Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-04-16

ter, as my father and myself were passing
towards the fields, the scenes of our daily
tolls, the cheerful stiffness Of the morning
was broken by the sound of cannon Ii was
IN the direction of Boston, and we instinct
ively felt that war had, in good earnest be-
gun. The sounds became more frequent.
My father would fain have preserved his u
sual composurc, which so well became the
Oldest deacon of the church, but his patri-
otto feelings became too strong for maste-
ry. Clappng his hands with force tina,
made me star, as IL one of the cannon had
been fired by my side, he exclaimed, John
you may GO There was no mistaking his
meaning. Though these were all the words
he uttered, yet knew had permission TO
JOIN the army, and that the permission wo'd
not be recalled. threw away the cart whip
that bad in my hand, which neither of Us
stopped to pick up, and we Immediately re-
turned to the house, and began arrange
ments for my departure. The old musket
was taken down and examined there was
not particle Of dust about it, for I had
cleaned II daily for months. The time spent
by my iathor in changing, adjusting and
proving the fiint,was TO me exceedingly an
noylng. But he knew better than | did
That feelings, however frey would not ic-
mite gunpowder. In the mean time. had
packed my knapsack, and htched our old
bay TO the chaise. In less than an hour af-
ter the sound of the first cannon reached
our ears, we were moving on the way tow
ards Boston. The horse, who did not seem
TO partake OF my enthusiasm, moved as de-
liberately as if travelling his usual Sabbath
day Journey. would gladly have dispens-
cd with his services, but my fathers cool
and slow self possession had returned, and
no deviation from his will was TO be thought
Of
should have remarked that my mother
was absent on visit to my married sister,
so that was spared the trial of bidding her
farewell, which would, no doubt, have been
different affair from parting with my faith
err.
We had cleared the lane, and gained the
main road toward Boston. was devisinp
expedlents for quickening the pace of the
tory beast, as in my heart had called him,
when we met our revered pastor, MIR Forbes.
lie paused as he drew near. MY musket
and Enapsack-and probably my counter
ance too, though | am sure my fathers
would not.-informed him whittier we were
bound. When one all absorbing idea is
present, conversation, as far as it relates 10
II, can be carried on at small expense O.
words.
So John, you are going to fight the bat
ties OF God and your country.
Yes SIR, I'm going TO try, / replied, cti-
quette torbidding the use of any of the ex-
pletivcs that rose to my lips, in the presence
Of Il minister.
Well may the blessing of the God Of bat
ties 60 with you, John. But remember.
John, when you are away from your minis
ter am d your father, that you are not away
from God. Remember--, and the old
mans eyes nlled with tears as he gazed I'D.
on me-he closed them, and for a few mo-
ments was engaged in mental duplication,
then bestowlng God bless you,' upon
me, he passed on, as if unwilling TO delay
us on such an Grand. Tits meeting passed
IN minute, but the impression that il left
on my mind has lasted for many year. and
was far deeper than if he had bestowed
heightened lecture, to which am sure he
would not have found a very patient listen
err But the good man knew always what
10 say and when TO say il; in this respect
'ihSiiS "iucly from some OF ms sacred pro-
fession that have fallen IN with in the eve
ming of my days. Whatever improvements
there Eiay have been made in other things,
am free TO say that the breed of our Min
lsters has not improved. The fact is, they
could not be much better than they were in
those days, much as they are now sometimes
r'dicuied by ungrateful blockhcads who are
enjoying the liberty which the Ministers Of
that day, quite as much as any other class
OF men, aided TO secure.
The distance from my native place 10
Boston was about IA miles. NY father left
me 10 perform the latter half of the distance
on foot las parting advice was brief: "Fare- /
well, John, you know your duty and mind
what Mr. Forbes said 10 you"
arrived at the camp before nightfal
somewhat exhausted by the haste | had
made during the latter half Of the way. | 4
sought the company TO which my compan-
ions belonged, and entered as a volunteer. /
My friends had not taken part in the enga-
cement, but were full of enthusiasm in con