Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-01-19
An Incident Of Real Life.

A gentleman OF Milwiukie has related
the following interesting narrative of one Of
those real struggles Of the young, TO assist
their parents, which sparkle like diamonds
along the pathway Of human life. In traits
like these, there is a moral heroism mani
tested, which marks the pure gold Of hui
man character:
" Business called me TO the United
States Land Office-while there awaiting
the completion Of my business, a lad ap.
parently about l6 to IL years old came in.
and presented 10 the Receiver a certificate
Of purchase for 40 acres Of land. | was
struck with the couutenance aud general
appearance Of the lad. and enqnired Of him
for whom he was purchasing the land the
reply was, for myself. sir then en-
quired where he got the money! he an
swered, i earned j, by my labor Then.
said |, you richly deserve the land. | then
enquired where did you come from p
New York, said he. Feeling an in
creased desire 10 know something more Of
this lad asked him whether he had par
enis, and where they lived on this ques-
ton, he took a seat aud gave me the fol-
lowing narrative
Il am from New York Stnte-haye there
living father, mother and Eve brothers
and sisters-I am the oldest child. Father
is drinking man, and often would return
home from his days work drunk, and not
a cent 10 his pocket to buy food for the
family, having spent all his days earnings
in liquor with his drinking companipns--
the family had To depend chiefly an mother
and myself for bread; this distressed moth
er mncb, and had powerful effect on my
feelings. Finding father would not abstain
from liquor, | resolved TO make an effort
in some way 10 relieve mother. sisters and
brother from want--alier revolving things
over in my mind. aud consulting with
mother, | got all the Information | could
about the Far West, and started from home
for Wisconsin with three dollars in my
pocket. left hume on foot after spend
ing my three dollars worked occasionally
day; and renewed my travel so long as
money lasted By labor occasionally, and
the charitable treatment got on the road
landed in Wisconsin. Here got an axe,
set to work and cleared land by the Job
earned money, saved il, till gathered $50,
which money now pay for this 40 acres
| Of land
We'll. my good lad, (for by this time
became much interested in his history,
what are you now gong to do with this
land = why, sir, will continue 10
work and earn money. and, when have
spare time, prepare some OF my land fol
culture raise myself a log house, an,
when prepared. will write father and moth
err brothers and sisters to come to Wiseon
sin and enjoy this home. This land, nov
i bought by me, ] design for my mother
which will secure her from want in her de
clining years. What, said !, will you d.
with your father if he continues TO drinl
ardent spirits To excessi oh, sir, whel
we get him on the farm he will feel a
home, will work at home, keep no lquo
in the house, in short time he will be
sober man. then replied, young man
! these being your principles so young. rec
, ommend you 10 Improve on them, aud tn
blessing of God will attend you. sha
5 not he surprised TO hear OF your ndvauc,
{ men, TO the highest post of honor in III
J Siste-with such principles as you have
: you are deserving Of the mobiles, commer
] dalton.
/, BY this time the Receiver handed hir
/, his duplicate receipt for his forty acres {
. land-rising from his seat on leaving III
e Office, he said. at last Ihape Home ia
+. my MOtherP"