Year: 1879

During tho winter OF 1877 while trav-
cling through the eastern part Of Ontario,
a terrible snow-stornl made the roads, Tor
time, impossible, and I was obliged to
remain for several days in f., a small
town lying on the Canada side of the
river St. lawrence, and directly opposite
a somewhat smaller village in the State
of New York.


During this time l was the guest OF the
only hotel that the place afforded, and
was greatly pleased to find that the land
lord was an intellig igent, wellinformed,
jovlal gentleman, thoroughly acquainted
with every incident and circumstance in
the history Of that section OF country CAL
culated to interest traveller who, like
myself, had several long winter evenings
to dispose Of.


One Of the stories related by my host
I recollcct distinctly, and, in order that
you may hear it in nearly the same Ian
guage in which it was told me at the
time, will repeat, as nearly as my
memory serves me, the words of the land
lord.


When I built this hetel-ln '55, l
think it was-my first host!er, or man-of-
ali-work, was negro boy, who had ap-
peared IN the village short time before.
When first saw him, he was in plight
pitiable indeed shoeiess, tootsore, hun
cry. his clothing-what there was of it
10 tatters, he was spectacle we'll calcu-
lated to awaken the sympathies of any.
one not wholly Indifferent to the suffer-
lngs of fellow creature. He was anx-
ious to work, and was more than willing
to do all in his power, in any capacity.
IN return for something to wear. As he
appeared honest, earnest and capable,
employed him, agreeing to furnish him a
good home, provide his clothing, and
give him, in addition, such wages as he
appeared to deserve.


The poor fellow was anything but
dilatory in accepting my offer, and for a
long time I had IN him faithful and
most capable servant. Honest, industri.
GUS and obliging, he appeared to make
friends with all who came to the hotel
Guests frequently expressed themselvci
highly pleased with the interest he man,
Tested in making everything pleasant
fer them, and often, when party of them
required the services of one having 8
thorough knowledge of the country, o,
wished to be rowed to the opposite vii
lage or down the river, Tom was the
available man.


After he had been with me three OF
four years we were visited by two men
giving their names as Thompson and
Gordon, representing themselves as com.
ing from Vermont IN search Of timber
lands, as we'll as an eligible site upon
which to erect large saw mill, and stat
ing their determination to explore the
country on both sides of the river.
Why it was I cannot explain, but, from
the time Of their coming, I had forebod.
ings that all was not right. My guests
were thin, wiry, dark. faced, and did moi
in any respect resemble the Vernon,
Yankee as had known him. However
there was nothing suspicious in this,
thought, as they might have lived in Yer
mont only short time before coming
here; but, fight against it as ! might,
often found myself watching them with
more than usual attentiveness.
On the second day following their ar
rival I was approached by Gordon, who
asked the amount of their bill, after pay
ing which he said:


| "We wish to Cross the river this after
noon, provided we can get some one who
for dollar or two, will do the rowing
There appears to be more or less floating
ice, and we do not care to trv it alone"
at once offered to furnish boat, and
suggested that, for the money, Ton
would willingly take them to the othe,
side as soon as they were ready.
Thompson, who had heard most Of what
had bcen saying, expressed himself vel
pleased with the arrangement, and, every
thing being in readiness, dusk found
them at the waters edge ready to pust
off into the stream.


had accompanied them thus far mere
'ly ~ an act Of courtesy and to wish then