Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-11-20
THE GREAT PEDESTRIAN.

cotnin uhicatlon TO tue eu1t0r or the Dos |
ton Transcript:
The audacious design of Mr.. Edward
Payson Western to walk 1926 miles
in 80 consecutive days, his hitherto
steady progress in spite of. muddy roads
and dark nights, and the intense interest
which the entire public manifest in his
performance, Eis very remarkable. 1t is
notable that all are anxious that he may
succeed; that all. the ladies in particular,
sympathize with his supposed hard fate,
and 1T would almost appear that he is
performing some heroic achievement for
the common welfare Yesterday | wit
messed the progress from Salem to Lynn.
Mr.. Weson's timetable would have him
arrived in Salem on Wednesday evening
Owing to the rainy weather and an ac-
cident to his foot, he only reached Fps
witch Wednesday morning He was ex-
peeted In Salem during the morning, and
every one was watching from an early
hour. The, whole turnpike for miles was
alive with carriages and crowds of people
on foot, who manifested the most intense
interest. All the horses were in requisition
and'the business men made holiday What
was there to seer A young man of mod
est manners. of athletic, 1.-THE and grace
full movement, walking at the rate of some
l2O PAGES per minute, steadily and mex
orably, like machine of STEEL I walked
at his side some hundreds of yards. l
too have been tried in exploring expedi-
tions,, and have even assembled to the
height Of more than three vertical miles
above the level of the. sea over the eternal
snow and ice. But to think of fifty miles
daily ofthis walking! 1t is only hor-
rible nightmare! The human organiza-
tion will not endure such "a trail! These
l20 long steps per minute are already
tiresome, But the mysterious figure at
my side moves rapidly steadily, silently
forward. Two Or three men fellow him
on foot, coach containing the witnesses
or judges, and crowd of carriages with
spectators. Not}a word Is spoken, and
the only sound is from the tramping in
the muddy road. Here is serious work.
Perhaps he may perform what he. has de-
termined to, and his faith may accomplish
what the Scriptures have told AN unbe-
lieving world is within its power. These
brutes Of horses which draw his witnesses
have to be changed 3daily-on the terri
BILE day ofl00-miles they must be1chang
ed twice-7buts their strength is only Of
the earth. .-,r j., ..f.ro. ,....-, ...- i. .
! By invitation Of an enterprising photo
graphic friend, 7 abandon walking to
/ L,,,t+- l.
drive ahead .toyseize an instantaneous pic
ture Of this wonder Arrived at the
| Chelsea dollhouse the camera. is, focused
on the point where he. must appear in GO
ing through'the gate: Perhaps, at the
Signal, be will stop second: But no; he
tpolitel y isalutes .byca movement of his
hands and in quick, clear es-not like
man out of breath-says; ErYou must
excuse me, [ can't do it have
promised not to- can't stop"-and is
gone. The camera is turned on his re-
treating f iure, but he is hidden by the
people behind him. He does not appear
lame, heis in good spirits, his faith burns
bright He disappears. Perhaps he
will succeed in his impossible task--we
are now more inclined to be eve7i it.
Even'Phil. Sheridan-who also perform
ed impossible things through the faith
that was in him--even he would have
/ been deserted had he been hereabouts TO-
1 day. .r'ra,ea5i 5af IL egG-r 1u!G.Ez nd5
la Returning home, we reflected on: the
meaning Of this deep stirring up Of the
depths of the public feeling It certain
I y. is not in the simple fact that man is
walking for a wager I have not heard
/. ofrarsihgleabet being offered or taken. dur
ing the. day. It probably has some con-
nection with the manly determination to
do difficult work, and arespect for the
7 resolution " hich alone can accomplish it.
+ IF Mr.. 5Weston succeeds it will enconr-
] .age others in the possibility of their max
ing long journeys on foot, which are
sometimes necessary. I have known peo-
pie detained from their homes because
they had not money to pay for being car
ried there. The idea never occurred to
them to ualk- home Certain. explora-
tions are only possible when men learn to
walk and to endure as Mr.. Weston is
NOW teaching them. And we have an
ILLUSTRATION the Isuperior esult. of yolun;
tary action over that induced by oompul'
sion. ,<> 49,.
| It appears that Mr.. Weston has made
his walking and diplomatic talents useful
to the country's cause during thewarl for
the Union land his own account is
agreeably VT: item and commercially free
from that egotism which too often ex-
agerates the difficulties passed through.
[ Is He is. .Anerhaas to be ranked in this