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MEADVILLE.
THE incidents that occur in the life of a student of nature, are not all
of the agreeable kind, in proof of which, I shall present you, good reader,
with an extract from one of my journals.
My money was one day stolen from me by a person, who perhaps
imagined that to a naturalist it was of little importance. This happened
on the shores of Upper Canada. The affair was as unexpected as it well
could be, and as adroitly managed as if it had been planned and executed in
Cheapside. To have repined when the thing could not be helped, would
certes not have been acting manfully. I therefore told my companion
to keep a good heart, for I felt satisfied that Providence had some relief
in store for us. The whole amount of cash left with two individuals
fifteen hundred miles from home, was just seven dollars and a-half. Our
passage across the lake had fortunately been paid for. We embarked
and soon got to the entrance of Presque Isle Harbour, but could not
pass the bar, on account of a violent gale which came on as we approached
it. The anchor was dropped, and we remained on board during the
night, feeling at times very disagreeable, under the idea of having taken
so little care of our money. How long we might have remained at
anchor I cannot tell, had not that Providence, on whom I have never
ceased to rely, come to our aid. Through some means to me quite unknown,
Captain J U D D of the United States Navy, then probably commandant
at Presque Isle, sent a gig with six men to our relief. It was
on the 29th of August 1824, and never shall I forget that morning. My
drawings were put into the boat with the greatest care. We shifted into
it, and seated ourselves according to directions politely given us. Our
brave fellows pulled hard, and every moment brought us nearer to the
American shore. I leaped upon it with elated heart. My drawings
were safely landed, and for any thing else I cared little at the moment.
I searched in vain for the officer of our navy, to whom I still feel grateful,
and gave one of our dollars to the sailors to drink the " freedom of the
waters after which we betook ourselves to a humble inn to procure
bread and milk, and consider how we were to proceed.
Our plans were soon settled, for to proceed was decidedly the best.
Our luggage was rather heavy, so we hired a cart to take it to Meadville,
for which we offered five dollars. This sum was accepted, and we
MEADVILLE. 183
set off. The country through which we passed might have proved favourable
to our pursuits, had it not rained nearly the whole day. At
night we alighted and put up at a house belonging to our conductor's
father. It was Sunday night. The good folks had not yet returned
from a distant meeting-house, the grandmother of our driver being the
only individual about the premises. We found her a cheerful dame,
who bestirred herself as actively as age would permit, got up a blazing
fire to dry our wet cloths, and put as much bread and milk on the table
as might have sufficed for several besides ourselves.
Being fatigued by the jolting of the cart, we asked for a place in
which to rest, and were shewn into a room in which were several beds.
We told the good woman that I should paint her portrait next morning
for the sake of her children. My companion and myself were soon in
bed, and soon asleep, in which state we should probably have remained
till morning, had we not been awakened by a light, which we found to
be carried by three young damsels, who having observed where we lay,
blew it out, and got into a bed opposite ours. As we had not spoken, it
is probable the girls supposed us sound asleep, and we heard them say
how delighted they would be to have their portraits taken, as well as
that of their grandmother. My heart silently met their desire, and we
fell asleep, without farther disturbance. In our back woods it is frequently
the case that one room suffices for all the sleepers of a family.
Day dawned, and as we were dressing we discovered that we were
alone in the apartment, the good country girls having dressed in silence
and left us before we had awakened. We joined the family and were
kindly greeted. No sooner had I made known my intentions as to the
portraits, than the young folks disappeared and soon after returned attired
in their Sunday clothes. The black chalk was at work in a few
minutes, to their great delight, and as the fumes of the breakfast that
was meantime preparing reached my sensitive nose, I worked with redoubled
ardour. The sketches were soon finished, and soon too was the
breakfast over. I played a few airs on my flageolet, while our guide was
putting the horses to the cart, and by ten o'clock we were once more under
way towards Meadville. Never shall I forget M A X O N R A N D E L L and
his hospitable family. My companion was as pleased as myself, and as
the weather was now beautiful, we enjoyed our journey with all that happy
thoughtlessness best suited to our character. The country now became
covered with heavy timber, principally evergreens, the Pines and