Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-02-24
THE POOR MANS FRIEND.

The following anecdote OF Gen. Harrison we
find in the Chcothe, Ohio Gazette.
Much we may value the exercise of wisdom
and iores ght in the statesman, and as rich ms is
The history Of Gen. Harris, in examples ofboih,
it is not in the possession of these quail les that
we TO trace the secret Of the deep hold he has
upon the affections of the people. Throughout
his long and cventful life, his hand has ever been
oustretched 10 assist the stricken with misfortune
and his heart has ever sympathized with the woes
of his fellow men. gentleman of our acquain-
lance some time since related to us an account of
an incident that came under his notice, which, tho
oral generaSi,y "(as he stately made such nm
| Impression on our mind, that we cannot (orbenr
10 communicates ii TO our readers, rearettiLg our
inability to invest it with the peculiar interest
which our friends manner of telling the story
gave II. Its authenticity no one will doubt who
! knows our informant or his ustrious subject
II was at North Bend, last summer in compli-
ance with an invitation from Gen. Harrison to dine
with him. While we were at the table, a servant
re uested the General to step INTO the hail. rs some
person desired to sec him Immediately. NV host
excused himself 20 me, aud after few moments
absence, returned, usheripg in a man of about ff-
~ years of age, who bore about his person and
dress the marks Of the most squalid wretched-
ness.
This man. said Gen. H.. Says he is one of nv
old soldiers, and have invited him to dine with
u.s.
place was made for the unexpected guest,
aud he presently applied himself 10 The business
before him in such Il manner ms to evidence pretty
strongly that he had not hal good dinner for
many day. When we were at the table. the
man related such circumstances TO the General as
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
bluck smith 10y trade, and had been to New Or
leans 'on tramp where he suffered by sickness.
and was reduced to the utmost penury. He had
managed to get lhus far north, by the charity Of
steamboat captains and had taken the opportunity
which near neighborhood afforded him Of calling
on his old commander.
After dinner, the stranger manifested dspos-
ton to tepat- when Gen. Harrison drawing me
aside, said
Here is one OF my former companions in arms
in distress, and | cannot suffer him to leave NV
house in such ior'orn condition. To tell YOU The
truth, cannot be content with merely feeding
him-he must be clothed. Were I TO give him
the tl'read-hare coat on my back, he might Justly
consider it but sned charity. | have but one
other, however, yet he shall have Mat' So say.
ing, he brought from his wardrobe an elegant
black coat, with other garments TO correspond,
and banded them To The stranger.
Take these said he, 'lor the sake of old recoL
lcctions. My friend here will furnish you with
the means Of getting to Cincinnati and when Won
gel there, call upon Nj. - in --- street.
and tell him 1t is my request that he give YOU EN-.
ployment.'
The old soldier left the house, with what feel
ing you may imagine; but whatever they wlrc he
was too full to express them"