The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-12-10
THE SPIRIT OF OLD ETHAN.


THE SPIRIT OF OLD ETHAN.
The is one popularity about the Vermonter
that, perhaps, almost every body Of any observa-
ton has discovered Catch the Green Mountain
Boy when and where You will-wilh money in
his pocket or without single sous-with six pair
Of shirts in his wardrobe or with nothing but n
couple of dickies-sober as Judge or drunk as a
lord-catch him, in Short under any imaginary
circumstances, and you will find beaming brightly
the light Of love for his own native State. He will
he sure to answer you with marked and peculiar
emphasis, that, though somewhat small, old YER
mont is the greatest state in the "miky way" Of
the Union-lhe most noble gem in the constellation
of twenty-sx. And them he will point you to
Stark and Ethan Allen, names, he will confidently
assure you, which stand higher upon the monu-
ment of fame than any others recorded there, Hi4
eye wN glistcn as he talks Of Ethan Allen, and
reminds you of his capture Of old Tconderoga, 'n
the name of Jehovah and the Continental Cong
ress," of his performances when prisoner in Lon
don-of his frightening the New Workers from
Charlestown No. A, during the memorable conflict
between New York and the New Hampshire Grants
of his riding into Albany nlone and dining at the
public hote when The auihoities Of the state had o.
iercd reward of two hundred pounds steRrng Tor
him, dead or alive; and ten thousand other Cx-
pIoi,s equally characteristic of man who never
knew the emotion Orear
1t is fact well known to every man, woman,
and child living within the borders Of the Swilzer-
land of America, that in the closing days Of AL
lens life, he gave in his adhesion TO the Philosophy
of Puhogoms. He had formerly been a Deist,
but finally declared there was more reason in the
doctrine Of transmigralion of souls, than any other
he had ever heard of. lis belief was that at the
time of his death, that after his soul left its frame
it would take possession of the body of a 1rhite
horse. In this belief he died.
Some days ago might be seen, sauntering care
lessly along the Levee, among freshly imported
Dulcllmcn, Irishmcn and Frenchmen,a chap whose
land' of nativity could never be mistaken by any
person who had seen, once in life time, true
specimen ola rough-hcwn NermOn,cr. lie WIS
powerfully built man, nearly six feet high, win Il
ruddy and open countenance, especially express
sye of holiness and freedom. His hat was iauntiIy
sci upon me suu ~ ins head, uuu Ivg - lie Pc"
falcons rested upon the top of his stout cowhde
boots ior. he didn't condesccnd TO wears!raps, and
lis two fists were thrrsicd down Into his panlaoon
pockets. II could hardly he said that his gait was
unsteady, but it was evident enough from his whole
demcanor that his poiatons had no! been of n
character that could he called extremely thin
While he whisted checrlally, as he saun,ered ~
long, the old national mir Of Yankee Doodle, il
was easy TO discern, hy the wrinkles Of his eve,
that he was ripe for fun and folic, us well us for
any more serious Glray. Just at this junciure he
saw in the road, ut Il distance Of dozen rods or
more, n dray-muu, with Il stout horse, entirely
white. Having very heavy load he had reckless
y driven one Of the wheels into deep hole in The
pavement from which the horse had failed to start
it. The drayman had commenced hcgng, the ami
nal became contrary. K there was every probable
,y that the dray would remain in the position il
had assumed for considerable leug,h of time. II
was while the driver was belahoring the poor beast
most numerically, that our Vermont friend came
with tremendous strides to the rescue.
Jupiter all calamity exclaimed he, ms he seized
the drnyman bv the collar, aud jc,kcd him The dis
lance Of half rod from his hose, strike that
animal ngiM and III strike You in such II shape
that you II think you've been kicked by four
year old colt.
What right have you TO interfere in my hrsi-
ness" said tine man doggedly.
u don't interfere with your business replied
the Vcrnonter, that white horse belongs TO the
State of Vermont, there's no knowing but the soul
of old Ethan is in that animals body and aint you
id pretty customer TO he ilogging Ethan Al
len in the streets with u hoop-poc' James Price
and General Jackson, I've half mind TO pitch in.
to the You nyhown
Recovering II little from his establishment, the
drayman said he could stop 10 hear the talk OF
every drunken Ionfer, aud again advanced towards
his hose.
Drunk OF SOBER said the Yankee, 'you don t
strike old Ethan again, while I'm in Orleans
"Well Sc about that, said the other
Jest so,' said the Vermonler, Il guessI have
10 maui YOU any how-square oh-I'm into YOU
in less than no time, like four thousand brcks'
AT this pass the Vermonter thrust his brawny fist
into the face of his antagonist. mud II, the same time
tripping his heels; with infinite dcxtery, laid him
sprawng upon the earth.
"Get up agln and take fair shake" said the
champion of the horse Its fun for me 10 lick you
and give you every advantage"
How the affair would have ended it is difficult
to determine but at this point in the ARRAY couple
of police officers took the defender Of Ethan Allen
in custody, and lodged him in the co'aboose. He
went with them peaceably, for said he.
"Im cooked as muskct, hut always obey the
law. was brought up TO that; "never 20 agn the
law said the old man to Inc when left home"
When brought before the Recorder in the morn
ing, he had forgotten all about old Ethan, said he
had been on bit Of bender, and was let of by
paving for his lodging at lIarper's Hotel.