The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-11-04
Miscellaneous.
HENRY BoYDE.

~,
nobIemen ut the age of eighteen he had so
far won The confidence of his muster, Hut he
Ind not only consented TO sell the right mud
file of his freedom, but gave him Ills own
lime 10 rnrn his money. With II general
mss from his master, Henry mnde his way
To the Knuawha suit works, celebrated as the
place where senator Ewing,of Ohio, chop
ned out his education with his axe And
there, too with his axe did Henry Boyde chop
out his liberty. BY performing double labor
he got double wages. In the day time hG
swung his axe upon The wood, and for hulf
the night tended the boiling salt kotles,
sleeping the other huff by t!.eir side. After
having secured II sufficient sum, lac returned
30 his master aud paid il for his treedum.--
he next applied himself TO learn the trade
Of n carpenter and joiner Such was his
readiness to acquire the use of tools that lac
soon qualified himself 10 receive the wages
of a journeynnn. In Kentucky prejudice
does not forbid muster mechanics To teach
q colOred men their trades. .f ...
He now resolved To quit the domains Of
slavery and try his fortune in II free state, and
accordingly directed his sieps to the city of
Cincinnati. Tho Journey reduced his purse
TO The last qunrier Of dollar, but with his
tools on his back, aud set of muscles that
he well knew how to use he entered the city
with n light heart. Little did he dream OF
the reception he was to meet. There
was work enough to he done in his line, hut
no master workman would employ mig
ge,." Day after day did Henry Boyle offer
his services from shop TO shop, but ns often
was he repealed, generally with un insult, and
once with kick. At last he found the shop
of an Engshman, too recently arrived 10
understand the grand peculiarly Of Ameri-
can feeling. This man put plane in his
hand, aud asked him TO make proof Of his
skill.
This is in bad order" said Boyde, and,
with TINT he gave il a nice professional knock
with his hammer ill the brought il 10 suit his
praciiced eve.
enough" said the Englishman 81 see you
can Use tools" .....
Basde, however, proceeded 10 dress II
hoard in avery able aud workmnnlke man
ner when the jonrneymeu from a long line
ofbencbes gathered round with looks that
bcspoke personal interest IN the matter.
''l'ou nfy go 10 work." said the master Of
the shop, right glad to e,npIoy SO good n
workman. '' ."". f'"'. d E.'-I"uHg
The words lad no sooner left iis mouth
Than The American journcyueu, ti,lbuIrobing
their aprons, called as one itan for the set
element of thetr wages. ."- "F1
"WIat, what" said the amazed English
man, ''wllaf does this mem ?" ..- .I #'.'t
at means Thar we will not work with
nigger," replied the Journey men.
'But lie is II frst-ritc workman"
but we WON'T stay in the SAME shop with
n n'gger."
Then will build n shnnly outside, aud
he shall work in HAT"
enc, no, we won't work for II boss who en-
ploys niggos. Pay us ti!,, and wen he OFF,
The poor master Of the shop turned with
a drspairing look TO Boyde "You see how
tits, my friend, my worknen will all leave
me. am sorry thr it, but CART hire y"u."
Even AT this repulse our udventurer did
not despair. There might still he nIccIlau-
les in the outskirts Of the cTty who Ind too
few iourncymen 10 he bound Ivy ltcir prejn-
dices. His quarter ola dollar had long since
Disappeared; but by carrying travellers
trunk, or turning his hnud 10 any chance JOB,
lie couirived 10 exist ill he had n,ade nm mp
plica,ion to every carpenter and joiner in The
city and suburbs No one would employ
him. BY this time the iron hand of preju-
dice, moro calling than anything he had cv-
"r known of slavery, had entered his soul
He walked down to the rivers bank below
fhe city, and throwing himself upon the
ground, gave way to agony aud despair. He
had found himself the ohjcct Of universal
contempt, his plans were all frustrated, his
f'0pes dashed, aud his dcar-bought freedom
made Of no effect BY such trials weak
.servihty; stronger ones are made the enc
;Inies and depre,lators ofsocety,an il is only
ahe highest class of moral heroes that come
off like gold from the furnace. OftlIs class
dlowever, was Henry Boydc. Recovering
.irom his detection, he surveyed the bvawny
muscles thut strung his herculenn limbs
A new design rushed iuto his mind and new
resolutions filled his heart. lie sprang upon
his feet, and walked firmly aud rapidly to-
ward The city, doubtless with aspirations that
might have fitted the words Of The poet:
"Thy spirit, Independence, let me share,
lord OF the iIon heart and eagle eye"
The first object which attracted his 'eaele
EYE" on reaching the city, was one of the
huge river boats laden with pig iron,' drawn
up to the landing. The captain of this craft
was just inquiring of the merchnntwho own
cd its contents for nun to assist in unload
ing it. ',s 500 10 .....laru..e, .r.I .
''Pmthe very fellow for you" said Boyde
stripping off his coat and rolling up his
sleeves, and laying hold ofthe work. ~.
Eyes, sure enough, that is the very fellow
for you" said the merchant .. .. ..tt... p To
The resolution and alacriiy of Boyde in
terested him exceedingly and during the
four or five days whilst hotilla ofboais were
dischargng their cargoes of pig iron with
unaccHstomed dispatch, he became familiar
with his history, with the exception fall that
pertained to his trade, which Boyde thought
proper to keep to himself In consequence
our adveDtlIrer next found himself promoted
to the portership of the merchants store,
post which he filled to great snlisfaction.-
He had a hand and heart for everything,
and occasion was not long wanting to i'm
prove 1t. f.u.. .-.t ..t.'0sE . ..r....
A joiner was engaged to erect counter,
but failing by n drunken froiic, the merchant
n