The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-04-20
Robert Hoe.
by GRANT THoRNBURN,

New York to fearful extent. l never
left the city on these occasions. l sat in
my shop door, in the cool Of the day. [
beheld man progressing from the south |;
he walked in the middle of the street. and
was reading the names on the sign boards.
He stepped to my door.
Mr.. Thornburn," said he /" am Just
come on shore from the ship Draper,
from Liverpool. 1 am carpenter by
trade | can't find work. Can't you tell
me where l can find board till the fever
is over? My name is Robert Hoe"
He looked young, simple, and honest; /;
knew the heart of the stranger. l call
ed my wife.
"My DEAR said L, this stranger can
neither find work nor board will you
board him."
"Yes; !" said she.
"If he takes the fever, will you help
me to nurse him ?"
Twill"
THANK you," said " for this God
will bless you"
Before one week elapsed, he took the
fever. L procured an eminent physician
my wife and 1 nursed him. On the
fourth day Of the fever, he was under the
operation Of powerful medicine. The
fever was coursing through his vains, and
burning up his English blood, 1 sat by
his bedside. He fastened his eyes on
mine.
90, Mr.. T., Mr.. t." he exclaimed, "I
shall die ! can never stand this.
"Die? To be sure, Robert. we must
all die. But you are not going to die
this week. l think I shall see you
master builder in New York, and mar
ried to bonny Yankee lass, and I live
to carry your grandchildren in my arms
yet"
There was a lull in the fever, when the
medicine commenced operating. He
dropped asleep from that hour the fever
left him.
When held the cooling drops to his
lips, and pressed his burning head be-
tween my hands, 1 little thought there
lay the gem Of machine that was des-
tined to revoutionize the world of litera-
ture. At that time common school
Bible cost dollar; now they are sold
for twenty-five cents. His sons added
several improvements to their fathers in
vention; they are much esteemed wher-
ever known.
| was travelling in New Jersey some
ten years ago. Stepping from the cars,
I noticed a decent looking citizen among
the spectators. Says L
"Sir, my business will detain me
week in this town. l don't like to stop
at tavern, can you inform me where I
may find quiet, private family, where l
may board? p
l can," he replied. Come with me-"
We turned corner. On the piazza,
in front of respectable dwelling, sat a
comely matron. On her lap sat a child
that might have seen six summers.
"Good wife," says my conductor, this
is Mr.. Thornburn, from New York. He
wants private lodgings. Can you board
him week ?"
"That will l." said she, for twelve
month, if he says so. 1 often heard my
father tell how Mr.. Thornburn took him
Into his house and nursed him, when he
took the yellow fever"
"What was your fathers name ?" I in
quired.
Robert Hoe" she replied.
:" Is that your child ?"
=" 1t is" said she.
I took the babe in my arms. Said /
Madam, tits over forty years, when,
cheering your father, l told him l hoped
to carry his grand child in my arms. This
day my prediction is fulfilled in your
eyes"
Governor s., of South Carolina,
was splendid lawyer, and could talk
| iurv out of their seven senses, He was