The Shasta courier., 1865-05-13
What al Blind Man can do.

1717, the son of poor working people. At
about six years of age be caught the small
pox and became totally LIND. Is there any
one of US who could possibly have commence
ed life with greater drawbacks? He had some
advantages-a good head, a good heart, and
great physical health and power. Let us
watch his career. In six months after the
fever had left him he was able to feel his way
from the end of the street and back without
a guide; at nine years old he could 20 on a
message to any part of the town. He went
! birds nesting; was an expert climber, and
mounted almost any tree with ease. lie
learned toride. and delighted above all thing g
in a gallop. Hekepta dog and coursed bares;
in fact he was the wonder of the town. He
learned to swim, and once saved the lives of
three of his companions. He was a great
diver; dived once into deep hole. and res
cued-not a man, but bale of manufactu
rers yarn. lie played the fidd G bea ltfuly,
and attended professionally the assemblies az
the Queen Head and the Green Dragon at
llarrogate. One day, when returning to
Harrogate from York, he overlook gentle.
man who had lost his way. He brought the
gentleman safe to his inn, the CRANKY, and
was invited to join in a tankard of negus On
Metcalf leaving the room, - think, landlord, ,
said The gentleman. that my guide must have
drank great deal of spirits since he came
here $ Why 50, sir?" Well, | judge so
from the appearance of his eyes" Eyes
bless you, sir, don't you know he is blind ?'
: Blind What do you mean by that ?'' 50
mean, sir, that he cannot see he is as blind
as a stone y" Well landlord this is really
too much call him in." Enter Metcalf
My friend, are you really blind ?' Yes
SIR said he :" lost my sight when was
six years DID," s. Had known that would
not have vcntured with you on that road from
York for hundred pounds" " And |. sir, :"
said Metcalf, 6 would not have lost my way
for thousand ~ Metcalf was now six feet
two inches IN height, and of great strength
and robustness. He saved money, bought a
horse. and taught the animal to answer his
call by neighing.
Marvellous stories are told of his exploits.
for he was as bold rider as ever took the
field, and to follow the hounds was his great.
est delight. lie was not only huntsman,
but he engaged in races and won them. On
one occasion he rode his horse in a match in
Knaresborough forest. The ground was a
circle OF mile to be run three times around.
Great odds were laid against him but plac-
ing men, With Inner bells at the several posts,
he directed himself by their sounds, and the
blind man came in winner. After his mar
riuge Metcalf set up as livery stable keeper,
but soon gave up that trade and became a
ishmonger lie bought fish at the coast, and
sold 1t at Leeds and other places. The next
we hear of him he had enlisted for soldier
1t was during the rebellion of 1745 One
Mr. Thornton came to him about a fortnight
after the battle 6t Prest0hpans and told him
he was gong to raise company. He inform
ed Metcalf that the French were going to
join the Scotch rebels, and ifthe country were
TO fall into their hands no man S wife. daugh.
ter, or sister, would be safe. Blind Jack was
Il true born Briton. He not only enlisted
himself, but started the colors of IL recruiting
sergeant, and in a few days raised the COM
pany and left for the wars, dressed iu blue
and buff and a gold laced hat. j his extra
ordinary man actually performed nearly all
the duties of a soldier; followed the army in
all its various marchings and counter-march-
lngs-was present in several engagements !;
and once was nearly captured by the enemy,
who succeeded in taking prisoner nearly half
of his company. His captain also was miss
ing-supposed to have been in the rebel camp;
and Metcalf undertook to turn spy in order
to open communication with the lost officer
There is a thrilling interest in the narrative
of how he succeeded in penetrating the enc
my's camp; was taken prisoner on suspicion,
but ultimately succeeded i'm clearing himself
before court-martial, and returning to his
regiment. Here he continued until the bat
tie of Cuiloden put an end to the war. On
Metcalfs return home, bis young wife, who
had been anxiously awaiting her fearless,
reckless, blind partner, received him with
oben arms; and, like an old soldier tired of
wars alarms, he settled down to study the
habits of business. He now became a cloth
merchant; and relinquishing that, set up as
a dealer in horses. This occupation he left
also. and began new line of business-that
of common carrier between York and Knares-
borough. In this speculation he saved mon.
ey, and kept his now increasing family in
responsibility and comfort.