Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1836-01-28
THE POOR BOY.

ISN"SOt
THE POOR BOY.
we delight 80 trace the progress Of gen.
!us, talent, and industry, in humble life
we dwell with pleasing emotion on the
character and conduct Of individuals, who,
froRa low estate,' obscurity and poverty.
have raised themselves by their own native
energy, to aff1uence and stations ofrespect-
ability and renown. Our country is full
Of examples Of this description. Gideon
Lee was once poor boy, and 10 the occu-,
patton Of tanner. He is now in afluene
clrcumstances-recently Mayor of New
YORK, and at present member Of Congress.
Charles Wells, late Mayor Of Boston, was
a journeyman mason. Samuel T. ARM
strong, acting Governor of Massachusetts,
and at the head Of several philanthrcpic
institutions, was once ajourneyman printer.
There are those living who recollecr
George Tibbits, a day laborer, and know
him now man Of wealth, influence and
enterprise-the Mayor ofthe city of Troy.
Stephen Warren, the well known and es-
teemed President ofthe Troy Bank, rich
in this worlds goods, and rich, too, in pub
lie spirit and deeds of benevolence, came
from an obscure town in Connecticut, pen
niless-a shoemaker. Perseverance,, en-
ergy, industry, and moral worth, produced
this pleasing consummation of human wish
es. With one more example we close our
sketch.
Thirteen years since, q poor boy hired
himself to the captain off one of the Steam-
boats on Lake Champlain, in some hum
BILE occupation. Few know the tempta-
tons which young men are liable to in tho
mixed, irregular company Of Steamboat
surrounded by evil companions. aud un-
der equally bad influences. But the poor
boy had tatisman to keep him from fall
ing. He recollccted that there was one
human being who relied on and cared for
him. He was the only son Of his moth
or, and she was widow" He faithfully
discharged his humble duties. His con-
duct was marked by ".hose who passed
that way" and by his employers. Aspi-
ring for what he metited, he gradually
reached the top Of his profession. He COM
manded one Of the frs, steamboats, on the
Lake. His uniform politeness and atssn-
ton to those who we're necessarily thrown
in his way, commanded for him universal
respect and esteem. Hisreputation reach-
ed the cars Of The greatest Steamboat Assoc
citation in the world; and many who knew
him when a boy on the Lake. now see him
at the head Of most splendid boat that
foan,s and dashes through the waters Of the
noble north, and from salary Of IS per
month, his pay increased to Oil 500 per
annum. Thirteen years have not altered
the good principles Of his youth. He still
retains that simplicity, and purity Of char
acter, which must ever be regarded as the
true nobility of human nature.
MI AssssnEsr.
Anecdose eftke Spanish Lnquis;s;on.-
A nobleman in Lisbon, having heard that
his physician and friend was imprisoned by
the inquisition, under the stale pretext Of
Judaism, addressed letter to one Of them
to request his freedom, assuring the inquis-
itor that his friend was as orthodox a
christian as himself. The physician. not
withstanding this high recommendation,
was put to the torture and. as was actu-
ally the case, at the height of his sufferings
confessed every thing they wished. This
enraged the nobleman, and feigning dan
gerous illness, he begged the inquisitor
would como to give him his last spiritual
aid. As soon as the Dominican arrived,
: the lord, who had prepared his confidential
servants, commanded the inquisitor in their
presence TO acknowledge himself Jew,
to write his confession. and to Sign it. On
the refusal Of the inquis;tor, the noblsman
ordered his people to put on the inquisi-
tors head red-hot helmet. which 10 bis
astonishment. in drawing aside the screen.
he beheld glowing in small furnace. At
the sight Of this new instrument Of torture.
LuEe's iron crown tho monk wrote and
subscribed the horrid confession. The no
bleman then observed, See nov tho
enormity of your manner Of proceeding
with unhappy men My poor physician
like you has confessed judaism but with
this difference only, tovmen.s have forced
tina. from him which fear alone has drawn
from your
When We have olien balked eur aPPe"
iiies by denying them what they erave.
they will ore long grow 30 gentle Inss 'nsy
will crave no more. Neither Flenes nee
poverty bless or curse say man bus accord.
ling 10 HE spirit end understanding