nothing else
sinks the whole man-so completely, and destroys
not only all moral principles, but all self-respect,
all regard to character, all shame, all human feel-
ing. The drunkard can break out from every
kind of restraint so completely extinct is human
feelings, that he can be drunk at the funeral of
his dearest relative, and call for drinks in the
last accents of expiring nature.

Now look at a hunan being, whom God has
made for noble purposes and endowed with no-
ble faculties- degraded disgraced, polluted, unfit
for heaven, and a nuisance on earth. He is the
centre of a circle- count up his influence in his
family and his neighborhood- the wretchedness
he endures, and the wretchedness he causes —
count up the tears of a mother, or of a wi'etched
wife who curses the day of her espousal, and of
wretched children who curse the day of their
birth . To all this positive evil which intoxicat-
ing liquor has caused; add the happiness which

A WAENING CON., 61

l3ut for it his family might have enjoyed, and

communicated . Go through a neighborhood or

a town in this way, count up all the misery

which follows in the train of intoxicating liquor,

and you will be ready to ask, can the regions of

eternal death send forth any thing more deadly?

Wherever he goes the same cry may be

heard- lamentation — mourning, and woe; and

whatever things are pure, or venerable, or oi

good report, fall before it, while it can justly be

said, if there ever was any business in this world

which the Devil has the right to call his own

it is the rum business.

* * * *
More rum, more rum, 'tis Satan's cry,

His pathway is darkness and shame;

He never loves virtue, he lives on vice,

And would gladly ruin your name.

:fc :jc HJ sfJ

A sober man is the best man,

For rum he will not drink;
And in the busy time of life

He stops in love to think.
His home is blest with plenty,

No rum can make him fall;
His fam'ly's taught to hate that,

Which ruins mind and soul.

62 THRILLING ADVENTURES

Gen. WHITNEY of whom it was said, soon
after he moved to Addison, had what was then
called the lake fever, it was while he lived on
the Kellogg farm. He was taken very sick —
pulse bounding, eyes bloodshot and staring from
their sockets, the blood coursing thro' his vein&
like liquid fire. The doctor was sent for — on
arriving, ordered every window and door closed,
although it was in the hottest of dog days- cold
water was forbidden, Tvarm drinks ordered.

Thus days and nights of intolerable suffering,
went by, and when he begged for just one drop
of water, it was denied. One night two neigh-
bors, weary and tired from harvest field, came in
to watch through the night. One of them soon
dropped off to sleep; the other, more enduring,
still kept watch. At midnight, after giving the
General his medicine, he brought in a pail of wa-
ter, fresh from the well. How quick the rich
man would have given the wealth of the Indies
for one draught of that sparkling water. Could
he not by stratagem secure it? He feigned sleep;
and the tired man fixing himself as comfortable
as possible, was soon in sound sleep. Whitney
now crawled from the bed and made his way to
the pail. With what eagerness he clutched the
cup and drained it, draught after draught. He

AND DARING DEEDS. 63

then wished he could breath a little fresh air, it
was so stifling where he was. The watchers
still a sleep; he opened the door. How still and
quiet every thing in the moonlight. The dew
on the grass sparkling like diamonds — the chirp
of the cricket alone broke the silence.

How delicious was the night- wind, as it fan-
ned his fevered cheek and burning brow. The
idea of escape from his prison, as he regarded it,
presented itself, and quietly he started crossing
the road into the meadow, and there plunging
down amid the tall wet grass he clapped his
hands for joy, as he rolled from side to side,

But now the fever is upon him; the fire is
quenched, and his strength is gone . He cannot
rise. The watchers have missed him. They
shout his name. He tries to answer, but is too
weak. They find and carry him to the house,
and in alarm run for the doctor. He does not
get there until morning. A quiet, refreshing
sleep has removed all symptoms of fever.

The doctor would give him pills, but the Gen-
eral would none of it, and told him that he had
got a new doctor, old Dame Nature, who seem-
ed to understand the case altogether the best,
and he should trust to her. And returning to
health showed his judgement in choosing.

64 THE 30th OF MAY.

Lov'd comrades, we who linger still,

Mid scenes of toil and care;
Will now bring forth from field and hill

Fresh flowers so sweet and fair.
The time has come when 'neath the sod,

Full many a heart reposes.
We'll honor them and serve our God!

And deck their graves with roses.

Each year we will still come to meet

With them in true communion.
And all those present proudly greet

These heroes of our Union.
Our ranks grow less as day by day

Each deed receives new luster.
Ere long each man who met the gray

Will pass his final muster.

Now every loyal freeman true

Will love your valor ever.
And write the names that honor you

Where time can blot them never.
Our flag to Heaven e'er shall wave.

With love in song and story,
Until we leave each earthly grave,

When the roll is called in glory.

THE 30th OF MAY CON., 65

Our brave and gallant Soldier Boys

Who now have passed away!
In love we cover o'er their graves

With the choicest flowers of May.
Their crowns are made of shining light,

Their homes are built up on high,
Immortal is their glorious fight,

And we'll join them bye and bye.

DARING DEEDS

One time Gens. Strong and Smalley were
crossing the lake in a canoe, when near Sandy
Point, they saw something swimming in the wa-
ter, which they at once supposed to be a deer,
and gave chase . As they drew near, they found
instead of a deer, it was an enormous black bear
that they were pursuing. This was a different
affair, and a consultation was held. They had
nothing but an ax with them, but they had too
much pluck to back out, so it was planned that
Smalley was to get in the wake of the bear,
run the canoe bow on, while Strong, standing in
the bow with the ax, would then knock Bruin
on the head. Smalley brought the boat up in
good style, and Strong, with all the force of a
man used to felling the giant trees of the forest

66 THRILLING ADVENTURES

struck the bear full on the head. The bear
minded it no more than if it had been a walking
stick instead of an axe, he then instantly turned,
and placed both fore paws on the side of the
boat and upset it, turning both into the lake.

The bear then crawled up on to the bottom of
the boat, and took possession, and quietly seating
himself, looking on with great gravity, whilst
the men were floundering in the water.

Smalley, who was not a very good swimmer,
seeing the bear so quiet, thought he might hold
on to one end of the boat, until it should float
ashore: but no. Bruin would have none of their
company, and they were obliged, each with an
oar under his arm to sustain him, to make the
best of their way to Sandy Point, the nearest
shore. From here they had to go around the
head of BuUwaggy Bay, and north as far as
Point Henry, where they found their boat, min-
us their ax and other baggage, and were very
glad to come off so well.

One more bear story, and that will do. One
fall the bears were making distructive work in
the General's corn field; he found where they
came in, and placed his trap in their road.

The second morning he found his trap gone,
and plenty of signs that a large bear had taken

AND DARING DEEDS. 6T

it; he got two of his neighbors, Kellogg and Pan-
born, to go with him. They had two guns, an
axe, and three dogs.

After following the track for some two miles
they heard the dogs, and as they came up they
found the bear with her back against a large
stub, cuffing the dogs whenever they came with-
in reach. The trap was on one of her hind legs.
Kellogg proposed to shoot the bear, but Strong
said he could kill her with the ax as well as to
waste a charge of ammunition, which was scarce
and difficult to obtain. So taking the axe, and
remembering his encounter on the lake, he turn-
ed the bit, or blade of the ax, intending to split
her head open.

He approached cautiously, and when near e-
nough, gave the blow with tremendous force,
but the bear with all the skill of a practised box-
er, caught the ax as it was descending, with
one of her paws knocking it out of his hands, at
the same time catching him with the other, she
drew him up for the death-hug; as she did so en-
deavoring to grab his throat in her mouth. One
moment more, and he would have been a man-
gled corpse. The first effort he avoided by ben-
ding his head close upon his breast; the second,
by thrusting his left hand into her open mouth

68 THRILLING AD VENTURES

and down her throat, until he could hook the
ends of his fingers into the roots of her tongue.

This hold he kept until the end, although ev-
ery time the bear closed her mouth his thumb
was crushed and ground between her grinders,
her mouth being so narrow that it was impossi-
ble to keep it out of the way.

He now called on Kellogg for God's sake to
shoot the bear, but this he dared not do, for fear
of shooting Strong, for as soon as he got the
bear by the tongue, she endeavored to get rid of
him by plunging and rolling about, so that one
moment the bear was on top, and next Strong.

In these struggles they came to where the ax
had been thrown at first.

Strong seized the ax with his right hand, and
striking the bear in the small of the back sever-
ed it at a blow. This so paralyzed her that she
loosened her hug, then he snatched his hand
from her mouth, and soon cleared himself from
her reach. The men then dispatched her with
their guns. His mutilated thumb he carried as
a memento of the fight, to his dying day.

* * * *

In the faU of 1775 Mr. Strong was captured by
the British: they took him to Ticonderoga, where
he remained three weeks. Mrs. Strong, expect •

AND DARING DEEDS. 69

ing he would be sent to Quebec, that she might
again see her husband before his departure, shut
up her two little children alone in their cabin.

Bidding the elder, who was but four years old,
to take good care of the baby till mother came
back, who was going to take poor papa his
clothes, she went in a canoe to carry them, a dis-
tance of 12 miles, accompanied only by her
brother a lad of ten years. After she arrived in
order to gain admittance to her husband, she
must remain over night.

The mother sadly thought of her babes alone
in the cottage in the woods through all the long
night ; but could she turn from the door of her
husband's prison, and perhaps see him no more.

No ! her babes the tender mother committed, in
her heart, to the God Father, and tarried till the
morning; and upon her return found her little
children safe, the elder having understood e-
nough of her directions to feed and take care of

the younger.

* * * *
On one occasion during the Revolutionary War

when soldiers were drafted in Barnet, the lot fell
on George Gibson, a man of small stature who
said he would join the army, adding. ''Who
knows but I may be the means of establishing

ro THRILLING ADVENTURES

the independence of the United States? CoL
Harvey observed that he never knew a means so
SMALL to produce an effect so great.

A member of the Legislator, vrho was a great
hero and patriot boasting of his mother and six
brothers, triumphantly asked the company if
ever they heard of such a mother having seven
such sons. Col. Harvey replied he read of a wo-
man who had seven such sons, and what was
very remarkable they were all born at one birth!
''Who was she?" asked the hero. Mary Mag-
dalene," replied the Col. ''who was delivered of
seven devils all at one time!"

MY CHILDHOOD'S PICTURE.

_ ♦ » ♦ ♦ »

How my childhood fancy lingers,

Over scenes I once did view.
When I sought the fields for pleasure,

With my playmates kind and true.
Fond mem'ry now carries me back,

O'er pleasures my heart did thrill;
From all those happy days we part,

But I love them truly still.

MY CHILDHOOD'S PICTURE. Yl

On the hills oft times I'd wander,

And upon the rocks would climb,
For to view the verdant valley

Where the flowers bright would shine;
And then I'd chase the butterfly

Way over the hills to play,
Where the birds in all their beauty.

There did sing so pleasantly.

In the summer sunshine glitter,

Near the water I would play,
On the bank of that lone river,

Pleasant hours soon passed away;
All those scenes inspire my nature,

And thy '11 thrill my heart for aye;
This song is my Childhood's picture

And through joy can truly say.
refrain".
. Often now I look o'er the landscape

Where the flowers in Autumn droop,
And listen to hear the little birds sing

In the valley down by the brook:
It's there my thought's revive anew

It's there the clouds pass away,
In rai)ture then, for hours I view,

In the Autumn sunshine day.

72 THRILLING ADVENTURES

In 1792 Peter Page built a rude log shanty in
Hardwick, about three-quarters of a mile south
of the present village of East Hardwick.

His shanty was full half mile from the Hazen
road, and the snow was very deep when he mov-
ed his family, and when near as he could go by
the road he put on his snow-shoes, and with a
sled made for that purpose, conveyed his wife,
and three children to their new home, and then
returned for his goods.

They lived some time in this rude hovel without
floor or chimney, building their fire at one side
with a hole made in the roof for the smoke to es-
cape. Mr. Page's wardrobe during that winter,
is said to have consisted of one pair of tow pant-
aloons, one tow frock, two shirts, woolen socks
and a woolen vest .

He brought all the provisions for himself and
family on his back, either from Peacham 20
miles distant, or from Cabot, 8 miles. His fam-
ily suffered much the first few years in their
new home. Their only cow strayed away, and
when Mr . P- found her she was ten miles from
home. She had been away so long she gave no
milk. The man who kept her awhile demanded
pay, and the only woolen garment, the vest, was
all he could give to redeem her.

AND DARING DEEDS. 73

Water gruel was substituted for milk, and was
sometimes their only sustenance. Other set-
tlers had a hard time, as well as they. In the
spring of the following year, Mark and David,
Norris, who were cousins, supplied themselves
with provisions sufficient, as they supposed, to
last them through the spring's work. Then
they were to return back to Peacham, which
was several miles away.

They had no such thing as a team or even a
hoe to work with; but with their axes they
hewed out wooden hoe-blades from maple blocks,
hardened them in the fire, and took saplings for
handles. With these they hoed in two acres of
wheat; when Saturday night came, they had
one acre hoed in and provisions enough to last
but one day longer.

What should they do? Neither of them were
professors of religion, but they had been trained
to keep the Sabbath day; however they con-
cluded that it was a work of necessity, and hoed
in the second acre on the Sabbath. ^'We shall
see, said Mark to David," whether this acre will
not yeald as well as the other. David was some-
what troubled in conscience. Reaping time
came ; the proceeds of the two acres were stack-
ed separately, and the time for comparing drew

74 THRILLING ADVENTURES

near. But the comparison was never made.
The stack which came of the Sabbath day^s work
took fire while clearing up some land near by,
and every straw and kernel was burned.

In closing this account which plainly shows
how things will sometime happen, I may men-
tion the wisdom of Mrs. Whipple, wife of the late
Francis Whipple. She was a woman of superior
mind, and a mother in Israel, beloved by all,
young and old.

She possessed a great fund of cheerfulness,
and was often very shrewd. A fanatical minis-
ter once called and said. '^You sometimes en-
tertain ministers." ^'Yes, if they have a recom-
mendation." ^'And what would you say at one
from Heaven?"-^ 'Go straight back, 'tis a poor
country here for such a man!"

An aged man once asked her to become his
wife. In answer- ''Why, Mr.B- we are noth-
ing but old children. You have one foot in the
grave, the other wiU be there soon. You had
better go home, read your Bible, and prepare to
die, than to be here on such an errand!"

She was very industrious; and some of her last
work was spinning lining for a web. ' 'Grandma
is coming, "has been echoed from many a child's
glad heart.

AND DAEING DEEDS. 75

At Monkton, during the Kevolution, John
Bishop, with several sons, and Mr. Eben Stearns
were captured by Tories and Indians and taken
to Canada; and the settlement was broken up till
after the war. Tradition says Bishop had some
wheat stacks to which the Indians were about
to set fire, when Mrs. Bishop, knowing them to
be her main dependance, appeared with hot wa-
ter, which she threw so vigorously that the Ind-
ians, admiring her courage, spared the stacks.

Bishop was noted for his eccentricity, for in-
stance: when any one came to the marsh near
where he lived to pick cranberries, he always
demanded some portion, for the reason that
he brought the seed with him from — New
Medford. He also demanded a share of all the
fish in an adjacent pond, as he had brought the
original stock from the same place, in a leather
bag, supplying fresh water from time to time.
This story used to make his neighbors smile —

A short distance south of Monkton Borough
are some rocks, called the Tory rocks, where a
small party of Tories were captured during the
Eevolution,by a less number of early settlers by
stratagem. The early settlers of Monkton were
men more noted for their physical strength and
endurance than for mental culture or refine-

76 THKILLING ADVENTUEES

ment. Yet they were not without those who
sometime tried their luck and skill at writing
compositions. The following poetical specimen
is from the pen of one of those primative and
untaught bards, Ebenezer Finney.

When men rejoiced in days of yore
That stamp-act should appear no more,

They fired their pump instead of cannon
And shook the very earth we stand on,

But later years, more full of glory.
Since Whigs has fairly conquered Tory.

Pump guns are thrown by in disgrace,
And iron stationed in their place.

The great heroes of a certain town,
To please themselves and gain renown;
A cannon made, without a blunder,
To send forth home made peals of thunder.

Never have such reports been given.
Since Satan cannonaded heaven:
This gun without dispute we know
Was fired from Monkton to North Hero.
How stiring are these sons of Mars;
They shout for joy, and bless their stars;
But oh, how transient is their fun!
They load too deep, and split their gun.
Earth, at the blast, turns shaking Quaker;
Boys cursed the cannon and its maker,

AND DARING DEEDS. 77

What havoc made 'mongst ducks and hens;
The pigs ran frightened round their pens;

Young puppies set up hideous yells,
While goslins perished in their shells;

Then all the hosts that could keep cool,
Wondered if there was another fool.

SUNLIGHT SETTING.
» » ♦ ♦ ♦

When the sparkling sunlight setting

Brings on evening shadows dim,
Then we view the golden netting

While it twinkles o'er the glen.
Lovely shades of green and yellow

Will glide over on the hill,
Where the night birds from the hollow

Are saying, whip-por- will will will.

When our nature seeks for beauty

Thro' the work that is sublime.
Then we cherish faith with duty

And engraft the lovely time.
There is beauty in the sunset.

There is joy that always thrills,
Wind on water roUs the white caps

And the snow will cover the hiUs.

78 THE EAVAGES OF TIME

It is only by recurring to the chronicles of the
past that we are able to arrive at any apprecia-
tion of the ravages of time. When we ascer-
tain that the many things which were, are not;
that they withered at the touch of time, and were
hurled into the dark chasm of forgetfulness.

History reverts to the scenes of other times.
We review the catalogue of many names per-
petuated in prose and song; we trace the lines
of those who bore them, from their youth up-
ward ;we mark the struggles through which they
passed, the numerous obstacles encountered, the
many trials undergone for the emancipation of
our country from hostile hands ; and as we muse
we wonder through the lapse of ages and hold
communion with those *gr eat and good patriots
of the past.

We stand upon the battle field; we see the
clashing steel; we hear the roar of the booming
cannon, the death groans of the victim fallen.
We pause. This is only the kindling of imagin-
ation over the records of the past; we can only
regret the great, the good, the noble should thus
have passed away.

The dilapidated walls of architecture, the rust-
ing sword on the cold floor of antiquity, the
mouldering bones of the ancient warrior, all e-

THE RAVAGES OF TIME 79

vince an invisable power whose mission is to de-
stroy. Where are the champions who fought in
defence of the word of God, and caused its sacred
light to shine and penetrate the darkest recesses
of superstition? Where those noble martyrs
who suffered for the propagation of the truth —
who removed the mark that enveloped the face
of Christendom, and caused the true light to
shine forth mid the gloom of darkness? Where
those brave pioneers of the sixteenth century,
who caused the city of seven hills to totter upon
its foundation; and who removed the briers and
brambles from the path of Christianity, and
planted instead the seed of piety, purity, and
truth?

Their deeds are recorded on the tablets of his-
tory, their names have become emmortalized by
being linked with the greatest struggles in the
world. Yes, they are gone- gone to the charnel
house of time. Where is the wild uncultivated
race that once traversed our hills and vales un-
mindful of the rich soil beneath their feet?

The hand of civilization, and children of educa-
tion have usurped the abode of ignorance, and
inculcated the moral principles of civilized life.
Time, indeed has made sad havoc of that strong
■and noble, unculivated race.

80 THE OLD OLD HOME.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

I often think of the old, old home,

And the smiles that greeted me there;
And of all the friends I used to know

When I was young and life was fair .
Shall I ever enter the old, old home.

And lift the old latch of the door?
And look all thro' those dear old rooms,.

Where I played in the days of yore.

Shall I ever walk the green paths o'er,
Where mother's flowers did bloom?

And list to the happy birds that sing-
Where the roses have plenty of room..

Those days so happy in childhood's life,.
Are ingrafted on memory's wall;

I will not try to make them bright,
For they can never fade at all.

Should I go back to the old, old home,

Would it bring any pleasure to me?
Would it inspire hope, or change my tho't.

