Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-11-03
AARON BURR.

1
| nal evidence of being the work of Henry I.
! Tuckerman. The following anecdotes from
| the essay are new, and are commended to the
readers attention
One of the most distinctly remembered jour
neys of our boyhood was to the British prov
inces, returning via Maine. One summer day,
at the hotel in Portland, with the urbanity
which distinguishes old-school landlords, the
host came into the parlor, excaming
s'Come here, my lad. I've something to show
you.'' Accompanying him to the porch, he
pointed out the erect and somewhat diminu-
tive figure OF man, whose round, low hat,
plainly-cut, mnlberry-colore frock-coat and
| immovable aspect, suggested, at the first
glance, the idea OF Quaker; hair of snowy
whiteness, good profile and keen eye, were
next obvious; he stood at an angle of the
street, and people continually passed him he
look ed straight forward, whether in reverie or
expectancy did not appear. ssMark him well, -
said Bontace, ssyou will hear of him when you
are older; that is Aaron Burr, who shot Cen
eral Hamilton" ......s.
From that moment, an ardent curiosity to
know the details of the event, and perma-
nent association Herewith of the staid, ven
eraBlo aid solitary figure, of which we had
caught this vivid glimpse, gave s;local hab-
taNon' in our memory to the name of the
second Vice President of the United States.
Accordingly, no opportunity was lost for gain
ing anecdotes of one of the few historical per-
NlSlDlS TO juvenile eyes. lNeSe were
singularly at variance with each other, yet all
characteristic.
A medical contemporary of the old man told
us how startled he was, when administering to
dying patient on wintry night, to have his
vigil disturbed by the entrance of gentleman,
whose costume and greeting were thoroughly
courticr- like he was followed by negro,
bearing tray with wine and soup, covered
with napkin; the Of the tempest out
side, the latcness of the hour, the contrast be-
tween this etiquette and the abject misery of
the apartment and wretched end of the patient
who, though highly connected, was out
cast, because OF a long career of improvidence
and dissipation-struck the good doctor
! highly dramatic; and this impression was en-
hanced, when the unexpected visiter an
nounced himself as Colonel Burr, well known
to have been the boon companion OF the dying
when he lived by his wits abroad. and in
dulged in a sslark'' at home.
"Poor Billl'' said the courteous comrade !;
:'can nothing be done for him ?''
He received negative reply with perfect
cOmposurc, regarded the sufferer while, and
then went through an elaborate farewell to the
physician, leaving on that worthy's mind a be-
wildering impression Of charitable intentions
and heartless cruelty.
In direct contrast with this amable phase of
character was the next personal reminiscence
We heard. Among the many funeral sermons
eiicited by IIamilton's death, one delivered
by Philadelphia clergyman was remarkable
for the severe anathemaS pronounced upon his
antagonist. As specimen of rhetorical lnYec-
tive, the discourse became famous, and was
largely qnoted in the journals and disseminated
through the country. Many years after, its
author received a letter appealing to him, as
the almoner of many wealthy deniZens in the
city of brotherly love, to furnish pecunlary
aid in where the previous high standing
and prosperity of the individual represented
as an accomplished LADY, made more public
application offensive both to pride and deli
cacy. The clergyman promptly called at the
house, had an interview with the unfortunate,
and promised, If possible, to obtain the requi-
site sum to relieve her immediate wants, from
some rich and liberal members of church.
Her apparently comfortable situation was eX
planned the result of temporary kindness;
and the melancholy of the fair petitioner, as
well as her evident accomplishments, stirnu-
lated the good pastor to exertion, and, In a
week, he wrote her that the money was at her
disposal she declined coming for it, and beg
gcd her bcnefactOr TO visit her at Il certain
hour next day, and deliver the gift intrustcd
TO him, as we'll as give her the benefit of his
advice in plan she had formed for her own
future and honorable subsistence.
At the appointed time the clergyman enter
ed the drawing room, and, while awaiting the
lady, took up a beautiful volume of Horace,
his favorite classic, from the centre-tabe; sur
priced to find marginal notes, indicative of the
most tasteful erudition, in female hand, his
wonder increased when the object of his
kind efforts appearing, confessed herself the
author; an animated conversation ensued, and
so interested the visiter in the novel ex-
pertinent of learned discussion with one of
the gentier sex, that he was not at first aware
that she had gradually drawn nearer and near
er to him and her manner exhibited sudden
iupressemenf raising his eyes in perturbation,
as the idea occurred to him, he caught sight
in the mirror of face peering through the
| slightly open door, at his back, which, at his
| quick movement, was instsntly Withdrawn.
| Though naturally OF an unsuspicious temper,
he felt glow of indignation at the mere idea
of having had his confidence and the bepev-
! olence of his friends abused, and laying down
/ the money, took formal and somewhat alb
/ rupt leave. 1t so happened that his next en-
gagement was at the studio of fashionable
artist, TO whom he was sitting for his picture.
/ While arranging his colors, the painter rallied
his subject on the absent mood he was in,
| whereupon the clergyman described the scene
/ he had just passed through, and the unpleas-
! ant doubts t had excited in his mind
| The artist grew serious in moment, and
asked for particular description OF the lady ;
! be then begged his auditor not to speak of the
matter until he heard from him. as clue to
/ the mystery had suggested itself. The artist
was not deceived. The 'sindigent lady" was
! one of Burr's creatures she confessed TO
! having, at his instigation, planned to entrap
the clergyman and compromise his POSITION
in order to revenge the bitter homlly launched
years before at the destroyer of Hamilton.
I Our limits do not allow US to make so ex-
( tenned extracts from this article as we would
/ wish. We have only room for the closing
| passage:
/ When he lay in his cradle, his mother wrote:
Il, olt,ta - ND inht