The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-05-01
Or, David Porter, Of oatakm, N, Y

DE- DhVlu fofteft OF Ghlhhlllt ~ o
When be walked abroad, his personal APP
pearauee must have aIested the oyeof every
stranger ilis head Was like Napoleon's his
neck was short his body large and feshy
his legs were usually small, tightly encased
in shortclothcs, and beneath these In black
silk hose, lie carried a large cane, and his
motions were quick, nervous and awkward.
In the lecture room, his manner was still more
remarkable, He frequently spoke with his
cane iu hand, and brought II down with his
emphatic foot berdiug his whole body 10
give force 20 the gesture, lie would walk 10
aad fro, aud becoming more excited a. he
spoke, hc would sometimes descend 20 the
floor Of the room step over bench TO ar
rive at an open space walk up aud down
there for whici step over agotheL- bench
opposite the former, aud 10 return 10 the
deck on the further sides continuing and
closing his address without exhibiting the
slightest eonsoiousuesa Of what he was do
ing with hi, pcupalelo body When he call
ed upon any one 10 pray, he would sometimes
add In q tone more Of command than request,
BE short"
In later years he was singularly absent
minded. He was accustomed 20 pray with
his eyes wide open, one evening, at a" neigh
borhood meeting" hi, praycrwus drawing TO
conclusion, hen hc saw before him young
lady 10 whom hc was greatly attached, aud
Who hao returned that day from long alb
scuce Suddenly, to The ostonishmcnt Of all
present, be- crossed tl, room and extended
his hand, cASaiming with q voice Of hearty,
pleasure; " u! hor a. d9y" lie was totally
unconscious oftho irrcgularity,and no thought
of itsubscquently embarrassed him.
Ahcr rcsigping the pastoratc, he became
the agent of several Benevolent societies, and
collected great sums for them ia tins village
aud in the adjacent county. lie approached
each man in a different way. lie would
sometimes name specific sum saying, " Mr.,
N,, it is u good causc, Sit good cause, but
you mustn't give too much $50 is enough,
Sir" Mr.. y, would probably have decided
upon $40, lie wcs told Of one man,
wealthy farmer, who had said hc was "dc-
tcrmiucd to give him nothing that year any
way" Shortly before the harvest the Doc
tor madc it convenient to stop at his house.
lie soon interested him in the operations of
the society for which he was then collecting,
hut uuthuV was said uhout,u subscription.
lie remained TO dinner. Before the rcpost
was over, the old mans mind was filled With
the nobcst missionary views. To spread the
glad tidlugs Of salvation was made to appear
the great work and JOY Of the Christians
life. Amer dinner they walked out upon the
piazza. "Whose farm is lhati Sir 22~ saiI lhl
Doctor, extending his hand with, a wide gcs-
turc toward large tract, GROVE ed with rip
cning grain. d" That is mine" "Nours "a
large fdrm-bcautiful farm " AntFN pause,
during which the Doctor was looking round
in sincere admiration upon the scene Of tilth
and beauty he exclaimed, "Whosc farm is
that, way over by those woods, Sir?" e" That
is mine, too" " Fine mcadows-very large
arm--vcry raiuaJie farm. Who owns the
woods They belong 10 me, Sir "Umph.
Changing his position so as to command am
other view, he said, after while ".louf
ncighbor has heavy crop there very rich
land whose is that, Sir?' Well,' the man
answered, growing little restless I'M, farm,
goes about as far as YOU can see, Doctor
that's all mine" "All yours Then turn.
ing upon him with a serious, almost reproach
rul lookf he said, God has done great dea
for YOU what are you gotugto do for Hiur y
A pause cnsued which seemed to repeat the
question and demand an answer. do moi
know the reply but as result of the inier
View, the Doctor carried away the farmer
subscription for a larger amount than ever
He was irresistible. Those who knew hi,
way, when, he began to draI out of then
proofs Of the prosperity, often cut short hi
approaches by saying, with a smile Of sur
render, "How much shall give, Doctor !?
+ Rcr. w. p. Sprague.