Or cause me sorrowful to be?
Oh, I may go back to the old, old home.

But who could I expect to see?
My dearest friends have passed away.

And no one is there who loves me.

THE OLD OLD HOME CON., 81

My childhood days at the old old home,
Will never more come back to me;

My faulty steps must feebler grow.
While I'm trav'ling to eternity.

Now fare-thee-well, to the long ago.
Those years have vanished away!

But the old old home, bright and fair,

Still is clinging to my mem'ry.
• — ^ — •

DAEING DEEDS.

Indians caused more fear than wild beasts
among the early settlers, especially after the
commencement of the Revolutionary struggle.
Although through the policy of some of the lead-
ing men of the Grants, the British had been in-
duced to treat the settlers on the east side of the
lake [Vermont] with mildness, and had forbidden
the Indians to molest them, yet their savageness
was ready to burst forth on the slightest provo-
cation. So much was this the case, that if a
party of Indians made their appearance when
the men were absent the women allowed them
to help themselves to whatever they liked .

At one time a party came in when Mrs.
Strong was alone. They first took the cream
from the milk and rubbed it on their faces; then

82 THRILLING ADVENTURES

rubbing soot on their hands, painted themselves
in all the hideousness of the war-paint, and sang
the war-songs with whoop and dance.

Just as they were leaving, one of them discov-
ered a showy colored short gown, that her hus-
band had just made her a birthday present of.
This he took, and putting it on, seemed greatly
delighted, and with yells and whoops they de-
parted. She had a place between the frame of
the house and the chimney where she used to
hide her babe when the Indians were seen about.

A barrel of sour milk was kept, where a set of
pewter dishes (a rare thing at the time) was, as
soon as used, put for security.

One day an Indian came in and saw a small
plate, which he took, and making a hole through
it, put it on a string and wore it off as an orna-
ment. They would sometimes, when hungry,
kill a hog or beef.

The following will show that their fears were
not groundless — One morning in June, just
when the sky takes on that peculiar hue that
gave it the name, ' 'gray of the morning. " Mrs.
Strong arose and went to the spring a few rods
from the house, near the bank of the lake.

The birds had just commenced their morning
matins making ' 'woodland and lea" vocal with

AND DAKING DEEDS. 83

song. The air was laden with the perfume of
the wild flowers. Not a breath stirred a leaf or
ruffled the glass-like surface on the water of the
lake. She stopped a moment to enjoy it. And
as she stood listening to the songs of the birds,
she thought she heard the dip of a paddle in the
water, and looking through the trees that fring-
ed the bank, she saw a canoe filled with Indians.

In a moment more the boat passed the trees
in full view. A pole was fastened upright in
the bow, on the top of which was the scalp of a
little girl ten years old, her flaxen ringlets just
stirred in the morning air, while streams of clot-
ted blood all down the pole showed it was placed
there whilst yet warm and bleeding.

Wildest horror froze her to the spot, she tho't
she recognized it as the hair of a beautiful child
of a dear friend of hers, living on the other side
of the lake. She saw other scalps attached to
their waist-belt, whilst two other canoes, farther
out in the lake, each had the terrible signal at
their bows. The Indians on seeing her, gave
the war-whoop, and made signals as though they
would scalp her. She fled to the house. That
day brought tidings that their friends six in
number on the other side had aU been massacred
and scalped, and their houses burned.

84 THRILLING ADVENTURES

Among the many heroic and daring deeds wor-
thy of particular notice is that related of Mrs.
Mary Lamb. While residing in Granville with
her son William, at the age of 84. Mrs. Lamb
had charge of the domestic affairs and of the
children in the absence of their parents.

One morning she heard a terrific scream in
the dooryard, and on looking out saw a large
catamount making an onslaught upon the poult-
ry. On opening the door the dog rushed out,
and a fearful encounter followed.

The dog finding himself unable to grapple
successfully with his antagonist, fled into the
house, followed by the catamount. Fear for the
safety of the terrified children nerved the strong
arm of grandmother to desperation. She seiz-
ed the large iron poker, and then bravely gave a
heavy well-directed blow across the animals
back, which paralized him, a few more blows
killed him. The dog died soon after from the
effects of wounds received in the contest.

* * * *

Capt. John Barney, one of the early pioneers
built the second public house of entertainment
on the plains of St. Johnsbury, Vt.

This house he kept for many years, and as
it was customary in those days, it had a bar

AND DARING DEEDS. 85

but when the temperance cause awoke, he came
forth hke the bannered hosts from the wilder-
ness, and was one of the first to enUst in the
great moral reform, and stood ever afterward
by the sacred standard.

Later years his daughter wrote. *'I well re-
member hearing my parents relate various in-
cidents connected with their early life, their hab-
its of living, social, moral and physical.

True, I find as I dwell upon them, none of the
superfluities and elegancies of life that consti-
tute the luxuries of the present, but 1 find in-
stead, a homely but hearty sufficiency with fru-
gality and cleanliness withal, and a home though
rude yet ever appreciated in love." A character-
istic picture of their sociability was the winter
evening visits. Some long and pleasant Decem-
ber or January evenings the noble yoke of oxen
were 'whoa'd' and ^gee'd' to the kitchen door,
hitched to the sled, and the first family started ;
calling for the next family, and the next on the
way, till the last family on the road joined the
happy party.

Arrived at their destination — as our old fash-
ioned surprise party came steadily up to the log
mansion, and shaking off their buffalo of hay,
the sleds were unloaded upon the great stone

80 THRILLING ADVENTURES

door steps- the welcoming and greetings were
sometimes so hearty as to be almost deafening.

The well-fatted turkey must be prepared for
the sit, and pies and pudding well flavored, were
soon in a baking- Meanwhile a mug of hot slip
came not amis, after a cold ride of 8 or 10 miles.

A good supper, joviality and sincere good will
crowned the hour.

I must in closing say a few words relative to
my father's christian profession and the family
alter, where prayer went up daily, from a heart
overflowing with joy. Even now I seem to hear
the kindness that lingered in his voice as he re-
proved our childish follies, or see the patient,
beaming smile, as he encouraged our feeble ef-
forts to do the right.

Thus a saintly father's influence still shines
out sweetly and clear upon the path of his child,
guiding on like a beacon star to right purposes.
It's an inestimable blessing to have such a father.

BEAUTIFUL HOME.

♦ » ♦ ♦ » —

Beautiful home in Heaven for me,

Never a street where darkness can be;
There o'er the countless ages of time,

Kingdom of love, forever will shine.

THANKS-GIVING EVE. 87

On a low couch lay a sick girl,

In a poor and humble home,
And by the restless sufferer

The lonely mother sat alone.
'Twas the day before Thanks giving.

The house was cold and drear;
"Without, the fall winds whistled,

Within was naught to cheer.

The sick girl moaned in anguish.

Then opened her lips and spoke,
It touched the heart of her mama

As though it was a saber's stroke.
^'Mama, to-morrow's Thanks giving.

What can we be thankful for
While we suffer in sickness and sorrow,

And papa has gone to the war?

Our money's gone, we're friendless

In this great town all alone.
Oh, why did dear papa leave us?"

The sick girl then sadly moaned .
**Your papa thought best to leave us

To answer his country's call.
We hoped the war would be over

And he would be home this fall."

88 THANKSGIVING EVE, CON.

' 'I know we are destitute darling,

I know that our money is gone,
But I hope to have work to-morrow,

You know I am well and strong,
And soon we shall hear from papa.

He'll send us money no doubt,
We will then pay up the landlord

And he will not turn us out."

Thus cheerfully spoke the mother,

Although with a heavy heart,
She tried to soothe her daughter

And cheerfully do her part;
Hark, hark! the hall door opens,

''Dear papa! "the daughter calls,
Then in the arms of a soldier brave

Fainting, the true mother falls.

Then his story told of capture,

And suffering in prison pen.
Of exchange, release and furlough,

And away to his loved ones then.
For bravery had come promotion,

As his uniform plainly told;
Then his wife and daughter lovely,

Smiled upon the soldier bold.

THANKSGIVINa EVE. 89

Their sorrow turned to gladness,

The family was united again,
And the mother felt that her prayers

For help, had not been in vain.
Thanksgiving day was delightful,

The daughter felt well once more,
Each thought a better thanksgiving

They never had known before.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

DARING DEEDS.

lu 1784 Capt. Charles Sias, moved his family
and effects from Peacham to Danville on a hand-
sled. His family consisted of 10 children, seven
sons and three daughters. The father with four
sons and three daughters made the first compa-
ny. Then with two men to assist, went forward
on snow-shoes, and drew the sled. They reached
their log cabin early in the afternoon, dug it out
from beneath the snow, which had nearly buri-
ed it. Here they left John and his sisters to take
care of themselves through the night, while the
others returned to Peacham.

John was but 11 years old, and was the first
male child that ever slept in Danville, and Mrs.
Sias, was the first white woman who dared to
brave the long and dreary winters in this wild

90 THRILLING ADVENTURES

unbroken wilderness. The next day came the
mother and the other children, on the hand-sled.
In three days more the effects were all removed
and the lone family began their hard labors up-
on the wilderness.

They commenced by tapping the maples, which
stood thick arround them. The most beautiful
groves, aff oading them sugar in abundance, and
supplied, in a great degree, the lack of some oth-
er food. Thus was settled the first family in the
town of Danville.

It will illustrate the hardships which were en-
countered by the early settlers if we here put on
record the narrative of an authentic tradition,
that at the birth of Israel Putman, his father
had to draw the midwife six miles over the hills
and through deep snow, on a hand-sled.

So exhausting was the labor that stopping to
rest a moment at the sugar-camp of his neigh-
bor, Abidah Smith, he sank down insensible and
Mr. S. went on with the doctoress; thus render-
ing an important service to his future son-in-
law; the child then born- who twenty four years
after became the husband of Sarah Smith.

For a number of years, the inhabitants lived in
cabins built of logs, and covered with bark peel-
ed from spruce and other trees, and were often

AND DARING DEEDS. 91

doomed especially for hardship thro' cold winter
seasons, being poor, they had not the requisite
means to procure comfortable clothing to screen
themselves properly from the raging of a north-
ern climate. Children frequently would be seen
in winter running barefooted in the snow, and
otherwise poorly clad, sleeping on straw beds at
night or the skins of animals.

Nathaniel Belknap, when 76 years old would
often say. *^The young folks now a-days could-
n't begin to stand it as we did. I moved in my
log house, here in the woods, when there was
but one board on it and that one I brought from
New Hampshire." And for weeks after said Mrs.
Belknap,^'! could lie abed and count the stars."

* 'Yes, said the old man I have been more than
a mile beyond Pittsford Village to buy a bushel
of corn, and when I paid for it, I had to take 5
pecks, because I could't make change.

I took it, and started for the mill; and got it
ground; and then carried it home." ''Yes, said
Mrs. Belknap, and he should have added he did-
n't get off the bed the next day."

He had travelled at least 26 miles that day
13 with 5 pecks of grain on his back.

So universal was the practice of working out
in haying; on one occasion they felt compelled

92 THRILLING ADVENTURES

to raise a barn on Sunday, being unable to obtain
sufficient help to do it on a week day.

The first settlers were generally obliged to buy
their grain from the farmers in adjoining towns,
and some of those were far away. The method
of transportation was to carry it on their backs.
And the manner of payment was almost uni-
versally by day's work, in which they were most
always rich, and possessed of but little else which
they could spare.

On one occasion a farmer was known to trav-
el three days before he could find a bushel of
grain that he could buy, while his family was
in need at home. It was often the case that the
women would go out to buy necessaries.

One time, Mrs. Joseph Carlisle, went to her
brother's and borrowed his horse, and went to the
village; but before she got home, night came on,
when neither she or the horse could follow the
road. She called for help with a will, but this
«o alarmed her child, she dared not continue to
call, lest the child cry itself into fits.

So she sat down on an old log, and held the
"hoTse by the bridle until morning. When she sat
down, she wished her father would come and
help her out of the woods in which she was lost;
she said, ' 'immediately a bright light stood out

AND DARING DEEDS. 93

before her, up a little from the ground." She

always thought if she had followed it, it would

have led her out into the right way. Her father

had been dead for some time. She had sat in

the woods not more than a half mile from home.

* * * *
It's well understood that Elihu Sabin,was the

first permanent settler in Goshen. A generous

hearted, worthy man, talented for his day and

opportunities, in so much that the history of his

town pictures him as one who had distinguished

himself for remarkable muscular power.

Once on a time well verified it is said Sabin
did face a foe in a single-handed struggle for
life. It appears that he had caught a cub, whose
cries brought forward the mother bear robbed
of her young.

Elihu unflinchingly smote her with the breech
of his gun ; the bear was dispatched, and so was
the breech of Elihu's gun. We have a more de-
liberate feat with which to crown our point- in
prodigious strength, a feat of plain practical test,
of monstrous muscular power.

A witness testified that he had seen Mr. Sabin
knock down with one blow of his fist, a two
year old bullock, striking him between the fore
shoulders, and breaking a rib.

94 DON'T GO AWAY TO STAY.

Out in the cottage where the willows,

Shade the porch beside the way ;
An aged couple once were living,

With their son their only stay.
His deeds they always had been noble,

'Till he had planned to go away;
And leave these poor old feeble people,

Then I heard his father say —

Their joy and trials on life's journey.

All were nearly done and o'er;
And he knew his father and mother,

Must soon leave this earthly shore:
Now in this he may long remember,

How they in love did plead and pray!
Just before he kissed his mother.

At the time he went away.

Years have past and still he's wander'g

Far from friends he now doth roam;
The willow trees that still are shading.

Stand there weeping o'er that home.
And all the time thus spent in pleading*

Has onward pass'd to endless day.
And they are now beyond life's river,

Where no voice can ever say —

DON'T GO AWAY TO STAY, 95

REFRAIN.

Don't go away my son, don't go away

to stay,
For I'm growing feeble, and soon must

pass away ;
Your mother's heart is breaking,

0! can't you hear her pray?
Don't go away my son, don't go away

to stay.

• — ^ — •

DARING DEEDS.

It may be interesting to some to know how
the people put out fires, many years ago . Most
all the families owned an instrument familiarly
called a ''squirt gun" of a large size, through
which a considerable quantity of water could be
emitted to any part of a building.

This was the only engine made use of for ex-
tinguishing fires in their dwellings ; and it rem-
inds the writer of a story which he heard related
a number of years ago.

At a certain time, Lemual Walter, the first in-
habitant of the town, was sitting at the table in
his log cabin, (which had a wooden chimney) at
noon time, taking his frugal meal, when a stran-
ger on horseback rode up to his door, and with
an earnest voice inquired. ''Sir, do you know
that your house is on fire?"

96 THRILLING ADVENTURES

*^Ah, said the owner, well, no matter, I'll see
to it soon as I finish my dinner." ^'But said the
stranger, your house will be all in flames before
that time." *'Be not alarmed sir, said Walter,.
I am used to fires and have no fear." '^Thank
you for your trouble."

<'If you are disposed to stay there and let your
house burn down over your head," rejoined the
stranger, *^It is no business of mine." He then
rode off leaving the owner sitting at the table.

Soon after Walter deliberately took down his
SQUIRT-GUN and quickly extinguished the fire.

The country north of this town for many
miles, at that time was an unbroken wilderness,
where moose and deer were found in great num-
bers. It is the nature of these animals through
the winter season to herd together in considerable
number-especially when the snow is very deep,
which circumstance often greatly facilitated the
means of taking them. The most hardy of the
veteran settlers would resort thither on snow-
shoes as soon as a sufficient depth of snow had
fallen and surprise and slay them, after dress-
ing they would select the best part of the flesh
for food; and carry it home on their backs a dis-
tance of 7 or 8 miles through the wilderness

Not unf requently a man would carry a burden

AND DARING DEEDS. 97

of 100 lbs. But they soon grew wise by experi-
ence and furnished themselves with hand sleds
made expressly for the purpose, the timber was
made very light, and the runners being 5 or 6
inches in width which prevented their sinking
in the snow. On one of these sleds a man would
draw more than double the quantity that could
be carried the old way; and the labor was not so
hard. The same kind of sleds are used by many
at the present time, and still retain the name of
MOOSE-SLEDS. Often for weeks the old hunters
would remain in the woods sleeping by night on
hemlock boughs for beds, and when in camp a
house would be made of poles and covered with
boughs. They subsisted mostly on the product
obtained, vdth perhaps a little bread and butter
carried from home.

The skins of the animals after being partially
tanned by a process of their own invention, were
afterwards frequently used for beds in their
cabins. Whole families of children would sleep
upon them with as much composure as they
would on a bed of down.

Various other means were resorted to at that
time to obtain the necessary supplies for their
families. One of these was in making salts
from wood ashes, which was then plenty.

98 THE OLD DISTEICT SCHOOL,

The old District School I remember,

The brightest of days to review;
While all loving greetings are telling,

How friendship in childhood is true.
I remember the long cold winters,

Learning lessons in school by rule;
I know the children then all loved me,

Down in the old District School.

The teachers I can well remember,

Who maintained a whip in school;
They would occasionally use them,

In preventing our acting so cool.
The lessons came on in the morning.

Then reading and writing by rule,
I know the value now of learning.

Taught in the old District School.

I remember those kind and loving.

Who would always take my part.
Some have gone beyond life's river.

Still their deeds dwell in my heart.
I now prize those lessons of learning,

That were taught by the oldest rule;
I will always cherish my School days,

Spent in the old District School.

THE OLD DISTRICT SCHOOL. 99

I remember the time when parting,

As in tears I bade them good-by ;
Never more to meet in the school room,

But will try to meet them on high.
I have pondered over hard trials,

That encountered the golden rule,
I shall never forget my school mates.

Once in the old district, school.

PRAISEWORTHY DOG.

A shepherd who once lived in the valley near
the Grampian mountains, in one of his excur-
sions to look after his flock, thought he would
take along with him one of his children, an in-
fant of three years.

After traversing his pasture for some time,
attended by his dog, the shepherd found it neces-
sary to ascend the summit at some distance to
have a better view of his range. As the ascent
would be too fatiguing for the child, he left him
on a small plain at the bottom with strict orders
not to stir from the place till his return . Scarce-
ly had he gained the summit when the horizon
darkened with almost impenetrable mist.

The anxious father hastened back to find his
child; but owing to the darkness he missed his

L.ofC.

100 PRAISE WOKTY DOGS.

way in the descent. And after fruitless search
for hours, he discovered that he had reached
the bottom of the valley, and was near his own
cottage. To renew the search that night in such
darkness would be fruitless ;theref ore he felt com-
pelled as it were to go home, although he had
lost both his child and his dog, who had attended
him faithfully for many years.

Next morning at break of day with a band of
his neighbors he renewed the search for his child.
The day was sadly spent, in anxious searching —
Night came- from the high-land they descended.

On reaching home they found that the dog
which he had lost came home, and on receiving
a piece of cake he immediately disappeared.

The search was renewed the next day and on
returning at night, he found that the dog had
been home and on receiving his usual allowance

of cake had disappeared again.

Struck with this singular circumstance he
concluded to stay at home the next day and
watch the dog. As usual he came home got his
cake and seemed very glad to once more meet
his worthy master, who then had resolved to fol-
low him. The dog soon took the cake and start-
ed back leading the way toward a cataract at
some distance from the spot where the shepherd

PRAISEWORTHY DOG. 101

had left the child. The banks of the cataract
almost joined at the top, yet separated by an
abyss of immense depth. Down one of these
rugged and almost perpendicular descents the
dog began to make his way and soon disappear-
ed. But the shepherd with difficulty followed.
On entering the cave his emotions swayed with
delight when he beheld his child eating cake
which the dog had just brought to him .

From the situation it appeared the child wan-
dered to the brink, and either fallen or scram-
bled down till he reached the cave. The dog it
appears had never left the child night or day ex-
cept when it was necessary to go for food.

* * * *

A number of years ago in the north east cor-
ner of Newark, lived Calvin Hudson, first settler
on the east road from Burke line to Brighton,
which was then only brushed out.

