Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-12-30


Though foied himself, the good he planned,
The Future yet shall carry through
THE APPLE PEDDLER.
1t was the 18th of May, 1851, day which
will long be remembered that found myself
seated in the bar-room Of one of the principal
hotels in Dunkirk. 1t was the morning of the
New York and Erie Railroad Celebration The
streets were throngcd with anxious spectators
who had assembled from all surrounding parts,
to behold the first steam horse who had dared
to venture thus far into their romantic country.
As | sat at the window conversing with friend,
my attention was directed to middle aged man
in the street, with basket of apples, which he
seemed to be disposing of to those who were
desirous Of purchasing. His dress was of the
poorest material, and that so badly torn, that it
dangled in shreds about him. He wore nothing
about his feet save piece of leather, which by
means of strings he had ingeniously fastened
upon the bottoms, to prevent them coming in
contact with the stones. His hair was Of jet
black, and with his RED beard, hoated in wild pro-
fusion about his head. Feeling anxious to con-
tribute something to the poor man, beckoned
him to approach me. slipped a few pennies
into his hand, and my eye caught his. There
appeared to be something peculiar in his looks.
E:s countcnance told of better days, and Iques-
toned him to that effect But he seemed un-
willing to converse with me, and turned away.
The poor apple peddler was thought no more
of My friend and myself soon left the hotel,
and mingled with the crowd, to rejoice at the
Of that great work, and welcome the
first train to the shores Of Lake Erie
Time sped on. In few short hours the sun
had set, and we were returning from the tumult
of the day, seeking place of repose. Turning
a corner that led into the main street, we sud-
denly came upon an assembage of men and
boys who were gazing upon some object which
seemed to excite their curiosity. We paused
for moment and discovered it to be the Apple
Peddler, who lay intoxicated in the street. A
worse scene of intemperance | never looked up
on. He would occasionally start crazed by some
wild and frantic dream, which told too truly the
delirium tremens were at work. | turned and
inquired of the by-standers if any present were
acquainted with his name TO which several
replied, 'It is B. 'What B-p says my
friend, for he was startled ut the name. 'Cha's
B was the reply. : Is it possible! Itcan-
not be that we have again met speaks my friend
But so it was, he recognized him instantly, and
me to stay with the wretched man,
he proceeded Immediately to find q shelter for
him during the night. BY diligent search one
was finally procured, several streets distant,
where we carried him in cart upon straw
We left him in charge Of the lady Of the house
and, promising to call at an early hour the next
took our departure.
AS we resumed our walk, my companion re-
marked: "There is romance enough connected
with the life of that man to fill volume-and
if you will remain with me during the evening"
| will give you brief history of a part it."
most cordially accepted the invitation and he re-
lated to me the following incident:
MY first acquaintance with Charles b. was in
the year 1889. We were then room-mates at
Hcmer, cortland Academy, where we prepar-
ed for College-entering Hamilton in the fall
Of 1910. His father was a wealthy farmer in
=, and spared no pains to give his son an
sufficient to qualify him for any sta
tion in life. At the age Of fifteen he became
acquainted with many languages, and was at
that time advanced to enter any College-yet
wishing to lengthen his school days, he defer
red doing So His last year at Homer was the
commencement of his wild career. He fre-
quently became dissipated, then only seventeen.
This was his year of revelry. His academic
studies were finished, and time now was of no
A week before the close of the
term he was expelled, and dare say the name
Of Charles b, will long be remembered
by many of the citizens of that place.
/" entered College, and again he roomed with
me. Two months rolled around, and each day
brought change for the worse. He had vast
ed money enough during these two months to
have carried him through his studies. Mr.. b.
becoming aware of the disgrace his son was
bringing upon him, refused the adequate means
for him to remain at College unless he reform
ed. This (under restrainD he resolved never
to do, and therefore he left, determined to plan
some method for procuring money. 1t requir-
ed but little thought to carry his determination
into effect. He takes his fathers last letter
from his pocket, and practices upon the hand
writing until he had it perfect. He then makes
out check in a fac simile to his fathers hand
writing on the bank of j, for the sum of
one hundred dollars He is soon at the Bank,
md the President cashes it without any hesita-
lion. na
In less than an hour he is again on his way
10 College. On arriving at Utica he found him.
self minus of the one hundred dollars, having