Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-09-11
From the Casket.
CROG HAN,
OR THE HERO OF FORT SANDUSKY

Its early dawn, thanN they shed DER bfl
and dale, through moor and mountain; :
and having arrived at Chillicothe, Gro
CHAN was placed at school with gentle
man of considerable eminence, where he
had not remained great many moons be-
fore his assiduity raised him to an equali-
ty with the most advanced of bis school
fellows, and gained him the applause and
admiration of his teacher; save and ex-
cept, that his pryips genius would at times
prompt him to ask questions concerning
his studies, which caused the wortey knight
of the birch an inconsiderable degree of
trouble to expound, until eventually, his
admiration began gradually to subside
and give place to apprehension and cool
reserve, to the no small amusement of his
pupils, who took particular delight in
seeing old Plato, as they famllary called
him, forced into Granny by. Acibiades,
and observing the con,ortions of his coun-
tenance, as he endeavored to evade by
stratagem, the difficulties propounded.
His surprising powers of mindwere al
so combined with happy mixture of APP
parent simplicity and GOODNESS of deter
mination, that he became favoiite with
them all, so that whenever there was
project on foot either for enterprise or
amusement, he was universally consulted
and adopted as their LEADER never did the
subjects of the Great Mogul or those of
the Graud Seignor yield more implicit
obedience to the will of their sovereign.
than did his little band to the dittates of
their chosen cheftain. Even did Plato
secretly envied him the facility with
which he led them; and so great was his
desire to possess the same sway ever their
feelings, that he would at any time, have
cheerfully purchased at the expense of a
moiety of the remnant Of hair which the
wreck Of time had spared to his half ex
posed Uranium, that spell by which his
pupil seemed instinctively to guide them !;
but with which, notwithstanding all his
ingenuity and experience, he found it i'm
possible to attain. His prominent char
acteristics were pronptness in determining,
and intrepidity in executing whatever he
had designed: nevertheless, when an OBJ.
ject of distress happened to cross his path,
no one recorded by the page Of history,
could ev,nce liner feelings, or manifest
greater benevolence in alleviating the
poignant sting of misfortune, not except
ing even the far-famed philanthropist,
Uncle Toby.
One day seeing poor stranger mock
ed and il-treated by a number of boys,
whose notice had been attracted by the
grotesque appearance of his dress, he ap-
preached and placing himself between
him and his tormenters, began TO remon-
strate with them on the improperly of
their conduct, upon which the oldest OF
the gang, who was considerably larger
than himself, asked if he wished to fight.
To which he replied, that he only fought
when obliged; but that he if he again
dared to insult the poor man whom he
had now under his protection, he should
find that his bull did not Brighten him.
No sooner were the last words pronounced
than the sturdy bully to show his contempt
of the threat, flung at the old man dead
rat, which he held by the tail, when Gro
CHAN instantly struck him with force
which had well nigh inverted his position
but he, recovering himself, tapped with
considerable effect, the neither region Of
shis olfactory organ, yet nothing daunted by
ahe profusion of the vital stream, Croghan
boldly stood his ground, and making with
his left hand feint to strike his antogo-
mist in the face, dealt HIM with the right, a
blow on the stomach which felled him to
the ground and for some moments depri-
we'd him Of respiration. Then standing
over him as chanticleer over cock-spar.
row, exhibiting more pity than resent
ment, he awaited his recovery.
Now said he, as soon as his crest-fal.
len opponent was able to speak, 'if you
have wish to take another trial arr
ready
sNot now,' he replied, 'rve got enough
for the present.
well, I'm sorry you have obliged me
to use you SO; but lei il be warning tc
YOU whenever you meet an object Of pity
in future, to treat him with greater hu
mainly, for you know not but it may
chance to be your own lot one day to need