Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-11-26

who needed it more, so that costs accum-
ulated against him to such an extent as
to severely affect his business, and led
him to exclaim to friend That
Dick Fletcher has made me great deal
of trouble and expense"
This man and such others as sympa-
thised with him we're glad indeed that the
youthful pupil of Webster found N. H.,
too small for his forensic abilities, and
sought the great business center of New
England.
Judge Pingry says that he once listen
ed to a legal argument from him of hours
duration-which was the most eloquent,
learned and powerful that he ever heard
fall from human lips.
In the obituaries of Judge Fletcher
which have been published-it has been
said that he never married. 1t may in
terest the lady readers Of the Herald to
know that rumor has given the reason
and in his youthful days he was not en-
tirely unmindful of woman's wit, or wo-
mans worth, and that in the death of
the daughter of one of the most eminent
men New Hampshire ever reared and
that State has produced many noble spec
linens of manhood-were crushed the
early love and tervent devotion of a pure
heart, and when the grave closed over
her remains all matrimonial aspirations
Of the young lawyer were buried forev-
er. Henceforth he worshipped not at the
shrine of woman, but devoted himself
with untiring energy of thought and
study to the chosen pursuit of his life in
which he became so eminent. C.
In this connection it may not be out
of place for us to introduce another an
ecdote of the Judge, which came to our
ears recently. Sometime after he had
made a profession Of religion and had
become prominent member of the Fed
eral Street (Baptist) Church in Boston,
and while he was the popular superiil-
tendent of the Sabbath School there, he
was elected Deacon. On being informed
of the selection, Mr.. Fletcher appeared
before the society, and, in one of his
happiest moods, addressed his people
He thanked them for the kindness and
confidence they had shown HIM, and ther
proceeded to give them description o.
the character and qualifications which in
his judgment were requisite for the office.
Speaking thus at length upon the sub
ject of religion and the Importance Of
personal piety and sincere devotion to
God and the cause Of the Redeemer, and
having wrought up the attention of his
hearers to great interest, he closed by
assuring them that he did not possess
nor claim to possess, then and there, that
degree of holiness which the candidate
should bring to the office. The calls of
business, the cares Of his profession, and
the worldliness of his life that had too
much engrossed his attention rendered is
improper for him, however much he ap-
preciated the honor, to accept the offer,
and besides, said the speaker, lowering
the tones of his voice, and throwing into
his handsome face all the interest and
emotion which memory and the occasion
called up, " | am not worthy; there is
one insurmountable barrier standing be-
tween me and the position named
Among all the qualifications which l
have alluded to,-that this officer of the
church should possess, there is one which
| have not named The injunction of
Holy Writ, through the apostle is-that
the Deacon should be the husband of
one wife
| have none. /
cannot accept the Office"
The effect of this address, says our in
formant, was most happy, and served to
bind the affections of the audience still
more closely to the eminent lawyer and
devoted Christian.
We are told by those who knew him
in the days Of his youth and manhood,
and while in practice before the Courts
of n. H. and Mass, that his presence ev-
er commanded the utmost respect. OF
good form, of handsome and expressive
features, and of the most gentlemanly
and pleasing address, coupled with his
great learning and untriEg industry it
is not perhaps a matter of wonder that
he should have succeeded at the bar. and
on the bench. But in the political alter
cations of his day, as we have heretofore
intimated in the TINES, he was not at
home. OF his two surviving brothers,
he more resembled in features, form.
temperament and address, the Rev doc
tor Fletcher of Townshend than Ex-Goy.
Ryland Fletcher Of Cavendish.
Women charm, as general thing, in
proportion as they are good. A plain
face with a heart behind it is worth a
WI rid of heartless beauty-