The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1875-08-12


served that tho young man had not
bcen accustomed to the severe labor
which no had undertaken. aud that
in handling tho heavy crowbar, aud
in wheeling the loaded barrow, the
blood oozed from his fiugers. A few
days aftorward, whom pay day ar
rived, he signed the receipt for his
wages by tho usual "cross, or his
mark" used by tho Irish laborers
genorally. In tho course Of q fcw
weeks, his employers (who wero
members Of tho Society Of Friends),
observed that he possessed superior
intelligence, said to him in the pc.
culiar language in common use by
the Friends in that day, "John
this is not thy right placo--a man
like thee ought to know how to writc
and know bottor than to mako n
cross mark !"
John was stung by this roproof,
his latent ambition was aroused; and
stepping forward, no took tho pen
aud signed his name in rapid,
practiced, and elegant hand. His
employers were astonished, and said
70 him, John this is not the place
for thee stop drinking, and wo will
take theo into our employ as clork,
and at once double thy wages. -
These were the first kind and help
ing words which he had heard in
America-their lifo-giving energy
won't through him like electricity
and from that moment he never
drank drop. Ilo proved himself
fully worthy of their confidence, and
became distinguished for his ofli'
cheney. The morning Of his pros
perity began to dawn upon him His
wife recovered her health. His
progress toward great success began
He subsequently, went into the for.
warding business Oh the canal n:
partner to q prominent citizon o.
Western New York, who was also 1
loading member OF Congress.
Tho writer Of this narrative vol
remembers in years before railroads
were generally in use, and travelling
on tho canal was tho common mod,
OF passenger transit, that ho coult
not pass day anywhere betweei
Schenectady and Buffalo, without
meeting one or moro neatly bull
and we'll loaded boats with tho gold
en- letters on tho side, john
Clinton Line" In short tho young
Irish clork and stoward-the hus
band OF tho beautiful and accomplish
cd young lady prostrateI by sick
ness in tho log hut-had become thu
owner Of q successful tleot OF cana
boats. Before twonty years ha(
elapsed he was mayor of ono OF Tia,
largest cities OF Western Now York
was eminent for his enterprise anC
public spirit, and took prominent
position in public affairs.
Aftor lapse OF years, and whor
ho had become eminentiy prosper
ous in business, tho father of the lad,
was stricken with lingering di5eas,
which finally proved fatal. In tho
midst of this sickness he rolontci
and divided u portion of his proper
ty for his daughter Attor his dnath
John wont 10 ireland to secure 1t
and took his little boy with him
While there he visited his own fathe
and mother who were still living
They had had not heard from hiu
for time, but knew no lived in ,
certain city in Western Now York
Ho resolved not to announce himself
to SEQ whether they would rocogniz,
him. Tho stage in which ho and hi
littlo boy travelled passed within
mile Of their home, They reached
tho house by walking this distance
partly across the fields, about snn
set. He said that they were travel
ors, and begged a nights lodging
Tho old people wero averso to keep
ing them, and made many excuses
He continued to urge until they fin
ally yielded. BY agreeable conver
sation on his part, thoy become in
terestod in thor stranger guest
They found he como from America
"What part Of America :" they in
auired. He told thom, What
did you indeed come from h
Why, is it possible I We have a sol
living thore! And you have com
from the same place Can it b
that you know our son I" "What i
his name : inquired the traveller
"Johu -" oh, yes, | kno'
him." The interview now becam
deeply interesting u throng c
questions wero asked aud answered
aud their guest became more an'
more welcome. But still thoy ha'
no guess who he was the change
of years had obliterated tho rocolloC
ton of his features. Ho though
best not to divulge the secret ii
morning, believing that he If di
they would not sleep that nigh
He waited till after breakfast. Th
, scene cannot be described, and "
shall not attempt it. II was ono
intense emotion. Our lady inform
ant who was we'll acquainted wit
him, met him on the canal packe
(the chief mode Of journeying
} those days), on his return from lr'
! land on this journey, and he gave
} life like description Of tho scone
his own eloquent words, and i
speaking OF his relation Of the ocou
rence she said to us, 81 do not b,