The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-09-28
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
The following morning proved cloudy, and al
though tempted strongly, refused the invitation
Of Harmgn who came early for his promised gun,
to take my first lesson" | had brought no
books with me, but after desperate search my
landlady provided me with the fifth volume of
Clarissa llarowe which commenced in the cen.
tire, but never having read the preceding volumes,
! could neither understand nor get interested in
which Richardson places his heroine in this stage
Of his story.
most dOleful morning did while away be.
tween reading, yawnng and smoking until about
eleven, the sky having cleared, shouldered my
musket, and set off for the woods. | wandered
about for long time, in fruitless search for
Harmon, and was just concluding 10 give il up
when the near discharge Of his gun announced
his Immediate vicinity. a moment more, and n
loud explosion which knew but to well was oc-
casioned by the bursting Of IN over-chargcd gun,
ruug through the mir Following the direction of
the sound, had nearly stumbled over the body
Of Harmon Shepton, who lay bleeding by the
side Of the shattered gun. His right hand was
shockingly mangled, aud he bad several other
though unimportant hurts Taking him in my
arms, made my way as fast as possible towards
bis home. As gained the road met man on
horseback, whom commissioned to proceed to
my lodgings, get my case OF instruments, and
send them by the village physician with all speed
He came, and we decided an amputatiun TO be in.
eyitable, and were soon performing it.
! II had been my lot TO witness much intense suf
ferins, and often to perform painful operations
many Of which had been endured with forti
tude worthy Of respect and admiraton, but nev
er have seen an instance Of more heroic firm
ness than was displayed by this poor boy. No
a groan escaped bis lips, not muscle Of his bod,
moved but be lay with his patient, suffering
eyes" fixed on my face, with an expression whicl
said plainly, lie was sure would not give him
needless pang. By his side stood Ida, her little
hand cllsping his, for lie would suffer no one else
/ 10 hold II, her eyes filled with curious express
! ion OF grief and wonder, wandering alternately
from the face of her suffering bother to Us, whom
she must have regarded in some sense his tormen
1 tors
! When we had finished, he thanked US, and af
ter reminding Us that his father would settle our
! bill' continued turning 10 me, DIR Merid,n, YOU
slal! have all the money ! have got for my fox
skins ! have ruined your nc. gun, and am viii
ling to pay you for IT,"
} | was never more sfIected than at this proof o.
the honesty of that noGlchearted boy, who al
su.h a moment recolecled, and was disposed, a.
s.! : po-sitie 10 make amends for hi unlnten
1t pa ruin oi property. 1t might be weak bu
Wclt Ike a enid, as assured him that the loss
Of the gun was hut tr.te IN my estimation, pro
yiei he could recover.
Day after day spent Ivy the bed side Of Har
mon oheptun, endeavorins TO amusc aud intluenC,
lin. For as soon as he cam. to realize the ex
tent of hi- misfortune, he gave way TO posity,
despair, In vain represented TO him how casil,
he could by energetic endeayors acquire an edu
cation 5y which he could support himself but al
my arguments were vain. Aud it did iudeet
seem dubious case. He was almost fifteen
could with difficulty read a little, his mind wa
undl,cipIined and hl- rowing habits wonld natur
ally render the restraints of the schoOl-room in
supportable. One morning, | told him, at som,
length the history Of several meH, who by thei
own cxcrtons, IN the face of almost insupeIabl.
obstacles, had acquired wealth and station. lie
had lain perfectly silent through the whole; but
as concluded, he gra,ped my hand, and exclaim
ed, Doctor, am sure ! can try rs hard as any
body; | am resolved to begin now, and 90 nigh
on IN spite of everything. Aud,'' added he a mo
ment after, with AN independence natural to him
81 mean TO do 1t all myself" And he did begir
directly, and three months after be entered Al
academy IN the village ringing the bell FOR his tu
ltiUn.
My health being entirely recruited. left Sal
magundi, to resume my professional labors in nj,
native city, from whence soon sailed for Europe
At first, often thought Of my young friend, will
many wishes for his ultimate success; but rap
id succession Of exciting events soon drove hin
from my mind, and at length, believe, torgo
the fact Of his existence