Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-04-27


Giving. himselfup to intern crate habits be
sunk into poverty and contempt; and in The
midst of wretchodness which would have
been greater bur for tte efforts of biz wife, be
was attacked 10y ID fever, Of which be died.
Two OF his brothers, who were lawyers, had
recently inquired about the child, and would
probably interest themselves in his behalf
] he good boatman now babe farewell to the
lad slipping him bis last gtoat, which he
said was better in his pocket than in that OF
the gruf feuyman.
Eighteen years passed away before Sandy
Wright again visited Edinburgh. He had
left 1t a strong powerful man Of forty-seveu,
he returned to it a gray haired old man Of
sixty FIVE. Troubles, too, had come with his
gray hairs. His son, brave young fellow,
who had risen from the humbest post on
deck, TILL be was Lieutenant. had sailed upon
an expedition from which he never returned !;
and the poor old boatman, when about to re-
tire on pension TO which he was entitled for
his long service at the Custom House, was
Dismissed without a shilling, on charge Of
having connived at the escape Of a smugglet.
He had Travelled a weary two hundred miles,
with the hope that an inferior clerk in the
Custom House, with whom be bad some acc
quantance, might use his influence in his be-
half The clerk, who mad given him but
little encouragement. had appointed to meet
him at Brown Square. Two hours after the
appointed time had passed, and, weary and
sorrowiul, Sandy Wright passed the street,
watching and waiting for his friend who came
not, when a gentleman who had passed him
quickly. abruptly paused, and retraced his
steps, fixing his eyes stoadiastly upon the old
man,
My name, sir, is Sandy Wright" said
the boatman, touching his cap.
My good, kind ificnd' exclaimed the
stranger, his face glowing with pleasure, as
he gra-ped the old mans hand, often, often
have l inquired for you, but no one could tell
me where you were, or whe her you were
living or dead. Come with me to my house
in the next square. What not remember
me it will be i'll with me when ! cease to
remember you | am Hamilton an advocate
but You will scarcely know me as that"
The astonished ooatman accompanied his
new friend to an elegant house in Brown
Square, where in a handsome parlor he saw
young lady reading.
w ho Of all the world have ] found, said
the gentleman, but good Sandy Wright,
he kind, brave man, who rescued me from
perishing in the snow, and VIII was a kind
friend to me when had no friend"
With a kind smile the lady held out her
hand and assured him that her husband had
frequently spoken Of his kindness, and re-
GREETED that he had no opportunity Ct ac-
knowledging it.
The poor little orphan had been kindly
cared for by his fathers friends and by his
diligence in study and bis virtuous conduct
he had rewarded their care, and secured for
himself an honorable position. And now not
with words only did he show his sense Of
that compassion which had not passed by on
the other side, and left him helpless and per-
ishing, but had succored him when he was
ready to die. He enQuired into the charges
msde against the boatman, and finding that
they were not very serious, be invited him to
spend few weeks at his house, till he could
see what could be done for him. The weeks
passed slowly, though he had an interested
auditor in Mrs. Hamilton, who loved the sto-
ries which he told with humor and simplicity,
and by her husband he was treated with the
afectionate reverence of son. But ne was
weary Of the life Of gentleman, and sighed
for the little smoky cottage and the "puir
old wife"
JuHt stay Win US ono week hunger, nhlu
the advocate; you are not as active man
as when you carried me ten miles through the
snow, and frightened the tall ferryman and
tgill seeaIe li9I~You passage in one Of the
few days after, Mr.. Hamilton, his face
beaming with pleasure, and with a packet in
his hand, entered the room.
"Ihis is from London" said he, handing
the packet to his wife, who had been convers-
ing with the good boatman, "ard it tells us
that Alexander Wright, Custom House boat
man, is to retire from the service on pension
of twenty pounds per annum."
Sandy Wright, grateful and contented, babe
farewell to his friends, and retired to his ma
tive place, where be lived comfortably on his
little income, which supplied all his moderate
wants. He used to say that he was sixty
year old scholar before he knew the meaning
Of that verse, " Cast thy bread on the waters,
and thou shalt find il alter many DAVIS"