The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-05-19

f,1,ovy;no r.mipiscence of Fulton's |
first steam voyage, and the reception OF |
the massage money, was communicated 10 |
the Buffalo Commercial Adrertiser by Il |
w Hsskins Some years since l formed |
a travelling acquaintance upon steamboat
on the Hudson river with a gentleman
who. on that occasion, related to me some
incidents of the first voyage OF fulton TO
Albany, in his steamboat the Clermont,
which | never met with elseW here. Inc
gentlemans name | have now lost, but |
urged him at the time to pu alish what he
related, which, however, SO tar as know,
he never has done:
& CHANGED" said my narrator, "to be at
Albany, on business, when Fulton arrived
there in bis unheard of craft, which every
body felt so much interest IN seeing Be
ing ready to leave, and hearing that this
craft was to return to New York, l re-
paired on board, and inquired for Dir:
Fulton. / was referred to the cabin, and
there found a pan, gentlemanly man,
wholly alone, ana engaged in writing
Mr.. Fulton, presume"
ayes, sir'
.Do you return to New York with this
boat?"
1--WE shall try to get back, SIR
"Can / have a passage down p
"You can take your chance with US,
sir"
I INQUIRED the amount to be paid, and,
after a moments hesitation, a sum, think
six dollars, was named. The amount. IN
coin, lad in his open hand, and, with
an eve fixed upon it, he remained so long
motionless that I supposed there might
be miscount, and l said to him, " is that
right sir?"
This reused him as from kind OF rev.
erie, and as be looked up at me tear was
trembling in his eye, and his voice faltered
as he said, Excuse me, SIR, but memory
was busy as contemplated this, the 1rst
pecIniary reward / have received for all
my exertions in adapting steam to naviga-
ton. | would gladly commemorate the
occasion over bottle of wine with you,
but, really, am too poor even for that
just now; yet trust we may meet again
when this will not be So"
Some four Years after this, when the
Clermont had been greatly improved, and
two new boats made, making Fulton's
feet three boats regularly plying be-
tween New York and Albany, took pas
sage in one OF these for the latter city
The cabin in that day was below, and as
/ walked its length tt and fro, | saw was
very closely observed by one | supposed
a stranger. Soon, however, recalled the
1eafureS OF DIR. tultOn; OUT, without Gus
closing this, | continued my walk anf
waited the result. at length, in passing
his seat, our eyes met when he sprang u
his feet, and, eagerly Selling my hand
exclaimed, ~ knew it must be you, 10
your features have never escaped me, and
although | am still far from rich, yet
may v, nture that bottle now"
1t was ordered, and during its discussion
Mr.. Fulton ran rapidly, but wildly, owe
his experience Of the worlds GOODNESS an
sneers, and of the hopes, fears, disaI
pointments and difficulties that wer
scattered through the whole career {
discovery, up to the very point of It's fns
grooming triumph, at which he so full
felt h had al last arrived. nd IN IT
viewing ali these" said he, 81 have agai
and again recalled the occasion ana tn
iEcident of our first interview at a bany
and never have | done SO without its +,
newing in my mind the vivid emotion
originally caused. That seemed, ard sti
does seem, to me the turning point in III
destiny the dividing line between ligl
AMI darkness in my career upon earlh
for 1t was the first actual recognition
my usefulness to my fellow men,"