The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-11-22
Renlniscencss - Whieassr.
A writer In the Springfield Republics
narrates the following


A writer IN the Springfield Republican
narrates the following:
"In the spring Of 1856. l was ssadest
out Of health and ssout Of funds. To be
sure there was nothing remarkable in
that, for students are apt to be In this
way. But led me to ramble toward the
sea, aud that took me through Amesbury
the hons Of Whittier. carried lie uni
versal black bag filed With spins, ueedles,
thimbles, sewing -siIk, etc.. which served
me instead Of purse to ill intents and
purposes, then. vas pedlar-a class of
men not generally mentioned the same
day with the minister; nor thought of in
comparison with quarterly meetings.
When | came to Amesbury | was
tired and hungry with long days walk
without any dinner. bad little money
in my pockets so depended on the bags
Il was near dark and Saturday night. So
| began the inquiry for an abiding place
for the Sabbath bat what right had 1, .
pedlar, to expect any family to pu. them
selves out to accommodst e me? There Vas
. good hotel in the place." But with me .
hotel was out OF the question. And so
l trudged on, and got .ubsten,i the
same reply from all At Isngth l ,aroed
into Friend street / had go tireIy forgot.
ten that the "Quaker poet' lived 10 the
town. And going on indiscrimina,sly in
my applications, | approached nca, cut.
tage, embowerei In shrubbery, aud the
yard adorned with fJwer, and through
an open window | ob erSed table piled
mp with books and nearpape,s. spsob..
Oily lawyer or minister" said L; dit
tie luck for me here " rang the bell and
. tall, spare man. with prominent features
and mild conntenance, opened the door.
From the portraits had seen | recognized
him In moment. l had stun bled upon
the poet.
".Good evening young man. said he,
~ responded. But vas abashed, and
observing hesitation In my manner he
invited me 10 The benevolence 10 his
voice gave me assurance.
81 am aTeilar, SIR said l, .iu pur-
sun of place to spend the Sabbath
,lwsuld keep you vi b great pleasure,
said he, had ap'ae for yen 10 eleep !:
unflrtuna,ely there is quarterly meeting
OF Fhe IDS here and have my beds full.
But there is good man living in that
house, s(pointing, who will--but you
look tired, said he: are you WE'LL
al confessed | Vas not
l think Mr.. BarDard will do we'll BY
you. said he; it he cannot, come back
to me. l am sorry to send you any fur
Their 1t Is thing never do when | can
avoid it,
Il vent TO Mr.. Bsrnard's, presented
my request and was at once received
But | had scslcely disposed OF my bag
and bat when Whittier entered.
"'You look so pale young m.p, said he.
that felt had not done right. and
came on after yon lest you would be CON.
PEELED to walk further. l happened to
lhink | could sleep on the sofs ul,sslf."
"He then sat down and talked with me
Tor en- hour. while the good wife was pre-
pairing supper, as il had been m equal.
was IN Tact, for he compelled me to be.
de would not receive my thanks for his
kindness.
The next morning. he invited. me With
him to their meeting, at their plain wood.
IN meeting house on the edge Of the wood
near the village. He showed me all the
:onvenicuces Of the house, how tbey
divided It By sliding partitions, DC. He
hen took me into bis seat, an sat down
With his hat on Plain, Intelligent, prim
ooking men. tidy women az d neat cbil.
iren came 10 and sat down ouietly-l
here never was doubt what each ope
lad on; they we're all Dire sssed alike.
Then Whittier gave me his fight hand /
hook Il, and others shook each his neioh.
'or's hand and the congregation depart.
ID The spirit had not moved not !
word had been spoken.
As We separated At the gate Of M
SIS yard, ne bade me the kindnest OF good
lays. and | stood and gssed after him
With more admiration and reverence thar
ever felt for any other croat ra.. ,,