Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-06

was an Englishman in disguise, but the tricl
uia hot tell there was a sharp conflict, il
winch Burroughs played a conspicuous part a
appears from documents; and the result wa
entirely In the Americans favor. Forty guinea
oi prize-money to each, made them all quit,
'''''Sneo with Their share of the days achieve
ment
soon after, the brig said for America, ant
became becalmed off the Western Isles. AT ST.
Mlchael's young Burroughs saw the impalemen
OF Portugues a poor fellow tied to cannon
ana "a man standing by with stake sharpened
a' one end, which was driven into his body
until 1t came out at the shoulder his shrieks
ana groaiis of agony filling all the air, and
lingering for years after the hearers memors
and imagination.
The "good time coming towards the other
side OF the Atlantic, was changed in returning.
Our hero had guarrels with new and inhuman
officers; was ill-treated, kicked, cuffed and bea-
ten; and was glad to arrive once more at New
buryport. Young Burroughs returned to his
fathers house, where he remined for the space
OF about one year; at the end of which time
be commenced a school in Haverill, Massachu-
settS' But here, also, reputation had preceded
him, which, in the hands of an old enemy, kept
all the children from his school. sWith in
dlgnaton," )" he says, " I quilted them and the
school," Then he took another, in town
eighteen miles farther off, which he became
thoroughly established in before his old enemy
heard OF 1T; SO that all subsequent efforts for
his overthrow were Intellectual.
In the management of this school he was en-
tlrely successful; but on his return to his faith
ers house, he joined some reckless lads in steal
ing beehive, which they took to the college,
and regaled themselves with its delicious con-
tents This did not escape discovery. The cul-
pnts were arrested, young Burroughs among
the number; and they were about to be made a
public example of, before the town; but a GER
tain supposed widow, young and beautiful,
whom young Stephen had been inveigling into
his tolls, was surprised, in common with her
paramour, by the husband, who, after long
absence suddenly appeared upon the scene.
Again "wearied with life," life of incipi
cnt crime, he returns once more to his father s
house, "makes some small arrangements, :" and
leaves the country, with little cash, and small,
chance of honestly making more.
And now commence the more importan
Sc Lessons, which give the title to this verita-
BILE history.
Some business the young scape-grace must en-
gag in. Whas shall it be? The law was too
expensive, and its study would occupy too much
time. Beside which, he had conscientious
scruples' concerning the profession But
thore was o'te thing that he eouM do he, a
stranger, moneyless and friendless, with but
q single 'pistarsen' in his pock$'--he could
preach, His previous character was somewhat
against him, certainly so was hispresent dress,
which "consisted of light grey coat, with
silver-plated buttons, green vest, and red velvet
breeches ! A pretty garb for preacher: and
he with no means to obtain another suit.
These welghty difficulties did not dissuade
HIM from his first purpose. He would change
his name, and offer himself to preach where he
was not known-at some distance off, where he
would be beyond the chance and danger of re-
cognition. For his dress, he must make the
best Of it he could, since 1t could not be altered
at present, Nor was it an unsurmountable
obstacle. Even if he failed in the first attempt,
he resolved not to be discouraged: he would
repeat the trial, until he had succeeded
Having held this parley with himself, he pro-
ceeded to execute his plan. He at once ex
changed his horse for another much worse. and
received three dollars for the difference. This
furnished him with money for his immediate ex-
penses in travelling
He pursued his course down the Connecticut
River about one hundred and fifty miles, when
he thought he had travelled far enough to COM
mence operations. Hearing of place called
Ludlow, where they were in want of minister,
he went there. 1t was on Saturday He
stopped at the house of one Fuller, a landlord
and a deacon of the church in which he was to
preach.
Introducing himself, he soon received an in
vitation to officiate the next day. You will
conclude says Borroughs, readily, that did
not refuse this invitation The greatest obsta-
Gle was now surmounted he was fairly intro
duced into the ministerial function. His
thoughts at this moment, are well and forcbly
expressed in his own language:
After had composed my mind sufficiently
for reflection, began to consider under what
situation my affairs now stood, and what was
to be done under present circumstances. had
engaged to preach on the morrow. had al
most forgotten to tell you that my name here
was Davis. People had been notified that a
never had attempted. It is true, the study of
Divinity had come under my attention, together
with every other subject of common concern,
in cursory manner concluded that sermon
izing would not be so difficult as the other ex-
ercises of public worship. Many disagreeable
possibilities arose in view. What, said |,
would be my feelings, should l make some
egregious blunder in travelling this unbeaten
road? must be exposed to the mortifying con-
sideration of being observed by whole assem-
bly,, in this ridiculous essay to preach, and not
be able to carry my attempt into execution =
and all these things may possibly happen. =
These considerations made 50 dismal an appear-
ance, that once concluded to get up, take my
horse privately out of the stable, and depart,
rather than run the risk of the dangers which
were before me. But upon more mature refec-
ton, found the hard hand of Necessity COM
llod rt,