Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-03-27
FOUNDED ON FACT.

It was dark afternoon in November The
clouds that passed the horizon the preceding
night and morning, heavily charged with rain,
were now swiftly returning. They had parted
with their moisture but retained their blackness.
The wind that propelled them howled among the
distant hills, or careered across the plains. At
such time,-when every one that has home
wishes to be there,-a boat was about crossing
the Niagara, from the American to the Canada
shore. This stream,-so friendly to the "FU-
e1TIvE" when fleeing from American oppression,
to enjoy, under British laws, the bliss which
Washington and Jefferson wished and expected
would be enjoyed by all in this Republic, c,-some-
times refuses aid to those who are injuring them
selves or Others 1t did SO at this time The
boat was manned by three men; two of them, a
father and son, had often crossed it, on busi-
ness or pleasure the other, young man who
had been but short time in their employ. He
was just what young man should be. Depriv-
ed, years before, of his father, he was toing for
season, that he might make his feeble, widow
ed mother more comfortable. When he found
the night before, that Mr.. --- and his son
hud freely irlulgesl i, ,vo-st of al habits
or appettes, that they were incapable of return
ing, he called on pious relative, went with him
to meeting of christian friends, and after sea-
son of unusual interest to him, went and tarried
with his mothers brother, and early the next
morning sought and found his employers.
They now enter their boat; the father seats
himself in the hinder part, or steerage; his son
undertakes to manage the boat. Alas for them
he was incapable of managing himself
Being about to start, the son took stiff drink
of whiskey from flask in his pocket, and offer
ed it to his father. The old man had sense enough
to refuse. The young hired man never drank
ardent spirits.
Their boat is now loosened. The first move
showed how incompetent drunken man is, in
time and place of danger. The wind was in
their teeth. or directly against them; the sail
filled on the wrong side, carrying them down,
instead OF up the river. The old man run the
boat as near the wind as possible. He dared
not tell his son to tack, as soon as could be, tol
he knew too well his temper, when he had beer
long drunk. In the course they are now taking
there is hardly an even chance for them to reacf
the opposite shore. They had gone about one
third the way across, when the wind sackened
and scarcely blew at all. The current howev
er. did not, but was faster and faster bearing
Tho old q nd
ed at once their danger, and thought it was tint
for his companions to know it also. He there
fore shouted SO loud as to be heard on shore,-
"Willam, we are going over the falls " Th
stupid man appeared somewhat startled, an
asked,-"Wh-a-t can-we do ?" "Take tn
oars" said his father. He started for the row
er's seat, staggered and tumbled to the side q
the boat nearest the falls. His father kneN
there would be no chance for them for VIII
liam's car would be as likely to back.water a
to help them forward 80 he promptly shoute
once again, "Let Joseph take that seat."-
After some hesitation he yielded, and took tn
opposite side. With the sober young man o
the side that danger was, all was done fo
awhile that could be done. His strong stead
pulls were increasing their chances of escape
While the steersman could do his part, thei
gaining the shore was thought quite probable
The anxious, gazing bystanders said, "The
are two thirds across ]" "The young man doe
we'll" &c. At this critical time new troubl
beiel them,-their steersman gave out The
had now arrived where the current was yer
rapid. The utmost exertons of Joseph woul
only turn the boat round-he could not get an
nearer the shore the swift current would In
short time carry them, as the OLD man said, ovt
tle falls.
But though fatigued, that old man was nj
snsensible. He was fully aware of their daI
ger, and that he himself was the cause of it.
With danger before us, how will the mind, in
moment, run over the space and deeds of years
conscience, in the meanwhile, either accusln
or excusing. Old Mr.. - took a rapit
truthful survey of his past life his early vow
to his mother, and how he prospered while
kept them; his fall from his high station an
christian profession, by intemperance, his onI
son becoming drunkard with him, his risin
again for while, the Washingtonian temper
ance movement reaching that part of the cour
try, and himself and son signing the "pledge
H recoected the two years Of bright joy an