Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-03

passed, this was the first place where any EN-
Gent assistance was afforded TO them, Du-
ring the few days Of their stay here, they were
comfortably housed and fed. Their dehcien'
cies Of clothing were supplied, a stock of whol'.
some provisions was prepared, sleigh was
sent with them TO Albany, where they were
sure, If from the letters alone which they carrl-
ed, of further assistance, and sum OF money
was given them besides which would bear them
on their way The simple gratitude and hon.
est pride of their "kindly" Scotch hearts were
equally apparent:-"Thank you, thank YOU
may Heaven itself bless you" would they say,
"but Don't il You please-we would rather not
take more than just for the expenses; leave il
for the poor creatures who need It more!-
1t was a pleasant sight when, with their thank
full hearts beaming in their happy faces, they
SET off over the icy road in a sleigh with the
children comfortably wrapped up, 10 join soon
the fathers Of their love.
My story sir is done-but wish 10 ask YOU
lis there one man in thousand q do not
she ak Of ,con,en = OF the m there may be many
who with even one child could have performed
that Journey as they did! Would he no, an
hundred times have tainted in exhaustation and
despair?-The heart Of woman only, swelling
into hrroism in the time OF her trial, could have
endured it.
believe that have omitted to tell you the
name Of the subjects of my story--it is Dykes.
And Jeanne Deans, the celebrated heroine oil
Scouts tale, the Heart Of Mid Lothian, who
walked from Edinburgh TO London at mid
summer, with money in her pouch for all her
expenses, to beg from the King the pardon OF
her condemned sister, was made heroine upon
less than half the courage, the perseverance and
the toilsome suffering which apPer!an to my
Mrs Dykes-though I confess that OF the TWO
she was the more fortunate in her historian.
am, si7, respectfully, yours, &c.
Johnsioscn, March Is, 1922"
On the arrival Of this interesting family in
our city, the letters furnished them 10 John
s,own were delivered; special meeting of the
ST. Andrews Society called, and although nu-
merous applications, throughout this long and
severe winter, had nearly exhausted the treasury,
a sum as large as prudence would permit, was
Immediately appropriated to their use; this,
however, fell far short Of the amount necessa'
~ 10 forward them in comfort to their ultimate
destination, subscription was therefore set on
foot, and among the members present sum
was collected, which, with the contributions OF
few charitable individuals, unconnecied with
the society, was found equal 10 the object. A
vehicle was hired, comfortable provisions for
six days journey were purchased,k Under the
care OF steady and attentive driver, these hero
ic women, with their Interesting families, start
ed for their home on the morning OF the 9th inst.
"On the evening of the same day. the elder
Of the brothers arrived here for the purpose oi
conducting the families home. Ii would APP
pear tina, when they had accomplished the first
r. fhsu hal.
ed at a tavern, from whence they wrote their
husbands, stating the circumstances which had
induced them 10 leave their comforiless resi-
dence-of their hopelessness Of being able to
accomplish the task they had undertaken, and
the slender prospect they entertained Of pro-
curing any mode Of conveyance. On The re-
ceipt Of this letter he instantly started; in his
anxiety TO proceed on his journey, he passed
through Albany without any enquiry; and in
like manner through Johnsrown; fortunately in
arriving at the next town, he found he had
missed the Stage, and although he knew il was
adding nothing to his progress, as he must be
over,aken by The next stage, he determined to
continue his Journey on foot; such was the rest
less anxiety of his mind to press forw ard TO the
relief OF those so deservediy dear 10 HIM We
say fortunately, for here he overlook fellow
traveller, who, in the course Of conversation,
enquired the state of the roads to the eastward,
expressing anxiety on accoun, OF two women
and eight children, who were journeying in that
direction. We need not add that he instantly
re:raced his Steps. At Johnstown he heard with
full heart and overlooking eyes, Of all that
these families had suffered, and Of their pre-.
sent comforts. On Friday last he again arriv-
ed in Albany; he sought the managers Of the
St. Andrews Society, and it is with pride in
the honest and honorable feelings Of our coun.
tryman, tina: we state he instantly insisted on
refunGing from his slender means, the sum ad-
vanced from The treasury Of that associations
this amour, they accepted-He was equally So
Tici,ous in desiring 10 repay all the private
contributions, but who would willingly be de-
prived Of the heartfelt satisfaction OF conIri-
outing TO The comforts of persons so deserving!
This restitution was therefore declined.
"Ve have rarely, il ever, known case which
excited so warm and universal sympathy; on
each recital Of the circumstances, the hand was
in the pocket before the tale was concluded;
and lives there an individual, who on such an
application, would have refused! IL there is,
we do no, envy tina, mans feelings. Let him
l.. IL. 4 ps,k