State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-23

save my hard earnings, just let me say,
for the advantage of every brother sailor,
that there are four things, which l never
did never suffered drop of grog TO 60
down my matches, blow high or blow low /;
j never rolled sinking weed, like sweet
morsel, under my tongue never crossed
hands with drunken landlord; and never
bore away from poor fellow whose ham
mock was harder than my own.
! My five years absence from home might
have extended to fifty, but from many rec
objections of my mother and sister, which
became more forcible from day to day. My
remembrance of my father was of the most
painful character: the very recollection Of
his tenderness, in the days ofmy childhood
which ofthn brought tears into my eyes,
served only to render the image of a cruel
and degraded parent mere frightfll and re-
voting.
| had shipped, about this time, on
board the Swiitsure, from London to OPP
porto. One afternoon, two or three
of us, day or two before the ship sailed
had strolled over to the south side of
the Thames, to look at the Kings dock
yards at Deptford. AS l rambled among
the docks, received smart slap on the
shoulder, and, turning suddenly round
whom should see but old Tom johnson,
an honest fellow as ever broke bread or wore
a tarpauln! He was born i'm our village; had
followed the sea for nearly forty years;
and, once in the course of three or four, he
he cont rived to find his way to the old spot
and spend few days in the valley where
he was born. "Why, Bob" said he, "l'm
heartily glad to see you, my lad so you've
taken leg bail of the old folks, and turned
rover in good earnest, ey?" | told him, |
hoped he didn't think I'd left my old mother
to shirk for herself in her old aye. "Not
jot 2" replied the old sailor; esquire Seely
has told me the whole story, and says, he
has put the sweat of your brow more than
once or twice either, III the old lady's hand,
and made her old weather-beaten heart leap
for JOY to hear you was so thoughtful lad.
| saw your mother about year ago, and
your sister Rachel" l shook old Tom
Johnson by the hand; l could not restrain
my feelings, for this was the first news had
received from home for more than five
years. "Come, Bob" said the old fellow,
"don't be for opening your scuppers and
making crooked faces; though it blows
hard enough now, it may get to calm wea-
Their after ALL" "How is my father doing
now?" inquired. "Why, rs to that" an
swered Tom Johnson, at is about twelve
month since j was there. told the old
lady ! might cross your hawse in some part
ofthe world. She had a rough time of it,
my boy. The cd man holds on to mischief.
like heavy hedge in clay bottom: The
cold water folks began about year ago, to
scatter their seed in the village, in the
shape of tracts, and tales, and newspapers.
Some OF them were thrown at your fathers
door, and at the door of old Deacon Flint.
the distiler. There, as you may suppose,
the seed fell in stony places. Your father
was in a great rage, and swore he'd shoot
the first person who left another of their
rascally publications before his door. I'm
afraid it will be a long while, my lad, before
the temperance folks get the weather gage
of the rum-sellers, and rum-drinkers in our
village. They have had miserable seed
time, and the Devil and Deacon Flint, |
am afraid, will have the best oftho har-
vest"
AS Tom Johnson was to sail in about
week, for the United States, sent by him
few lines ofcomtort and small remittance
for my mother. As have already stated,
they never reached the place of their desii-
nation. The Oranoke, of which this poor
fellow was mate, foundercd at sea, and the
whole crew persisted.
After our arrival at Oporto, the crew of
the Swiftsure were discharged and, finding
favorable chance, l shipped for Philadel-
pha, where we arrived, alter an extremely
short and prosperous passage. ] directed
my course once more, towards my native
hamlet. My feelings were of the most
painful and perpleXing character. In ac-
cumulated years, and even in the little
property which had gathered, felt con-
scous ofsomething like a power and ntiu-
ence; which, by Gods grace, | hoped to
exert for the protection OF my mother. Yet,
when rccolected the ungovernable vic
lcnce of my fathers temper, under the
stimulus of liquor, | almost despaired off
success. Atany rate, | could behold the |
face of her who bore me and receive her
blessing once more before she died.
Having sent my luggage forward, per-
formed a considerable part of my Journey
on foot. had arrived in the village, ad-
joining our own.
paused for an instant to look at the barn, |
in which, five years before, had passed
most miserable night. 1t brought before
me, with painful precision, the melancho- |
ly record of the past Every mile of my
lessening way abated something of that
confidence, which had occasionally cher
ished, of being the instrument, under God,
of bringing happiness again into the dwell
ling of my wretched parents.
had arrived within two miles of the |
little river, which forms one ofthe boundary
lines Of our village. was passing little |
grocery, or tipplery, and, standing at the
door, recognized the very individual, who |
formerly kept the grog-shop in our town,
and from whom my father had purchased
his rum for many years. Although it was
already gray twilight knew him immed.
alely; and, however painful TO approach
person, in whom l could not fail to behold
the destroyer of my father, l could not