The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-07-02

ne overheard them one evening plan
ming TO apprentice him TO the old man.
flooded Charles mind. and this, com
trasted with a future made up OF an
existence spent before the forge Of q
blacksmith's shop, soon decided him.
In the dead Of night he fled, running
away from New Castle az fast as his
energetic legs would carry him.
Fortunately, these legs carried him
in the safe direction with a lady trav-
cling 20 her home on the outskirts Of
New Castle. Upon seeing such haste
manifested by boy OF about Is, she
inquired into the cause. Charles had
no hesitancy in telling her the whole
story, whereupon she asked him IL a
blacksmith's life was so dIstasteful
what he would choose for himself. The
answer came promptly and emphatical-
". He would choose Tor himself the
life OF q scholar one who made his way
by brain and pen.
So delighted was the lady with this
reply that she took the boy home with
her and later sent him TO school. This
was the turning point In the life OF
Charles Thomson the point where his
career flowed from the brook and man
ual labor Into the broad stream OF an
intellectual future. II was this which
was the beginning the end OF which was
TO be Charles Thomson. secretary OF the
continental congress-.
And Thomson overlooked no oppor-
tunity In the way OF gaining knowledge.
| IL Is said OF him that coming across q
few stray pages Of the Spectator, he
was so charmed with them that he de-
cided that he must own the volume.
10 40 this, however, necessitated trip
to Philadelphia, which he made, walk
Ing there and back by night In order
that he would not be late at school the
Following morning. On another occa-
sion II is said OF him that he went
considerable distance to visit a man
he was not acquainted with in order
70 ask IL he might borrow certain
Greek and Latin books In his library.
His education was obtained at the
New London Academy, under DR..
Francis Allison, who was Induced to ac-
cept him as pupil, the tutor OF so
many men who afterward left their i'm
press upon the events OF that time. 1t
seems pity that the lady who thus
gave Thomson such an opportunity for
realizing his dreams should receive
only little credit, but no record has been
found. 30 far as Is known, giving her
name
At the New London academy Thorn
son specialized on Greek and Latin,
Tor which he developed an abnormal
love, although his brightness along all
lines soon won him the respect Of DR..
Allison. II was here, too, that he be-
came acquainted with Benjamin Frank
lin, an acquaintance which soon ripened
into friendship, as attested by the fact
that upon leaving the academy It was
upon Brankiin's recommendation that
Thomson secured q professorsflip Of
Greek and Latin in q Friends school.
During the time he was teacher he
also wrote article on various subjects.
the majority Of which were printed In
Franklin's paper. In this way Thorn
sons learning and ability began to be
known among the people OF Phiiadel-
phia. Principal among the topics with
which he dealt In his articles were
| those on the Indians His interest In
the welfare OF the Indians was marked.
and IIe Just and truthful manner in
which he dealt with them led to his
adoption by the Delawares In 1856.
They gave him the name OF Man OF
Truth" This interest and knowledge
concerning the Indians later led to his
appointment as commissioner among
them.
Thomson remained a tutor OF Latin
and Greek In the Friends school until
1776. having been. there five years He
returned to similar work, however.
after a couple OF years, becoming an i'm
structor In what was later known as
the William Penn Charter school In
Philadelphia. He gave UP this posi-
tionsin 1850 and entered the mercantile
business. becoming an importer OF hats
and other wearing apparel
50
It was during this time that the
stamp act went into effect, and feeling
its Influence upon his trade, he be-
came more than ever a believer In the
freedom OF the colonies. He also took
an active interest In preventing John
Hughes, the newly appointed stamp
collector, from entering upon his duties
In Philadelphia. Hughes was waited
] upon by committee. of which Thorn