Here he bought some land and then built a log
house and moved his family, a wife and 7 chil-
dren, in the fall. In the winter he made shingles.
One morning his family being in want of neces-
saries, he took his knapsack and started for
Burke. Not being very well, he declined waiting
for breakfast, and started before the family had
risen. At Burke he made some purchases, and

102 PKAISEWORTHY DOGS.

started for home. A storm came on, and the
snow fell fast; at Seymour Watson's, last house
in East Haven, still 5 miles distant he stopped
to warm again, not to be detained lojig he push-
ed on homeward.

Two days after within 40 rods of his home he
was found frozen by the wayside. Coiled up at
his feet (the snow melted beneath the devot-
ed animal), lay his own faithful little dog.
And after the funeral several days- the family
having been removed- a visitor who was ac-
quainted, called at the house and there found this
same affectionate little creature had stayed and
crawled beneath the blanket that wrapped the
body of his dead master before the burial, and it
was difficult to coax him from the sacred relic.

LOOKING BACK.

4 ♦ ♦ ♦ »

I am looking back to days long past

When by my mothers side,
I listened to her counsels then

I was her joy and pride.
There brightly was the home lit up,

And pleasantly she smiled;
As toil she mix't with pleasure then.

To guard and teach her child.

LOOKING BACK, CON. 103

I cherish now the days long past,

When with such anxious care,
My mother knelt in prayer to heav'n,

Her hope and trust were there.
The sad time came and parting words,

When tears o'er-flowed the cheek
M)^ mother's farewell look told more.

Than words can ever speak.

I'm looking back to days long past.

With old friends I cannot be,
Who counsel'd me when I was young,

Their wisdom follows me.
I've wander'd far since mother's gone.

Her smiles in rapture,'^! see,"
Her words inspire me ' ^on life's way, "

They still cling to mem'ry.

Oh, how I'd love to tell my friends.

Could I for one moment see.
That loving look and smiling face.

So vivid now in mem'ry.
I'm thinking still of mother's love,

That follows so kind and true
I'm looking back to childhood days,

My eyes no more wiU view.

104 THRILLING ADVENTURES

On July, 4:th 1609 Samuel Champlain entered
the lake that now bears his name, having left
Quebec the 18th of May previous. His party
consisted of sixty Huron and Algonquin Indians,
and two Frenchmen. Having had to leave his
shallop at the rapids above- his Indian allies fur-
nished him with twenty-one bark canoes.

In these he proceeded up the lake as far as
what is now known as Crown Point. Here on
the 20th of July, at 10 o'clock, P.M., he was met
by a party of Iroquois, who came out from a
cape projecting into the lake from the western
shore, [sandy point, opposite addison.] At the
first, Champlain and his party retreated into the
lake. The Iroquois returned to the shore and
landed, followed by the Hurons, who fastened
their boats to stakes driven in the mud, about an
arrow shot off.

Both parties agreed to wait until morning be-
fore the battle should begin, and the night was
spent in singing the war-songs and other Indian
rites preparatory to battle.

In the morning, at daybreak, the battle com-
menced. Champlain and his two men at first
were kept out of sight. On the landing of the
Hurons, the Iroquois came out from behind their
barricades, and more noble-looking men Cham-

AND DARING DEEDS. 105

plain says he had never seen, two of their chiefs
especially so. Champlain then walked in front
of his party, the two Frenchmen and some of the
Hurons were hidden in ambuscade.

Each of the white men was then armed with
a gun and two pistols. Champlain on landing
had put four balls into his gun. When he first
stood before the Hurons, the Iroquois gazed in
wonder on the first white man they had ever
seen. Their two prominent chiefs stood close
together, and about thirty paces distant.

Champlain fired at them, killing both, and
mortally wounding one other man. The Iroqu-
ois were paralyzed with fear at this new instru-
ment of death, breathing fire and smoke, from
which their chief's arrow-proof armor had no
protection.

The other Frenchmen poured in their fire, kill-
ing one. This completed the battle, and in the
panic the Iroquois fled in every direction, crying,
* 'The devil! the devil!" On examining the armor
of the chiefs, it was found to be woven with a
thread of cotton, (where did they get it?) and a
thread of bark. They were armed with toma-
hawks of METAL. After the battle they crossed
the lake to Chimney Point, in Addison. Cham-
plain here named the lake for himself, and in the

106 THRILLING ADVENTURES

after part of the day started on their return for
Canada. This battle was fought two months
before Hudson discovered the river that bears
his name, and four years before the Dutch set-
tlement at New York, and eleven years before
the landing at Plymouth.

Lake Champlain from its discovery to 1665 re-
mained the highway for the Iroquois & Hurons,
in their war excursions against each other. Its
earliest name was, '^irquoisia."

I'LL LIVE FOR YOU OR DIE.

I'll live for you or die, my love,

With you life's glories glow-
With you for guide our steps will glide

Down where the peaches grow;
Then in a cottage we will share.

The comforts of life true-
Where flowers in the summer bloom,

The birds will sing for you —

Then down the river we will sail,

How pleasant that will be;
While then in joyous fancy —

We'll look o'er land and sea;
My love will never prove in vain,

On this you can rely —
And from my word I'll not depart,

I'll live for you or die.

I'll LIVE FOR YOU, CON., 107

I love to wander by the brook,

When night- winds gently sigh;
When shooting stars are twinkling

Down from the silent sky;
Sweet melody then cheers my heart,

When notes are tuneful high,
The very kind my love would sing,

When I was sitting by.
The pebbles shine out in the brook.

Where water ripples clear.
But down the future I must look.

With one I love so dear.
Now all is well with prospects fair,

And I must tell you why:
I own that friend who truly said

^^I'll live for you or die."

REFRAIN.

In twilight shade, this promise was made.

Where the wild roses bloom on the hill,
And just beyond, by the old road-side.

The birds were singing, whip-po-will.
This was to my mind enchanting time,

While we slowly kept walking by,
'Twas then and there I smilingly said,

*^I'll live for you or die."

108 THRILLING ADVENTURES

^*He is a good man."- *^Yes, sir; he is the hest
hand on my place. He is steady, honest and in-
dustrious. He has been my foreman for the last
ten years- a more trusty negro I never knew. "

*^Why do you wish to sell him?" Because he
disobeys my orders. As I said he is my foreman;
and that he might be available at any moment I
might want him, I built his hut within a hundred
yards of my own house, and I have never rung
the bell at any time in the night or morning that
his horn did not answer in five minutes after.

But two years ago he got religious, and com-
menced what he terms, or calls, family prayer,
that is, praying in his hut night and morning,
and when he begins his prayer, it is impossible
to tell when he would stop, especially if (as he
termed it) he got happy.

Then he would sing, and pray, and halloo for
an hour or two together, that you might hear a
mile off. And he would pray for me and my
wife and my children, and our whole family con-
nections to the third generation, and sometimes
when we would have visitors, Moses would in-
terrupt the conversation and destroy the enjoy-
ment of the whole company. The women would
cry and the children would cry, and it would
get me almost frantic, and even after I had

AND DARING DEEDS. 109

retired, it would sometimes be almost daylight
before I could go to sleep, for it appeared to me
that I could hear Moses pray for three hours
after he had finished.

I bore it as long as I could, and then forbid his
praying any more, and Moses promised obedi
ence, but he soon transgressed, and my rule is
never to whip, but, whenever a negro proves in-
corrigible, I sell him.

This keeps them in better subjection, and less
trouble than whipping. And 1 pardoned Moses
twice for disobedience in praying so loud, but the
third time I knew I must sell him, or every ne-
gro on the place would soon be perfectly regard-
less of all orders," ^'You spoke of Moses's hut.
I suppose from that he has a family"

* ^ Yes, he has a woman and three children, or
wife, I suppose he calls her now, for soon after
he got religion, he asked me if they might be
married, and I suppose they were."

* ^ What will you take for Moses and his fami-
ly?" '^If you want them for your own use I will
take $1,400; but I shall not sell Moses nor them
to go out of the state."

^ ^I wish them for my own use, and will take
them at your price." Mr. B. and Colonel C. then
went to Mr. B's store, drew up the writings and

110 THRILLING ADVENTURES

closed the sale, after which they returned to the
vessel; and Mr. B. approached the negro, who sat
with his eyes fixed upon the deck, wrapped in
meditation of the most awful forebodings.

''Well, Moses, I have bought you." Moses
made a low bow, and every muscle in his face
worked with emotion when he replied:

*'Is you, massa? Where is I gwine,massa? Is
I gwine to Georgia?" ''No," said Mr. B. "I am
a merchant here in this city. Yonder is my
store, and I have purchased also your wife and
children that you may not be separated."

"Bress God for dat, massa, kin I go to meetin'
sometimes?" "Yes, Moses, you can go to church
three times on Sabbath and every night in the
week, and you can pray as often as you choose;
and every time you pray, whither it be at home
or in church, I want you to pray for me, my
wife and all my children; for if you are a good
man your prayers will do us no harm, and we
need them very much; and if you wish to you
may pray for everybody of my name in the
State. It will not injure them."

When Mr. B. was dealing out these privileges
to Moses, the negro's eyes danced in their sock-
ets and his full heart laughed outright for glad-
ness, exposing two rows of even, clean ivory.

AND DARING DEEDS 111

His heart's response was. ^^Bress God, brets
God all de time, and bress you, too,massa;Moses
neber tinks 'bout he gwin to hab all des commo-
dationers ; dis makes tink 'bout Joseph in Egypt.
And after Moses had poured a few blessings on
Colonel C. and bidden him a warm adieu, and re-
quested him to give his love and farewell to his
mistress, the children and all the servants- He
followed Mr. B . to the store to enter upon the
functions of his new office.

The return of the schooner brought to Moses
his wife and children.

Early the next spring as Mr. B . was standing
in his store door, he saw a man leap upon the
wharf from the deck of a vessel, and walk hurri-
edly toward the store. He soon recognized him
as Colonel C. They exchanged salutations, and
to the Colonel's inquiry after Mose Mr. B. replied
that he was up stairs measuring grain, and in-
vited him to walk up and see him. Soon Mr.
B.'s attention was arrested by a very confused
noise above. He listened and heard some one
sobbing violently and some one talking very hur-
riedly; and when he reflected upon Colonel C*'s
movements and the peculiar expression of his
countenance, he became alarmed and went up to
see what was transpiring.

112 THRILLING ADVENTURES

When he reached the head of the stairs he
was startled at seeing Moses in the middle of the
floor down upon one knee, with his arm around
the Colonel's waist, and talking most rapidly,
while the Colonel was weeping audibly.

Soon as the Colonel could sufficiently control
his feelings, he told Mr. B. that he had never
been able to free himself from the influence of
Moses's prayers, and that during the past year
he and his wife and children had been converted.

Moses responded: *'Bress God, Massa C, doe I
way up hea, I neber forgit you in my prayers; I
olles put de ole massa side de new one.

Bress God, dis makes Moses tink about Joseph
in de Egypt. (this was m Baltimore. )

*^YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN."

__ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ —

Now when Jesus told the people,

*'Ye must be born again,"
How they marveled at this saying

But soon He made it plain.
When Nicodemus questioned Him

His answer was the same;
**Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again."

*^YE MUST BE BORN ANEW." 113

**The wind bloweth where it listeth,

Our Saviour meekly said;"
And then He told of many thing,

And brought to life the dead.
<<I am come in my Father's name,

The world must know its true!
Marvel not that I said unto thee

Ye must be born anew."

They which are born of the spirit,

Will praise God here below,
And they abiding in His love;

Shall triumph o'er the foe.
The Saviour now is lifted up,

His words remain the same!
< ^Marvel not that I said unto thee

Ye must be born again."

**The true light shineth in darkness,

We speak that we do know;"
The spirit of God gives wisdom.

And brings true joy for woe.
Listen now to words from heaven!

These words cannot be slain;
*<Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again."

114 THRILLING ADVENTURES

^'When John Carver and his associates landed
at Plymouth, and afterwards John Winthrop
and his associates arrived at Charlestown, they
might have doubted, on some accounts, whether
their names would be known to posterity.
They labored, however for the good of mankind,
and laid foundations with a distinct and special
regard for the benefit of future times.

Their posterity remember them with inex-
pressible gratitude, and their names will receive
new tributes of admiration with every succeed-
ing age."

The men who love to labor contribute in ma-
terial degrees to build up, and purify, and enoble
the future greatness of America- and such were
they who came to help the Lord against the
mighty, armed with noble thoughts that com-
mand attention, making their way through the
channel to success. ('^OH for a closer walk
WITH GOD.") Treatise on practical religion, and
its value to mankind, should have a place in ev-
ery home. The moral enterprises at the present
day are novel; if not in their character, and prin-
ciple, they are i]i combination and effect.

God smiles upon all good persevering and unl-
it ed people, acknowledging such as His friends
and His servants by His love.

AND DARING DEEDS. 115

The summary of life is with the memories of
the past. We should all live, so far as man is
concerned, in love- the flower of life —

All sifted and treasured by the carefulness of
the winds, which indifference and neglect have
failed to bear away.

We must admire fame, and love- which is the
gateway to heaven, thro' which we attain com-
panionship with angels at the alter of mercy.

The greatest and grandest motive of hfe, looks
heaven-ward- purity and nobility in love, shine
thro' wisdom. A young man once said after he
felt called to preach ' 'I applied myself to the Bi-
ble, then God's word became my meat and drink;
I realy thought I loved God's law. I thought I
loved to pray. I thought I loved to praise Him.
I loved to speak, and I thought I loved to hear.
I thought I loved to mourn and to rejoice- in a
word, that I loved all that God loved, and hated
all He hated —

I attended all the meetings that I could, and
always had something given me to say. — At
length I began to repeat the following words:
*'Lord, open doors and provide places for me to
preach in- open ears to hear me, and give me
food and raiment convenient for myself and
family, and I am thy servant forever,-'

116 THEILLING ADVENTURES

In the summer of 1776, a year so memorable
in the history of the United States, a message
was received that Saint Johns was taken by the
British, and that the Indians, who were a terror
to all the early settlers, would be sent to lay
waste the country.

They were greatly alarmed, and at their wits
end to know what to do. After some consulta-
tion, they concluded the only course was to re-
move to some place of greater safety. Accord-
ingly with such of their effects as they could
carry in their flight, they left for Newbury,
where a fort had been erected, and soldiers sta-
tioned, both to protect the settlers from the Ind-
ians and the Tories in the surrounding country,
and to check the incursions of the Indians and
British from Canada.

Before leaving, William Nelson filled a large
Scotch chest with sundry articles, and buried it,
and then to prevent the suspicions of the sons of
the wilderness, burnt brush upon the grave .

They soon found however, that if they remain-
ed long at Newbury, a greater calamity if possi-
ble, than war, would befall them.

They had commenced to clear and cultivate
the land; their crops were in the ground, and
they must secure them, or die of starvation-

AND DAEING DEEDS 117

These brave men again held a council and all
agreed that there was no alternative but to re-
turn at the risk of their lives.

Tradition reports that William Nelson preced-
ed the rest. He bravely said. ^*It is better to
die by the sword than famine, and tearing him-
self away from his weeping wife and children,
went boldly back, trusting in Jehovah's arm for
safety. During the day he worked hard, and
slept at night with his door barricaded, and his
gun at his pillow.

The expected invasion however did not occur,
and consequently all in a few days returned to
their own habitations.

Beasts of prey proved a greater annoyance
than the Indians. The latter, by kind hospita-
ble treatment became the friends of the settler,
but the wolves and bears which were very num-
erous, and were not easy to subdue. For some
time John Henderson was the only person that
owned a cow in that part of the town. The cow
not returning home as usual one evening; Mrs.
Henderson, in the absence of her husband went
in search for her. Soon after Mr. Henderson
came home, and missing his wife asked the child-
ren where their mother was? They said, ^'Moth-
er has gone to find the cow."

118 AND DAKINO DEEDS

It was then dark, at once it occurred to him
she was lost. "With a pine torch in one hand,
and a gun in the other, he sallied forth to find
her. He fired off his gun. But no reply came,
he proceeded farther into the woods, and dis-
charged his gun the second time. She answered.

Following the direction of her voice, he found
her lodged in a tree, where she had taken refuge
from wild beasts. Being greatly terrified she
screamed outright, and such a noise. Bruin was
not accustomed to hear- and ran away.

Bear's meat was much used by the early set-
tlers. The lean part of the bear being like beef
and the fat like pork, it was a good substitute
for both. When salted a little, call it corn beef.

Besides the perils from the Indians, and wild
beasts, there were other difficulties that the ear-
ly settlers had to surmount to put their descend-
ants into the possession of their present cherish-
ed inheritance.

There were no bridges and no roads, but spott-
ed trees . When they went to mill with a grist,
they carried it on their backs, often more than
ten miles ; this was also the mode of conveyance,
in carrying articles to and from the store, which
was far away — Men and women then would
go ten miles on foot to worship Grod. in church.

THE DEVIL AT HIS BEST. 11^

When the Devil sought the people,

To o'er-throw the plans of God:
He had no use for Holy work,

True, Infinite, and broad.
He read the Scriptures so to teach,

That none are free from sin-
Therefore the just and Holy ones

Are all controlled by him.

He taught the people how to cheat.

He taught them how to lie;
He lead them into bondage deep,

And prisons where they die.
He told them how the high and low

Would in a measure win-
And they would up to heaven go.

Regardless of all sin.

He favors strongest kind of drink.

And said it makes all wise ;
His subjects stagger on the streets

With stimulated lies.
He fires them up to make a fuss.

And for an office seek-
His wisdom now is guiding those

Who steal, and hide, and sneak.

120 THRILLING ADVENTURES

Captain Comstock appeared at the battle of
Bennington barefooted. On being asked why he
so appeared, he replied. ^^111 kill the first Hes-
sian that falls in my way, and then 111 have his
shoes. He soon found an opportunity; killed a
Hessian, but his shoes were too small; shortly
he succeded in killing another, and while in the
act of placing his feet in the shoes of his unfor-
tunate and fallen enemy, a ball struck him and
he fell to rise no more; upon which a soldier of
his company by the name of Benjamin Griff is,
remarked to Lieut. Brownson, that the Captain,
had lost his shoes.

Upon another occasion, the battle still raging
and men falling. Griff is, (no doubt moved by self
interest, he having previously lost his wife. ) re-
marked to Lieut. Brownson that widows would
be plenty after the battle.

* * * *
Eldad Taylor, residing on a farm near the Roar-
ing Branch, had two daughters T and 4 years,
of age, who had wandered into the woods, on
the 31 of May, 1780. Not returning and night
coming on the parents were almost wild fearing
they had fallen a prey to the wild beasts that
were plenty in the forest. With the ade of a few
neighbors they commenced to search, which was

AND DARING DEEDS. 121

continued through the night, the next day they
were joined by a large number of people from
this and the adjoining towns. The search was
continued until mid-afternoon the third day;
when worn out by fatigue and despairing of
finding the lost wanderers alive, the men had
collected together with the view of returning to
their homes ; among them was Ethan Allen.

He mounted a stump and when all eyes were
fixed upon him, then in a manner peculiar to
himself, he pointed fii-st to the father and then
to the mother of the lost children, now petrified
with grief, he admonished each individual pres-
ant, and especially those who were parents, to
make the case of these parents his own, and then
say whether they could go contentedly to their
homes without making further effort to save
the dear little ones who probably are now alive,
perishing with hunger, and spending their last
strength in crying for father and mother to give
them some food.

As he spake, his giant frame was agitated, and
in the assembly of several hundred men, but few
eyes were dry; whereupon they all manifested a
willingness to return at once. The search was
again renewed, and before the sun-set that day,
the children were found and restored to parents.

122 THRILLING ADVENTURES

The town of Sunderland was for some time
the home of Gen. Ethan Allen, here he erected
a dwelling house on the north side of the Bat-
tenkill. This house remained upon its old site
as late as 1845. It was in this town where Ben-
jamin Huges, holding a Justice commission un-
der the colony of New York. Was brought be-
fore a Commitee of Safety and tried, convicted
and received the following sentence-

The prisoner to be taken from the bar of this
Committee and tied to a tree; receive full twenty
stripes; his back being dressed he shall depart
out of this district, and on return without spe-
cial leave of the Convention-suffer death.

