Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-11-16
The Effects of kindRess.


The following are the particulars of
story which partakes of romatic cast, but
the truth of which san be goncLed for
One of the principal actors in it is our we'll
known fellow -citizen and vocalist, Ossian
+. Dodge.
In the spring Of the. year 1916, Dodge
was giving concerts in the New-England
State. Having to give concert in Fitz-
william, town in NewHampshire but a
short distance from the Massachusetts line,
he arrived at Winehendon, and he set out
guitar-bag in hand, for the purpose of walk
ing the remaining five miles TO Fitzwilliam,
leaving his portmanteau to follow by stage
next day.
About midway betweed the two places, |
in lonely part of the road, man sprang |
from hiding-p!ace, at the roadside, and
grasped Dodge by the throat, demanding his
money. Being as spry as eat, Dodge
soon extrieated himself from the grasp of
the rohber, flung him into the ditch, and
wrested from him the cudgel with which
lie was armed. Instead of showing fight,
the man pleaded hard to be allowed to 60
in peace. AS the manner of the man
evidently showed that he was no habitual
robber, Dodge promised TO let him go, on
condition he told him the reason Of the
attack. The man burst in to tears, stating
that no thing but starvation impelled him TO
the crime. He was a man of respectable
connection, but had been seduced by gay
companions into habits of dissipation which
had ended in leaving him without money
or friends, other than young wife who
chung to him through every thing. -
Finding no chance of getting living in
his native place, he had set out with his
wife in the hopes of obtaining situation
as clerk in store. Some at other place, but
although they had visited many towns and
villages, he had met with no sncces, To
add to their misery, their suffering and pri-
vations which they had endured had hasten
ed the period when the young wife was to
become a mother and she now lay at a
barn short distance, unable to proceed
farther, and in hourly expectation of giving
birth to child. With wife in this posi-
ton. with no money in his pockets, and no
food to eat, it was not astonishing that the
wreched man had been driven to the des-
perate course of committing highway
robbery,
Dodge heard the mans story, and at once
requested him to show ths way to the barn.
Here a woman was found and she cofirmed
every word of her husbands narrative
No time was to be lost /; so after assuring
theaa that he would speedily return, Dodge
set out at rapid pace for Fitzwilliam. A
horse and wagon were soon obtained. and
driven out to the barn when the unfortunate
couple were taken to town, and brought to
the tavern. A doctor was procured, nour
ishing food supplied and before morning a
boy was born.
Next evening concart was given, and
the entire proceeds, amounting TO about
forty-fve dollars were handed over to the
now reformed and thankful husband, Be
fore leaving the town, Dodge interested
many OF the leading citizens in behalf of the
Of knowing that his proteges were no longer
in danger of want.
Nothing ,aore had been heard of them
by Mr.. Dodge until Saturday evening last,
when well-dressed man entered his music
store, and inquired for him. Although the
man gave his name, Dodge remembere1;nei-
ther the name nor the person, until reminded
fourteen years ago. 1t seemed that he had
obtained a situation in Fiizwiliam, and
remained there nearly year, when he
joined company of emigrants for the
West. lie setteled in Illinois, and had
worked his way up TO comparative opulence
and distinction being at present a member
of the Illinois Legislature. His wife died
about year since, leaving no children
except the boy who was born under such
percular circumstances, and who had been
named after the beneiactor of his parents.
The above particulars we learned from
the gentleman himself. He is remarkably
frank, intelligent man, and is a favorable
specimen of an Illinois legislator. At his
request we have refrainsd from publishing
his name whilst having free permission to
use the details. What his history would
have been had the night-aitack on Dodge
never occurred is a subject for conjecture
but it is highly probable it would have
been very different from what il has been.
I-ClerelaHd Herald,