Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-12-31
For the tierald of the Tunes.
The Student.
Dy J. Il. ID.

VI tic roluuntic NouUcCtlCut, ""oSe
couhtcnance plainly indicated the anx-
icty of his mind. His head was bont
toward the ground, his arms thrown
across his breast, and he appeared in
every way like one engaged in deep
thought. He was young man, in the
buoyancy oS life, about the mldd'n9
size, with franc strong and robust,
and we'll calculated TO endure the hard
ships and fatigue Of life. His head be-
ing bare, and the hair combed back +,
revealed forehead, high and massive,
while from lis eye, there beamed an
intelligence, which commanded the
respect and admiration Of the bcholder
There was peculiar singularity in his
conduct, which gave him the appear
ancc of ono, who was about to embark
on solno daring enterprise. He seemed
to be struggling under some strong e.
HlotioN, as tnouSh niS iniIu was 'ooScu
by conflicting passions, over which he
could not exercise sufficient control
"Thc future, gilded with the sunlight
Of hope and imasination," was before
him, urging him onward, while the past
instructed him in admontory lessons Of
prudence and caution.
He had seated himself upon the trunk
of fallen tree, musing upon the novel
ty of the scheme he was about to adopt,
when the sound of the old "conch shclP'
came booming through the forest OF
"Old Dartmouth" calling the students
to their evening devotion. lie arose,
retraced his steps, and entered the col
lcgc yard just as the last notes OF the
"old shell" died away OIL the mir.
"I'here are certain points in our be-
ing, which may be termed, not unaptly,
the pl.ois Of lie on which the future
rests, and by which our destiny is de-
cldsd - elevations, from which We sur
vey tSe pass. the present, and the future,
and after consulting Memory, judgment
and Reason, fix our minds on some
modc of final action and that mode
may prove to be the pivot, upon which
our future life may turn. AT any rate,
i: proved so in the case Of tho Student
of whom ain speaking. One single
act, laid the foundation OF a subsequent
life. as remarkable as the actors fam0
Is dcuthlcss The mind, tired Of a mo-
notony wEtre its powers of action are
restricted, seeks in some way to free
itself from the feltcrs that bind it. 1t
was thus with tho Student. IIo was not
satisfied with his situation--he prefer
rcd free, unlettercd freedom to the dull
continuity of college life the wide
world for his field Of action, 10 poring
over dusty tones. Tic could act like Il
giant, but he wanted room. lie pos
scssod spirit as bold as the "Hero OF
tho Alps. " aud as restless ns the noun
! tain eagle. His resolution was fixed !;
he left the scat of science and literature,
the alma mater Of some Of the master
spirits Of the age, and, with a spirit OF
adventure which has never been equal
led, put into execution that bold and
daring plan, which has alike excited tho
establishment and admiration Of the
world, and won for himself that halo OF
glory that to this day oncirclcs his
name.
! 1t was about two weeks from the time
that our story copmences, and late in
the afternoon, that little band Of stu
dents from Dartmouth College, assem-
bled together, TO look for tho last time
upon one Of their number. Their boz
SONS hcavcd with sorrow and regret a,
the parting, for, in oil probability, they
thought he would find a watery grave
beneath the blue waves of tho COnnec.
tcut. But not so their companion; his
ardent soul, thirsty for travel, laughed
at his bold undertaking, nnd dcfied the
dangers that would attend the step lac
was about to take. All things being
ready, light and shallow canoe, made
from the trunk of tree, was launched
upon the sleeping waters, when, after
embracing each Of his companions, anc
bidding them n las: farewell, Jon,
LEDyAnD, the Student, the grand ant
daring Ledyard, disguised in bear
skin, lcaped into the lrai! bark, an'
Committed himself to Fortune anC
the Connecticut.
Ny story il told, as this memorable
event mus, DO fresh in the mind OF owe
ry reader Of Iistory. Suffice il TO say
ihat from this dale, - beginning wa
,n,Io a., ,ta trayaII nf Innu 4 slyn,f