Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-09-27
MISCELLANY.
JOHN d. COUGH.

joins B. GouGH was born on the 22d Of Au-
gust, 1917. and is therefore lhiuy-nine years
of age. His father was sollier BY profess
ion, and his mother had been for twenty years
the schooi-mistress IN the village OF Sanjgate,
where they resided AT eight years Of age
young Cough was a wam atmirer OF the beau
ties OF nature, and was often found roaming on
the beach at Sandeate, gazing with wonder on
the great deep, sBd, he listened 10 its ever
lasting moan, little dreaming tina, three thou
sand miles beyond was a land in which his lot
would one day be casi-where he would reach
the lowest depth Of misery and the highest CON-
dition Of earthly joy. At the early age he was
also noted for being a remarkably good rcader.
Often while reading to his mother, as she sat
working by their cottage door, strangers would
stop and listen, attracted by his proficiency in
this art. He was frequently sent for TO read
10 ladies' and gentlemen at The village library ;
and on one occasion he was requested TO read
by that good man and great philanthropisi, Will
BERFoRcE, who approvingly palted him on the
head and expressed himself mu-h pleased with
the entertainment. 1t vas about this time that
he met with that iinjury from an accidental blow
on the head, the effects of which he still feels
and which may by noticed while he is speak
ing; when much excited he is frequently COM
pelled To press his hands on his head to ease n
peculiar pricking and darting sensation which
at times greatly annoys him.
His mother often suffered from poverty dur
I ing his fathers absence in the wars. He had
sister two years younger than himselfto which
he was iondly auached. At twelve years of
/ age, bis father foreseeing the difficulty Of pro-
curing him trade, concluded to send him To
I America, with family then about to emigraie
7 from his native village, and who agreed for a
consideration to give him trade and provide
/ for him until he should arrive Of age. This
was severe trial FOR his mother, who gave her
consent with extreme reluctance. lie thus de-
scrbes The parting with her my poor moth
er folded me to her bosom, then she would hold
me off at arms length, and gaze fondly on my
face, through her fearful eyes, reading, as only
a mother could, the book Of futurily ior me-
She hung up, on the accustomed peg, my old
cap and jacket, and my school bag. and there
they remained until years after she quilted the
house. AT length the parting words were
spoken, and quilted the house of my child
hood, perhaps forever. Turning
round TO take last look at .he village, ! saw
a crouching female form by the wall my heart
told me il was my mother, who had taken ad'
vantage Of half an hours delay Of the stage al
the inn door, to proceed little distance in or
der to have one more glance at her departing
} child. never felt | was loved so much as
did from that time Those who have hearC
and admired Mr. Coughs eloquent and palhet
ic descriptions Of mothers love for inebrial'
son may understand something from this Of lb'
secret of his power in picturing such scenes.
The family with whom young Cough ctoss
ed tho Atlantic landed in New York and re
moved TO farm in the interior Of the State
where he remained two years, dnring which
time he was never sent to a Sabbath or da,
school. Having written and obtained the con
sent Of his father he went to New York for thl
purpose of learning a trade, when he arrived il
December, 1881, glad to escape from the nn
kindness of those from whom his father expect
ed fostering care when he entrusted him L
their guardianship. While with this family,
revival of religion occurred in the neighbor
hood and he was admitted a member of III
Methodist Episcopal Church. His father be
longed to that persuasion his mother to III
y Baptis,s.
Cough found himself for the second time /
the great city with jast fifty cents in his Pocke
5, "Then, indeed" says he, "slrong sense of fol
iorness came to tae. and scarcely ever remeU
Der To have experienced more bitterness ofspir
than on that occasion Fancy me, reader
boy just fourteen years Of age, stranger IN