The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-10-04
Father NaYIOr.


Father Taylor.
~ Who has not heard of r. 4, Taylor, famous ror
his arduous labors among seamen. as a minister Of
The gospel and, Of course, advocate of temper
ance lie is one oflhe eficiea;and popular speak
ers Of the day. The New England Washingtonian
gives brief sketch orono Of his disGourses: r
'Brethren' said Mr. Taylor, about three wears
since called to widow, one of our sisters who
had long been expecting her only son, noble young
sailor, from sea. Tho ship in which he sailed had
been due over three months, and the poor widow be-
gan to think that her darling boy, her only support
had found watory grave. Wen, talked the mat
ter over with her, and underworld to cheer her with
the hope or seeing him (You know, gentle
men, my motto is, never saydie,) and while was
yet speasng, she seized by tho arm, and excIaim
ed, 'hush! hush! that's my Williams voice.
know u l7-hls STEP too, on the stars' 10 comes!
my own William .nes:,-open flew The door and
there stood the noble youth, with arms extended
ready Tor spring. lie gazed an iustant,--his eyes
caught his mothers and they were locked in each
others embrace. They kissed and wopt, and kiss
ed again, and wept too; and there we all three
stood, weeping with joy. OH it was glorious sight!
we all had recovered breath, the odJady simpering
inquired what had detained her William so long? --
'Why mother replied he, you see we lost our mass
in gale, oil the cape, an have been hobbing along
ever since under jury masts- nobody got hurt-the
ship was line sea bont--capnin noble fellow; but
what's this Father Taylor Cunning to me)--Go
bless you! am glad 10 see you; how are all your
iolss,' and he grasped me with both hands and
shook sic iri uTuer e r'"I'u"
and PNcKJ below, and must get them, so YOU
must excuse me- few minutes afterwards we
separated. aI
The mex, Sunday, 7 stood where now stand; the
greater part of the nearly full and brother
Foster getting some setlees reudy fvhen my at
tSnton arrested by the young sailor with his
fond mother upon hs arm Oh he was a noble look
ing fellow straight an ash, firm pillar, yet
when he walked, seemed plant as willow. Shall
I forget him? No, never. That Gay, (it was sum
mer at the tme) lie wore.a blue jacket, white trow.
sers, and the turned down collar Of his white
sh, darged tho glossy locks of raven hue. His face
and neck deeply bronzed by the sun, but the
easy smile that played ahou, his mouhand tho heart
cheerlulness, that CLEAN in his hazel eyes, threw
his whole countenance halo of intellectual sunshine
As he walked up the aisle, the fond mother looked
around with nm air oradmralion, as much to say,
See you not my noble boyi-why don't ype rcjoice
with me?' But there was no occasion for it, if such
were her thoughts for wherever he came in view he
was the observed of all observers. Nor was his
ieror the better part Of him his heart was MOBILES
his soul large enough TO take in all mankind. ! had
frequent opportunities of seeing aim daring the next
week, and still he seemed unchanged; but (my heart
bleeds while tell Of it) in the early part OF the
second week,he standing at the corners ocs!rcets
smoking and talking with some of his shiPmntes; the
day which they received their wages, saiorlike.
they all assembled in rum shop, TO take parting
glass; that glass fatal 10 William Each treated
in his turn and they separated they were nearly all
intoxicated William was one OF those proud spirits
who Mt times are possessed with considerable Grm-
ness and believe that they abstnin om TIE free
action of their own will rather han to be Tied down
by pledge. The first debauch had diseased his ap-
petite, his self posse ssion had left hm,a more rum
was requted to qaeuch his burning thirst Need
tell You before another Saturday night he was con-
irmed drunknrd, Keeling about the streets and wal
lowing in the gulter At last nature gave way, and
he was carried 10 his mothers dwelling, drunk and
nsonsible; that dwelling which but fortnight before
his presence had rendered the scene of so much hap
pness. | called to see him, and there he lay on a
mattrass, his glossy locks cloted with mud, and
hi, ulaniy face, smeared with sun-dred gore ana
there too, by his pillow, sat his dsconsolatc mother
ba,hina his fevereJ temples with vinegar, and weep
-, 40 If her heart would break. underworld to
.oo,b her bu, she was like Rachel, weeping Tor her
children refused 10 be confoned. When he heard
nv voice. he raised his head, and, in rough and
SAVAGE voice demanded of his moihsr more rum,
RAM he exolsl,ed, rum want! curse you, give
mo some rum, and stop your foolish pritins Here
ar Toyor threw his arms upwards, and gazing in
The. same direction, as il his whole soul va. il his
ewes. raised his voice, and continued, Curse hi
ro,ber Holy God, shut the windows OF beaver