The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-02-26
From the Cayuga Chief
Incident in the Life of 0ssian E. Dodge.

| Incident in the Life Of 0ssian Z. Dodge
Bold spoken, straight forward men are
scarce to he found, unless they float lazily
upon strong popular current. We have
seen his humiiaiing face every where pre-
sented.
Dodre is a man. He is an every day
temperance man. He both sings, talks
and acts out his opinions upon the great
subject.
His home is in Boston. Summers he
| does not sing, but devoies his Time to trav-
cling, sketchng and writing lie is n reg
ular contributor to the Boston Weekly
Museum. TO those acquainted with The
man, we need not say that he we.ds n pen
in n manner peculiar 10 himself, his letters
always sparkling with that quiet vein OF
wit and humor, so characteristic OF the
man.
| After the concert season was over, Dodge
| le?i the civ OF Boston to spend isw weeks
among the hills and mountains of New
Hampshire. An idol with the people Of
| lNew-England. is Dodge. His appear.
ance among them is the signal for O. good
time"
Before Dodge had hardly departed 10 the
land Of dreams, the news oil his arrival
had spread like wild-iire. " Dodge has
come, now for fun" was the talk that wenl
ound. Dodge had hardly swallowed his
breakfast before lie was surrounded by IA
swarm Of ardent friends. He was the
centre ol attraction. Seated coolly in his
chair, his feet upon The table. and a cigar
in his mouth he let of his jokes until he
seemed like nest of rockets exploding
harmlessy among the crowd. Every
time he Withdrew his cigar from his mouth.
the act was followed by an ominous silence
only to be broken in upon by shout, as
hearty as universal.
Arrangements we're soon made for a
time" The party adjourned from the
bar room TO the sitting room, where table
had been spread for the The occasion. AZ
ter they were seated, Dodge among the
number, the walters came in, and wine b
glasses were placed upon the table. Wine
followed.
"My friends" said Dodge. They all
ceased speaking, expecting something from
the soul Of the party. That something
came. I" My friends, | thank you Tor your
kindness, bot allow me to say. that if wine
u indispensable tn the entertainment, you
must do without Dodge I"
That was glorious speech, Under
the circumstances il was heroic. II fell
like wet blanket upon the crowd, whose
mouths were watering for the wine bottle
Dodge quietly left the room. and again
took his seat in the bar room, resumed his
cigar, and replaced his feet upon the la
bic. No words could alter his deteTmina-
ion OF course there was bnuIk in the
arrangements But Dodge was soon sur
rounded again, and The laugh went round
hearty as ever.
A ride was proposed up Mount Wash
ington The first question asked, was,
"Will Dodge join The parly?'
mo sir" eaid Dodge.
Some disparaglng remarks were made
about cold water men. Dodge was one.
and he dared not undertake the fatigue OF
1ona up the mountain. Alter HEY had
| said enough about cold water men, Dodge
sprung 10 his feet.
Gentlemen, An a cold water man.
Who dare follow me up the mountain to-
day 2"
Thought You want a going" said
one.
"a mistake" said Dodge, 1 said
should not ride up. You have had your
un about cold water men. Now, gentle
men, few men, during such weather as
his, can walk TO the top Of Mount Wash
inGton. Who dare follow Dodge up the
| White Mountains to day on foot? Take
The stump towards, and back out, you tip
lers ~
Ashamed and courounded, it was some
moments before movement was made
Al last one and another volunteered, until
eleven declared themselves ready 10 follow
the comlcal and cold water vocalist.
"All ready ?'' says Dodge.
" Ave. ave. was the general response
and in Il few moments the daring comJ any
of pedestrians (with no guide) were or
their upward and perllous march. After
4 while Dodge found himself and one o
he eleven alone upon the mountain. He
out with MS portfolio, and during his as
cent, took SIX different sketches aud arri
we'd, he ard his comrade, nj the summit o
Mount Washington, tlrenty minutes before
the cavalcade of mountain ponies, wei
trained to such excursions. A f AT hard It
he equalled by the strongesi OF men.
Dodge had lriumphed. The cold wate
fellow enjoyed his victory, and turned t
mercess fire upon his wine.bibbing rivals
Upon enquiry, lhe Stranger, who alone ac
compauieA Dodge up The mountain, prove,
20 be another cold water. man. He hat
watched the strife with interest, and nov
participated in il TO see the result,
Few men would have had The boldnes
and honesty to have taken the stand lha
Dodge did at the table. Such an eXhibi
lion Of integrity aud consistency is 81 rare
y seen, that it is worthy Of lasting and EN-
phalc record while he showed himself T
prompt fellow 10 dare his friends to strif,
which should test the virtue of wines in sus
aiming its admirers in the arduous ant
difficult ascent up Mount Washington.