The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-11-14
A Tale OF Judah p. Bentamin's Youth

A Tale OF Judah 4. beniamlnfs YOUTH
"The child is father Of the man" in
this case most assuredly, and the lire OF
descent easily traced from the hero of the
following tale to the rebel secretary and
bis artfuI apologies for the crimes Of his
associates.
In the days when the New York Cen
trail was not, and westward travellers ;hro
that State were confined to stage coaches,
there CHANGED to be travelling in one OF
those conveyances young man who by
his intelligence and agreeable manners
attracted the attention and won the re-
gard of a felow-traveler The young
man con Gded to his new friend the fact
that he was student of Yale Col.
lege expelled for some boyiSh indis
cretion, that his pride would not permit
him to return to his home, and that be
was striking out into a new country, with
the intention of establishing his reputa-
ton, and to earn living by teaching.
His last dollar, he said, would take him
as far as Auburn, where, consequently,
be intended to stop and try his fortune.
The recipient of this little bit Of per-
Sonal history was SO much pleased with
the unfortunate student and his good in
tentions, that he urged him to extend his
journey to Rochester, where he himself
resided. and where he would use his in
duence to get his young friend established
in his profession.
The young man readily assented, and
his kind friend paid all his expenses to
Rochester, and on arriving took him into
bis own house. There the young gentle
man was taken sick. The host provided
a physician, watched and tended him un-
til he recovered, and then got up school
for him by personal effort. Our young
peniient soon had a fourishing school,
and was earning money he therefore left
his friends house and went into lodgings
his friend introducing him, and be
coming sponsor for the payment Of his
bills. Things went on in this way for
some time, until the teacher had accu.
muIated little money, when, probably,
piniDg for some more promising field for
bis peculiar talents, he suddenly disap-
pearcd. lie left town without notice,
with his board bill and his doctors both
unpaid, and with no word of farewell to
bis kind benefactor said benefactol hav-
ing to pay the unliquldated accounts OF
the serpent be had warmed.
This young migrate was Judah P. Ben,
jamin. A few years later the above-men-
toned Rochester gentleman was in New
Orleans, and in passing through the
streets of that city noticed the sign of
Benjamin, then a lawyer and politician
of considerable eminence and ample means
The gentleman returned to his hotel,
made out bill of the amounts he had
formerly paid for his protege, went to
Benjamin's Office, laid down his bill, and
told Benjamin there was little bill he
would like the money for, if convenient. !
Benjamin looked at the bill, and then at
tie man. and then. without word of
apology or explanation, or sign Of re-
cognition, handed out his money, and
they parted.
Such is the story of this man Benja- |.
MINIS start in life, as told to me last sum.
mer in the cars between Chiaago and St. 7.
Louis by a gentleman, who knew, and
had it directly from the lips of BeDja
MINIS Rochester nd.-B0St0n AdUer- |.
tiser.