Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-04-26
THE OLD CARTMAN.

About hve years ago, or therea0outS, John
Alnsly-Or Pap Alnsly, as he was taml-
liarly called-was the owner of hand cart,
and earned living by conveying miscella-
neous parcels from one section of the city to
another, and receiving therefor the reasona-
BILE remuneration OF fifty cents per load.
To designate the occupation in the prosiest
language possible, he was hand man, and
when not employed, could always be found
during working hours at the corner OF
Montgomery and California streets His
hair and long beard were quite gray, and his
limbs feeble; and if he could not shove as
heavy load through the deep sand or up
the steep grade above him, as the stalwart
Teuton on the opposite corner, thereby los
ing many a job and many dollar all the light
loads in the neighborhood fell to his lot, and
kind hearted men not unfrequentiy travelled
square or two out of their way to give an
easy job to Pap -Ainsly.
Four years ago last September, IL recol
lect the month, for | had note of four
thousand dollars to pay, and was compelled
to do some pretty sharp fnanciering to meet
1t, having two or three dozen volumes TO
transfer to my lodgings, | gave Pap Ainsly'
the tack of transportation. Arriving at my
room just as he deposited the last arnltul on
the table, and observing that the old man
looked considerably fatigued after climbing
three flights Of stairs two or three times, L
invited him to take 4 glass of brandy-a
bottle of which usually kept in my room
for medical and soporific purposes. Al
though grateful for the invitation. he po-
litely declined | urged, but he was infexi-
bic. | was aStonished.
DO you never drink said l.
VERY seldom, he replied, dropping in
to a chair at my request, and wiping the
perspiration from his forehead
well, if you drink at all, y | insisted,
you will not find as fair an excuse in the
next twelve months for indulging, for you
appear fatigued and scarcely able TO stand.
ITO be frank, said the old man, Il don t
drink now | haven't tasted intoxicating
liquors for fifteen years, since
Since when?' inquired thoughtlessly,
observing his hesitation.
The old man told me- Sixteen years a
go he was well-to-do farmer near Syra-
cuse, New York. He had one child, a
daughter While attending a boarding
school in that city, then girl of sixteen
years of age, she formed an attachment for
young physician Acquainting her father
of the circumstances, he fatty refused his
consent to union with man whom he had
never seen, and removing her from school,
despatched note to the young gallant, with
the somewhat pointed infOrna ion that his
presence in the nelghborhood Of Ainsly farm
would not meet with favor. The reader Of
course surmises the result, for such a pro-
ceeding could have but one effect. In less
than a month there was an elopement. The
father loaded his double -barreled shot gun,
and swore vengeance; but falling to find
the fugltives he took to the bottle His
good wife implored him not TO give way to
despair but he drank the deeper and ac-
cused her of encouraging the elopement.
In three months the wife died; and at the
expiration of year, when the young peO-
pie returned TO Syracuse, from Connecticut,
where they had remained with the parents
of the husband, they learned that the old
man had sold his farm, squandered the pro-
ceeds. and was almost destitute. Learning
of their arrival, Ainsly drank himself into
frenzy, and proceeded TO the hotel where
they were stopping, attacked the husband
wounding him in the arm by a pistol shot,
and attempting the life OF his daughter who
happily escaped uninj ured, through the inter
position of persons brought to the spot by
the report of the pistol. Ainsly was arrest
ed tried and acquitted on the plea of insanity.
Connecticut, since which time the father
had not heard from them. He was sent to
the lunatic asylum, from which he was dis
missed after remaining SIX months. In
1851 he went to California. He had follow
ed mining for two years. but finding his
strength unequal to the pursuit, he return
ed to this city, purchased a hand Garland
the rest is known. Since then, continu-
ed the old man, bowing his face In his hand
In agony. L have not tasted liquor, nor
have [ seen my poor child.
regretted that had been so inquisitive.
and expressed to the sufferer the sympathy
[ really felt for him. After that | seldom
passed the corner without looking for Pap
Ainsly, and never saw him but to think
of the sad story he had TO tell.
One chilly, drizly day in the December
following, gentleman having purchased
small marble top table at an auction room
opposite, proffered 10 the old man the job
of carrying it TO his residence, on Stockton
street Not wishing to accompany the car
rier he had probably selected the face Civ
ing the best assurance of careful delivery of
the purchase.
Furnished with the number of the house.
the old cartman. after pretty trying strug
gle with the steep ascent of California street,
reached his destination. nd deposited the ia
bic inthe hall. Lingering moment the lady
did not surmise the reason, until he politely
informed her that her husband for such he
supposed her to be- had probably by acci-
dent omitted TO settle for the carriage.
Very well. | will pay you. said the la
dy, stepping into an adjoining room She
returned. and, stating that she had no small
coin in the house, handed the man twenty
dollar piece.
He could not make change. Never
mind, [ viii call tomorrow, he said turn
ing 10 go.
"No, mol" replied the lady, glancing pi
tyingly at his white locks and trembling
limbs Il will not put YOU 70 the trouble.