Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-11-27

where occurred the transhipment Of the passen-
gers from the West, was moored canal boat,
waiting the arrival of the train ere starting on
its way through to the East. The captain Of
the boat, tall, rough, embrowned man,
stood by the craft, experimenting the labors Of
his men, when the cars rolled up, and few
minutes after party Of about half a dozen gen.
tlemen came out, and deliberately walking up
TO the captain, addressed him in something af-
ter this wise N. tr
Sir, we wish to 60 East, but our further
progress depends on you. In the cars we have
just left sick man, whose presence is disa-
greeable. We have been appointed COM
miitee by the passengers to ask that you will
deny this man passage in your boat. If he
goes we remain what say you,' 0
Gentlemen replied the captain, lhave
heard the passengers through their com,
mittee. Has the sick man representative
here 2 l' H aHl
To the unexpected interrogatory there was
no answer; when without moments pause
the captain crossed over to the car, and en-
tering, beheld in one corner. a poor, ernacia.
ted, worn-our creature, whose life was near.
ly eaten up by that canker-worm -consump.
ton. The mans head was bowed in his
hands, and he was weeping. The captain
advanced and spoke to him kindly. '
'Oh, sir said the shivering invalid, look.
ing up, his face now lit with trembling ex-
pec,ations, 'are you the captain, aud will
you take me? God help me The passen-
gers look upon me as breathing pestllence
and are so unkind! You see, sir / nm dy-
ing; but oh! if am spared TO reach my
mother shall die happy. She lives in Bur
lmgton, sir, and my journey is more than
half performed. lam poor painter, and
the only child Of her in whose arms wish
10 die
You shall CO. replied the captain, If
lose every passenger for the lrip.'
By this time the whole crowd of passen-
gers were grouped around the boat, with the
baggage piled upon the path, and they them
selves awaiting the decision of the captain
before engaging their passage. .rs
A moment more, and that decision wns
made known, as they beheld him coming
from the cars with the sick man cradled in
his arms. Pushing directly through the
crowd with his dying burden, he ordered a
mattress TO be spread in the choicest part Of
the boat, where he laid the invalid with all the
care Of a parent. That done, the captain di.
rected the boat to be prepared for starting.
But a new feeling seemed to possess the
astonished passengers that Of shame and
cont-ition at their inhumanl,y. With one
common impulse they walked aboard the
boat, and, in few hours after, another COM
mit,ee was sent TO tho captain, enirea,ing
his presence among the passengers in the
cabin.
He went, and from their midst there arose
a white.haired man, who with tear.drops
starting in his eyes, told that rough, sun
embrowned man that he had taught them q
lesson, and they felt humbled before him
and they asked his forgiveness. II was Z
touching scene. The fountain of true sym
pathy was broken up in the heart Of nature
and its waters weled up choking the utter
nnce Of all present.
On the instant purse was made up fo
the sick man, with God speed on his way
home to die in the arms of his mother.
The rue.hearted captain Of the boat wa'
SAMUEL D. CAIRNS, and the above incident il
worth remembering" r4. ....a..