Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-07
The Story of Two American Boys.

The Story OF TWO American Boys.
Some forty years ago, young man from
the Keystone state, descendant from the
Quakers, was travelling in Kentucky, on
horseback, on some business connected with
Philadelphia house. He was poor and
struggling hard TO gain the means of liveli-
hood. One night he stopped at a rude log
cabin TO seek shelter for the night. The ac-
cancellations were few; but upon condition
that the traveller would sleep in the same bed
with one of the elder sons of the family
there being quite a number of children-he
was told he might stop over night. These
terms were accepted. When the comforts of
his horse had received due attention, and
primitive supper of corn-dodgers and pork
had been partaken of by the family and
their guest, the beds were prepared, and our
travelling friend, with a stout lad of eighteen
years, retired to the attic of the cabin. The
| stranger was a young man OF fair intelligence,
reasonably well versed in what was going on
in the world. His fellow for the night was
of an inquistive turn of mind; had read all
the books he could find in that sparsely
populated part of Kentucky, and was ex-
tremely anxious to obtain an education but
was destitute of means to accomplish that
worthy object in The usual way. Finding
his travelling friend was intelligent, he talked
to him nearly the whole night, obtaining
from him fund of information, and, in
confidence, explained to him his ambitions,
his privations, and his hopes. The night
passed rapidly in this conversation. Kindred
spirits had met. Before separating, the kind
traveller, believing that he could be OF use to
his young friend, suggested to him that his
acquaintance in Philadelphia might enable
him to procure books for him at a liberal
discount, and he gave the farmer boy in the
backwoods a card containing the names of
firm of booksellers with whom he was well
acquainted, promising that on his return to
the city he would endeavor To make arrange
ments that would insure cheap books for his
new-found friend. The young Kentuckian
was extremely grateful for this proffer of aid
in just the direction he most desired. After
breakfast the traveller took leave of the family
and went on his way. He did not forget his
promise to intercede with the Philadelphia
booksellers, to let his Kentucky friend have
the advantage of cheap books.
Years rolled on; the country prospered
for time, and after many years it was
scourged with civil war lasting for foul
years. The young men whose acquaintance
was made as above related, had never heard
of each others operations. Both had pros
pered the young Pennsylvania had be
come wealthy and prominent. He was hon
ored with position and influence; had be
come a member of Congress, and occupied
high position in that body. Indeed, he wa'
ranked among the ablest and best men IL
Pennsylvania honored and respected where
ever known. One evening in 1870 while Al
his room in Washington, card was handed
to him by a servant. On looking at it h'
Il ,,nt ba hair al a
any acquaintance, but the stranger was in
vited into his room. There was no recogni
ton between the men-then both past mid
die age. The visitor inquired of the Con
gresham if his name was - -. TIT
answer was in the affirmative. The visito
then handed the Congressman an old card
and asked if he recognized that. On look
ing carefully at the card the Congressman
did recognize it as the identical one he hac
given to his backwoods Kentucky frient
more than thirty years before, containing
the names of the firm of Philadelphia book
sellers before alluded to, and the visito
proved to be the bed-felow of the kentuck,
log cabin. The old friends of a night haC
! met the incidents of the life of each wer
briefly recited; the trials, the successes, tn
mishaps, and the honors received were talke'
over most freely. The position of the Penn
sylvanian has been described. OF the Ken
tuckian we will say few words. He avaie,
himself of the offer of cheap books, and wa
successful in procuring them from time u
time, as means would permit, and he at
trbuted his future success in life largely u
the effect of the card He became well edu
Gated studied law, and was admitted to tn
bar; took prominent position in his nativ
state; advocated the abolition of slavery
was recognized as one of the ablest lawyer
in the state of Kentucky, and became on
I of the prominent Republican leaders o
that state. In 1861 he was appointed b.
President Lincoln as Minister to New Ora
NADIA, where he remained several years, AM
gained for himself an enviable rank as d
plomatst. In 1871 he was appointed b.
President Grant secretary of the San Dc
mingo Commission, position for which b
was well fitted by reason of his accomplish
ments as linguist A few weeks ago tn
degree of Ii. ID. was conferred upon him b
t Centre College, Kentucky For several year
he has been in poor health, devoting hi
leisure to study lie was a man of incol
ruptible integrity, possessing a mind of grea
breadth and compass, and one capable G
grasping and mastering the most intricat
subjects. With such men the pleasure G
the meeting in Washington, after a separi
I ton of more than thirty years-and with a
acquaintance of only one brief night whe
both were struggling with poverty in.yout
= can better be imagined than described
Another night passed quickly in the reciti
by the parties of their life's adventure
The story of each was of thrilling intere'
TO the other.
These incidents were related to us by on
of the parties, and we had the pleasure of a
intimate and agreeable acquaintance wit
both of them. They were brought TO min
when noticing the death that occurred M
long since, at Forest, Illinois, of Hon. ALA
A. Burton, who was the young Kentuckia
seeking knowledge under difficulties, as d
scribed in this article The Pennsylvania
still lives, and perhaps his name should NJ
be mentioned. Since his meeting with h
old friend while in Congress he has serve
on the Centennial Commission, was of esse
tial service ON that body, and now represen
this country at the Paris Exhibition. /
is the soul of honor and bears the name
Daniel j. Naturalization IVis1 JOtrnt