Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-09-24
From the Rochester Republican.
AN INCIDENT.

In an obscure village, in The State OF
Vermont, there lived an aged man. friend
less and without connexions, for he was
one of the early settlers of the country,
and came here alone. During the rere
luton, he took up arms with the rebels.
and gave bis property for the benefit OF
the Revolutionary army. lie endured all
the invitations which characterized that
struggle for liberty, be signallzed himself
in several battles, and after The efforts Of
the friends of freedom were crowned with
success he retired TO private life. lie be.
came very poor and was compelled TO earn
bis bread by working ono day here and The
next there. His wife died- children he
bad none 10 this state, alone in the world,
Invested of property, aged and infirm,
creditor seized the few little effects he had,
and committed his body 10 prison. Some
Of his acquaintance bailed him out TO
the liberty Of the yard" He remained
within the {" limits" twenty seven years
sometimes working for one person, and
sometimes for another. at such work as he
could perform. Gardening in the sum-
mer, aud doing chores in the winter. were
his usual occupations Finally, he made
a bargain with the village tavernkeeper,
and bound himself out through life for his
board and clothes He used 10 take care
of horses. make fires, &c. AT this period
OF bis life, there was conspicuous char
acter travelling through the country. re
ceiying The congratulations and attentions
of our citizens As he fastened through
our village, his fame went before him, and
the people turned out en- niasse to BID him
a hearty welcome. He arrived at the vii
Iage where the " old soldier" lived, and
stopped over night in the same house.
The old man knew him, and often tried TO
get access to his apartments. but without
success. The aristocracy ofthe place. the
rufiIed shirts, and silk gowns, the little
masters and misses, must first greet the
stranger. However, the ole man made IN
teresI with one of his village acquainian-
ces 10 request an interview with the stran-
ger. "I'el him." said he. "that Captain
B of the - Regiment of Infantry wish
es TO see him at his leisure" Ibe man
conveyed the message The stranger was
electrified: . What" said he, (" is he sligsp
Where is he p AT the same time, leaving
his rufiisd shirt company, he went into the
bar room to search for the " old soldier"
He found him. /" Is il possible" said the
stranger, A." that you are alive 7" They
embraced each other. and were so affect
ed that neither could give utterance TO one
syllable The spectators wondered gazed
and were COMPOUNDED The best feelings
Of human nature gained the mastery OF
the whole assembly. At last, said the
stranger 10 the Old Soldier, "come along
with me-" They retired TO room, alont I,
and conversed about by gone iImes-about
the battles they had fought together and
/ the hardships they had encountered. Each
gave a particular narration OF bis life since
| their separation, and that Of the Old sol
der, was heart rending 10 the illustrious
stranger. He told him Of his poverty, his
| troubles, and his incarceration in PRISON
his present means Of subsistence, &C.
" How much do you now owe," said the
stranger. :" have been on the limits tirs's-
IN seren years for nineteen dollars Inc
costs and interest may now amount 70 one
lhundred." There are two one hundred