The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-07-02

ne them one evening plan
! to apprentice him to the old man.
All this desire for book learning
flooded Charles mind, and this, con-
tFasted with a future made up of an
existence spent before the forge of a
piacksmith's shop, soon decided him.
In the dead Of night he fled, running
away from New Castle as fast as his
energetic legs would carry him.
fortunately, these legs carried him
IN the safe direction with q lady trav-
eiing to her home on the outskirts of
New Castle. Upon seeing such haste
manifested by q boy of about Is, she
inquired into the cause. Charles had
no hesitancy in telling her the whole
STORY, W~hereupon she asked him If a
placksmith's life was so distasteful
what he would choose for himself. The
answer came promptly and emphatical-
~. He would choose for himself the
me or a scholar one who made his way
by brain n pen.
80 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
uai labor into h broad stream of an
intellectual future. 1t was this whic
was the beginning the end of which was
to be Charles Thomson, secretary of the
continental congress.
.
And Thomson overlooked no oppor-
lunity In the way of gaining knowledge.
II Is said Of him that coming across a
re" 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 a trip
10 Philadelphia, which he made. walk
ing there and back by night in order
ina ne would not be late at school the
morning. On another occa-
sion 1t Is said of him that he went
a considerable distance to visit a ma
ne was not acquainted with in order
70 ask II he might borrow certain
Greek and Latin books in his library.
nus education was obtained at the
New LONDON Academy, under DR..
Francis Allison, who was induced to ac-
cept him as a pupil, the tutor of so
many men who afterward left their i'm
press upon the vents OF that time. 1t
seems a pity that the lady who thus
save thomson such an opportunity for
reailzing his dreams should receive
only little credit. but no record has been
found. SO 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
,oVe, although his brightness along all
lines soon won him the respect of T3r
Allison 1t was here, too, that he be-
came acquainted with Benjamin frank
IN, an acquaintance which.soon ripened
INTO friendship, as attested by the fact
tnat upon leaving the academy it was
upon bTanklin's recommendation that
thomson secured a professorshin OF
Greek and Latin In a Friends school
During the time he was a eacher he
also wrote article Oh various subiects
the majority of which were printed in
Frankiins paper In this way Thorn
sons learning and ability began to be
kho"n among the people of Philadel-
winch he dealt in his articles were
those on the Indians. His interest In
the welfare Of the Indians was marked
and the just and truthful manner in
wnich he dealt with them led to his
adoption by the Delawares in 175s
They gave him the name of Man Of
Truth" This interest and knowledge
concerning the Indians later led to his
them. e
Thomson remained a tutor of Latin
and Greek in the Friends school mil
It's. having been there five years. He.
returned to similar work. however
AFTER a couple of years, becoming an in,
structor In what was later known az
the William Penn Charter school in
pniiadeiphia- He gave up this posi-
tionsin 1T60 and entered the mercantile
business. becoming an Importer of hats
and other wearing apparel.
It was during this time that the
stamp act went into effect. and feeling
IFS upon his trade. he be-
sAIns more than ever a believer in the
reedom OF the colonies. He also took
active Interest in preventing John
collector. from entering upon his duties
IN Philadelphia. Hughes was waited