This sentence was executed May 30th, 17Y5.

KEEP THE BANNER UP.

» » ♦ ♦ ♦

Brightly the flag of freedom is waving,
Over our commerce, and schools so free;

And all the world can admire it friendly,
Wherever it floats o'er land or sea.

The flag of our union in glory shall wave-
Through wisdom and right prevailing;

When justice demands it answers the call!
No matter who are assailing.

KEEP THE BANNEE UP. 123

We'll honor the union of this great nation,

Home of the Banner that waves so free;
And justly maintain the wise foundation!

Which liberty wrought for you and me.
In conflicts so far, the world may all know.

Our Banner revives the old story;
If ever in war we'll maintain the right,

We'U never give up ''old glory."

We all are in union with this great nation,

The birthplace of heroes, brave and true;
They pondered well, and lade the foundation,

And now their record, we can review.
The land they so loved the Banner waves o'er,

The star of the world, for rich or poor;
And in this relation we'll meekly adore,

This echoes now from shore to shore.

Keep the Banner up and waving,

Over land and sea;
It will never cease from glory,

True as true can be.
Keep the good old flag a waving

Then the world can see.
How we love the Starry Banner

The emblem of the free.

124 THRILLING ADVENTURES

In 1778 the settlers built the first log school
house in Middle bury, and in the fall of that year
there was a general distruction of property all
along the borders of the Champlain, which caus-
ed a complete desertion of that settlement till
after the war.

The settlers buried in the earth all of their ef-
fects they could not carry with them.

Olive Torrence, daughter of Robert Torrence,
who was but five years old at the time, gave the
following account, at the age of 84- They came
down Otter Creek on a raft, and built their cabin
where the family resided for years.

At the time of their flight Olive was 8 years
old. When the rumors of the depredations in
adjoining settlements came, the men left their
hoeing, and hauled out six canoes from among
the trees which they held in instant rediness.

In August the message came. The Tories and
Indians were approaching. They at once buried
their sugar, kettles, pewter, &c. under the floor
of their cabin.

Her mother went out once more to look upon
the promising garden she had taken so much
pains to cultivate, then they all proceeded down
to the creek, where a raft was constructed upon
which the women, children, and goods were plac-

AND DARING DEEDS. 125

ed and their journey commenced up the creek,
their only highway. ^'Mrs. Bently carried in
her arms the first child born in town, (Hannah
Bently) which attracted much attention, being
the only child." The fugitives landed at a mili-
tary station in Pittsf ord .

Mrs. Torence in a canoe, soon followed the oth-
er women, ' ^carrying in her arms a child about
two years old, in a sort of bundle gown brought
over her shoulder." Met a regiment of soldiers
drawn up in front of her. The Colonel recog-
nized her, and called out, ' ^My God, there's Sally
Peck! "(her maiden name.) *^It makes a man's
eyes run to see you brought to this!" At his
suggestion the soldiers gave up their quarters to
the women and children.

* * * *

Judge Panter, though driven from his home,
did not leave the State till the British had gain-
ed a dangerous control over nearly all western
Vermont. He had been acquainted with Ethan
Allen before he came to Vermont, and was ' 'in-
timately associated with, Warner, and Baker,
in their movements.

He once visited the British post while they
held Crown Point, in order to spy, out their con-
dition and plans. He played the part of a half

126 THKILLING ADVENTUKES

idiot, ' ^taking with him a basket in which he car-
ried a little butter, a few eggs, and some notions
to sell to the soldiers." The guard had been in-
structed to let no suspicious person pass, and
Painter, notwithstanding his appropriate dress
and foolish appearance, was too suspicious-look-
ing; hence, instead of being admitted into the
fort he was taken in a boat and rowed toward a
large boat in which were the superior officers,
before whom he was to be carried for examina-
tion. He knew he was in the power of the en-
emy who would soon be able to prove the fals-
ity of his character.

He saw the eyes of the officers were watching
every movement, but as though seeing not, sus-
pecting not, and casting himself down into the
boat, began to count over to himself the profits.
If he sold mother's butter for so much a pound,
and sister Susy's eggs for so much apiece- this
innocent unconcern and idiotic gibbering saved
him. The officers began to dread the ridicule it
might bring upon them to take so much pains
to capture a * 'perfect idiot," and upon consulta-
tion turned their boat about and allowed him to
enter the fort and trafic with the soldiers ; after
which he hurried his departure with a f ixt re-
solution never to enter in such disgrace again.

I REMEMBER. 127

I remember past kindness shown,

And wish I'd loved them more;
For now I know that life has flown

Out through an open door.
In thought of true affection fled,

And a voice I hear no more!
Carries me back to when a lad,

I slammed the kitchen door.

My mother in the good old way,

With justice on her mind;
Gave me a dressing up that day.

She taught me to be kind;
In every act, look or thought.

My mother had control;
And now that lesson to me taught,

Brings blessings to my soul.

All mother's love may be the same.

My mother's love was true;
And I shall always prize that name,

That name has honored you.
A thousand prayers without a pause,

Could not restore the past!
And true to every worthy cause,

My mother's deeds will last.

128 THRILLING ADVENTURES

**When the ladies," said Mr. Powers, came to
Wells river (there being no canoes), they would
bare their feet, and trip it along as nimbly as a
deer, the men generally went barefooted, the la-
dies certainly, wore shoes.

Money was a scarce article in those days as
shown by the following incident: Gen. White-
law purchased a corn-broom, the first that was
used in the settlement.

His daughter being very much pleased with
it, remarked that she would never again be to
the trouble to make a broom of hemlock brush,
when one much superior can be bought for twen-
ty-five cents. **Marion" said her father. *^I
have seen the time when there was not twenty-
five cents in the neighborhood."

In digging to lay the foundation of a dam in
Woodford, for a forge, in removing a large pine
stump, the horns of an elk, weighing 60 lbs.,
were found imbedded in the ground below the
roots of the stump.

Mr. Cutler, the first settler of Woodford City,
on one occasion lost himself in the woods, and
wandered around until sundown.

Seeing no prospect of getting out that night,
he began looking about for a place to lodge, and
stepping over an old log, found himself in a nest

AND DARING DEEDS. 129

of young cubs . The little bruins immediately
gave a loud alarm, which was answered by the
old bear, about 10 rods distant.

Mr. C, entirely without weapons, made for
the nearest tree with all possible dispatch. This
was a beech, its nearest branch nearly 20 feet
from the ground.

He sprang up, and barely got his feet out of
her reach when she struck at him with her paw.

Finding his chance was good for staying thro'
the night, he ascended into the branches and
there cut with a small knife a good stick for de-
fence, and cut off some small limbs and fastened
himself to the tree with them.

Mrs. Bruin kept near to the foot of the tree in
close watch until after daylight, then she took
her family and moved off to other quarters.

Mr. C, beholding at length the coast clear, com-
menced taking a view from his elevated position
of the surrounding country, hoping to obtain a
glimps once more of civilization or the abodes
of men. He then made up his mind as to the
best course to take, decended the tree and reach-
ed the habitation of human beings on the old
turnpike about noon.

From that part of the town the view of the
surrounding country was exceedingly grand.

130 BEAUTIFUL DAYS.

♦ » ♦ »♦

Beautiful Days, inspiring thought,

New scenes enlighten the mind;
The landscape view where-e'er you go,

Some scenes are fading in kind.
The mountains, and rivers, and lakes,

What more can delight the mind;
The valley scenes, and meadows green,

All were made to bless mankind.

Years ago, the days were gliding,

Past my old home in Vermont,
And like a pleasant picture lying

I now view past scenes in thought.
The old cottage can now be seen,

Where mother's flowers did grow,
And the old fence by the way-side

That was built there years ago.

Sitting near the dear old homestead,

I could look o'er Lake Champlain,
And beyond its lovely borders

I viewed the Adirondacks plain.
Up and down the streets IVe wander'd,

In the Champlain Valley fair!
Then I viewed the ancient orchards

That were planted early there.

BEAUTIFUL DAYS, CON., 13X

Beautiful scenes, now I remember,

Sitting by the hearth at night.
Where pleasant looks in tender love

Then did glow in candle-light.
Now in my fancy I seem to hear,

The dear children's voices ring;
While in reviewing year by year,

The old songs we used to sing.

Oft the frost would nip my fingers,

In the winter's stormy blast.
Then I sported making snow-paths

With my sled it was no task.
How Beautiful the days did seem

When the time was spent in play;
Then pleasure had a shining path

That has lingered to this day.

The Beautiful past is never a dream,

Although it has taken flight,
The future may unfold its leaves,

More Beautiful and bright.
I think of the time that is to come,

Far beyond this earthly shore.
Where I may clasp the hands I love.

And say good by no more.

♦ ♦♦♦♦•

132 THRILLING ADVENTURES

As yet no established post roads had been con-
structed, and the arrangments for carrying the
mail were every way inadequate to the wants of
the settlers. All the southern mails were con-
veyed from Barnet to St. Johnsbury, over the
hill road through Peacham and Danville.

The post riders made their periodic circuits on
horse back, fuUy equipped with saddle bags and
a large tin horn.

Prominent among these public functionaries,
and well known for his daring deeds was the
man William Trescott. He had been endowed
by nature with a versatile genius. His attain-
ments in astronomy, and capacity for ardent
spirits were alike immense, and his genius was
especially exercised in the construction of alma-
nacs and the destruction of bears.

He it was, who encountered and vanquished
Bruin on the edge of the gravel bank south of
the Plain. It happened on this wise: Trescott
had been employed in clearing and burning over
the tract of hill land. The fires required-' ^tuck-
ing up" in the evening, and this had excited the
curiosity of a certain bear, who after dark, prow-
led out of the woods to investigate proceedings.

In the course of their wanderings over the hill-
side Trescott and Bruin most unadvisedly met.

AND DABING DEEDS US

each being astonished at seeing in the darkness
an undefined phenomenon standing on two feet.

No very considerable space of time elapsed
before an acquaintance was effected, and warm-
ly embracing each other, the two rolled down the
hill-side, until cradled in the hollow of an up-
rooted stump.

Trescott was now underneath, uninjured and
unterrified. His right hand was free, with it he
straightway produced a knife from his pocket,
and after opening the blade of the same with his
teeth, applied it with fatal effect to the jugular
vain of the quadruped.

This ended the tragedy; but the bear mean-
time had suffered untold agonies from the inces-
sant worrying and yelping of Trescott's dog, and
it was said, that personal comfort of both com-
batants had been seriously endangered by the
showers of fire brands that came blazing down
the hill-side at the instigation of a certain terri-
fied youth above.

Now in giving the minor particulars of this
transaction, authorities somewhat differ, but as
to the ESSENTIAL FACTS, that Bill Trescott met,
and hugged and rolled down hill with a bear
there can be no question. Several years after
the above adventure a movement was made on

134 THRILLING ADVENTUEES.

the part of citizens, to wage a war of extermin-
ation against the bears; in fact they had greatly
multipUed in that locality. Dr. Calvin Jewett
was commander-in-chief who mustered all the
effective forces, who took down their fowling-
pieces and went forth into the haunts of the of-
fenders. An ample range of the forest was se-
lected, taking in the steep bank of the Passump-
sic, opposite the bend in the river near Center-
ville. Scattered about were the hunters, but
after they went over the hill-top and returned
through the forest, nine black bear pelts were
spread out on the grass in front of Edson's tav-
ern. And suggestive is the fact that the nine
pelts were soon sold for the necessaries of life,
then so called, ^ 'rum, bread and butter."

THE RESCUE.

Carry out to them the life line,

Don't wait till the storm is o'er;
For you can mount the billows high

And row your boat from shore.
Your captain is true and ready

To direct you with the line;
So pull out for the shipwreck crew

Without any waste of time.

THE KESCUE, CON., 135

Now hurry out with the life line,

Fear not if the waves are rough;
Just show your manly courage boys,

Your boat is strong enough-
Now take each stroke on together,

And row with all your might!
You'll soon reach the stranded ship

Then fasten the line on tight.

When you make fast the life line.

There's something more to do,
Pull in the line with all you might,

Then hurry and bring the crew.
Some may be dead or perishing

While the line is holding fast;
Bring them now safely to the shore.

Then your joy will come at last.

Rough and wild, the billows raging,

When the life boat came to shore.
With the crew of rescued sailors.

Numbering more than half a score.
Then from the ocean's raging water.

And the storm of rain and sleet,
Those brave men were soon rejoicing

For their rescue was complete.

136 THRILLING ADVENTURES

In Oct, 1759 Maj. Rogers and his company of
rangers came down the Passumpsic from Cana-
da, in his expedition to punish the St. Francis
tribe of Indians, and being disappointed in not
receiving provisions on the Connecticut River, a
number of them died of starvation.

From Thompson's Gazetteer of Vermont, edi-
tion 1824, says, ''Maj. Rogers, with one hundred
and fifty six men, came to the mouth of the Pa-
ssumpsic, discovered a fire on the round island,
made a raft and passed over to it- but to their
surprise no provisions had been left.

The men already reduced to a state of starva-
tion, were so disheartened that sixty-six of them
died before the next day.

An Indian was cut to pieces and divided am-
ong the survivors. David Woods, was one of
Rogers's sergeants, and stated the above to be
correct." This account is not correct in some im-
portant particulars. Rogers's journal and the
histories of the expedition show that the soldiers
and prisoners, all told did not amount to that
number, besides all of the survivors were not
then and there present, and that it is highly im-
probable that so great a number as sixty-six died
in eighteen hours. Peter Lervey, one of Rogers
men told about the soldiers dropping off before

AND DARING DEEDS. 137

they came to the Connecticut River, but made
no mention of the party eating human flesh.

David Woods, said that he was with Rogers,
and that they camped near the mouth of the
Passumpsic, and that night snow fell several
inches deep, and that a negro soldier died that
night and was cut up in the morning and divid-
ed among the soldiers, and he had one hand for
his share, on which with a small trout, after be-
ing well cooked, made a very good breakfast

After breakfast, in going down the river they
discovered fire on the round island opposite its
mouth, and that Rogers and one man passed
over to the island .

Rogers became satisfied that men had been
there with provisions but had left.

On his return to his men a consultation was
had each soldier was told to take care of himself.

Another person writes, ' 'Joseph Woods told
me, and I think his father told him, that about
the time the rangers expected to die of starva-
tion, the men cast lots to see who should be kill-
ed to furnish food so that they might not all die,
and that one was killed and eaten."

Another person told the writer that he heard
Hiram Woods say that he had ' 'eaten a piece of
an Indian," Now these stories can be reconciled

138 THEILLING ADVENTUKES

upon the improbable supposition that Eogers's
party killed one man, a soldier; and ate three
dead men, one white man, a negro, and an Indi-
an. It is safe to assert that there is no proof
that Kogers and his men, as a party, killed or
ate any man, white, black, or red.

It is gratifying to know that an investigation
dispelled the cloud that had so long time obscur-
ed, in some degree, the glory of the heroic Rogers
and his brave men, who fearlessly went hund-
reds of miles through the enemy's country, per-
formed exploits, and endured the torture of fam-
ine and fatigue, to punish the horrid barbarities
long practised by the savages of Canada, and so
save the families of the frontier settlers.

LIFE'S TRIALS.

— ♦♦ ♦ ♦♦

When life's trials come before thee,

With their fearful rolling swell,
Look to Heaven then for rescue

And you'll feel that all is well:
See you have the christian courage,

Firmly bound within your heart,
Then all bitter burning anguish.

Will forever more depart.

LIFE'S TEIALS, CON., 139

Time is passing ^*God has promised,"

Through all sorrows to attend,
He who's more than friend or brother

Will be with us to the end.-
There's no shading o'er the portals,

Leading to our Heav'nly home
**Jesus promised life eternal,"

There in glory we'll be known.

When the hands and heart is weary,

And our strength shall be no more,
Then we'll dwell in glorious sunshine.

Far beyond this earthly shore .-
There will be no gloom or darkness,

In that place so free from care;
And the angels with God's glory.

Shine in splendor ever there.

Lift your voices, for the Master,

Say to sinners now be-ware;
That you know a sad condition,

For in sin you've had a share!
Tell them how the love of Jesus,

Lifts a heavy load of care;
And when trials come around thee,

He'll not leave thee in despair.
♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦

140 THRILLING ADVENTURES

Reuben Parker was born in Westminster,
Mass., and settled in Peru Vt., sometime prior to
1800- he was one of the first 4 families in town,
and was active in every good work, and was a
prime mover in all town affairs.

He kept the first public house in town, and as
it was customary in those days he kept a bar of
liquors; but when the temperance wave rolled
up the mountain side he at once became its ad-
vocate, and would neither use or furnish others
the noxious beverage.

He had 12 children, and to say that they were
all true sons and daughters of such a parent
confers upon them an enviable, yet a rightful
dower. At one time Mr. Biglow received a dis-
cription of two thieves who were thought to be
in his vicinity . He immediately set off- having
arrived at the hotel in Londonberry, the inn-
keeper, Mr. Gray, told him he tho't the very men
he was in search of had taken dinner there and
were then not far away on the road to Weston.

Mr. Biglow, in reply said. ''I will have them,"
went on alone, and coming up to them ordered
them to stop, but instead of- they started at full
speed on their stolen horses and he after them.

He captured them both, how we can not tell,
unless there was a fascination in his eye, a power

AND DARING DEEDS. 141

in his voice, and authority in his command that
could not be resisted.

Rev. M. Bingham whom he valued very high-
ly, was at one time stopping at his house, a very
earnestly devoted man, he arose early one morn-
ing, and going into the cornfield not far from the
house, knelt in prayer.

One of Biglow's daughters espyed some black
object in the corn, ran to her father telling him
that a bear was in the corn.

He caught his gun and aimed it- but just as
he was about to fire, Mr. Bingham slowly arose
from his knees.

In 1803 Mrs. Bard, went on horseback, in a
bridle-path most of the way to the north part of
the town, and on her return, when about half a
mile from any clearing she came up to three
bears directly in her path, they were digging for
roots. Her horse refused to go past them; she
hallooed, and threw at them her riding-stick.
They merely looked up and went on with their
digging. She turned her horse, and rode back
to an old tree and broke some branches from it,
Tvhich she threw at them, causing them to leave
the path, two on one side and one on the other,
then she rode on between them unmolested, but
not entirely free from fear.

142 THRILLING ADVENTURES

In 1811 she rode from Peru to Manchester for
meal; which was so very scarce at the time they
would not sell it to a man, hut could not refuse
a woman who pleads hard for herself, and her
dear children's need. She left a babe at home
but a few weeks old, and proceeded on the way,
amid the screams of wild beasts.

Mr. Bard's health was always delicate, conse-
quently the hardships of life in a new country,
pressed more heavily upon his wife; but she bore
them nobly: she was the mother of 9 children 8
daughters and one son.

A PRICELESS LOVER.

A priceless lover I have found,

He's rich among the rest.
He always smiles in pleasure,

And takes his time to rest-
He often called last summer,

To sing his songs of love;
And then walk out together.

To view the stars above.
How pleasant and enchanting,

When strolling in delight,
To smile upon your lover

Out in the sweet twilight.

A PRICELESS LOVER, CON., 143

I have found a priceless lover,

He soon will cross the sea,
And spread the joyful tiding

Where ever '*we may be."
He looks high for relation,

And smiles if others frown;
My lover true *'I must tell you.

Is worth ten thousand pounds."
How lengthy are the moments,

In waiting for the time.
When we will be so happy

Out on the wedding line.

He never was dishonest,
I He wearies not in strife,

To love him is a pleasure

And soon he'U have a wife.
His ways are never falty.

In action he's a star;
In music he's a master,

And never at the bar.

Returned once more, to spend life's evening gray,
Where first had dawned the morning of his day.

