Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-06-19
AN AFFECTING INCIDENT.


A correspondent of the Blair county
(Pa.) Rhig, furnishes that paper the par
ticulars of the following interesting Incl
dent of which be was an eye witness. Il
occurred few years ago on the line Of
the great international improvements of
that State. 1t was one of those acts of /
genuine kind heartedness which fill the
mind with involuntary consciousness that
there is something of the angel still in our
common nature:
At the point this side the mountain
where occurred the transhipment of pas
sengers from the West, was moored a
canal boat, awaiting the arrival of the
train ere starting on its way through the
East. The captain of the boat, tall,
rough, 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 dozen
gentlemen came out and deliberately
walked up to the captain, and addressed
him something after this wise:
Sir, we wish to go on East, but our
further progress depends on you. In the
, cars we have just left sick man whose
presence is disagreeable. We have been
| appointed committee by the passengers
to ask that yog viii deny this man pas
sage in your boat. If he goes, we remain,
what say you?"
Gentleman" replied the captain, " l
: have heard the passengers through their
+ committee. Has the sick man repre-
q sentative here 7"
e To this unexpected interrogatory there
was no answer, when, without moments
o pause, the captain passed over the car,
a and entering behind in one corner, found
a poor emaciated, worn-out creature,
whose life was nearly eaten up by that
canker-worm, consumption. The mans
head was bowed in his hand, and he was
: weeping; the captain advanced and spoke
to him kindly.
!. 80, Sir" said the shivering invalid,
: looking up, his face lit with trembling ex-
pectation, care you the captain, and will
- you take me (? God help me The pas
- sengers look upon me as a breathing
pestilence, and are so unkind You see
- sir, l am dying but oh if l am spared
to reach my mother, l shall then be mort
=. reconciled, l shall die happy. She live
: in Burlington, sir, and my journey i
-, half performed. l am poor painter, ant
- the only child of her in whose arms
wish to die y
- You shall 60" said the captain, ''If
lose every passenger for the trip"
By this time the whole crowd of pas
sengers were grouped around the boa
a with their baggage piled on the path, an
they themselves awaiting the decision c
ii the captain before engaging their passage
Of Amoment more and the decision wa
h. made known, as they beheld him comm
b. from the cars with the sick man eradleC
y in his arms. Pushing directly throug
=, the crowd with his dying burden, he OIL
IA dered mattress to be spread in th
- choicest part of the boat, where he lai
> the invalid with all the care of a paren
n That done the captain directed the DO;
,lv for starting.
M But new feeling seemed to posses
he the astonished passengers. With OF
His common impulse they walked on boal
to the boat, and in afew hours after, anoth,
nh committee was sent to the captain entrea
ing his presence among the passengers
liz the cabin. He went, and from the
-. ~ midst there arose a whitehaired man, WI
with tear drops in his eyes told tn
il. rough sun Drowned man that they f
humbled before him and asked his f
ical giveness. 1t was touching scene. t
his fountain of true sympathy was broken
heart of nature, and its waters swell
chit up, choking the utterance of all prese
mid On the instant a purse was made up
LET the sick man, with @God speed" him
i've his way home to die in the arms of
7 mother.
for -"-'''"----
The GRAVES OF ATTILLA Al