The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-01-09
I'he Genius of the Roodssde.
BP f. Z. GALLOWAY.

AOi many VI U.s. oNAAiC VI TIC SItdtGSJ GNG -
of our lives have turned upon as small
pivot. Even in the humGlest lives, little
opportunities lie concealed all -along the
way like fairy doors which, when The night
spring is touched, will fly opeH, revealing
glorious future.
one fair summer day distinguished
looking gentleman might have been seen
riding in his carriage along a country road
in Ulster county, New York. His name
was Aaron Bmr-not then the dcspised
and haunted Aaron Burr we read of now.
He was then Senator Burr, and was one of
the most talented and highly esteemed men
in our county. He was not an evil look
ing man on the contrary, his was kind
ly, pleasant face, lit up with brilliant black
eyes.
But, about the horses shoe: AS he was
driving rapidly along, one of his horses lost
a shoe, and he stopped at the next black
smith shop to have it replaced. Ii was a
lonely country place, and while the black
smith was at work Burr stroiled through
the woods and fields that lay around. Re
turning, he noticed on the side of the sta
in charcoal of his own horses and carriage.
He was startled at first, it was so wonder
fully accurate and spirited. He knew, too,
that it must have been executed in a very
few minutes, and he stood for some time
gazing at it i'll admiration. Turning around
at last, he noticed a boy dressed in coarse
homespun standing a little way off.
Cg\Tln hot
at the picture.
81 did it," replied the boy.
The Senator was astorished. Entering
into conversation, he discovered that the
boy, although ignorant, was intellectual.
lie also found that this young artist had
never had any instruction in drawing, and
that he was apprenticed to the blacksmith
business for six months.
Barr wrote few lines on piece of pa
per, saying rs he wrote:
''My boy, you are too smart to stay here
all your life. If ever you should want to
change your employmentands see the world,
just put clean shirt in your pocket, come
to New York, and go straight to that ad-
dress " handing the boy paper.
A child's intuitions are quick, and as
the boy gazed into his kindly face bent
down to his, he felt that he had won a
friend that he could love and trust.
The travellers horses now being ready,
he mounted his carriage and was out Of
sight in a few minutes, while the bewil-
dered boy returned to his work in the
blacksmith shop. He treasured the pre-
4; nF
day as he worked the blacksmith S bellows
that famed the glowing embers, he built
up golden dream-castles, while brave. am
bilious thoughts leaped up into his heart,
as the flames leaped up from the Hvid Goals
Months passed away and these circum-
stances had nearly faded from the busy
Senator's mind. In his beautiful home at
Richmond Hill he was sitting at breakfast
one morning with his daughter Theodosia.
1t was upon this daughter, so lovely, so
pure, that Aaron Burr lavished the wealth
of soul overflowing with secret tender
ness. Long after his fall from power, she,
it is said, was the solitary star shining with
beautiful lustre over the rough and dark
ened pathway of his life.
1t was on this memorable morning that
a servant entered the breakfast room and
placed III Col. BuIT's hand a small paper
parcel, saying it was brought by boy who
was waiting outside. Theodosia gazed on
wonderingly as her father opened the par
Gel and found coarse, country made,
clean shirt. OF course they both laughed
merrily over it, and Burr, supposing it to
be some mistake, ordered the boy TO be
shown IN.
Who should enter but our genius of the
roadside, bluShing in confusion. BY the
elegance of the room and the presence of
the beautiful daughter he was still more
abashed, but the face of his friend reas-
sured him. Very modestly he placed in
Burr's hand piece Of worn paper the one
he had treasured for so many months. As
Burr traced the almost illegible words he
recognized his own handwriting, and
new light flashed over his face. Taking
the lads trembling hands in his own, he
gave him such welcome as only warm.
generous hearts know how to give Then
presenting the lad to his daughter, he told
her his story. She gave him her hand at
once, ior she was rs much pleased with
him as was her father.
From that hour the boy was loved and
cared for as one Of the family. He was ed
ucated and placed under one of the best of
masters in the art lie had shown such a
talent for. Young Vanderlyn, for that was
the boys name, was afterwards sent to
Europe by Burr, where he spent five wears
in the study of painting, until he became.
it is said, an artist worthy of the name.
Years and years afterwards, when Burr
was wandering in Europe, poor, lonely
exile, Nanderlyn was exhibiting pictures
at the Louvre, Paris. lie had not only
been presented with gold medal by Ma
poleon, but was receiving compliments and
congratulations from the Emperors own
lips. His cup Of joy seemed almost full