The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-06-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Boston Tribune.
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A True Tale of Vermont,

Truth is stranger than Fiction.-SHAKs.
CONCLUDED.
We must now turn again TO the hero of our
story, Philo Blanchard, who all This time was
patiently loilng on in the Hospital, regardless
of his own health or rest
Daily were the poor victims OF the war
brought in. requiring his constant atten
dance, aud returning his sleepless watching,
with the most afectionate terms OF his graf
itude.
The distressing news was soon brought
him Of the sudden death ofhis son-iu-law, A
bel Chandler, and the heart rending duty
now devolved upon him 10 leave his sick com
panions, and communicate the painful intel
ligence 10 his daughter diary. Sad was the
task, for he had been chiefly instrumental
ia inducing Abel Chandler 10 leave his
pleasant home for the fearful adventures Of
war.
One night. while Philo was hurrying from
couch to couch, encouraging by his kind
words the dying and wounded soldiers-he
was sum m oned 10 tent which stood near
the Lake. where a soldier had Just been laid,
on bringing him from the opposite shore.
Father Blanchard, said the surgeon, The poor
man said he could not die without seeing you
aud sending his last message TO his irieDds in
the Green Mountains. Philo stopped down
10 the expiring man and with groan Of
agony exclaimed, Corporal Kimball. Oh,
Ralph, can do any thing Tor youP No
Father Blanchard, my time is over, but COM
fort my poor wife when l ar. gone.-Phio
did not leave the poor fellow through
the whole of that long night
but smoolhed his dying pillow, and
before morning. with a sad and aching heart,
saw the last Of the young mountaneers, who
had followed him with such bright hopes
breathe his last, far away from his family 8
friends.
Again the task devolved on poor Philo TO
send the mournlul tidings 10 that peaceful
retreat among The mountains, and fill the
bosom Of the quiet inhabitants with sorrow
and anguish on receiving the news that The
last Of the Young men was gone. Such are
the horrors Of war.
Among the victims which the cannonading
at fort Erie almost daily furnished for the
hospital, apoor fellow was LAID one day on
little couch. Before he left, the surgeon said
to therBlanchard, please TO Take parIicu-
lar notice of thar yonng man, who is pale and
weak from the loss of blood He has lost
both OF his arms
la short time the kind nurse had gained
the confidence Of the poor sufferer, who he
found was almost without friends in the Uni
tee States. He was patient and gentle,
thankful Tor any attention, and soon won the
love OF Father Blanchard, who became gen
tIy interested in bis utter helplessness and
learned by degrees his history. He was now
little more than nineteen years Of age, and
when little child, had accompanied bis pa
rents to Am erica. They dying he was APP
prentced 10 paper maker in the vicinity OF
Boston, who was cruel and hard master.
Mcfarland resolved TO efieci his escape, and
accomplished his object alteI some difficulty.
Pleased with the pomp and circumstance OF
war; he joined the army, by lis bravery
was raised 10 Corporars rank, when the
sad accident which deprived him OF both
arms, changed all his prospects. and cast
him almost entirely on the layDrs of a cold
world,
Fort Erie being now abandoned by the
English, our army had time TO devote more
attention 10 themselves and wounded COM
panions.
News soon reached Buffalo, that hostiities
would probably cease on our northern iron
tiers. Many companies were disbanded, and
Philo Blancha I'd, who had row been two
years from his family, began 10 turn his
thoughts towards his home Of the noun
tains.
Arrangements were soon made 10 remove
all the convalescent soldiers belonging 10 the
east, To the General Hospital at Greenbush
PHO by his constant attendance on the
wounded, had become almost necessary 10
their comfort, and il was with pain that he
thought Of the separation. Mcfarland es-
pecially, so wholly dependent, had greatly
interested him, and he longed 10 take him
as his own son. But the thought oil his fam
lily dependant on his care, prevented him
from INDUCING this humane desire. just
before The removal OF the sufferers, Corpor-
al Mcfarland sent for his friend. and desi-
red TO have some conversation with him.
Father Mcfarland he began, have you any
information respecting the pensions that will
be allowed for the support of The manned SOL
diers after the war;
No. have none, but l suppose according
TO the severity of the case.
So thought. Well, he continued, might
AS well come to the point, | must have nome
and while lying here under your kind care,
especially since there is a prospect Of my re-
covery, have thought how happy | should
be, could return with you TO the sweet home
among the Green Mountains, Il have so often
heard you describe. lfyou will allow me 10
90 with you, all my bounty land and all that
receive from Government in the form OF
pension, shall be yours. Do not answer me
now. for ifyou deny me this, should not
seepa moment this night.
Well, Mcfarland, will think oft. do not
distress yourself about the future, God will
provide kind friends for you in this hour of
your dependence"
PhiIo left HIM and returned to his room in
deep thought. A severe struggle rose in his
mind, How can inflict so much care and
trouble on my gentle wife and family? | re-
turn myself, worn down with toll. am al
so advancing in years. how can l take for
life this helpless sufferer. must not only
console my poor widowed daughter in her
terrible affiiction, but perhaps answer TO those
other bereaved ones for The loss Of their
afectionate husband and brother, whom /