Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-09-12
An Interesting Incident,

A correspondent of the Blair County PA
wing, furnishes that paper with the partlcu-
lars OF an interesting incident, of which he
was an eye witness. 1t occurred on the line
OF the Great Internal Improvements of that
State. 1t Is one of those scenes of genuine
knd-heartedness which make the heart thrill
with unutterabe blessings, and fill the mind
with the involuntary consciousness that there
is " something the of angel still" in our common
nature.
At the point this side the mountain, where
occurred the transshipment of passengers from
the west was moored u canal boat, wait no the
arrival Of the train ere starting on its way
through" to the east. The Captain of the
boat, a tall, rough, sun-embrowned man, stood
by his craft experimenting the labors of his
men, when the cars rolled up, and few mo-
ments after party of about half dozer gem
tlemen came out, and deliberately waking up
to the captain, addressed him sCnethiny after
this wise
"Slr, we wish to 20 on east-but our further
progress to day depends on you. In the cars
we have just left is sick man whose presence
is dsaYreeable. We have been appointed a
committee by the passengers, to ask that YOU
wlll deny this man passage in your boat
II he goes we remain-whlt say vou:"
"Gerteman," replied the ca Jtain, Il have
heard the passengers through the committee
Has the sick man representative here :"
10 the uneXced lnterrogatorv there was no
answer, when, without a moments pause, the
captain crossed over to Ghe car and entering,
oeheld IN one corner, poor, emacilted worn
out creature, whose life was nearly eaten up
by that canker-worm consumption The
mans head was bowed in his hands and he
was weeping. The captain advanced, and
spoke to him kindly.
"Oh! sir" said the sLivering invalid, looking
up, his face now lit with trembling expecta-
uous-' are you the captain-and Will YOU take
me: God help me! The passengers look
upon me as breathing pcstilencc and are 50
unklnd' You see, sir, | am dying-out, oh I!
II l am spared to reach my mother shall die
happy She lives in Burlington, sir, and Inv
journey Is more than half performed am a
poor painter, and tie only son Of her in whose
arms | wish to die"
lou shall co. replied the captain, "if
lose every passenger for the trip"
BY this time the whole crowd of passengers
were grouped around the boat, with their bag
gage piled up on the path and they themselves
awaiting the decision of the captain before en-
gaglng their passage.
known, as they behcld hun coming from the
cars, with the sick man Graded in his arms.
Pushing directly through the crowd with his
dying burden, he ordered matrass to be
spread in the choicest part of the boat, where
he laid the invalid with all the care of d parent
That done, the captain directed the boat to be
prepared for starting.
But new feeling seemed to possess the as.
tonlshed passengers-that of shame and con-
triton at their nhumanlty. With one common
impulse they walked aboard the boat, and in
lew hours after, another committee was sent to
the captain, entrcutlng his presence among the
passengers in the cabin. He went, anl from
their midst arose Il white haired man, who with
IN his eyes, told that rough, sun.em-
Drowned man, tlat he had taught them all a
esson-,hat they felt humbed before him; and
that they asked his forgiveness. It was a touch
ing scene The fountain of true sympathy was
broken up in the heart OF nature, and its wa
lers welled up choking the utterance and I'LL
ling the eyes Of all present
On the instant purse was made up for the
sick man with good speed" on his way home,
10 die in the arms of his mother
The true hearted captain of that boat was
General Samuel ID. Harms, and the above in
;ident Is worth remembering.