The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1860-05-18
ra. A. j, ~ ...,ln ess.

ythe particulars Of q story swhieI rss,
takes OF q romantic cSst, ~bft the
| ruth OF which can be vouchsd for.
One Of the principal actors inAit, is
,ur well known fellow cisixsn and
celebrated Numerous " ocahsS2Q IN
ssian q. Dodge. s.,s.lns So z =
i Dodge wss giving concerts iH the
New England states. Having 10
give concert in Fi,zwilliam, stowf
in New Hampshire but abort dis
Itance from the Massachusetts lins.
he arrived in Fitchburg by rail, shst
being the termination oi the railroad.
An accident had detained the train
some hours, 40 that the stage had
zone. Being unwilling to remain
over night Dodge took advantage Of
team going TO Winchendon, aud
rode "a far "a that place, arriving
late in tue evening. Alter supper,
it being good starlight, he set out.
guitar bag in hand, with the purpose
Of walking the fem aiming five miles
to Fitzwilliam, leaving HE portIuan-
,eau to follow by stege next day.
About midway between the two
places, in lonely part Of the road.
man sprang from hiding place
at the roadside aud grasped Dodge
10y the throat, demanding his money.
! Being o. "epry" as cat, Dodge
soon extricaled himself from the
grasp ol the robber, flung him into
the ditch, and wreeted from him tho
cud4el with which he was armed.
Inatead OF getting mp and showing
I fight again. tire man begged Tor mer.
icy. and pleaded hard to be allowed
to go in peace. IA the manner Of
the man evidently showed that he
vas no habi,ual robber, Dodge
promised to let him 60 on condition
he told him the reason OF the attack
I Tho man burst into tears, stating
that nothing but starvation impe!led
him to the crime. He was a young
man Of respectable connections, but
had been seduced by gay compan-
ions into habits Of dissipation, which
had ended IN leaving him without
money or friends other than a young
vile who clung to him in spite Of
everything. Finding no chance Of
getting living in his native place,
lie had set out with his wife in hopes
iuf obtaining a situation ae a Clerk
lin a store in somc other place, but
although they had visited many
towns and villages, lie had met with
M success. To add to their misery
tho sufcrings and privations which
they had endured, had hastened the
period when the young vile was TO
become a mother, and she now lay in
"a barn at short distance, unable to
proceed farther, and in hourly ex-
pec,ation OF giving birth to child.
With wife in this position, with
mo money in his pockets and no food
to eat, /, was not astonishing that
the wretched man had been driven
to the desperate course Of commit
ting Il highway robbery.
Dodge heard the mans story, and
at once requested him 10 show the
way to tho barn. Ilera the woman
was found, and she confirmed every
word Of her husbands narrative.-
No time was to be lost, SO after as
suring them that he would speedily
return, Dodge set out at rapid paco
Tor Fl,zwiliiam; a horse and wagon
were quickly obtained and driven
9ut TO the barn, when the unfor-
tunata couple were taken 10 the town
aud brought to the tavern. A Doc.
tor res procured, nourishing food
supplied. ana orders given By Dodge
that every caro- and attention should
be given them at his expense. Be-
fore morning boy was born.
i Next evening tho Concert was
given, and tho entire proceeds,
amounting u about iorty'hve dol.
lars, were handed over to the now
reformed ard thankful husbsnd.-
!, Before leaving the place, Dodge in
'I,crested many ., the leading citizens
in behalf OF tho couple, and lsis with
'hLe satisfaction Of knowing that his
proieges were no longer in danger oi
want.
! Nothing more had been heard of
them By Mr.. Dodge until Satur lsy
evening last, when a we'll dressed
man entered his Music Store and
. euguired for him. Although the
r man gave his name, Dodge neither
re,ncm bered the namc nor the per-
son until reminded OF tho circum-
stances under which they met four.
/, ltoen Yeays ago. 1t seems that he
|, had obtained situation in Fitzwil.
. liam and remained there for nearly
n year, VIXEN he joined company Of
p enirrunts Gr the West, lie had
settled in Illinois, and had worked
his way up to comparative opulence
and distinction, beilS a. present a
) mcmbur of the lllinois Legislature.
His wi.c died about wear since
leavia. 40 children except the boy
who WIS born under such peculia,
:, circumstances, and who has becn
1 named after the bcnc.ac,cr Of his
parents.
n The above particu ara We learned
Il frcm the gentleman himself He ID
Y a rema,kab y frank, Intelligent n.ar,
II and IL a favorable specimen OF an IL
illinois Legislator. AT ms rcqrcst we
Ihavo reirained from publishing his
II name, whilst having free permission
, 20 use the details. What his history
, would have been had the night at
, tack On Dodge never occurred, Ia q
,nbigct for conjecture, but it is high
L. !. .--.,l L Ln ~ hnnn unru