The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-23
"Reminiscences Of Whittier.

4 writer in the Springfield Repmd!'cdn
uarrates tho following:
In the spring of 1855. was a student
out of health and out of funds. To be
sure there was nothing remarkable in that,
for students are apt to be in that way.
But it led ne to ramble toward the sea,
and that took me through Amesbury, the
home of Whittier. | carried the universal
black bag, filled with ''piDs, needles, Thin
bles, sewing silk, &c." which served me
as purse; to all intents and purposes,
then, I was a pedlar-a class OF men not
generally mentioned the same day with
the minister, nor thought much of in COM
parison with quarterly meetings.
When | came into Amesbury, | was
tired and hungry with long days walk
without dinner | had little money in
my pockets, 80 depended on the bags. So
began the inquiry for an abiding place
for the Sabbath; but what right had I, a
pedlar, to expect any family to put them
selves out to accommodate me! "There
was a good hotel in the place." But with
me hotel was out of the question. As
trudged on, got substantially the same
reply from all At length | turned into
Friend street; l had entirely forgotten
that the "Quaker poet lived in town.
And going on unfortunately in my appli-
cations, l approached the neat cottage,
empowered in shrubbery, and the yard
adorned with flowers, and through an open
window observed a table piled up with
books and newspapers. Probably a law
yer or a minister" said l. little luck for
me here" l rang the bell, and tall,
spare man, with prominent features and
mild countenance, opened the door. From
the portraits l had seen, recognized him
In moment. had stumbled upon the
poet.
Good evening, young man." said be.
responded. But I was shashed and
observing hesitation in my manner, he
invited me in. The benevolence of his
voice gave me assurance.
81 am q peddler, sir" said I, Sin pur-
suit of place to spend the Sabbath
81 would keep you with great pleasure, ="
said he, had place for you to sleep !;
unfortunately there is a quarterly meeting
of Friends here, and have my beds full.
But there is a good man lives in that house
(ponting), who will-but you look tired, 4"
said he; care you well7"
confessed | was not.
81 think Mr.. Barnard will do we'll by
you," said he b.; If he cannot, come back
to me. l am sorry to send you any fur
Their. 1t is q thing never do when can
avoid it."
went to Mr.. Barnard's, presented my
request, and was at once received. But
had scarcely disposed of my bag and hat
when Whittier entered.
lyon look so pale, young man, said
he, "that felt had not done right, and
come on after you lest you would be COM
PEELED to walk further. l happened to
think could sleep on the sofa myself"
He then sat down and talked with me
for an hour, while the good wife was pre-
pairing supper, as if had been an equal.
was, in fact, for he compelled me to be.
He would not even receive my thanks for
his kindness. r.
The next morning be invited me with
him to their meeting, at their plain wood
en- meeting house on the edge of the wood
near the village. He showed me all TIE
conveniences of the house, how they d.
yided it by partitions, &c. He then took
me into bis seat, and sat down with his
hat on. Plain, intelligent, prim looking
men, tidy women and neat children came
in and eat down quietly. There was new