The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-05-16
An Exalted Position.

Roxbury, gained the position of In
spector in the Custom House, Boston.
He was young and gay, and loved to
enjoy himself, albeit model youth in
those qualities which go to make up
the reliable. During the summer the
laboTers of the Custom House were
granted vacation generally of about
two weeks duration. Late in the sum.
mer of so Tom took his vacation, and
resolved to spend the first part Of it
down on the Cape. With fowliDg-
piece and ammunition, and fishing
tackle and pint flask, he set forth,
making his first step at Plymouth,
where he found hotel TO his liking
and from this point as his base he made
sOrties upon fish and fowl, as his fancy
distated.
One day the landlord of the "Samo.
set" told Tom of a magnificent trout
brook about FIVE miles distant towards
Marshfeld where if he was careful, he
might capture handsome string of
speckled beauties. For the famed
brook Tom started, equipped with the
most approved appliances for trout
ing. He found the brook, and caught
a few minnows. He was upon the
point Of giving up ia disgust when
snap at his bait was followed by the
landing of a beautiful trout.
This fred him with new ardor, and
be applied himself afresh to the work.
By and by he reached a point where
the brook was quite broad, and where
he fancied he would have better luck
upon the opposite side. He was look
ing to see if he could find a conven.
tent fording place, when he espied up
on the other bank a man seated be-
meath the spreading branches Of an
oak tree. He was q strongly built,
heavy-framsd man, wearing broad
brimmed straw hat, blue coat with
gilt buttons, and high topped rubber
boots. The man had fishing pole
in his hand and his heck was in the
water, but he seemed to be in brown
study, careless as to whether his hook
was baited or not.
Hal q capital idea ! The man was
large, and strong, and had on good
rubber boots.
"Hallol" shouted Tom. II say P
You man over there?"
The man opened his eyes-groat cav
srnous eyes-and looked up.
"Say l want to get over to that
side. What'll you take to come and
carry me across ?"
"What'll you give" asked the man.
ell give you a quarter"
"I'Il do it. Hold on"
The man drew in his line, and laid
down his pole, and then waded across
the stream, the water not quite reach.
ing the top Of his boots.
"Now sir--up you get"
Tom was light and nimble, having
climed to the summit Of the strangers
broad shoulders, he was borne safely
over to the opposite bank, where he
paid the quarter of dollar with many
thanks, for the stranger had been very
kind and very gentlemanly. And he
added to the obligation by pointing
out to our hero where he would be
most likely,to find coed fishing.
Two days after that there was quite
gathering of noble people at the
Samoset House. They had eorne down
from Marshfield with Daniel Web
ster.
"Tom," said a friend just before
dinner, "would you like to be intro
duced TO the foremost man of the
country ?"
"Ah,-you mean Wsbsterf"
EYES,"
II should like it above all things. |
have long thought that l would give
almost anything to be permitted to
take that great man by the hand"
"Then now is our chance. He is
feeling in good spirits, and will be
friendly"
And they went into the parlor,
where the friend led Tom to a grand
looking man. who stood at the head Of
that apartment--a man in a blue coat
with gilt buttons--a large strong maH,
with great caVernous eyes.
"Mr. Webster, may / be permitted
to introduce you to my friend, of the
Boston Custom House, Thomas Boos-
ter"
"Mr. Booster, ! am happy to know
you"
Poor Tom! he gasped for breath,
and stood like one suddenly stricken
down with 8 great agony. He saw
before him the man whom he hired
for twenty-five cents to carry hip
across the stream
''Tut tut" said Webster laughing
merrily. 81 see you recognize your
friend Of the trout brook, but don't let