— My father's death, — Start for Vermont, — Arrive at Vermont, — Description of a Vermont family, — Happiness of contentment, — Simplicity of living, — Domestic industry and economy, — Curious idea of a ship, — Supper, — Same old goose. — Remain all night, — Pleasant travelling companion, — Brief account of my uncle, — Remarks, — My uncle's idea of a fire, — His wish is gratified, — Invitation to go to Europe, — Sail for City Point, — Go to church, — Description,— Go to Richmond, — On the way recieve some excellent advice,— Arrive at Richmond, — Hospitality of the people, — Introduction to a minister and his wife, — Dined, — Invited to tea, — Negroes, — Unwilling to join in family worship, — Walk out, — Caught in the rain, — Hospitality of a lady, — Further attention and politeness, — Allusion to the destruction of the Richmond theatre, — Take leave, — Account of a slave sale.
In 1822, I commenced business on my own account; and as nothing occurred of sufficient interest to record here, pass on to 1824, when my father, who was at my house on a visit, left us early on Monday morning for Vermont, whither he was going on a visit to his brother, who resided in Newfane. On Monday night, between the hours of eleven and twelve, I had been down the wharf to attend to moving a ship, and just as I had reached my door, a man stood there who had just rung the bell. I inquired what he wanted, and on learning my name, replied: " I have come in from Lexington to inform you of the death of your father, who died very suddenly at our house, at 4 o'clock, this afternoon." T had given my father two letters for my uncles, inviting them to call on me, should they ever come to Boston, and in these letters had given my name and residence.
When it was ascertained that he was dead, they opened one of them, to know who he was, &c. This was the way in which I was so easily found. I immediately proceeded to Lexington to make the necessary arrangements for the funeral. The hotel keeper then gave me the following statement: " Your father stopped at my house ahout noon, and told me that he was unwell, and unable to proceed any further at present, and wished me to show him a room. I saw he was very weak and sick, and on reaching his room, his strength had entirely failed; he laid down upon the bed, while I went for a doctor. I had hardly reached the stairway when I heard a fall.
I hastened back to his room, and found him lying dead on the floor. He was immediately placed upon the bed again, and a doctor was sent for. A post mortem examination was held, and the cause of his death was said to be an obstruction near the heart." My father observed, on the evening previous to his departure, that it had been his prayer that he might be permitted to see all the members of his family once more before his death, which prayer was thus signally answered. 1 had never seen these uncles, and on the following winter, the sleiffhino; being remarkablv fine, I took a seat in the mail stage for Brattleboro, Vermont, and from there to ^ewfane, about 18 miles distant, by private conveyance.
The uncle I was now in quest of resided there. The day on which I started from Boston was bitter cold; therefore I went to a clothing store and purchased a thick, drab overcoat to keep myself from freezing. When we arrived at Lowell, I got out, with the rest of the passengers, at the hotel door, and went in to the bar-room to warm myself. The loungers in the room, seemed to eye me closely, and wherever I went, it appeared that I was the object of their attraction. All at once my attention was directed to a placard which read thus: $50 REWARD. DARING ROBBERY. " Last night the house of the subscriber was entered, and the following articles stolen: A quantity of linen and *»cr"* woollen apparel, among which was a drab overcoat, with white mother-of-pearl buttons; the coat nearly new." Exactly the description of the one I had on.
It struck me at once that the coat I had on, was the reason why 1 was so much looked at, and the cause of the collection of men at the door. I must confess I felt rather awkward, for if they had arrested me on suspicion of being the house-breaker, merely from the similarity of the coat, I should of course have been obliged to have given my name, and residence, and in all probability would have been handed over to the sheriff. Thus I should have lost my passage, besides having my name trumpeted through all the papers, that I had been arrested for house-breaking in Lowell, when I was fast asleep with my wife in Boston; and that I had stolen a coat which I had bought only a few hours before, of Gove & Lock, in Ann street.