The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-09-09
A Beautiful Incident in the Life Of
General Cass,
pY THE "nnnAp-po Z. !,

General Cass,
BY THE "BREAD-Bor."
TrJqes oftpeak Megreatnesso q fthe Heart.
During the Black Hawk war, and
while the Government troops were be-
ing transferred, think it happened that
General LEWIS CAss--the distinguished
Candidate for the Presidency, then Seq
retary Of War under General Jackson
travelled through the State of New
York. Then, not as now, might you
breakfast in the city Of Albany, and step
on board rail road car, with certain.
ty in twenty hours oi being seated at
the board. of Buffalo hotel, over three
hundred miles away; but rather by
stage.route, and packet-boat on the
Erie canal which, by the way, AT FIVE
to six miles per hour at that day was
conceded to be "right SMART getting on,
by water. ssl
1t was in 1882, | think, the time Of
which speak, and summer. The rocky
village Of Little Falls, some eighty
miles west Of Albany, has ever BEEN
the wounder of all through: and
especially Of those who, travelling ca
nal.wise, have better opportunities for
noticing the almost insurmountabIe obs
stacles OF hill, and rock, and chasm, and
swamp, which were finally overcome.
in completing that mammoth channel.
The packet was passing through The
village above named,. when, as was his,
custom, a boy Of some nine or ten years:
Of age, with a basket Of brown bead, !
swinging upon his arm, dropped ii a.;
mong the crowd of passengers, making
the best Of his way to the steward's-der
partment. "The Bread Boy,n as hsi
was famlliarly styled, having made saIes
of his bro wn loaves, was returning, butt
upon hearing the name Of General Cass
mentioned, turned to look upon the disc
tinguished man who was directing alE
those troops and the Black Hawk war;
In his eagerness to catch a good view
of the great man, he by accident Drop
ped his purse into the canal, containing
the proceeds of his entire sale--Iittle to
many, to him much. This was a losyg
which brought tears to the eyes Of the
poor ''Bread Boys" yet he silenced his
feelings and looked upon the object Of
his admin alton with tears still rolling
down his face.
The great man had witnessed the ac.-,
cident; and rs the unfortunate boy turn,
ed to leave the deck of the boat, the.
heart of the General seemed to feel for.
the boys misfortune. STEPPING towards
him, he said: s sa,xs aas ss
"My fine boy, you have met with ~
misfortune; what amour: had you IN
your pursew sgstH
"Three shillings and a ninepence, ,.sitas
answered the s'Bread Boy - tslssass.e7 y
"Well, little man, Go not cry any
more; here is silver dollar to make up
your loss" fi.A. 03
And the "Bread Boy" received from
the hand ofGen. Cass silver American
dollar, the prompted gift Of one whose
60 odness of heart ever moves him 10.
"feel for others woes. That generons,
disinterested act could never be iorgot-
ten. The manner in whichit was dones4
proved benevqtence with him was notfs
an act seldom performed, and the deed
was better than the gift to the now smil.s
ing boy. He who ,cas the ssBread Boy'a
is one no longer now. nor has been FOR
many long years; and although he has
until recently done battle in the field Of 7
whiggery in more than one solid way,.
he is proud now to do battle COR dcmoc.
racy under The standard of the hero..of
1912, the maintainer Of stree trade and |;
sailors rights against English usurpa,s
tion, and the patriotic his Stater-- i
the next President of the United States !.
Lewis Cass. 81 4 $50 ) ssr
Oft yield men great gifts, to make foolsf, show;
But. dearer is that gift, not gym all men to know
Who gives his thousands, gives off, but for name,
And, failing. thus fole'er dspairs Of fame. ssaiJ
The widows mite, in meekness given. ia sIett ee3
OF God much rcheris Than thousands justss bright
Though given by lord, possessed Of kindly psft 'ts'
Tsiqes Oft show the greatness Of the heart ~ e
WAsHINeroN, Aug. Z, l848. s. ss,s v. s,.ss, nj,
Gen. Taylor now holds an oflice
which Yields him ffteen d0llors per dnv