Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-03-26
From the Giifcothe { Ohio) Gazette.
THE POOR MANS FRIEND.

Much as we may value the exercise of wis
dom and foresight in the statesman. and as
rich as is the history of General HARRISON in
examples of both, it is not in the possession
OF these qualities that we are to trace the
secret OF the deep hold he has upon the alfec-
tons of hepeople. Throughout his long and
eventiul lfe' his hand has ever been out
stretched to assist the stricken with misfor-
| tune, and his heart has ever synpathized
| with the woes of his fellow men. A gentle
man OF our acquaintance, some time since.
related to us an account of an incident that
came under his notice, which, though but
one OF the thousand examples of the old Cen
erai S generoslty-(as he stated --made such
an impression on our mind, that we cannot
forbear to communicate il to our readers, re-
GREETING our inability to invest it with the
peculiar interest which our friends manner
OF telling the story gave it. Its authenticity
no one will doubt, who knows our informant
or his illustrious subject.
81 was at North Bend, last summer, in
compliance with an invitation from Gen.
Harrison to dlnewith him. While we were
at the table, servant requested the General
to step into the hall, as some person desired
to see him Immediately. My host excused
himself to Inc, and, after few Minutes alb
sence, returned, ushering in man of about
nifty years OF age, who bore about his person
and dress the marks of the most scualid
wretchedness.
''Ths man, said Gen. H., ssays he is one
OF my soldiers, and have invited him to
dine with u.s.
"A place was made for the unexpected
guest, and he presently applied himself to the
business bJore him in such manner as to
evidence pretty strongly that he had not had
a good dinner for many d day.-While we
luz al. fa1>tA
cumstances to the General, that convinced
him that the new conner was really one of his
old soldiers, who had served with him on
the Maumee and at the Thames. He was a
blacksmith by trade, and had been to New
Orleans on tramp where he suffered by
sickness, and was reduced to the utmost ne
nury. He had managed to get thus far north,
by the charity of the steamboat captains, and
had taken the opportunity which the neal
Deighborhood afforded him of callino on his
old commander.
"After dinner, the stranger manifested Z
disposition to depart-when Gen. Harrison
drawing me aside, said
"Here is one OF my former companions If
arms III distress, and | cannot suffer him tc
leave my house Ill such a forlorn condition
10 'eii you the truth, cannot be conten
with merely feeding him--he mnst be cloth
ed. Were to give him the thread-bare Goa
on my back, he might justly consider it bu
stlnted charity. | have but one other, how
ever, yet he shall have Hat.' So saying, hi
brought from his wardrobe an elegant bacl
coat, with other garments to correspond, an,
, handed them to the stranger.
Take these said lie, for the sake Of oil
Iecoilectlons My friend here Will firnis
you with means Of getting to Cincinnati, an
when you get there, cali upon Mr.--i
--,street, and tell him it is my requcs
mat ne VIII give you employment
"ihe Old soldier left the house, with villa
feelings you may imagine but whatever the
1 were, he was too full TO express them"