Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-07-27

/ Sihh 'ti'it1 VI ihdintiS. llt WOulu
mount fort or wood-pile with equal
ease-and mix, with familiarity
with men of high or low degree
He was first among the leading men
of his day, in the Councils of Safe
ty, and first and foremost among his
laborers in converting the forests
into fruitful fields" While filling
the chair of state he knew how to
fill his granaries with food and his
barns with plenty; and il any of
his next door neighbors, half mile
or more distant, were short of the
necessaries Of life, they knew who
had an abundant supply, and heart
TO dispense it to the worthy and
the needy. He was as just as he
was generous, and, occasionally
could play the wag as successfully
as he could the diplomatlst. He
could relish joke from others with
the same good nature aud good hui
NOR that he could give one. II is
related Of him, while governor, and
residing at Williston, that he had
occasion, in the month of March, TO
pass up the Yally of the Winoos-
XII to Montpelier, and thence to
Chelsea, now the shire town of Or
ange County. The journey was
performed with a pair of horses in
a lumber sleigh, and the driver not
clad in any costly robes of state
his robe being none other than
common farmers wooden frock.
spun and wove by the hands of his
industrious and frugal house wife,
Having accomplished the purpose
of his visit to Chelsea, he "took up
his line Of march" for home and
proceeding but a short distance,
came up IN rear OF an oX-sled where
to was attached a sturdy yoke of
oxen, driven by gentleman some
what advanced in years, and his
locks covered with Topped hat
Under that hat was a head with
something in il. 1t was the head of
Father Hatch," OF Chelsea, as he
was familiarly called. The father
Of the somewhat celebrated Asnath
Hatch, afterwards Mrs. Nicholson,
whose enterprise and benevolence
led her to visit Ireland in a recent
time of suffering and privation on
an Grant Of mercy and ood-will TO
the starving population of the En-
erald Isle. Her biography was re-
Gently published in the columns of
the Watchman. She was, like her
father, an eccentric, but strong-min-
ded and excellent person. The
gentleman in a WOODEN frock was in
too much of hurry to wait the
slow progress of an ox-slead, and
reigulng his horses 10 the right to
pass, soon found them stuck fast in
a muck swamp. Father Hatch cri-
ed 'whoe' to his team, and Sprang
10 the assistance of the stranger,
whose horses were in vain strug-
Cling to eXtricate themselves from
the deep mixture Of mud aud snow.
"When there's a will there's
way" said MIR. Hatch, and backing
Buck and Bright to reaching dis
lance, with a chain to the found
ering horses, hitched his sled to the
tongue of the Stay, and with a
hearty "gee-up" to his oxen, brought
the horses and their driver, like
Bunyons Pilgrim. safe out of the
slough of despond." Now,
stranger said father Hatch, A" keep
quiet, be patient. I'm soon going
TO turn off from the main road, for
load of wood, and you can safely
pass on" How far :" inquired
the stranger. "Oh, only a quarter
of mile or So" was the reply. On
moved the ox-team and its driver,
at slow and measured pace faith
er Hatch the while exertng his So
cial faculties TO entertain the stran-
ger and lessen the distance TO his
wood lot. But 10 little purpose,
for the horses were soon again reign
ed out OF the road in another vain
attempt 10 pass. Deep in the ditch
again We're the horses The more
they struggled the deeper they sank
in the snow and the mire. With
look of establishment, and both
hands lifted heavenward, father
Hatch, unable to restrain his pity
and surprise-broke out" say,
stranger where did you come
from ~ Williston, my good sir"
renlied the stranger, with one eve
upon his horses and the other upon
his interrogater. Willislon VIII
liston !" said father H." That's
the residence Of our governor aint
it :" "Governor or no governor"
exclaimed the gentleman, 81 must
get out of this pickle any how p
4" You had better thought more of
the first pickle before you got into
the second" said father H. "Pve
a good mind to leave you alone
in your glory" until | return with
my load of wood. You ought TO
be punished little for your temeri-
~. But no, wont visit your folly
upon the poor horses. They amt
to blame-but the civil authority of
Williston are 10 blame. They hadn't
( or-ter let you run at large" The
stranger pocketed the joke as well
as he could, while father Hatch
hitched-to" again and drew the
horses a second time from the muck
and snow. Well, now, stranger"
said father Hatch, I've heard tell