Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-03-13
THE EXPERIENCE OF A FIELD HAND

DEAR NJ: The labors Of q field hand" are |
think but little understood yithose who. sitting ccsi
ly by their fre-sides with their families and friends
around them, read the notes and reports of the la.
borers as recorded in the columns of the Bugle.-
Their many trials and privations can only be appre'
ciated by those who, like yourself have actually been
in the field, in the hardest Of the work. Even some Of
those who are able to,and do give good service to the
cause IN those parts of the lecturing field, where
the field hand has preceded them. and created an
interest, and raised up friends, and so made the
way smooth and the path straight for them to follow
after, and in q kind of triumphal march, receiv.
ing the applause of ~admiring crowds know 5u,
little of the toll and sufferings of those who as pi.
oneers Ia We gone before and broken up the fallow
ground and sowed the seed Of which they
seem to reap tho fruit. And neither they or the
eleventh, hour lahorers like myself, can have a 're
alizing sense" of the actual extremities to which
the Fosters. the Pillsburys, the Burleighs and 9th
ers have been reduced in their early and unreward.
ed labors. And yet the remaining field work has
its sevcrities, that the Bugle readers can hardly
appreciate as they enjoy the pleasant, reading tina
b. S. j. serves % for them in his %'notes". 1t has
not yet in all directions, become q ~triumphal
march nor yot a "plonsure excursion, as some OF
ia friends seem to think, but privations. trial, and
difficulties still beset our path with occasional dis
comfort, although we find many pleasant friends
and experiences, and shall ever cherish in our
memories the many sunny spots that We have
found like oasrs in the great deserts we have trea-
sured.
With no disposition TO complain Of my compar.
lively light labors. 1 would like to give for the ed
ifcation of your readers n sketch Of a tramp l took
in the wilderness q few weeks since, withou,
giving names or places so that none can DO afront.
ed at any liberties | may take with them.
Starting forth by railroad, | rode six miles and
arranged a tsrios of meetings for our company,
and thence proposed to 20 forward by the cars
eight miles to take a hack a dozen miles, TO our
next point, but learning that it was the wrong day
for the hack, set forth with baggage in hand(ear
pet bag, bundle and umbrella,-too much for a fool
Journey by the Overland route. And after q
chance jol,ipg ride Of four miles in q wood wagon
t and a walk Of five miles through mud and slush
night overlook me with u rain and snow storm at q
small village, where knowing Of no friends ] wal
left to the tender mercies Of the only hotel Of tn,
place.
spent the DIRK, uishai evening WIN some reno
ing that l had provided in my satchel. in tn
dingy bar room, and in noticing the industry o
tho landlord at the cheekerbcard. and in serving
; out whisky TO his customers while l tended FIRE
and tried by stufhng into tho stove sundry pieces O.
wet muddy boards that l broke TO tAe right size L
raise heat enough to dry my clothing, saturated by
the perspiration Of the hurried tramp to find q
shelter before night. When at eight o'clock tbt
~sntire stock Of boards, blocks and rubbish that