The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-10-23
A Chapter on Human Nature.


A correspondent of the Blair County
(Pa } Wig. furnishes that paper with the
particulars of the following incident, of
which he was an eye witness. 1t occurred
E few weeks ago, on the line of the great
internal Improvements in that State.
AT the point on this side of the m oun-
tain, where occurred the ,ranshipment of
passengers from The West was moored
canal boat, waiting the arrival OF the train,
before starting on its way through to the
East. The captain OF the boat--a tall and
sun Drowned, rough, and sometimes pro.
fame. man--stood on his craft superin-
| tending the abors OF his men, when the
cars came in, and dozen minutes after,
party OF dozen gentlemen came along
and deliberately walked up to the captain,
and thus addressed him
."Sir, we wish TO 60 East, but our fur
ther progress to-day depends upon YOU
In the cars we have just left, there is a
sick man whose presence is disagreeabe.
We have been appointed committee by
the passengers, 10 ask that yoU will deny
this man passage on your boat il be
goes, we remain. What say Won ?" ..
BY this time, others had come from the
cars. .. ..H.....u. .le
"Gentleman," said the captain, 81 have
heard the passengers through your com
mil,ee. Has the sick man any represent
alives here :? wish to hear from both
sides Of the questions" rrI.a af. 2"
To this unexpected interrogatory there
was no answer; when, without a moments
pause, the captain crossed TO The car, and,
beheld poor, emaciated, worn.Uut crea-
ture, whose life was eaten w by the fell
destroyer. consumption. The mans head
was bowed In his hands. and he was weep
ing. The captain advanced and spoke
kindly to him. '''
"Oh, SIR" said the trembling invalid,
looking up, his face lit up with hope aud
expectation, "are you the captain, and
will you take me ? The passengers shun
me, and are SO unklnd. You see, sir,
am dying but, oh! if can live to see my
mother. l shall die happy. She lives in
| Burlington, sir, and my journey is more
than half performed. l am poor prin.
ter, and the only child of her IN whose
arms would wish TO die."
"You shall CO." said the bluff captain,
with an oath, 'if l lose every passenger
for the trip" ...
BY this time the whole crowd Of pas
sengers were grouped around the boat,
with their baggage piled on the tow.palh,
and they themselves waiting for the de-
cision OF the captain before engaging their
passage. .... .r..
A moment more. and that decision was
made known, as they beheld him come
from the cars, with the sick man Graded
in his strong arms. Pushing directly
through the crowd with his dying burden,
he ordered mattress TO be laid in the
choicest part of The cabin, where lie laid
the invalid with all the care Of a parent.
Then, scarcely deigning to cast look at
the aslonished crowd alongside, he shout
ed loudly TO his hands: ......
"Push off the boat -
But new feeling seemed to possess the
amazed passengers-,hat of shame and
contrilion al their iDhumani,y. With one
common impulse, each seized lis baggage,
and then Immediately walked on board
The boat. f-."... . a
In short time another committee was
sent TO the captain, asking his presence in
the cabin. r. ... ...
He went. and from their midst there
arose white. haired man, who with tear.
drops in his eyes. told that rough captain
he had taught them a lesson-:hat :hey
felt humble before him, and the waters
welled up, choking the ulterance of all
present. .. -'.tr .s..
In an instant purse was made up for
the sick man, with a God speed" for his
welfare.
The true,hearled captain of the boa,
was Samuel D. Carnes, and the incident is
worth remembering.