The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-02

f'"''", "'H plSh'Hc thV hNnh ul' W hNhNSh'
An interesting young man who had been spending
many months in TIM, close and uncomfortable resi-.
dence made shift to get on shore at ElizabGthtowr
Point, which is fifteen miles from New York. iii,
coalition was very destitute. With no moneyln hi,
pockets, ragged and sick, he crept mp to Elizabeth
town on foot well his failing strength would al
low. He called at one door and told the story of hi,
Imprisonment and recent deverance, stated that he
was sick and without penny TO buy bit of bread
and besouSht entertainment until his recruiting
strength would better enable him to walk to his IN
distant home The door was closed against him. ",
went to another, and another, with better success
lie was entire stranger in that part of the country
The best excuse for such unndness is perhaps to be
found in tho consideration of the unsettled state Of
everything, and the greater Than usual liability TO be
imposed on by the arts Of tho wicked and the deceit
full. The poor youHg man even asked permission Of
one family, if they could not let him come into the
house, TO sleep on the straw in the barn-lolt. But
this, too was denied him. Snmmoning up all his re
naming strength for last effort he ell the inhospit
able villagers and wandered on on one Of the roads
not knowing whittier to go; and after walking four OF
five miles, good Providence would have it, before
Mr. NJ. was at home, and welcomed the faint young
soldier in. Everything which kindness could suages
was Proilered and the poor fellow found brother
when he had almost despaired of finding friend -
Ills fever was alluyed; and IN fow days he was
nearly well.
BY this time some excursion OF military duty cali
cd MIR Meeker away, and he leil the young man in
the care of the black woman, who, during the wal
was the only member Of the family besides himself
lie told the soldier 10 stay long he pleased. As
for himself duty called him away in the service OF
his country, and he did not know when he should re-
turn. Perhaps he might never. The chances of waS
were very uncertain. In case he should not return,
the Young invalid was relieved from all embarrnss-
ment and anxiety by the PERMISSION to consider that
house his home for life. ..,..H .....
After a residence there, however of nine days the
young soldier, recruited in health and encouraged by
kindness SO unexpected, left the cottage TO seek his
distant friends and home. The chances orwar, toe,
proved iavotablc to his noble, mSgnanimous host -
And after the war, and the immense suiferings which
1t had laid upon the American people were past, Mr.
Meekcr found leisure 10 occupy his farm undsturbed;
and in the arts aud enoymens OF peace to share the
had so long endured. He united himself ia mairimo
ny to one Of the fair damsels of Jersey; and in
the course Of few years, sprghtly boy and four in
terestng girls gave hundred-fod additional value 10
his classical little farm and cottage.
Almost seventy years have now rolled away since
Mr. NJ. and his compnriots drew their swords in be-
half Of American freedom. Long this he and the
mother of his children have paid the great debt o.
mankind: while only scattered few Of those whose
eyes looked upon the horrors of the Revolutionary
struggle are yet to be found among the living. And
upon them deere ptude has fastened itself, and they
move steadily to the grave, bowed down under the
pressing weight new generation has followed
And impeled by the same love of liberty, its mem
bers pruning and cutvating that which their
fathers planted; are Witnessing its constantly UNI
folding fruit. How would the heart of the patriarch
and philosopher Franklin, rejoice could his wish Of
being permitted like the fly corked up in bottle of
wine, TO come out and live again, at the end of
enty or eighty yenrs,be gratifed He would see inn
provcments far outreaching his sasacous calcu-
laons and the love Of liberty, morality and religion
deepening and widening, every year, in the bosom Of
his country
II was sometime between the commencement and
the close OF Mr. Van Buren's administration of the
national government, that an aged and respectable
looking gentleman, apparently in pursuit of pleasure
and recreation, found his way into Lyons Tavern,
With somewhat inqusitive eye he seemed TO be
watching the turns and forks Of the road until reach
ing the Stone School House the top of the hill, he
struck of down the lane to the right and alightng at
he first house the left hand, knocked at the door.
There happened to be but member at home. His
appearance and gray locks however, were
sufficient guaranty, and without the ceremony of
'urther introduction he was invited to come in. He
said that his name was Ebu Fish, and that he was
.esdent of New England lie had been in that
country once before, but then long time ago
Things then looked very different from their present
appearance. Tho aged stranger looked around him
with great deal OF quiet curiosity, as if trying TO re-
,ognize something his face Frightening with addition
Il interest all the time. 'Pormit mo to ask" said
he at length, "the PERSONS name who lives here"
''Josiah Meeker, my BROTHER" replied middle
ged maiden lady, the same who had met him at the
door, ''i '''. '.' .." ''t
''Josiah Mecker' said the stranger-'and will you
,e good enough to tell me your own name -
"My name is Hannah"
, Sand now what was your fathers name :" .' 4