Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-07-06
jf!isrfllanrnus.
For The Waterman x Journal
OLDEN TIMES.---No. 10.
SEVENTY YEARS IN THE WIN
OOSKI VALLEY



Mr.. EDIroR,-Among the early
and popular Governors of Vermont
was his Excellcncy, Isaac Tichenor
of Bennington, prominent federal
lst, and every inch gentleman. lie
was many years in succession elected
10y The suilrages of the freemen, and
discharged the duties and met the
responsibilities Of his Office with
honor 10 himself and 10 the accep-
lance Of the people. He was a grea,
lover of rural sports, and joined the
hunting and the fishing parties of
his day with readiness. aud enjoyed
the sport with grea, gusto, even to
advanced age. His readiness 10
unite with and enjoy the companion
ship OF the masses, rendered him
quite fayorile with the people gen
orally. lie had always bow Of re-
cognIlion for the young and a salu-
tatIon OF reverence and respect for
the aged, which, like the efforts of
one Of old, = stole the hearts of the
people" More than a" fifty years a.
CO." rustic lad Of fourteen years,
mounted on two year old colt, and
driving an old COW, met a stranger
gentleman, driving a fine pair Of bay
horses attached to a pleasure shay in
a valley, where the mounIsin slope
came nearly TO the rivers edge, and
where 1t was extremely difficult for
teams TO pass. In this predicament
the lad was in fever Of excitement
10 get his animals out # the road
that the gentleman might pass. lie
raised his puny voice to the highest
plclh at old mully, and was tucking
his heels into the sides of the colt
TO clear the track" when he was
kindly accosied by the man in The
sleigh with" Wait, wait, my little
man-keep quIei, and lei the COW and
the colt remain in the road. Wen
contrlve to pass each other with
out difficulty" And Instantly jum-
ping from the sleigh, the gentleman
reigned the of horse into the deep
snow, aud taking hold of the sleigh
tipped it upon lis side, giving ample
room for the lad and his animals to
pass. "Therc, my good little boy"
said the gentleman, "ynu are safe
by. How far are YOU driving, this
cold winter ~ A" Forty miles, sir"
was the reply. /" And what are you
going TO do with YOUR COW and colt
at the end of your journey I" De-
liver them to my uncle in payment of
debt my father owes him." the lad
again replied. That's right, my
good little fellow--debls should al
ways be paid, whether debts of JUS
lice or OF gratitude. Good by, and
good luck 10 you, my little man. >
On wen, the graIilied boy, wonder
ing, all the way 10 the next tavern,
who that good and kind gentleman
could be, so polite TO stranger boy !
Stopping at the first public house TO
warm his chilled frame and benumb-
ed fingers, and refresh his COW aud
colt, his special attention was excit-
ed 10y the conversation in the bar
room. 1t convinced the boy that
some distinguished parsonage had
been there, and had but recently de-
parted. Summoning a little courage
and confidence, The lad ventured, in
low tone, respectfully TO inquire OF
the landlord who the subject of re-
mark was! Which way did he go
What kind of team did he drive 7"
TO all which the landlord replied
Ii was our Governor Tichenor.-
He went north, and drove a fine span
of buys in pleasure sleigh. He
was ON a winters excursion fox aud
deer hunting" II instantly popped
into the head OF the Cow Boy, that
the gentleman who kindly turned up
his sleigh TO let him pass, was no less
a parsonage Than the Chief MagIs-
trate Of Vermont! Events and in
ciden's, of comparatively little i'm
Portance at the Time, not unfrequcnt-
" mark the history of our future
lives. That little act Of courtesy
and kindness, performed by a Gov
eTnor 10 a mere lad in his teens told
upon the lads character and condi-
ton in after life, and will never, /
presume, be efiaced from his memo
ry. So good an example, he must
have been dull scholar indeed not