144 THEILLINQ ADVENTUKES

In ITTI, settlements were commenced on the
White Creek meadows by New Yorkers, who
had armed themselves in defiance of the New-
Hampshire grantees.

Soon after, the latter, well armed proceeded
to drive off the intruders, who fled, and the log
houses which they had erected were pulled
down in heaps and burned with fire.

In 1772, the Sheriff of Albany County, armed
with the Governor's proclamation came on for
the purpose of arresting the rioters — (as they
were called,)- but the inhabitants having found
out the Sheriff's intention turned out en masse,
headed by *^one Harmon near Indian river, "and
with guns and clubs drove them back, and they
were glad to escape with their lives.

The New Hampshire grantees were in the
habit of applying the ^^Beech Seal"to the naked
backs of the intruding ' 'Yorkers."

*> <* »i* '1*

To show the charcter of the Tories, and their
hostility to the cause of the Eevolution, the fol-
lowing story is told. Maj . Ormsby, then resid-
ing in Manchester, a leading and active Whig,
who had exposed himself to their especial hat-
red, and they were determined to capture him
for the British, then at Saratoga.

AND DAEING DEEDS. 145

Accordingly, six or eight Tories left Rupert in
the night and proceeded to the Major's house.
Fortunately he was not at home; but they seized
his son Daniel, a young man about 21 years old,
then they returned in haste with their prisoner
to the wilds of Rupert.

In the morning an alarm was given, and the
friends of Ormsby, turned out for the purpose of
rescuing him . They were enabled to follow the
track of the Tories, in consequence of the pris-
oner having taken the precaution, unobserved, of
frequently breaking twigs off the low branches
of trees, while traveling in the woods.

The rescuers came across the party while at
lunch on the north side of the town, and part
way up the mountain.

The TORIES, had in the meantime dressed their
prisoner in a red coat, in imitation of a British
soldier, John Nelson, one of the rescuing party
drew up his gun and was in the act of firing up-
on the RED-COAT, when the latter made a sign
that he was a friend, then the former dropped
his gun. He was thus rescued from the grasp
of the TORIES and returned to Manchester.

Dr. Josiah Graves was the first physician that
settled in Rupert, he was a good man and well
schooled in his practice, and was opposed to Dr.

146 THRILLING ADVENTURES

QUACKS. The following anecdote is characteris-
tic, and shows the contempt he had for quack-
ery. A Dr. Drew settled in Rupert, whom Dr.G
considered a quack, and would not acknowledge
him as a physician. At a certain time a stran-
ger, passing along inquired of Dr. G. where Dr,
D. lived- Dr. G. replied. ^^I know no such
man." The stranger with surprise repeated the
question. The Doctor again replied, ^^I know
no such man." The stranger replied, that it was
singular- very singular, for there was certainly
such a man living somewhere in this town.

The Doctor finally made answer. ^'I know no
such man as doctor Drew, but there is a Jacob
K. Drew who lives about two miles below.

MESSAGE TO MOTHER.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Take this Message to his brother,

Then he'll know the bitter part,
He will read it to his Mother,

So it may not break her heart.
She will fear there is some trouble.

And o'er this she must feel sad!
When she listens to the Message,

She will know he's injured bad.

MESSAGE TO MOTHER, CON., 147

As their train was flying homeward,

All their pleasurers were delight,
'Till they met a train up-coming

With a load of freight that night:
The crash was loud no one can tell,

As cars smashed down each other!
But now we can remember well,

This Message to his Mother.

In this wreck lov'd ones were dying,

All could heard them plead and call!
While in timbers pil'd high o'er them,

Brave men wept, and work'd for all.
Now in homes there is deep sorrow.

Where they view the vacant chair!
And this Message will be cherish'd,

In true friendship ev'ry-where.

Dear Mother,! am injured now,
^ We're nearly all smashed up;

jxj What love can I impart to you,
^ In this sad and bitter cup!

1^ I know you must be watching,
Q And waiting for me at home;

H Oh! Mother, I'm disabled now
And cannot walk alone.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

148 TRUSTWORTHY DOG.

As Major C was retiring to his chamber one
night his dog silently followed him up into his
room, which he had never been known to do be-
fore, and to the master's astonishment, desired
to stay all night.

Being considered out of his place, he was told
to go down and stay in his own quarters- after
being put out he began scratching for admission.

The servant was sent to drive him away. Dis-
couragement could not check his intended la-
bor of love, or rather providential impulse; he
returned again, and was more importunate than
before, to be let in.

The Major, weary of opposition, bade the serv-
ant to open the door, that they might see what
he really wanted to do.

This done, the dog with a wag of his tail; and a
look of affection at his lord, deliberately walked
up and crawling under the bed, and there laid
himself down as if desirous to stay all night.

To save farther trouble, but not from any love
for his company, he was allowed to sleep under-
neath his masters bed*

About the solemn hour of midnight his cham-
ber door opened, and a person was heard step-
ping across the room. Mage sprang out from un-
der the bed, and seized the unwelcome disturber.

TRUSTWORTHY DOG. 149

and held on to him, this awakened the Major,
who quickly sprang out of bed. All was dark,
but the Major soon obtained a light.

The person who was pinned to the floor by the
courageous dog, cried for assistance.

The prisoner was found to be the hired man,
who little expected such a reception.

He endeavored to apologize for his intrusion,
and to make the reasons plausible; but the im-
portunity of the dog, the time, the place, the
manner all raised suspicions in the Majors mind,
and he determined to bring the case before the
magistrate.

The Italian somewhat terrified by the dread of
punishment, and soothed with the hopes of par-
don, at length confessed that it was his inten-
tion to murder his master, and rob the house.

This design was frustrated only by the in-
stinctive attachment of the dog to his master,
which seemed to have been directed on this oc-
casion by the interference of Providence.

How else could the poor animal have known
the intended assassination?

How else could he have learned to submit to
injury and insult for his well-meant services;
and finally seize and detain a person, who it is
possible had shown him more kindness than his

150 TKUSTWORTHY DOG.

owner ever had? Mage was of a surly unsocial
temper, disdaining all flattery, and refused to be
caressed; but his attention to his master's com-
mands and interests could not well be excelled.

He was scarcely then a year old, and was very
awkward at times.

But when-ever he discovered what was his du-
ty to do he was ever anxious to do it.

He would always deliberately try to find out
what his master desired of him.

As he grew older he often astonished his mas-
ter when hard pressed in accomplishing the task
that he was put to, he had expedients of the mo-
ment that bespoke a great share of his faculty.

OLD DOG PETE.

It's now a sad story, but true to relate,

Of a drunkard, and his Old Dog Pete:
When Pete was young, his master was kind,

And at that time he drank beer and wine.
Pete grew to be a large dog, kind and true,

And when the Col. was drunk, Pete knew,
And would follow, no matter what was said,

And then sleep beside his masters bed.

OLD DOG PETE, CON., 151

One bitter cold night, when snow drifted fast,

The Colonel's, team went flying on past,
His neighbors saw this, and they well knew.

That he would perish if out in the snow.
His friends with lanterns went out to find,

The drunkard in that cold freezing time,
On the road they listened, and heard Pete cry,

He would'nt leave his master there to die.

The neighbors knew that Pete was ever true.

If they found one they would find two;
Listening while walking they kept the way.

For they could hear Pete cry, *^as to say!"
**Will some-one hear me? I feel most forlorn,

My master will freeze,! fear in this storm,"
Soon a light was shining down the road- way.

Where Old Pete's master in the snow lay.

'^There's Pete! on the snow-drift just ahead.

He's listening to hear, all that is said.
Will he know us now so covered with snow?

If not, we must try to make him know!
We are friends Pete, what's the trouble now?

At first he growled, but then he knew,"
They had come to carry his master home,

Who was freezing then out in the storm.

152 THRILLING ADVENTURES

Elder Amos Tuttle accepted a call to preach
in the town of Hardwick and vicinity in 1795 .
In October, that year he started with his family
from Litchfield for Hardwick. Such a journey
was in those days a great undertaking.

They were fifteen days on the way, and met
with no more serious accident than the breaking
of the wagon. They arrived at Gilman's in Wal-
den, October 31. At about dark that day, they
encountered a heavy rain-storm, their bedding
was soon taken from the wagon and placed on
the floor in a little bark-covered log house, and
there the tired immigrants lay down to rest.

There was not a pane of glass about the house,
therefore no sign of day appeared until the door
was opened in the morning.

The next morning to their great surprise the
ground was covered with snow to the depth of
15 inches.

A messenger was sent to Hardwick, request-
ing their friends to send teams to convey them
on their journey. Three sleds, with wild steers
^were sent. Two of them were loaded with the
goods, and the third was fitted up with boxes
for seats, and with plenty of straw whereupon
to carry the sick, disheartened, mother and
weeping children.

AND DARING DEEDS. 153

David Tuttle, who was then a small boy, says,
*'As we reached the bottom of that awful hill at
the Lamoille River, the sleds stopped that the
bridge might be repaired . I saw my mother and
brother and little sister all in tears, and shall
never forget the expression of sadness when my
mother said, *^Dear husband, where are you tak-
ing me? I shall die, and what will become of the
children? It sobered me for the rest of that day,
and brings tears to my eyes now in my old age,
as I relate it.''

They turned off from the Hazen road and fol-
lowed a narrow sled-path which wound through
the woods, across the Tuttle brook.

The journey thus far being a success, the next
care of our pioneer pastor, was to find a house
for his family. There was an empty log shanty
to be had but it was some out of repair.

Elder Tuttle however was strong and healthy,
and with the aid of his friends he succeeded by
the middle of November, in making it habitable.
There were to be sure, neither windows or cup-
boards, nor chimney, and the hut itself was only
12 by 15 on the inside. But he cut some holes
through the logs and pasted oiled paper over for
windows, and the smoke found its own way up-
ward without any chimney.

154 THRILLING ADVENTURES

A successful hunt on snow-shoes by his party
in the which three moose were killed, provided
the family with meat for a time.

After thus providing '^the food comfort," the
next question seems to have been how to get
about his parish.

He soon found a way. He hewed out a "Tom-
pung," as he called it, and put it together with
wooden pins. And with some pieces of rope
which had been used to bind on the loads while
moving, he made into a kind of harness.

This answered every purpose so far as to fast-
en the horse to the pung, and to guide him on
through the woods among his people who were
somewhat scattered in four towns.

CHRIST GAVE ME PEACE.

Christ gave me peace one dismal day,
While I was looking o'er His way,

His pardon then, I did receive.
And now I'm happy to believe.

Inspire dear Lord-engraft all ties,
And give us wisdom to be wise,

Shine in my heart and glory bring!
I love Thy name and love to sing.

CHRIST GAVE ME PEACE. 155

All seeking souls upon this earth,
Can into glory have a birth:

And then to dwell with Christ above,
And sing with angels songs of love.

Sometime the cold, cold, wave of death,
Will enter in and take the breath;

For all must part from earthly ties
To meet the Saviour in the skies.

REFRAIN.

Oh, yes! I'm happy in sunshine Divine,
For now I can own the Saviour as mine,
He led me from darkness, and gave me

His peace;
Gave me His peace-gave me His peace,
He led me from darkness, and gave me

His peace;
And then from bondage, I found relief.

COME LET US SING.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Come I let us sing, in daytime or night.

Sing with a glad heart, hopeful and bright,
All join the chorus, singing songs we love.
Looking beyond to the bright home above.

Sing all ye people, through joyful strain;

Sing with the spirit Christ doth contain.
Glory give in song, for mercy and for love
Glory give in song, for the Kingdom above*

156 THE BARBER'S GHOST.

A gentleman traveling some years since in one
of the southern states, called at an inn, and desir-
ed to stay all night. The host informed him it
was out of his power to accommodate him, as
his house was full, still he entreated him for lodg-
ing, as he was almost exhausted in traveling, as
well as his beast.

After much urging he consented, provided he
would sleep in the room that had long been un-
occupied, in consequence of a belief that it was
haunted by the ghost of a barber ,who was reput-
ed to have been murdered there. *'Very well,"
''I'm not afraid of ghosts." Then said the host,
those who lodged in the room last, stated that af-
ter retiring a voice was heard, saying, ' 'do you
WANT TO BE SHA-VED?" "Well, replied the guest, ''
"If he comes I'll let him shave me."

He then requested to be shown to the apart-
ment . He was conducted through a room where
were seated a number at a gaming table.

Feeling a curiosity which almost every one
possesses, after having heard 'ghost stories,' he
carefully searched every closet in his apartment
but could find nothing but a large basin.

He then retired, in a short time he imagined
he heard a voice. He arose and went to his win-
dow, the sound appeared to come from the out-

THE BARBER'S GHOST. ISTi

side . After a few moments of suspense, he heard
the sound distinctly. On closer examination he
observed that a limb of the venerable oak project-
ed so near the house, as on every breath of wind
to grate the shingle, creating a sound like ''do
YOU WANT TO BE SHA-VED." Having satisfied
himself he went to bed again, and attempted to
sleep ;but was interrupted by peals of laughter in
the room below, where the gamblers were assem-
bled. Thinking he could turn his discovery to
his own advantage, he took the sheet from his
bed, and wrapped it around him.

Then taking a basin that was in the room de-
scended to the room of the gamblers, and sud-
denly opening the door, rushed in, exclaiming in
a tremulous voice. ''Do — you — want — to — be —
sha — ved?" Terrified at this sudden interrupt-
ion, they left the room in the greatest confusion;
some tumbling down stairs over the heads of
some others.

He then deliberately put his basin under the
table, and gathered an immense sum of money
into it, which had been left thereupon, and then
retired peaceably to his room to rest.

The next morning on going down below, he
found the utmost confusion.

They immediately asked him if he enjoyed a

158 THE BARBER'S GHOST

good night's rest. He replied in the affirma-
tive. **Well, no wonder," for the ghost, instead
of going to his usual place he made a mistake,
and came into our room, and carried off every
cent of our money!" The guest, without being
the least suspected, quietly ate his breakfast, and
departed with his valuable treasure.

THE UPPER STORY.

— ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ » —

How is the upper story.

At morning noon or night?
How is the upper story.

The room above your sight.
Was the room ever vacant.

In trouble can you see?
It is the only store room,

That ever troubled me.
It is the highest occupant.

For knowledge is the test;
And it may be your fortune,

To have more than the rest.

THE UPPER STORY. 169

How is the upper story,

When the taxes are due?
How is the upper story;

When your business is blue?
If the upper story's vacant,

You could'nt have an ache-
And when the time is lovely.

You'll never feel to hate.
The upper story is the best

For ev'ry kind of mind.
It holds a world of knowledge.

To make or mar mankind.

The upper story cultivate.

The room below your hat.
It's worthy of attention,

'Till grayer than a rat
Because it belongs to you.

And it belongs to Pat,
And each one can elevate.

And dwell within the flat.

♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦

Wise men live in honor trusting,
Self denying work and pray;

By and by they'll be rewarded,
Where no time can pass away.

160 THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY.

We had heard of the valley of the Champlain;
but it is one thing to read of Beulah, and anoth-
er to walk through her borders of beauty.

Passing down the lake road from Panton to
Addison, on the left of the smooth and excellent
highway, handsome rural residences held the
most charming sights, to almost every one of
which we gave the palm before passing by, now
to this cottage, with modest pretensions peeped
out from 'mid an orchard of red-ripe fruitage;
next to one that crowned a moderate elevation,
overlooking a little bend or cove in the lake.

There we saw the wreck of an old boat, half
sunken in the water; we were told that three
boats were wrecked there one stormy night.

On our left lay one panorama of charming
loveliness, while on the right, Champlain— lake
of bright waters — heaved and swelled gently in
toward the fair shore, now hidden from view by
skirting trees, or slight swells of land, which our
road came round and hugged more closely to
the pebbly shore.

This was one of the journeys that pay, where
earth and air and water give unmeasured recom-
pense; where one feels not the feather-weight of
care, but luxuriates in the calm rich gladness,
that stirs the boughs of the goodly trees, sings

THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 161

in the low murmers of the lake-waves, looks
down from the soft Indian summer sky, and
maps the whole beautiful landscape.

It was the afternoon of a lifetime, when one
is satisfied with earth as it is-when the augury
of hope prophesises in the heart: *^Then human
mind takes color and tone by what it feeds upon.
Where loved of the beautiful thus predominated
and thus is cherished- where art skillfully joins
handiwork with nature-your mission will ever
be welcomed." Our first night in the Valley, we
slept in the old Strong mansion, where five gen-
erations of the Strong family have been born.

Well may they who now dwell there feel an
honest pride in the venerable mansion-substan-
tial still; built in the day when carpenters did
work upon honor.

On the morrow we surveyed, with reverential
admiration the spacious olden hall, with its
broad stairway of antique banisters, the massive
doors and ancient mouldings, and at the rear
window, gaze out upon one of the finest lake-
views in the country.

In the evening we went back and lived over
the early days of the settlement, the trials and
expedients of those hardy, honest pioneers, and
listened to the story of one church-going man,

162 THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY.

who, the first winter of his residence in town,
having no sleigh or sled, fitted runners to the
trumdle-bed, in which he took his wife and chil-
dren to meeting every Sabbath day; when the
mountain squall threatened, covering over the
heads of the happy load with an old quilt or cov-
erlet, so that at the door where the meeting was
held the plump little troop were turned out from
the bunk where they nightly snugged down to
sleep, warm and rosy, as if fresh from their
slumbers.

There was godliness and beauty in the homely
story. Who can but heartily admire the man
and woman, who, in every circumstance, '^puts
the best foot forward? "Such were our forefath-
ers and foremothers.

MY MOTHEK TOLD ME SO.

Just kindly sing this good old song,

When you go round about,
It would not take you very long

To learn it there's no doubt.
Of all the songs the world can sing,

None can like this contain;
The melody, the life and twang,

Of this good old refrain.

MY MOTHER TOLD ME SO. 163

This charming song I used to sing

When out to sport and play,
Real joy to me would always bring

At either night or day.
It's the same song my playmates sang,

Out by the cottage lane,
There under the tree we would swing,

And murmer this refrain.

It was my mother's good old song.

That first I learnt to sing.
And still it cheers me all along

Thus joy it always brings.
One lovely sweet and greatful tho't,

And you shall hear the same.
The only song my mother sought

Had this same old refrain.

REFRAIN.

Oh! where, oh where is perfect rest,

In this great world of sinfulness?
For storms are raging on life's track,

And thro' them we must go-
We cannot always keep them back,

**My mother told me so:"
We cannot always keep them back,

**My mother told me so." .

164 THRILLING ADVENTURES

Rev. Thomas Clark, of Salem, N.Y., Rev. Rob-
ert Annan, of Boston, John Galbraith, and some
others, most of whom were Scotchmen, obtained
a very large grant from New York, which lay on
the Passumpsic, including Burk, being about 9
miles long and 6 wide-which they called bamf.
John Galbraith received $99,81 as his share of
the $30,000 paid to the State of New York.

He then went to Canada to return to Scotland,
and was there seized as a spy and shipped with
Jonathan Elkins of Peacham and others to Eng-
land, where he was acquitted and set free, hav-
ing a free passage home, he very soon arrived
in Scotland.

William Stevenson and James Gross, settled
in the town of Barnet, in 1T76 and bought land
in the Harvey tract, on the Stevens River.

They lived alone in a house for a number of
years. Coming home one time when the night
was somewhat dark, from the mill at Newbury,
with a, grist on their backs, and when about one
mile from their home they found a bear sitting
in theiy path^

Mr. Stevenson who was considerably ahead,
and while his hound dog engaged the bear, Stev-
enson had an opportunity and struck the beast
across the eyes with the cudgel that he carried

AND DARING DEEDS. 165

with him. This upset the bear in some meas-
ure; still Bruin gave fight to him and his dog;
but Stevenson, watching for a good opportunity,
struck him across the small of the back and con-
tinued the blows till the bear was dead.

He was a strong and courageous man, and of-
ten said he did not know the nature of the beast
he killed, and never thought he was in any dan-
ger till he examined the bear's great paws.

