Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-20
hlistrllaup.
A Virginia Blacksmith.
~ eslRLn c COFFIN

hhacold, raw, snowy day. An unusual day
in the Old Dominisn. The forests are in russet
and yelow-the leaves are not fallen. Winter
seems to have usbered itself prsma,urey into the
presence OF retiring autumn. The driving storm
hs almost shut from sigAt the Blue Ridge which
leo along the West, looming like huge ocean
breaker, ready TO tumble in upon the lower lands.
sm here, as an observer Of events in the grand
army Of the Potomac. 1t hasgone on before, and
sm tarying an hour by the way, while my trav.
cling companion has his horse provided with shoes.
! am in log blacksmith shop, sitting on box
on the forge, toa',ing my toes over the charcoal
4 4 me, and making notes OF what sec aud hear
Ihe wind is high und sweeps through the forest
Pre-. With a wild, surging roar, through the
cracks, ereviees ana orannies OF the shop, drown.
Aing the roar Of the blscksmith's bellows. The
'noStlikes siil through the crazy Gathering roof,
tNhch hss lost nearly halt its tme.worn shingles,
leavlng the railer' and ridge-pole bare
The smith is fifty years old. am reminded Of
the village blacksmith described by Longiellov,
~h'. shop is beneath the spreading chestnut
tree:
a His hair Ia crisp and black and long
His face 10 ike the tan;
its brow Is wet With honest sweat,
Il lie earns WHISTLER he can,
And look, The whole world in the face,
Ter he owes Hot aGY man
While fitting the Shoes be gives me little Of
hs experience in life. lie has been blacksmith
asfty-hye years. Last year, unasssled by any
sne, IN this little dingy shop be earned about
sleven hundred dollars; this year he thinks il viii
Hee about thirteen. hundred. The farmers herea'
bout like his work. When we rode up he wa,
milling ths Of a tva- hn.., ,,ara, "a. n
*iAlorltc horse-shoer can set wagon tires, ond dc
<tI sort, Of handy things His business with the
Farmers 10 cretit business, but he has many casl
aeus'omers. His vile and Young children live al
oalem, four miles distant. lie lives an insulated
ils' lie takes his meals alta little log hut neal
oy, where a free negro keeps soul aud body To-
fgeIher, but sleeps in the shop Summer ant
f~nler he sleeps nere, lying on the bare grousC
IN ths summer, and carllug up upon the warn
clndefs Of the forge ia the winter. There is hi
oed and an old blanket. Tonight, when ihi
Haays work is done, he will wrap himself in it ant
ls down 10 sleep. Saturday night he goes TO Sa
lem TO eco his wife, aud returns at daylight OF
onday. SO be has lived for fourteen years
Singular life, but not voluntary one. Ne
ne 70 u stdre. Ills owner lives down there, il
mat large white farm house with numerous out
buildings. Looking through, between the leg
o. The shop, can see the proprietor OF this b'eod
bones and brains-an old man, white haired
Walking With cane about bis stables, lookinl
out Tor the comfort OF his our.legged cattle o.
,hi, stormy day. For thirty years has this ma
before me welded the hammer, made the an,
nng with bis heavy strokes for his master
thousand dollars year has been the aggregate
thirty thousand dollars earued Of course il
no, nei earnings, but so much business dois b
one man-who has received nothing in return
lhlrly thousand dollars worth OF unrcquited 1
Dor: His wife Is slave, bis children are slave
sold South, some of,hem. lie will behold lhel
10 more One has taken himself up North inI