Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-07-12
a Story Of Mr. Wilson.
From the National Republican.

From the National Republican.
Hon. Henry Wilson is a man who
never torgcts a promise or friend.
No better illustration of his charac-
ter can be given than by the narra-
ton of an incident, well known in
the little town Of Natick, where he
has so long resided and where he
is SO deeply beloved. Some time in
the year 1888, when Mr.. Wilson
was engaged in the manufacture of
shoes, he was accosted by bright
little fellow of perhaps dozen
years Of age, who earnestly desired
employment. The boy was poorly
dressed, and his whole appearance
denoted extreme poverty. Mr.. Will
son made some inquiries Of him,
and learned that his father was a
man of Incorporate habits, who
neglected to provide for and crual-
ly i'll treated his family, and that
the boy whom we will call Rogers,
desired to do what little he could to
aid in their support. He was in
stantly engaged, and worked faith
fully and checrfully for several
weeks, until he had earned what in
those days was thought neat little
sum of money, which to his poor
mother would be of great assis-
tancc.
When, however, the fondly an
ticipatcd "pay-day" came, Rogers
was crually disappointed by his
father entering the factory and de-
manding his sons wages of Mr..
Wilson, to whom, of course, he was
obliged to accede. The father then
commanded his son to return home
that night, and left the factory.
Completely crushed by the blow,
the boy wept bitterly, and began
his preparations for departing
While thus engaged, Mr.. Wilson
approached him and said, ''Rogers
you have been good and faithful
boy, and I am sorry to have you go,
If ever you want friend, come to
me-" Then placing in his hand the
full amount of the wages he had al
ready paid the father, he hurried
away before the boy could reply
The two did not meet again for
more than twenty years.
In 1868, while Sergeant Rogers,
Of thc-Massachusetts, was scrv-
ing in the Army Of the Potomac, he
became detached frcm his regiment.
While plodding wearily along to
regain it, he was passing by car
riagc in which were two gentlemen;
one of them he recognized rs Sena-
tor Wilson. A rsittle ashamed of
his forlorn plight, Rogers hung his
head to escape recognition; this
movement attracted the attention of
the Senator, who stopped the car
riagc, and calling the Sergeant to
him, he inquired:
"What regiment do you belong
to-"
"-MaSSachusettS."
F'Wherc is it stationed?''
II do not know, sir: | have been
detached, and am trying to find it,
For a moment the Senator seeMed
to be trying to recall his features,
and then asked:
"Is not your name Rogers?" Re
ceiving an affirmative reply, he eN-
claimed, "My friend. whore have
you been these ycars:?" and the
hands of tho Senator and Sergeant
were cordially clasped. Mr.. Will
sons next question was one which
many a poor soldier has heard him
ask: "Rogers do you need any
money!"
ono, Senator, ] know that | look
a little rough, but | have a few
g:eenbacks left yet"
"Wcll, that is good. will see
you again." and with hearty good
by, the Senator drove on.
The same day Rogers rajoinad
his regiment. About week later
he was summoned to the tent of his
Colonel. Repairing there he once
more found Senator Wilson. "Ser-
eeant Rogers, he said, 81 have the
pleasure of presenting to you your
commission as Lieutenant in your
regiment, and if your future record
is as honorable as in the past, |
shall never regret the appointment"
utterly disappointed at his good
fortune SO entirely unexpected, the
recruit could find no words to ex-
press his thanks; but his brilliant
after career was sufficient proofthat
the confidence placed in him was
well bestowed, and he will ever re-
member with gratitude the kindness
extended to him by one whose whole
life has been spent in aiding the
poor, and in the services Of the
down-troddcn and oppressed.
1es..----Jz------z------ es.---Jz----z-----
1HAlt.s First Council of War.