He carried it home, with the help of Mr. Cross,
who caught up during the fight.

James Gilchrist, Esq., a Scotchman, about the
year 177T, settled on the plain at Mclndoe's Falls.
At an early period he was elected to important
offices in town, in which his influence was long
felt. His wife had a very vigorous mind, good
judgement ,and memory.

She was then noted for her extensive religious
knowledge and piety. She was a member of the
Associate Congregation of Barnet for 40 years.
She rode on horseback to Mr.Goodwille's church,
and so regular and constant was her attendance,
that one day, when too feeble to attend church,
her trusty old horse, (she long used,) jumped out
of the pasture one Sabbath morning, went with
the neighbors to meeting, and stood at the old
place until the rest went home.

166 SLIDING DOWN THE HILL.

♦ ♦ ♦■♦ ♦

The stars are coming out to night,

And would you like to know,
How the young can play on the hill

While sliding o'er the snow?
Come and go with me to night,

Let the stars shine as they will;
For pleasure now, we must not fail

To join in sliding down the hill.

Come see them now in true delight,

And hear the bells a ringing!
As down the hill they slide in style

While to their sleds a clinging.
Then may Sue, and her good Joe,

Join hands — up the hill they go;
With happy hearts and right good will,

FiUs the bill, sliding on the snow.

The moon and stars are shining out

Just beautiful and bright,
The snow is sparkling all around

Like diamonds in the night.
Hear the young, and old as well.

Some will toot and ring the bell!
There's music health and lots of fun

When out a sliding down the hill.

SLIDING DOWN THE HILL. 167

Then they go over the snow, sitting on a sled,
Down the hill bump-e-ty-bump, leader on ahead,
Many voices shout, pull up the sleds, turn about,
Ring the bells — blow the horn —

Sliding down the hill:-
Eing the bells — blow the horn —
Sliding down the hill.

, Beautiful stars, how bright they are,
j Shining on the hiU up there.

Evening star, none can compare

In all the rays of splendor.
Sliding, riding, o'er the snow,
Down the hill how fast they go,
J Ring up the bells-toot the horn
' While sliding down the hill.

• 4 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

NONE so little enjoy life, and are such bur-
dens to themselves, as those who have nothing
to do. The active only have the true relish of
life. He who knows not what it is to labor,
knows not what it is to enjoy. Recreation is
only valuable as it unbends us; the idle know
nothing of it. It is exertion that renders rest
delightful, and sleep sweet and undisturbed.

The true happiness of life depends on the regu-
lar prosecution of some laudable industry.

168 APPLE-SAUCE OF LIFE. :

The apple-sauce of life is composed measura-
bly out of nonsense; many a life is wrecked on
the waves of sadness. If people in life do not
love their home the reason may be they have
never had any use for the apple-sauce of life.

To tell it out plain, I have but a poor opinion
of homes where laughter, merriment, nonsense,
and jokes are unknown.

Measure the gayety of any old graveyard and
you have about the size of those who do not en-
joy the apple-sauce of life, they never smile or
laugh, for fear it would cause dyspepsia.

I am quite aware that there is a forced gayety,
and forced laughter, there is nothing naore sad
when it becomes chronic.

Solomon tells us that the ^'wisdom of man
maketh his face to shine, and his countenance is
no more sad." A hearty laugh is one of the best
and rarest of things, and one of the surest symp-
toms of moral health, though of course, this is
as a rule by no means without exceptions.

The apple-sauce of life is refreshing. I have
known homes where there was a perpetual sigh-
ing over the evils of humanity-past, present and
to come;after the evils comes the faults, and after
faults the errors, till the melancholy catalogue
is all gone through, but that does not prevent it

APPLE-SAUCE OF LIFE. 169

from being renewed on the morrow. We all in
some measure create our own happiness, which
is not half so much dependent upon scenes and
circumstances as most people are apt to imagine.
The affections which bind a man to the place of
his youth are essential in his nature; they are
implanted in his breast, and cling to life from the
beginning to the end .

Take the cup of goodness in a saucer of grace
and with some jolly cake you can soon have an
inexpensive luxury, the apple-sauce of life.

Thousands of men move, live, and pass off the
stage of life and are heard of no more. Why?
None were blest by them; none could point to
them as the means of their redemption; not a
line they wrote, not a word they spoke could be
recalled. Will you thus live and die?

Do good and leave behind you a monument of
virtue that the storms of time cannot efface.

Make home '^the dearest spot on earth, "by
smiles of goodness; '^a little nonsense now and
then is pleasing to the best of men."

If you look into the early life of helpful men,
those who made life easier and nobler to those
who come after them, you will almost invaria-
bly find they live purely in the manner that
guided them in their youth.

170 APPLE-SAUCE OF LIFE.

Many children go astray, not because there
is a want of prayer or virtue in the home, but
simply because home lacked sunshine, and the
apple-sauce of life.

A child needs smiles as much as flowers need
sunbeams. Children look but little beyond the
present moment. If a thing displeases they are
prone to avoid it. If home is the place where
faces and words are harsh and faultfinding,
is ever in the ascendant, the children will spend
as many hours as possible elsewhere.

Fathers and mothers make your home happy
in spirit, — use a little nonsense the apple-sauce
of life. Talk and play with the young in such a
way as to make them love you, and be happy.

FASHIONS TO ADMIRE.

if you now intend to follow the fashions,

Then let me tell you it will not be long,
Before you will have a kind invitation

To buy and sing my popular songs.
Then at your home, no doubt they'll listen,

For it would'nt take you very long,
To prove to any one loving good music,

That you have the best fashion in song.

FASHIONS TO ADMIRE- 171

Old fashions are good, but newer are better,

Your clothing don't fit without a tailor,
For every day at least, you should take

To roast-beef mutton-chop, or pork-steak;
And then side dishes to make things better,

As onions, corn, beans and some pertater;
And these are but few you could mention,

To prove my song is not an invention.

The late fashions are one and number two,

For sale in all the great stores you know,
And if you should buy don't think to escape,

The observations some people will make.
For some will talk of your finance condition,

While others will mention your position.
So don't mind now all the people have to say

Keep up this fashion and sing ev'ry day.

Don't give up your smiling,
j Should anyone say.

This wonderful fashion

WiU ruin some day.
For they who are coming

In all the best style.
Are saying these songs

Eeplenish a smile.

172 THRILLING ADVENTURES

On a trial once held in Maryland, the princi-
pal witness grounded all his charges on the in-
formation of a ghost! The following narrative,
selected fron an old Magazine, may exhibit that
species of evidence in a correct point of view:-

A farmer, on his return from the market at
Southam, in the county of Warwick, was mur-
dered. A man went the next morning, called on
his wife and inquired if her husband came home
the evening bef ore-she replied no, and that she
was under the utmost anxiety and terror on that
account. Your terror, said he, '^cannot equal
mine, for last night as I lay in bed, quite awake,
the apparition of your husband appeared to me,
showed me several stabs in his body, told me he
had been murdered by such a person, and his car-
cass put into such a marble pit .

The alarm was given, the pit searched, the
body found, and the wounds answered the dis-
cription given. The man whom the ghost had
accused was apprehended and committed upon
suspicion of murder.

His trial came on at Warwick, before the Lord
Chief Justice Raymond. The jury would have
convicted as rashly as the justice who had com-
mitted him, had not the judge checked them.

He addressed himself to them in words to this

AND DARING DEEDS. 173

purpose: — ^'I think, gentlemen; you seem inclin-
ed to lay more stress on the evidence of an ap-
parition, than it will bear. I cannot say that I
give much credit to these kind of stories; but be
as it will, we have no right to follow our own
private opinions here.

We are now in a court of law, and must de-
termine according to it. And I know not of any
law now in being which will admit of the testi-
mony of an apparition; and yet, if it did, doth
the ghost appear to give evidence. ' ^Crier, ''says
he, ^'call the ghost," which was thrice done, to
no manner of purpose. ^'Gentlemen of the ju-
ry," continued the judge, '^the prisoner at the
bar, as you have heard by undeniable witnesses,
is a man of the most unblemished character,
nor hath it appeared in the course of the exam-
ination that there was any manner of quarrel or
grudge between him and the party deceased. I
do verily believe him perfectly innocent, and as
there is no evidence against him either positive
or circumstantial, he must be acquitted.

But from many circumstances which have
come up during the trial, I do strongly suspect
that the genteman who saw the apparition, was
himself the murderer, and in such a case he
might easily ascertain the pit, the stabs, &c. with-

174 THRILLING ADVENTURES.

out any supernatural assistance; and on such
suspicion, I shall think myself justified in com-
mitting him to close custody till the matter can
be further inquired into." This was immediate-
ly done, and a warrant was granted for search-
ing his house, when such strong proof of guilt
appeared against him; he confessed the murder,
and was executed at the next assizes.

TRAIN SALVATION.
♦ » » » ♦

God's train is ever running,

On lif es track you must know,
With one station in heaven!

All others here below;
This train is often stopping,

But never in full view;
It has unnumber'd stations,

And one is kept by you.

God's train is now for safety,

And never carries sin,
The track is old and narrow;

But safe to enter in.
We must find the conductor,

Who'll banish ev'ry fear.
And fit us up for glory!

In our home atmosphere.

TKAIN SALVATION. 175

Keep your light ever shining,

Don't squander time away,
And live in sin and darkness

For that will never pay.
We must look for a kingdom,

Prepar'd for all the blest I
Then on the train Salvation,

We'll enter into rest.

Oh, sacred Head I love Thee,

Yet trials weigh me down,
I'm working for Thy kingdom.

My cross is near the crown.
Oh, sacred Head my safety,

I shall from darkness flee;
And take the train Salvation,

For all eternity.

REFRAIN.

We can take the train Salvation,

That will purify the heart;
Then we'll journey on to Heaven,

Where it's never, never dark.
There we'll all sing hallelujah.

When we hear the Saviour say!
Behold the *^Light in Glory,"

That will never pass away.

♦ » ♦ ♦♦

176 THE CHILD'S DKEAM.

The sick child lay on her easy chair close to
the window. It was a bright Summer evening;
the rays of the setting sun fell first upon her lit-
tle geranium in the window and then upon her
own pale face. As she gazed and gazed into the
glowing sky, and thought of the land that is far
away, and wondered whether the glory of heav-
en was any thing like the glory that lay at the
gate. Then she sighed, as she thought how poor
she was, how weak she was, how many wrong
things she had done. Would she be forgiven?
could God care for her? was it likely He would
notice such a small child as she was?

At last she fell into a gentle sleep, and had a
pleasant dream; and the dream was like unto
this: She thought she had done with earth, and
that an angel was carrying her gently and ten-
derly to heaven.

And y^t he did not at once mount to the sky ;
instead of that, he made his way to a large town
near to where the child had lived; then he flew
down into one of the closest and dirtiest back
streets, and picked up a withered plant out of
the rubbish heap.

Nobody saw the beautiful angel. Then he be-
gan to rise and soar away from earth toward
heaven; and the child asked him why he wanted

THE CHILD'S DREAM. 177

that poor faded flower. Then he told her this
story. ^^In a dull, dark cellar of the street we
have just left/ 'he said, "there lived not long ago
a poor crippled boy. Poor he was indeed, and
most afflicted; and a dreary life he led down in
that dirty room. At his best he managed to
drag himself with slow and painful effort across
the floor at other times he could not move from
his hard bed. He had never played like other
children, and had never seen the sweet wild flow-
ers growing, nor the fields and woods, nor heard
the birds sing in the Spring time.

The neighbor's children brought to him some
flowers; and one time a bright little girl, on a
bright Spring day brought him a primrose in a
plant dish. One or two flowers were in blossom
and there were plenty of buds. Oh, what a treas
ure this little plant was to his lonely heart.

The poor boy tended it, watered it, and put it
where a few rays of sunshine might best reach
it, and at night placed it near his bed that his
first waking gaze might rest upon it.

It was the treasure of that short and joyous
life then almost ended. The poor boy every day
grew weaker, but his eyes rested in love upon
his cherished flower, and his last gaze in death
was fixed upon the pale sweet blossom ,

1T8 THE CHILD'S DREAM

He died and then the primrose faded and died
and was thrown into the street as worthless.

Then the angel said — ^'do you know why I
have told you this? ^^You gave me the primrose
and I was the cripple hoy!"

In the excitement of the discovery the child
awoke from her dream. It was but a dream.
The sun was just sinking down below the hori-
zon, and there was her own beautiful geranium
which had perhaps helped to suggest the vision.
"It was only a dream,'' she said, half sighing,
*'only a dream, and yet I feel better for it."

Our Father in heaven is glorified with angels.
He gives them their work to do, and the little
joy which a flower may brings will always be
of His own sending,

I KNOW HIS NAME.

I know the name in whom to trust,

That name I now adore.
He gives me strength to daily bear

My trials on this shore.
He stays my hope and hears my cry,

He pardoned me from sin,
He'll never say to me "good by!"

While I belong to Him.

I KNOW HIS NAME. 179

I know in whom to daily trust,

His name I now revere,
And when the bitter trials come,

He'll take away all fear.
He will now guide my weary steps,

Until life's march is o'er!
And never leave me in distress,

Upon this earthly shore.

I know He hears me when I pray,

There is no room for doubt,
I'll battle on and keep the way,

Though Satan lurks about;
He is the foe which creates sin.

His ways are all forbidd'n,
The purest way on earth I know.

Is that which leads to heav'n,

I know a name that casts out fear,

And dwells above the skies,
His love will cheer and ever save,

And strengthen christian ties.
He is our ^'Father's Beloved Son,"

He's glorified by name!
^^And He was born in Bethlehem,

And on the cross was slain. '■

180 LITTLE DIFFICULTIES.

There is no station in life in which difificulties
have not been encountered and over-come before
any decided measure of success can be achieved .
Little difficulties are often our best instructors,
as our mistakes often form our best experience.
We learn wisdom more from failure than from
our success; we often discover what will do, by
finding out what will not do, and he who never
made a mistake never made a discovery.

A humming-bird once met a butterfly and be-
ing pleased with the beauty of its person, and
the glory of its wings, made an offer of perpetu-
al friendship.

^'I can not think of it," was the reply, "as you
once spurned me, and called me a drawling dolt.
* ^Impossible!" exclaimed the humming-bird.

'^I always entertained the highest respect for
such beautiful creatures as you."

'Terhaps you do now," said the other,*' but
when you insulted me I was a caterpiller."

So let me give you a piece of advice; never in-
sult the humble, as they may some day become
your superiors.

Little difficulties are not overcome by rank or
by the beautiful surroundings. If there were
no other proof, the face will often tell when we
do right and when we do well.

LITTLE DIFFICULTIES. 181

a

'A man that hath any truth in him, "said the
Kev. Dr. Deems, important to be given to this
generation, need not much concern himself as to
where he shaU speak it. Some would twaddle
about unappreciated genius and their difficult-
ies. And then go whining among the butterfly
school misses about the cold world: then others
dream that if they had only such a position in
such a city, such an editor's place, such a pulpit,
such a theater of display, they would shake the
old world's foundation.

Many a young preacher in an obscure country
parish has this temptation. Many a young poet
who can not secure a publisher, goes into the
fog. It's a shrewd old world with difficulties
to overcome. But if the will-power is sufficient-
ly strong the difficulties will disappear.

It's hard work and good calculation that bring
success usually ; and that sort of life is relished by
those who are prosperous. They seldom have
time to talk of their disappointment and their
difficulties.

Walk through life as you may, and say your
say, and cry your cry, and just as sure as truth
is in it, -it will scatter difficulties, -for it is the
law of Nature and will never be repealed. Two
wrongs never makes one right.

182 HUMANITY REWAEDED.

A surgeon in Florence, many years ago, saw
in the street a dog whose leg had just been brok-
en by a cart wheel. Compassion or curiosity in-
duced him to send the dog to his house where he
reduced the fracture, and confined the animal,
till the case was completed. The dog was then
discharged, not until many demonstrations had
been shown of gratitude and joy.

About one year afterwards the same little dog
came into his study, apparently in great agita-
tion, and extremly solicious to attract his atten-
tion to something. The importunities of the an-
imal did not cease until he had compelled the
surgeon to descend into the yard, where to his
surprise, he discovered slowly crawling by the
gate another dog with his back broken.

NEAE MY COTTAGE DOOE.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ » — — —

Near my cottage I was sitting,

In the sunshine one June day,
And in rapture then was thinking

O'er scenes that happened far away;
Soon a breeze came gently wafting,

And some clouds had gathered o'er,
While I viewed the fields of nature

Sitting near my cottage door.

NEAR MY COTTAGE DOOR. 183

Then I heard some bees a buzzing,

And at once they filled the air,
Flying all around my cottage,

Singing merrily ev'ry where.
Soon they settled down to lighting

On the tree just out before-
Then my heart was beating quickly,

Sitting near my cottage door.

Soon a hive I hastened after,

For their home and honey store.
But somehow then I did falter,

For on me I feared they'd pour.
Courage gained without protection.

Then with hive I'd found before,
Down with nervy hands I shook them

And then sought my cottage door.

You can think of lovely landscape,

And of pleasures o'er and o'er.
While I think of bees a buzzing

That once made my face all sore.
When that hiving task was over.

From my eyes the tears did pour!
And from stinging I was blinded,

Sitting near my cottage door.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

184 GOOD ADVICE.

Do not delude yourself with the idea that you
can please every body. Who ever knew any
body that was worth any thing that nobody
found fault with him? You would have to be
evil in many cases to please the evil; flatter some
to gratify their pride; indulge the selfish, submit
to the tyrannical, be a tool for the ambitious and
be careful not to have any thing as good as those
who desire to have every thing superior to their
neighbors.

If you are a public man, should you be diligent
you must expect to have many secretly to dis-
like and talk against you, and should you accom-
plish little, though many may show themselves
friendly, it often leaks out that some who ap-
pear pleasant to you do thus because they do not
fear your rivalry — they may smile on you out-
w^ardly, yet entertain contempt for your ineffi-
ciency. Always do that which is right, be dili-
gent, do the most you can, pay no regard to the
fault-finders and you will find as many friends
as any sensible man need desire.

Live for an object, and spend your time and
means in such a way as to be of some benefit
to others. The miser gathers his gold-^its pur-
suit stimulate his endeavors and it is an accu-
mulation which may bless the world after his

GOOD ADVICE. 185

departure. But occasionally there are in the
community individuals and sometimes families
whose lives seem utterly objectless. By the ac-
cumulation of earlier days or by inheritance,
they have a competence to live in — well — a state
of nothingness.

As citizens they are well enough, orderly, civil,
social even, when brought by circumstances into
communication with others. But they are not
linked to any public enterprise. They seem to
have no enemies, no special friends.

Doing nothing to benefit the world-but like
the door on its hinges, turns with the current of
every-day life, leaving no impress upon society,
no track to show they have ever been.

The objectless way of living subverts all the
good purposes and ends our being. It should be
avoided and guarded against.

Two or three generations of such living would
result in a state of barbarism. Begin with the
children, educate and train them to a purpose in
life ;something outside of mere self, something be-
yond the little circle that radiates around self
and self's immediate kin,

When we work and are cheerful and content-
ed, all nature smiles with us; the air seems
more balmy, the sky more clear the ground has

186 GOOD ADVICE.

a brighter green, the trees have a richer foliage,
the flowers a more fragrant smell, the birds sing
more sweetly, and the sun, moon and stars all
appear more beautiful.

We take our food with relish and whatever it
may be it pleases us. We feel better for it —

Now what happens to us if we are shiftless,
ill tempered and discontented? Why, there is
not any thing which can please us. We quarrel
with our food, with our dress, with our amuse-
ments, with our companions and with ourselves.
Nothing comes right for us ; the weather is too
hot or too cold, too dry or too damp . Neither sun
nor moon, nor stars have any beauty; the fields
are barren; the flowers luster less and the birds
are silent. These pictures do not fade.

BE HAPPY AS YOU CAN,

This life is not all sunshine,

Nor is it yet all showers
But storms and calms alternate

As thorns among the flowers.
Now when we seek the roses

The thorns we always scan,
Still let us if they scratch us.

