Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-03-14
GRE

ed from a conviction-of duty 10
believed him to be in error, he wiser
that it was not proper time to convince hih
it. He therefore mildly said to him, Henry, II
shall not force you to do what you think would
be wrong, and this is not proper time to decide
whether you have acted wisely or not. We will
talk the matter ever another time. MeantimeI
get your supper, you must be wearied with your
long walk.
Years passed-Henry Morton, now fine
young man, set out on a tour to the NORTH
While at the Falls of Niagara he went with al
small party Of friends on short excursion in al
small sail boat.----The day was deghtful.---
Tempted by the balmy freshness of the air, they
had already proceeded SO far that they could
scarcely hope to get home before night set in
The sun was already sinking behind the dark
forest. They were all strong and skillful boat
men, and their little slliif danced over the waves
with the most celebrating motion.
In the bright glow of sunshine amid the per-
fume of flowers and the song of birds, waited
from the shore, they had not observed that a
heavy cloud lay piled up in dark masses in the
northwest Soon it overspread the sky. The
sun disappeared amid the gathering shadows
the lightning cleaned fitfuIy over the dark for
est casting lurid glare upon the troubled wa
tiers. The wind moaned among the tall pines in
hoarse murmers blending its deep tones, with the
roar of the distant Falls. Henry and his COM
Ipanions taking advantage of the current and the
favorable breeze redouble their efforts, hoping
to outstrip the storm which now thrcatned every
moment to overwhelm them. A sudden blast
swept down from the hills-the irail boat over
turned-and in a moment, Henry and his two
companions were struggling with the rapid cur
rent, He was an expert swimmer and could ca
| silly have reached the shore, but one fhls com
l panions, overcome by fright, seized him by hi
clothes and dragged him under water. In vail
he Struggled to free himself He could not shakC
t off the canyulsiye grasp of the drowning man
o and he felt, that encountered with such burdel
e in that rushing tide, he should never reach thu
d shore. For time they disappeared beneath tn
dark waters, and just as Henry, GREATNESS ant
u exhausted from the struggle rose the third time
g alone to the surface, a strong arm seized him
uICW mn llllO ShIll bOlC lllAl w
n shore. His preseryer carried him with tenderes
: care to his cottage, and used every means in hi
= power to restore consciousness. SO nearly wa
d life extinct, that it was for some time doubtful
k whether he would ever revive. AT length sign
IS of returning animation encouraged his beneiac
h tor to perseyere.. He opened his eyes-gaze
}, with bewildered stare around the room, an
n sunk again into insensbility, The man VIII
/ had so noby periled his own life to rescue Henry
q was one of the refugees of Canada, who have le
u from the tender mercies of republican slavery i
l. the United States, pretering personal freedom
e that benighted land to chains and stripes in tn
IS glorious republic The wife of the cottager oh
u served with surprise her husbands agitation, Will
k endeavoring to restore the unconscious strange
re and when returning life animated the ghast
r, face and lighted the dim eye, he threw his arm
n round the still insensible form, and exclaimed
IS ''Thank God it is Master Morton that "
?, saved" Soon, by his renewed efforts, Henr
1t was restored to consciousness, and shared tn
IL transports of the faithful Jack, who was almos
g beside himself with joy at having his old master
/ son guest beneath his own roof
It Every thing was done that affection coul
l. suggest, to make him comfortable Soon he wa
o perfectly restored, and while Jack led him PROUD
o ly through his fields, and pointed out his net
T. improvements, his wife prepared with her u
c most skill the substantial food with which the
d were abundantly provided Henry Morto
thought, while he sat at Jacks table and share
T the wholesome meal, Oh, that the enemies of tn
y slave could sec this How would prejudice an
n ignorance shrink abashed, at such proof, tina
v even those who have been degraded by opprcs
n sion to the level of the beasts that perish, wi
when blessed with the pure air and bright sun
: shine of liberty, stand up as God made then
1t reasonable, responsible men. Afen some day
o spent with Jack, he returned home, resolved nc
only to free his own slaves, but to devote all hi
J energies to the overthrow of slavery in his natiy
State and throughout the country. His yoic
will yet be heard in behalf of the oppressed