The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-05-10
WI i sc G 4 \ n m G O us.
COL. TRU MBULL-A NOBLE EXAMPLE
OF EARLY TIMES.


About the year 1878, circumstance occurred
which deserves to be written adaman:. In the
wars OF New England with the aborigines, the Mo
hogan tribe of Indians early became friends of the
English. Their favorite ground wason the banks
of the river, now the Thames, between New Lon
don and Norwich. small remnant Of Mohegans
still exist. and they sacredly protected in the
possession and enjoyment of their ravorte domain
on the banks of the Thames. The government Of
this tribe had become hereditary in The family OF
the celebrated chief Uncas. During the time of
my fathers mercantile prosperity he had Employed
several Indians ofthis tribe in hunting animals
whose skins were valuable for their fur Among
them was one named Zachary, of the royal race, AN
excellent hunter as ever lived. When he had
somewhat passed the age of fifty, several members
of the royal family who stood between Zachary &
the throne Of his tribe, died, and he found himself
with only one between him and tho empire. In
this moment his better genius re sumed its sway d.
he reflected seriously: elbow can snch drunken
wretch as am aspire TO be chief of this honorable
race ? Can succeed to the great Uncas? / will
drink more.
He solemnly resolved never again 10 taste any
drink but water, and he kept the resolution.
had heard this story, and did entirely be-.
eve ii, for, young as was, had already par,ook
in the prevailing contempt for Indians. In the be
ginning of May, the annual election ofthe princi.
pal officers of the Qhen) colony was held a, Hart
ford, the capitol.
My father attended officially, and il was custom
airy FOR the chief of the Mohegans also to attend
Zachary had succeeded to the rule of his tribe
My fathers house situated about midway on
the road between Michigan and Hartford, and the
old chief was In the habit of coming few days be-
fore the election md dining with his brother COVER
nor One day the mschiev eous thought struck
me,to try the sincerity OF the old mans temperance
The family were seated at dinner, and there was
excellent home brewed ale the table. address
sed the old Chief thus-'ZAchary this beer is ex-
cellent, will you taste il ?? f
The old man dropped his knife leaned forward
with stearn intensity of expressions his black eve
sparkling with Indignation was fixed on me
John, said he, 'you do not know what you are do
ing You are serving the devil, boy tell you
that am and that, ifT should but taste your beer,
could not stop till got to rum, and become again
the contemplate aorotoh your father remembers me to
haze been. John, while you live never Tempt a
man to break good resolution Socrates never
uttered a more valuable precept. Demosihenes
could not have given in more solemn tones of eIo.
quence. was thunder struck. My parents were
deeply affected they looked at each other, at me,
and at the venerable old Indian with deep feeling
OF awe and respect. They afterwards frequently
reminded me OF the scene and charged me never
to forget it. Zachary lived to pass the age Of 80,
and sacredly kept his resolution. He lies buried
in the royal palace OF his tribe, near the beautiful
falls of the Yantic, the western branch of the
Thames, in Norwich, on land, now owned by nv
friend, Calvin Goddard, Esq i visited the grave
OF the old Chief lately, and repeated to myself his
inesmable lesson. DE- sa9