Be happy as we can.

BE HAPPY AS YOU CAN. 187

This life has many crosses.

As well as joys to share,
They come in disappointments

Which we all have to bear.
But if old times obstruction,

Entomb our dearest plan
Let us with what is left us

Be happy as we can.

The sum of our enjoyment

Is made of little things,
As oft the purest water

Come from little springs.
By treasuring small waters

The rivers reach their span,
So we increase our pleasures

Enjoying what we can.

We may find some obstructiojis

On which we plan to go.
Still there are many places

Where kindness we can show.
But should we never follow

The way some others plan.
Yet let us make all around us

As happy as we can.

188 ^'WHEN COMPANY COMES."

We often hear women say/ 'I was looking for
company and had every thing all fixed ;-"or''
don't put on those white stockings, dear, wait
till we have company ;"or, ^'0, no, don't use those
dishes, they're for company."

And so the best of every thing is saved for
those who probably don't even respect the poor,
fastidious, craven tool, except to drink her best
tea, and then stuff down her cake and well-kept
viands! I was amused one time while in B., at
our landlady's visiting quite often a stylish fami-
ly, who were so coarse and vulgar as to be re-
pulsive. She was a very good woman, of a fine
intellectual organization. One day as we sat
alone I said to her, ''Mother, may I ask you a
question, and you will promise not to be angry
with me?"

''You could not make me angry, child, what
isit?"and she laughed at my hesitancy. "Well,
do you visit the — a because you like them?"

Her face flushed crimson; it was her turn to
hesitate. "I will tell you; they are old neigh-
bors of mine and I get tired sometimes here at
home, and — and when they have company there
is not a better table set in the whole city. "

And here she leaned back, diverted with my
simplicity and her own honesty, and laughed so

'^WHEN COMPANY COMES.'^ 189

freely and charmingly that I was coaxed into a
fit of real boy laughter, Mother — was a noble
woman, her appreciation of the beautiful and
good never was excelled.

I call it a bad state of affairs when every thing
that is best is kept for company; when the poor
father who earns all cannot enjoy the fruits of
his own labor . For my part the best the home
affords is for the toiling ones by whose sweat it
was brought. If I have any apologies to make
they are made to them, not to visitors.

The best bed in the house is nightly occupied
by two stout kicking boys, and unless the visitor
is a feeble old lady I don't allow them to give up
the spare bed at all. If we have corn cake and
milk for supper, I never apologize more than to
say, ''Perhaps you would prefer wheat bread
w^ith milk."

Then let the old folks stick to their old cus-
tom and old-fashioned clothes ; that is if you seek
their pleasure to that of visitors and callers who
care nothing for you or yours beyond respect.

We should not permit the cold fashionable
v^rays of the world to come between us and our
home hearth's affections.

''We should close our ears to that freezing
phrase, "What will people say."

190 MAMMA'S DIAMONDS.

I am going to keep all my pennies," said little
Kate to her sister. **I have fifteen in my bank
and by and by I can buy a diamond cross for
mamma. She will look so pretty with it on her
black dress." — *'0, mamma does not care for
such things," said Emma.

**But how do you know?" — * ^Because, the
other day, when I asked her if she would not
like to have a ring like that of Mrs. H., so beau-
tiful and shining, she kissed me many times,
and said- *'the only diamonds she wished for
were those she saw in our eyes when we are good
and happy. * *Well then I will buy her some oth-
er present, "added Kate, * 'for I love her so much,^

I think," said Emma, ''that mamma does not
care for presents; but would rather see us good."

MOTHER'S SMILES.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

A mother's loving smiles, I once shared,

And still her smiles are dear to me;
I sadly have missed them a long while,

For now she's gone beyond life's sea:
But still I can think how pleasantly,

Her loving smiles upon me shown.
And her parting words, they stay by me,

I weep o'er them when all alone.

MOTHER'S SMILES. 191

1 never shall forget, ''no never/'

My mother's tender loving smiles;
She kept me in childhood beside her,

And called me her dear little child.
How lovely she would rock me to sleep,

And then lay me down to repose;
And when I was full able to creep,

Her anxiety no one knows.

Years have flown and oft I ponder,

Over pleasures I once did prize;
I think of mother when I wander

And cherish her true loving ties.
All her words were so kindly spoken,

They bound my pleasure and my will,
As once my heart was almost broken,

But my pulse is quickened still.

Her greetings I love now to cherish.

Although her smiles I cannot see!
For she is with the angels sleeping.

Just beyond the bright crystal sea:
And sometime I shall go to see her.

When the dear Saviour calls for me,
Then from earth I'll cross life's river.

And with her in glory be.

-»♦»♦»

192 OUR FOREMOTHERS.

We hear and read about our forefathers; they
were nice old fellows, no doubt. Perfect bricks
in their way. Good to work, eat, or fight.

Very well. But where are their companions
their * ^churns "-who, as their helpmates, urged
them along? Who worked for our forefathers^
brushed up their old clothes, and patched their
breeches? Who unpetticoated themselves for
the cause of liberty? Who nursed our forefath-
ers when sick — sang Yankee Doodle to their
babes — who trained up their boys? Our fore-
mothers. Who landed at James River, and who
came over in the Mayflower, and established
other early settlements? Were there women
among them? One would think not. Our Yan-
kee neighbors especially make a great talk about
the Pilgrim Fathers who squatted on Plymouth
Rock. And there's a most wonderful ado made
over it every time they wish to get up a little
enthusiasm on liberty, and refresh themselves by
crowing over freedom ; and the chivalry of Vir-
ginia are not a whit behind them, when they
take a notion to vaunt themselves on the glory-
line. And our staid Pennsylvania Quakers, too
like to plume themselves slyly upon the merits
and doings of William Penn and his associates;
but with all their * 'blarney, "so plentifully given

OUR FOREMOTHERS. 193

on all sides, what do we hear or gather about the
foremothers? Did'nt they land on the rock too?
Did'nt they encounter perils and hardships?

And after all, did'nt they with kind hearts and
warm armes, sustain the flagging spirits of their
male companions, and kept the stalwart chilly
old forefathers from freezing to death during
those horrible cold Winters which some of them
had to shiver through.

We have our monuments commemorating,
and our songs, our toasts, and our public dinners,
celebrating the wonderful deeds of our forefath-
ers; but where are those in honor of our fore-
mothers? We had better be getting them ready.
We talk ourselves hoarse, and write ourselves
round-shouldered, while boiling over with en-
thusiasm about the nice things our forefathers
did; and yet nothing is said about our foremoth-
ers, to whom many a virtuous act and brave
deeds may be ascribed, such as any hero would
be proud to own.

Besides we forget to remember that if it had
not been for our foremothers, we ourselves would
not be here to know, and be proud of what our
forefathers did.

We wish not to detract. All hail to the noble
old boys, our forefathers, say we. May the glory

19^1: OUR FOREMOTHERS.

of their deeds never be less ! but the Good Book
tells us to ^'render unto Caesar, "etc, and as we
wish to speak a word in season for women gen-
erally, and especially for our noble and self-sac-
rificing foremothers, lest time and the one sided
page of history shall blot them forever from our
memories. — banner of the covenant.

GLORIOUS SUNSET.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Oh, bright and glorious sunset,

In golden shades the West,
And soon night follows after

Thus giving time for rest.
Then again the morn will dawn,

And we our work persue,
Though it may be burdensome,

We can be kind and true.

Oh, bright and glorious sunset,

Thy shining realm above,
Makes up a beautious picture

Of blessed! blessed! love.
It tells of days now passing,

Before the night has come.
And thro' the light of morning,

To guide us to our home.

GLORIOUS SUNSET. 195

Oh, bright and glorious sunset,

Of God's own rightfulness,
Which now can illuminate

In the home of the blest.
We must live for the mansions,

In that Kingdom of joy-
Where sin can never enter,

To harm or to annoy.

0 then the clouds of darkness.

Shall break away at last.
When all the bitter trials.

Are fully o'er and past.
EVen then that glorious sunset

We surely will behold,
While passing through to glory

And joys as yet untold.

Oh, bright and glorious sunset,

Our work will soon be done,
And then we'U all behold Him.

^^The Holy! Holy! One."
So brilliantly He's shining,

And blessing all mankind!
Oh, bright and glorious sunset,

All glory shall be Thine.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

196 DOING NOTHING.

* ^If I could only have a whole day to do nothing
I should be so happy, " said little Bessie.
* 'To-day shall be yours," said her mother.

*'You may play as much as you please, and I
will not give you any work, no matter how much
you may want it."

Bessie laughed at the idea of wishing for work
and ran out to play. She was swinging on the
gate when the children passed to school, and they
all envied her for having no lessons.

When they had gone she climbed up into the
cherry-tree and picked a lapful for pies, but when
she carried them in her mother said- ''That is
work, Bessie. Don't you remember you cried
yesterday because I wished you to pick cherries
for the pudding? You may take them away.

No work to-day, you know, " and the little girl
went away, rather out of humor.

She got her doll and played with it awhile.
She tried all her toys, but they didn't seem to
please her any better. She soon came back and
watched her mother, who was shelling peas.

"Mayn't I help you mamma?" she asked.

"No, Bessie, that is-n't play.

Bessie went out into the garden again and
leaned over the fence watching the ducks and
geese in the pond. Soon she heard mother sit-

DOING NOTHING. 197

ting the table for dinner. Bessie longed to help.
Then her father came home from his work and
they all sat down to dinner. Bessie was quite
cheerful during the meal, but when it was over
and father away, she said wearily, ' 'Mamma, you
don't know how tired I am of doing nothing!

If you would only let me wind your cotton, or
put your work-box in order."

' 'I can't my dear child, because I said I would
not give you work to-day. But you may find
some for yourself, if you can."

So Bessie hunted up some old stockings and
began to mend them. Her face grew brighter,
and presently she said, ''Mamma why do people
get tired of play?" "Because God did not mean
to have us idle. His command is, "Six days shalt

thou labor. He has given us all work to do.

* * * *

Children are susceptible creatures, and circum-
stances, scenes and actions, will impress them.
As you influence them, not by arbitrary rules,
nor by stern example alone, but in a thousand
other way that speak through beautiful forms,
pretty pictures so they will grow.

Teach your children to love the beautiful, and
give them a corner in the garden for flowers, en-
courage them to put it in the shape of a hanging

198 THE BEAUTIFUL.

basket. Allow them to have their favorite trees,
teach them to wander in the prettiest woodlets,
have them where they can best view the sunrise.

The boys are not all perfect,
This is evident you know.

Still they have tender hearts
And soon to manhood grow.
Arouse them in the morning, not with the stern
*'time to work, "but with the enthusiastic, ''see
the beautiful sunrise. " Buy for them beautiful
pictures, and encourage them to decorate their
rooms each in their own childish way.

You should praise them, and give them a
chance to play; if they are attending school; it
will do them more good than harm; unless they
are born a fool. Make your home beautiful.

THE LITTLE FLOWERS.

Behold the little blooming flowers,

Out in the evening air.
So divinely pure and beautiful

We love them everywhere.
They teach a lesson for the mind.

The faij-est must all fade;
Yet they can cheer the rich or poor

While blooming in the shade.

THE LITTLE FLO WEES. 199

We view the little blooming flowers,

Standing in bright array,
To cheer and beautify the home

Before they pass away.
Their perfume is wafted everywhere.

Through balmy sunny air!
The emblem of love and purity

The fairest of the fair.

We view the little fading flower

With beauty almost gone.
The loveliest blossom of the year,

So sweet in its perfume.
All the little changing beauty spots,

''You see, must soon decay,"
The brightest colors of the flower

Will fade within a day.

We view the little fading flowers.

When life to them is cast.
We have viewed them many times,

With pleasure in the past.
But soon we'll say to flowery gem,

Fare-well! fare- well! adieu!
You are a gift from Nature given

We'll fade sometime like you.

200 THRILLING ADVENTURES

AND

DARING DEEDS.

Milo A.Everest, the designer of this book was
born in West Addison, Vermont, Mar. 14th 1843.
His early life was spent on the farm, and his
schooling was at the district school.

At the age of 18 he enlisted in Co. D-12th
U.S. Infantry. His father-grandfather and his
great-grandfather were military men.

After his discharge from the 12th, U. S. Infan-
try, he then entered Eastman's Business College
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After spending one year at
home and in school, he re-enlisted for the third
Vermont-Battery of light artillery.

In 1875 he was appointed Postmaster at West
Addison, his native town-which office he held
14 years; although he never sought but few offi-
ces; yet he has held as many as 7 in one year,
over which he can look back without regret.

In the year 1900, he left his native State, Vt.,
and moved his family to Everett, Mass. , where
he now intends to abide the remainder of his
life. He is the author of a number of songs,
and known as the Veteran Composer; his style
of poetry is simple, the language can be under-
stood by a child. His name'^EVEREST'^mounts
as high as any- Mountain in the world.

OUR NATION'S FLAG. 201

— — — 4 ♦ ♦ ♦ » —

It's our Nation's Flag we'U honor,

It's the old'^Red White and Blue,"
And our heroes in great number,

All deserve some portion too.
Keep the Union-Flag up-waving.

This remains for you to do,
While in all the years that's coming,

The old Banner will prove true.

Keep the good old Banner waving.

Read its history, thro' and thro'.
While it's wonderful in meaning.

You can know it's ever true.
Through the nation's early struggle.

Now it's pleasant to relate,
How they all sang ^'Yankee Doodle,"

When the British met their fate.

Cheer the Nation's flag, ^'Old Glory,"

True it waves in ev'ry land.
And in our own beloved country.

Children wave it with the hand.
O'er the schools it's daily waving.

Where the coming patriots stand,
Where they study books relating-

To the history of our land.

202 IN THE TWILIGHT.

When twilight shades goldenly o'er me,

And touches each valley and hill;
Then I pause in the vision before me,

To behold one that's lovelier still.
Through the veil I gaze up to heaven,
* 'Where angels are white robed and free,"
Where no sorrow can darken or riv'n.
There glory is shining for me.

There they weary not in adorning,

There they never say good bye,
There the night is bright as morning.

There nothing can wither or die.
The cherubims that sing up in heaven.

Sing not by the dim light of day;
But brilliant in songs of true glory.

They sing in the glorified way.

Oh! for a home in that bright glory,

That shines with its beautiful beams;
From the Kingdom that radiates o'er me.

The place I now cherish in dreams.
I'm glorified through God's salvation.

My being is blooming in love;
My Saviour who gave his life for me,

I'll praise in His Kingdom above.

BANK OF THE RIVER. 203

I once stood upon the bank of the river,

And view'd the waters that flow'd rippling by,
And there in the sparkling sunlight of beauty,

Did I see there a picture of time on the fly?
While looking before me and over the river,

I saw the sunlight and shade on the shore;
And as the birds sang so sweetly that morning,

'Twas a picture of love I ne'er saw before.

I walked forth along the bank of the river.

In pleasure and joy that could never be told;
I paused and beheld the beauties of nature,

As the water roU'd by me so free and so bold.
This river runs winding its way to the sea.

And the sea it flows outward to ev'ry land;
And many a thought came in rapture to me.

Of the wisdom of God we scarce understand.

We are going down the course of life's river.

As millions of millions have journeyed before.
Where all the light and the glory of heaven,

Is shining for us on the golden shore;
The days of our journey are passing along.

Our joys and sorrows here soon will be o'er.
While river's of love, ' 'will flow on forever"

From the fountain o'er that beautiful shore.

204 HE'S NO BETTER

THAN HE OUGHT TO BE.

He's no better than he ought to be,
When he holds a high position,

He's no better than he ought to be,
Through any line or station.

He must be honored by his friends
Who can picture him the best.

But when he builds upon life's way,
Then his motives tell the rest;

No matter if the people shout-
He's better than his brother,

Who notes the fashions ev'ry day
And writes about the weather.

He's no better than he ought to be,

If he's born from high relation,
He's no better than he ought to be

You'll hear in ev'ry station.
If on his neighbors you should call,

In gossip they will mention.
And tell about the one they know

Who's agent for promotion.
He would always do his level-best,

To win in State or Nation;
And now he's money to invest

In some great combination.

HE'S NO BETTER- 205

He's no better than he ought to be,

In this world of speculation,
While noted men of high degree

Must live on elevation.
They are the men the people trust,

And give their kind attention,
Don't train yourself to be deceived

And bring on lamentation.

HOW TO BE MISERABLE.

Think about yourself, about what you want,
what you like, what respect people ought to pay
to you, what people think of you, and then to
you nothing will be pure.

You will spoil every thing you touch; you will
make misery for yourself out of every thing;
you will be as wretched as you choose on earth,
or in heaven either. For that proud, greedy, sel-
fish, self-seeking spirit would turn heaven into
hell. It did turn heaven into hell for the great
devil himself. It was by pride, by seeking his
own glory, that he fell from heaven to hell.

He was not content to give up his own will,
and to do Grod's will like the other angels. He
would-be a master himself and rejoice in his own
glory, and so when he wanted to make a private
heaven of his own, he found he had made a hell.

206 HIS LOVE WAS FALSE.

His love was false and deceiving,.

And in action now he's shy,
I know for once I loved him,

But he never-more comes nigh.
His words have been misleading.

They caused my heart to thrill^
I'll sometime try to meet him

And then lend him my good wilL
He can never-more deceive me

And in this he'll understand;
He has sever'd my love forever.

And he may go to the sand.

His love was false, as false could be^

While my heart was ever true;
The letter last he wrote to me,

Made me feel most dreadful blue.
I knew not he was deceiving.

Till after that letter came.
It shattered my nerves to read it,

And wearied my slender frame;
Our plans were made for the future.

Then my heart was full of joy;
But soon after reading his letter,

No more faith could I employ.

HIS LOVE WAS FALSE. 20T

His love was false"! know it,"

And now I'll tell you why;
( He sought the hand of another,
1 Who could dress so fine "oh- my!"
And then he planned to leave me,

And to falsify my name;
He wrote I was unfaithful.

And all that sort of thing;
Just because the other girl,

Could wear a diamond ring.

FASHIONABLE WOMEN.

Fashion kills more women than toil or sorrow.
Obedience to fashion is a greater transgression
of the laws of woman's nature, and a greater in-
jury to her physical and mental constitution,
than the hardship of poverty and neglect.

The slave-woman at her task will live and
grow old, and see two or three generations of her
mistresses fade and pass away.

The washer- woman; with scarce a ray of hope
to cheer her in her toil, will live to see her fash-
ionable sisters all extinct. The kitchen maid is
hearty and strong, when her lady has to be
nursed like a sick baby. It is a sad truth that
fashionably pampered women are almost worth-
less for all the good ends of life.

208 THE GKOWING CHILD.

— 4 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

How quick the growing child will find,
That pleasure somehow cheer the mind;
And sadness when it takes it's rise
Is the great reminder of true ties.

Some selfish motives may beguile,
They come to every grown up child;
But we should take a higher view,
The life that's right, is always true.

The grown up child should master self.
And find the way to spirit wealth;
And love the songs, the birdies sing
That come to cheer us in the spring..

The growing child will kindly see,
How self-conceit is one big-I-Be!
While praising others leads the way
To grander motives day by day.

How pure is love that never dies.
It's fountain dwells above the skies?
It is the way, when leaving earth,
It's always known in christian birth..

There is one, who can well deceive.
And he can never the soul relieve;
His name is Satan, and he'll dwell
On ever line that leads to-Hades.

THE CHURCH OF GOD. 209

The Church of God should ever be,
A place where sinners bow the knee;
Where they can find a helping hand,
To guide them to the promise land.
The Church must stand upon this line,
And teach the* 'Holy Word Divine:"
No place on earth is better known,
It is the christian's corner stone.

All gospel preachers in ev'ry land.
Should first seek the Saviour's hand;
Then through pardon find the way,
That will inspire them day by day;
Then in the power, thro' love Divine,
Proclaim the gospel to all mankind;
And tell the sinner ''how they know,"
That God can save from sinful woe.

