The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-12-12
Reminisence of "a Poet.

Reminisence of "a Poet.
La the spring of 1856 l was a student.
out OF health and out of funds. To be
sure there was nothing remarkable in that
ior students are apt to be in that way.
But 1T led me to ramble toward the sea,
and that took me through Amesbury, the
home CT Whittier. carried the univer.
sal black bag, filled with "pins, needles.
thimbles, sewing silk" etc., which served
me instead Of purse to all intents and
purposes, then, | was de tdcto pedler,
class OF individuals not generally mention
cd the same day with the minister. nor
thought much ofin comparison with quar-
terly meetings.
When came into Amesbury [ was
tired and hungry, with long days walk.
without dinner. | had little money in
my pockets, SO | depended on the bag. 1t
was near dark, and Saturday night. So
| began the inquiry for an abiding place
Tor the Sabbath but what right had l,
pedler, to expect auy family to put them.
selves out to accomodate inc ? There
was good hotel in the place" But with
me hotel was out Of question.
And so | trudged on, got substantially
the same reply from ALL At length |
turned into Friend Street had entirely
forgotten that the Quaker poet lived 10
the town. And going on indiscrimnate-
ly in my applications, approached a neat
cottage, embowered in shrubbery, and tho
yard adorned with flowers, and through
an open window l observed a table piled
up with books and newspapers. "Proba.
bly, lawyer, or a minister" said | I: 'lit.
tie luck Tor me here | rang the bell;
aud tall, spare man. with prominent fea
tures and mild countenance, opened the
door. From the portraits had seen |
recognized him in a moment. had
stumbled upon the poet
"Good.eyening, young man" be said.
responded But | was abashed, and
obs, ,N ing hesitation in my manner, he
invited me III. The benevolence in his
voice gave me assurance.
81 am pedler, SIR" said |, In pur-
suit Of place to spend the Sabbath"
81 would keep you with great pleas
ure," said he, "had place for you to
sleep, but unfortunately there is a quar-.
terly meeting of Friends here, aud have
my beds all full. But there is good
man lives in that house (pointingl who
will. But you look tired" said he ; "are
you well?
confessed | was not.
81 think Mr.. Barnard will do we'll nv
you," said he; "f he cannot, come back
to me. I'm sorry to send you any fur.
ther. 1t is thing never do when !
can avoid it."
went to MIR. Barnard's presented my
request, and was at once received. But
had scarcely disposed of my bag and
hat when Whittier came in.
You look so pale, young man." said
he, THAT | felt l had not done right, and
came oe after you. lest you should be com.
PEELED to walk further. happened to
think | could sleep on the sofa myself"
for an hour, while the good wife was pre-
pairing supper, as if l had been an equal.
| was, in fact, for he compelled me to be-
He would not even receive my thanks for
his kindness.
The next morning he invited me with
him to their meeting, at the plain wooden
Westinghouse on the edge of the wood
near the village. He showed me all the
conveniences of the house, how they di-
vided it by a sliding partition, etc, lie
then took me into his seat, and sat down
with his hat on. Plain, intelligent, ,prim :
looking men, tidy women and neat child
rem, came in and sat down quietly. There
was never doubt what each one had on;
} they were all dressed plainly and alike.
And there we sat till the village clock
struck twelve. Then Whittier gave me
!; his right hand, and the congregation de-
parted. The Spirit had not moved no,
) word had been spoken.
, As we separated at the gate of Mr.
} B 8 yard he bade me the kindest of good
days, and l stood and gazed after him
, with more admiration and reverence thar
| ever felt for any other great men,.
Cor. Springfield Republican.