Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-03-14
"0ut of the Wilderness" "

zens glad, with few exceptions, aud
those remind us of the tailor who
could see no good in the mighty cat
aract and its spray, only to sponge
cloth in. However, the required sum
was raised to build the road, and we
shall have 1t; and We feel that it is
to be to the people, covert from the
tempest-rivers of water in a dry
place-or the shadow of a great rock
in a weary land. The $1,000 sub
scribed in few hours showed that
the people were in earnest in this
matter Of railroad, and that they
wanted to "get out of the wilderness.
The meeting was called to order a little
after the appointed time by the Chair
man, Lorenzo Richmond, Esq, R. A,
Perkins, Secretary. The attendance
was large. NJ. c. Fairbanks, from
the committee appointed at former
meeting, reported that Miss Lucy
Collamer had subscribers $1,000, and
other parties, $500. This was receiv
ed with applause. Mr.. Bragg Of
Hartford, did not know that he was
on the committee Of subscription, but
when he did, he went to work,
and got promises. Norman Paul, Esq,
in few pointed remarks, called out
Hon. julius Converse. Mr.. G. made
a stirring speech. He dewelt upon
the beauty of Woodstock, the neces-
sity Of a railroad, and the love Of
former residents for the place, which,
he said, was only equalled by the Jews
for Jerusalem. He was followed by
Mr.. Thomas Middleton, who made a
handsome speech on railroads IN gen
eral, and ours in particular. The next
speaker was Geo. r. Chapman. He
dwelt upon the safety of the bonds
as an investment He thought unless
the people came forward and subscrib'
ed for them to day, they might go
home with their hands in their pockets,
and stay there for ten years. He
proved that he had faith in what he
said, by stepping forward and subscr ID
ed $500 J. IL. Murdock remarked
that that was strong argument. The
next speaker was Mr. Timothy Perk-
ins, who related the story Of the old
chap who had a cider barrel Of which
there was nothing left but the bung
hole and wanted Il cooper to make a
barrel to it. He said we had the
bung-hole, and we wanted the barrel.
He set the house in roar of laughter.
Mr.. Kennedy stated that he would be
one of five to subscribe $1,000, but
wanted the four others to be men who
had done nothing heretofore, 1ewlshed
the Secretary to read the names Of the
subscribers to the bonds since last fall
he wanted to know who had sub
scribed. Mr.. Paul objected to this,
as the list was not at hand. Dr.
Randall said every man was anxious
to get out Of debt if the railroad was
built we were out of debit not
our debt was doubled if the railroad
was not built all decent people would
go away from here, and we would be
left in such company as we deserved.
Mr.. Chas. Walker was the next speak
er. He said he was taxed in two
towns for the road, subscribed literally
besides, and would do more. Mr..
Geo. S. Day said he would be one of
ten to take $1,000. Mr.. Nathan Cush-
ing ''rose to remark" and endorsed
Randall and Walker. He said he had
subscribed $1,000 and would in
crease it $500 Mr.. Days PROPOSE
ton was accepted. Mr.. Murdock
next addressed the meeting. After
which number of gentlemen started
in body and signed. The Chair
man then announced that $4,000 was
all that was wanted. Mr.. Converse
said that Mr. Perkins has told us a
very neat little story, and if he
would step up with him now, he would
show how the barrel could be
adapted to the bung-hole. Mr.. Perk-
ins jumped to his feet as quick as a
boy of sixteen, and signed, amid loud
hurrahs for "Uncle Tim" Mr. Con
verse, also signed, which gave
the barrel quite a lift This little
scene was followed by neat speech
from the Rev. A. B. Dascomb. He
thought he should have to believe in
"total depravity," if after these two
meeting', this little sum was not made
up, and he subscribed $1OO. Others
followed d in quick succession with like
sums. Mr.. Thomas Gordon said he
had heard much talk on this subject,
and If we were going to have road
he would sign, stepped to the desk and
made, $1,000 subscription. This was
anc,ble act of Mr. Gordon, and he was
lou dly applauded. After this the
CP.air announced the lack of only
S4,5OO. Mr.. Paul stated that he would
to one Of fifty to take the remaining
amount. Many favored this motion.
At this juncture Justin Nc
Kenzie, Esq, stepped forward, amid
loud applause, and signed for $4,000,
and his son Frank also signed for $500
more. This warmed up the meet
ing, and the balance of the a.
mount was taken in few minutes by
gentlemen from this ard the surround
ing towns, and the pack of $1,000