The vile sinner to Church should go,
And plead for pardon from all woe;
When justified, by faith made clear,
The light of peace will then appear;
Then they will rightly understand.
That inspiration is not of man;
It's God within the soul and mind,
It is His way to save mankind.

210 A MOTHER'S PRAYER.

A mother's prayer with tearful eyes,

Down beside the couch of pain;
Where her suffering daughter lies

And all human aid is vain.
There she implores the aid Divine,

And in earnest pleading cries-
'^Lord save-0! save in Jesus name,

Save my daughter, or she dies."

Better, -far better, her true desire

Should rise to God in prayer.
Than burn within the breast like fire

While her hope did linger there.
'Tis well to know that God can hear,

Our poor imperfect prayers;
And never should we doubt or fear.

To cast on Him all our cares.

An angel came to view the child,

And while looking o'er the nest,
The sick child embraced the angel,

And soon entered into rest.
Then quickly her life departed.

For the Kingdom of the blest.
The angel had the key to heaven

And the child upon his breast.

A MOTHER'S PRAYER- 211

Soon the angel crossed the river,

With his little burden lent,
O'er the way to dwell forever-

In holy comfort and content.
Little children dwell in heaven.

Far above earth's dismal street
And the sultry air of summer,

Or the storms of winter's sleet.

Friends may see a solemn picture.

Through this comely story told.
Peace and plenty in the cottage,

They were wealthy, rich in gold;
Yet the house was full of sadness,

G-loom and sorrow entered there.
Friends looked in the little chamber

Where the darling slept up stair.

Curtains hung in golden splendor,

Carpets velvet, hushed their tread;
And many costly toys were lying

All unheeded near the bed.
Clouds of sorrow, soon came over.

And all were tearful in grief.
Moments then of lovely nature

Came from Him who gave relief.

212 TRIALS EVERYWHERE.

. ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦

Life is never free from trials,

Trials come from everywhere;
Should we live in joy and gladness-

We will not be free from care.
Thro' the happy days of childhood,

And the pleasures then so fair,
They were jewels in life's trials

Now we carry everywhere.

We may find our greatest trials,

Coming on where we have sown,
We may seek to borrow trouble

And then try to hide our own.
We may all have bitter trials.

That will linger a long while;
For we live in human nature

But we never should be vile.

We all know that life in parting,

Leaves a dread and tearful tho't;
Still we can by faith and working,

Live here now just as we ought.
Grieving o'er the home-like trouble,

Brings on sadness dark as night!
It's no use to fret and grumble

It will never bring true light.

TRIALS EVEEYWHEEE- 213

When trials o'er-flow in sorrow,

And the heart is throbbing sad ;
Then the teardrops and the sighing

Will cause others to feel bad.
Sadly then we think of dear ones,

Who have left us on this shore;
They never will return again

To live their sufferings o'er.

■»»♦♦»

REFOEMS.

Some people are always much troubled about
excitement in prosecution of reformatory enter-
prises . They fear disastrous consequences from
the enforcement of a law against the traffic in
ardent spirits-or from the preaching of Christian
truth. They deprecate excitement. Evil, they
say, will result from it, to individuals, and the
cause. To all such timid ones we commend the
following language of D'Aubigne; spoken in re-
ference to the reformation of the fifteenth cen-
tury, but equally applicable to all time.

^'Undoubtedly," he says, *'a thorough reform
could not be accomplished without violence.

But when has any thing good or great ever ap-
peared among men without causing agitation?"

214 PERFECT PEACE.

Have Perfect Peace and joyful be,

True Peace upon earth's sod;
It is well known in righteousness

Among true saints of God.
It's Perfect Peace the Lord will give,

Now His spirit can restore;
It is His will, the world must know

To save the rich and poor.

It's Perfect Peace and holiness.

The way our Saviour taught.
The onl}^ happy way, ^ ^I know-"

To live as people ought.
The Lord will keep in Perfect Peace,

Those who are trusting Him-
With purpose true and definite,

No more to harbor sin.

Once Jesus heard my humble cry.

His spirit came and said-
* 'Behold My Peace I give to thee,"

In shame I bowed my head;
The light of Perfect Peace came in.

My faith was born anew;
He pardoned me from all my sins

And now I'm saved, 'tis true.

PERFECT PEACE. 215

My soul is joyous in the Lord,
His Peace abides with me,

He hath regard for my estate-
^'His mercy made rae free;"

He took me out of bondage then,
' When burdened down in sin ;

My soul is now in Perfect Peace,
The joy-bells ring within.

KING OF LOVELINESS.

If our love in its highest conception is not
divinely drawn it is because we have forgotten
to admire the fountain of beauty, and to culti-
vate that delicate intimacy with the ^ 'King of
Loveliness," who would rejoice to transmit His
secret to friends. Under the influence of this
mighty friendship every form of sin has been
conquered; — suffering and anguish have been
borne with courage and hope, insults with meek-
ness,— bereavement with a smile, care and toil
with a song, and sacrifice with open arms.

It has armed weekness with strength, despair
with hope, and indolence with energy. By it
the world becomes wiser, better and purer.

216 BEAUTIFUL VISION.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »

Beautiful gleam of the far off shore,
Heaven I view as never before;

Pure and unspotted in rapture of love,
Jesus is there with the saints above.

REFRAIN.

Beautiful vision the crown of my tho't
Beautiful vision of heaven I've sought;
Beautiful-beautiful, ''angels of light,"
Sinless in glory, they're robed in white.

Beautiful home in heaven for me,
Never a place where sorrow can be;

There in the sparkling glorified time
Angels of love forever will shine.

Beautiful tho't that reaches the skies,
Jesus is there to bless all the ties;

Meekly and lovely in heaven to meet,
Glory to God for the way complete.

Beautiful light o'er the crystal sea.
Oceans of love are flowing for thee;

Saved from sorrow we enter that shore,
Saved in glory to part nevermore.

Beautiful time, in love, peace and joy.
Brilliant in hope and free from alloy;

Visions of rapture, inspiring within,
Viewing a kingdom, free from all sin.

HUSBAND AND WIFE. 217

Between husband and wife there should be no
strife for supremacy. According to nature the
husband is the heaven-ordained head ; but each
should study the other's follies as well as virtues ;
begin gentle toward the first-and give honor to
the last. Daily young people are accepting the
duties of the married state who are uneducated
for the life upon which they enter so thought-
lessly. The young wife has been tenderly shield-
ed from all the cares or hardship of real life.

The young husband may know more of the
^'rough and tumble" of life, may have better
studied men and their ways; but, unless brought
up with sisters, he knows little of women.

If he has a natural, tender, kind and loving
heart, all will be well. He wiU ' 'f eed"his ' ^bears. "
The old saying, that ''no quarrel can stalk about
on one leg," contains a good deal of wisdom.

Would that husbands and wives would bear
in mind that "a soft answer turneth away
wrath." The greatest rivers have their sources
in small streams; and the bitterest domestic mis-
ery has often arisen from some trifling differ-
ence of opinion, when the ''soft answer" would
have smoothed all the ripples in the matrimoni-
al current.

When we see how large a proportion of the

218 HUSBAND AND WIFE.

children of this age are entirely undisciplined
at home, can we wonder that strife and heart-
burnings in married life seem on the increase?

Unless children can be taught self-control and
unselfishness before they leave the home circle,
to become the light and life of another home, we
can not hope that their lives will be happy or
their dwellings the abode of peace.

Much unhappiness would be avoided if hus-
bands and wives could only be as well-bred and
polite to each other after marriage as they were
before. It would seem, often, as if their good
breeding was laid aside with the marriage dress.
As children grow up around them, they follow
in their parents' footsteps.

If the mother is heedless of the father's wishes
and wanting in proper deference to his judg-
ment, her sons and daughters will soon adopt
her ways. If the father is indifferent or care-
less of the mother, meeting her remarks with
ridicule or sneers, you may look for the fruits of
his example in the children.

Keep scraping and plowing and hoeing de rows,
And when de season over you pay all you owes;
But if you quit working when de sun-shine hot,
The sheriff may levy and take all dat you got.

SCENES I LOVE. 219

I love a pleasant countinance,

A smile upon the face-
It denotes peace and happiness

That loves the human race.
I love the hero brave and true,

Who dares for right to stand
And carry out true principles,

That honor God and man.

I love the home where peace and joy
And light can enter in,

Where the songs of praise they raise-
To keep their hearts from sin.

I love to hear the song birds sing,
The children laugh and play;

While time is passing on the wing,
With blessings for each day.

I love to view the wild flowers.
And gather some at noon,

And carry them about in hand
And breathe their sweet perfume^

I love to see the sun-shine bright,
And watch its setting ray.

And view the shadows on the hill-
Just o'er the other way.

220 SCENES I LOVE.

I love to view the mountains high,

The valleys and the plains,
And many scenes I must pass by

That's charming all the same.
I love the rivers and the lakes.

The ocean, wide to view;
From shore to shore we can adore,

For God hath made them true.

OBEDIENCE.

Some children are ready to yield as soon as
they see by the mother's manner that she is a-
bout to punish them. In the case of the child
who at first refused to come when called, sup-
pose, when he saw you rise to punish him, he
yielded and came running, would it be best to
relent and omit the punishment? If your object
had been sinply to secure that one act of obedi-
ence, no punishment would be required; but if
your object is to secure a uniform habit of obedi-
ence, I answer he has been guilty of disobedi-
ence, and should be delt with accordingly.

I once knew a mother who had so trained her
child that he never thought it neccessary to obey
her, unless he saw her start to rise from her
chair to come to him, and then he darted away
to fulfill her command. I would not care for
such obedience as that.

PROFIT AND LOSS. 221

Now conceruing this subject we too often for-
get the significance of our Master's question:

'*What shall it profit a man if he gain the
whole world and lose his own soul?

How often we see the covetous person directly
opposed to the obvious fact that all men are as
much under obligation to do business for the
glory of God as any are to go on a mission to
the heathen, or preach and pray for the same.

In each of these ways the Church, by the life
of many of its covetous members, indicate to the
world that business is their first object and re-
ligion the second; that money is the principle
thing and holiness subordinate .

Let us enter some of our wealthy Sabbath
congregations and see what disclosures are made.
Here sits a young man and respectable member
of the Church, entering on a prosperous busi-
ness. He owns a neat residence on Merchant's
Row. He does not consider himself penurious.
He gives to charitable objects on occasions ; but,
because he is just beginning his career, he feels
justified in giving sparingly.

He intends to do more when better able; but
he never comes to feel any better able.

As Providence smiles on his efforts, the ardor
of his love grows cool.

222 PEOFIT AND LOSS.

Secret prayer grows irksome as his income
grows larger, and is finally abandoned, and fami-
ly prayer goes with it.

Eiches have increased, and he has set his heart
upon them. He is a covetous person, and yet is
in good and regular standing.

Had he in the beginning formed a plan for
doing good, and extended it as his wealth in-
creased, he would have been more than safe in
his Profit and Loss account.

But he had not such plans, and consequently
yielded more and more to the covetous spirit.
till he well-nigh made shipwreck of his faith .

This is the history of thousands who in early
life were promising members of the Church.

^*When I had but little," said a man under
deep conviction of his error, *4t seems to me as
hardly worth saving-but when my fortune be-
came large, it then appeared very important
that it should be kept together and accumula-
ting." He is now able to take the advantage of
others- He shows the best part of an article as
a specimen, and then sells the worst.

His Christian consistancy is destroyed, and
his early religious influence is lost. He becomes.
a burden and a reproach to the Church, and
covetousness is the cause.

PEAELY GATES. 223

When the Pearly Gates are open,

And Jesus shall appear;
Oh, how bright will be the dawning,

Through Heaven's atmosphere.
Angels then will pass before us,

In their robes white and clear;
What a greeting there together,

When we all shall appear.

Thro' the silvery mist that vails us.

In death loved ones have flown;
By and by we'll sometime meet them

With Jesus on His Throne.
Blessed name in love excelling,

He from earth went away.
He is coming back, ^^He's coming!"

Before the judgement day,

When a voice in tender sweetness,

From Heaven calls the blest.
Then we'll pass beyond earth's portals

And enter perfect rest.
Glory then will shine upon us.

No future need we dread.
For our King is King in glory

And King o'er all the dead.

224 FOUNTAIN OF LIGHT.

It is our business in this world to secure an
interest in the next . They that spend their days
in faith and prayer shall end their days in per-
fect peace; who would not deny himself for a
time that he may enjoy himself forever?

The Devil promises comfort, and pays in sor-
row. If you follow Satan you will find the
tempter to be the torm enter. If you follow God
you will find the counseller to be a comforter.

It matters not who are our accusers if Christ
be our advocate; Christ made himself like us
that He might make us like Himself.

If we live to worship God here, He will take
us up to worship Him above; we will change
place but not the employment.

The Devil would as soon pluck Christ out of
heaven as out of a believers heart. Never use
the garb of Christianity in which to serve the
enemy of Christianity. If a man claims to have
been pardoned from all his sins, and he believes
still that he is a sinner, is he not virtually work-
ing in the interest of the Devil? Man that is
born of the spirit of God, hates sin, and will not
enter into that which he hates.

** Verily, Verily, I say unto you whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin." **Give
unto the Lord the glory due unto His name. "

TEUE HONOR. 225

In true honor we should labor,

Free from sin and paltry- pelf ;
And then keep this maxim ever,

*'Love thy neighbor as thyself,"
Life is not a dream or vision,

It's of value more than earth:
And to forgive and be forgiv'n,

Is all golden full of worth.

If you see your brother stumble,

And then fall out by the way,
Help him up if you are able

Then a kind word have to say.
We should try to help each other,

With a motive true and right;
We must try to win God's favor

And have honor in His sight.

In this world there's nothing better,

Than God's grace full and free;
It will keep out sinful pleasure,

It will cause the blind to see.
Seek His love in truth and honor,

And thus cultivate the mind :
If you sow the seeds of discord-

You will reap that very kind.

226 FOUNTAIN OF LIGHT.

Never say that you love Christ if you love sin,
which was an enemy to His life and spirit when
He was on earth, and is an enemy to His glory
now He is in heaven.

The mirth of the wicked is like the laughter
of a mad man, that knows not his own misery;
When God pours out His spirit upon man, then
he quickly discovers that all arguments against
His word are fallacies; all conceits against His
word is foUey; and all opposition against His
word is madness.

The soul that was made for God can find no
abiding happiness but in God, through His Son,
Jesus Christ . ' 'Let us therefore follow after the
things which make for peace, and that where-
with one may edify another, in the unity of the
spirit in the bonds of peace."

We should ever remember that we must give
an account to God how we spend our days, one
day spent in sin is too much-endeavour to be
truly and thoroughly religious, and be not dis-
couraged at the difficulties; **for as by one man's
disobedience many were made sinners, so by the
obedience of one shall many be made righteous. '^
Do not contend for every trifle, whether it be a
matter of right or of opinion. It is but little of
the world that is gold or silver.

SINFUL DEEDS. 227

Sinful deeds are all disgraceful,

They bring sadness to the home;
They at first may not seem hurtful,

But in time the work is known.
It is wisdom we should treasure,

Look to one who rules on high;
Be of value to your Saviour,

Bid all sinful work good bye.

One small lie may cause disaster,
For it often leads to more:

Thus old Satan through his spirit,
Ruins people by the score.

Life is never pure in meanness,
It's through evil sin will grow;

Read the Bible and be joyous-
It is Jesus you should know.

Little sins will lead to greater.

They are often seeds of woe;
Keep within the christ-like nature,

Sowing kindness where you go.
Let no motive have your favor,

If deceitful, *^that you know,"
For the sinful deeds in pleasure,

Are the surest ones to grow.

228 FOUNTAIN OF LIGHT.

Man is the greatest enemy to himself when he
allowes himself to be in bondage to sin. It is
not of God that men are condemned, but of them-
selves, even their own willfulness, they live to
sin because they will, -that is because they will
not seek salvation.

What is sin but wrong doing, it is sometimes
like a bee with honey in its mouth, but a sting
in its tail. Many a man shifts his sins as they
do their clothes ;they put off one to put on anoth-
er; this is but waiting upon the Devil in a new
livery. It is not a talking, but walking with God
that gives a man the denomination of christian.
In regard to natural life, we live in God: in re-
gard to spiritual life Christ lives in us.

Christ hath entreated God to be reconciled to
us, and now He entreats us to be reconciled to
God. If you forget Him when you are young
He may forget you when you are old.

There is no honor known to the world like the
relationship to Christ, no riches like the grace
of Christ, no learning like the knowledge of
Christ; and no person like the servants of Christy
If sin were better known, Christ would be better
thought of. We must all pass through the door
of eternity; man does not die because he came
from clay, but because he is infected with sin.

IT'S NO DREAM. 229

It's no dream that life must sever,

There's no sham in plans Divine;
We will sometime cross life's river,

To where sin can never climb ;
Then with Christ we'll enter glory,

Then we'll hear the angels sing-
There in joy all pure and lasting,

Dwell forever with our King.

We can all have faith and courage,

While we journey day by day;
We can build on God's foundation,

'Till this life has passed away.
Then we'll hear the angels story,

As we meet the dear ones there:
Then we'll share each others glory.

In God's Kingdom ev'ry- where.

Up in mansions saints will gather,

All those worthy have a share.
They will always know each other

In that Realm bright and fair;
We must seek and find the Saviour,

Who will take our sins away.
Then He'll bless our ev'ry favor

While we sing or while we pray.

230 FOUNTAIN OF LIGHT.

If heaven does not enter into us by way of
holiness, we shall never enter by way of happi-
ness. We speak to God in prayer, He speaks to
us in His word. The church cannot live with-
out the promise.

When entering the Church of God for wor-
ship, leave all worldly conversation outside; how
can we expect God to honor us, if we do not hon-
or Him. To prevent Satan from running the
Church, 'let the Saviour in."

Darkness may as well put on the nam e of light
as a wicked man the name of christian.

A desire for happiness is natural; a desire for
holiness is super-natural. There is no way from
sin to holiness, till we pass from sin to Christ.

If we have not confessed our sins and found
pardon, we still remain in rebellion to God.

All true christians should be like Noah's ark
that was pitched within and without, they must
have a holy inside and a holy outside, profession
and practice must agree together.

''They who will not hear Christ say come to
Me in the day of grace, shall hear Him say de-
part from Me in the day of judgement."

A church may live for years without Christ,
' 'having the form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof."

PRAISE GOD. 231

♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦

Praise God in little bands and sing,

With voices tuned for heav'n,
Oh, sing His praise where e'er you can,

Rejoice when sins forgiv'n;
Oh, praise the Lord in daily toil,

Wheji burden blends with care-
Proclaim your Saviour's holy name

In pure and fervent prayer.

The noblest men e'er on this earth,

Have in God' love been blest.
They gave the homage of their heart

To Him who gave them rest.
Oh, praise the Lord and never fail.

While faith you can employ,
Keep true the covenant you make.

And sing true songs of joy.

Praise God ye earthly stars of light.

The world is watching you;
The craggy rocks, and mountains high

Have taken on their view;
And from each cliff and lofty peak,

Will peals of gladness come!
When all the people on the earth

Shall worship God's dear Son.

IS IT NOT TRUE? 232

Is it not true that many are on their death-
beds before they think rightly of life?

They are going out of the world, while they
begin to know whereof they come in it.

We came into it for this great business, to
save our souls in the faith and obedience to God,
but when we have time to do it, we neglect or
forget that business, and then begin to think of
it when the time appointed is gone.

We spend time in doing nothing and more in
doing evil, but little or none in that great matter
whereof we were born. The soul must be in per-
plexity at the hour of death, that seeth the day
spent and the assigned business not begun.

A traveler that seeth the sun setting when he
is entering on the journey must be aghast !-the
evening of the day and the morning of the task
do not well agree together.

THE END.

- — ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦^ — -

Heaven's door will be open
When we come in view;

If, spotless and robed in white,
There none of this world-
Can ever pass through;
Without the Saviour's true light.