The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-11-27

passage. The boat was bound westward
to Lockport. As usual the boat was
crowded with passengers of all descriptions
Immigrants from the despotic rule of
European countries to the far-famed land
of Elysian fertility and freedom in the
West-long-fngered spectators, seeking
their thousands at a grasp-curious travel
lcrs, anxious to behold Niagara, the pro-
dizzy of Natures Wonderland multitude
of unmentionable sorts-a molly crew /;
all occupied with the news of the day, the
signs of the times, aud the wonders of the
country. The Old Sailor, ever ready for
duty, had scarcely settled his fare and de-
posted his valise in safe place, than he
began to lay out his copious collection of
experimental and practical truths to those
around him so that, the crowd soon ga
thered, and he, finding an elevated stand,
raised his animating voice in faithful and
fcrvent admontions of good and evil.
Wonder was fastened on every counten-
ance to witness such fervid force and di-
rectness of thought in so unpublished a
speaker. His skill in narrative, and the
native power of his vivid imagination, ex-
pressed in rich and varied tones, prompted
by the honest earnestncss of his heart, af-
fordcd an abundant compensation for his
deficiency in those more liberal and pleas
ING adornments which are the fruit of a
proficiency in letters and thus being qua
lifted to meet mankind in the real, rough
and busy scenes of life, he filed peculiar
and important sphere for which men of
higher attainments are necessarily disqua-
lifed. Some of his refined hearers, accus-
toned only to public and formal addresses
might have supposed him to be some wild
enthusiast or fanatical reformer. But the
Old Sailor was dealing with real rather
than artificial life. With true and strong
hand he could set up rigging and trim ship
for quick and successful voyage.
While all were wondering and inquiring
about the strange Preacher, the boat reach
es the landing at Lockport. The land
ing is crowded with spectators, hacks and
porters. Mr.. A., with valise and umbrella
in hand, is one of the first to step upon the
dock !; and as he steps from the gangway
he is accosted by poor, unfortunate car
rier, who had become victim to alcohol.
The poor inebriate's clothes scarcely
screened his filthy person from the gaze of
the crowd, and were no protection from the
wind and storm. His feet were but par
tally secure from the pavement, and his
head was as bad, as destitute o. covering ;
in short, the poor man was mere wreck
of humanity. More than all, he was now
reeling from the effects of his last nights
drunkenness. This unhappy creature, in
this unhappy plight, a disgrace to civilized
s society, despised by all, and even dlsre-
: spected by himself, now applies to Mr.. A.
to carry his valise for him to the public
: house. Though Mr. A. courteously de-
5 clined the offer, the poor man still urged
f it. But when Father A. again politely
1 thanked him, saying he was of mind to
carry it himself, the poor man exclaimed,
"Do let me carry it, sir; will charge
only sixpcncc I have not cent in the
: world, and am not able to get my morning
, bitters." At this Father A. took him
kindly by the hand, and commenced con-
versation with him; very much to the
surprise of all, and especially the crowd OF
passengers who had not yet landed from the
boat 1t was mystery to them how
a preacher could condescend to shake