1 IPPlIOE S5 OEISTTS. the ; UNFORTUNATE YOUNG MAN,' OR LIFE OF IJ. FRANCIS BROWN, 1 | / WRITTEN1 BY HIMSELF. ^ ■ - I i kunm £ ! Friend, would anv amount of money induce you to ex- c^e conditions wit-b me?-Tfh"n pleaseTity, ;!iu! buy my !i3ok. • ■ '•■ THE UNFORTUNATE YOUNG MAN, on, LIFE OF J. FRANCIS BROWN, WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. phi:nix, r. r., I--, T. I.ANPTlEAR, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 1*65. w BSffu \Zio5 TO THE PUBLIC. The undersigned, citizens of this village, fake pleas- ure in saying, that for several years we have known ,L Francis Brown to be a good lioiglibor; and also that those purchasing hy hook trill not only obtain an in- teresting narrative, but will aid a tierr/i/u* well *>,-* un- fortunate young man. STEPHEN K, FISKE, WELCOME MATTESON, S. O. ALLEN, OLNEYB. FTEK'C E. ELIZA PIERCE, STEPHEN FISKE, EBENEZER FISKE, ALBERTJOHNSON, SUSAN P. JOHNSON, C. W. SEA RLE, PETER ARDEN, WILLIAM CHASE, STEPHEN B. WHIPPLE. Hopeville. [|. L Oct. 24th. l*f>r>. THE UNFORTUNATK YOUNG MAN. D10STKE TO SITU'CUT MYSELF. It has long been a trial to my feelings to be obliged to be a burden upon my paivnts, but h ivc found no way to avoid it, owing to my greatly enfeebled condition. But, thanks to a kind Providence, my prospects at length begin to brighten—by recent suggestions of kind, sympathizing friends, I have been encouraged to prepare a brief sketch of my life, to be published in book form, hoping by sales therefrom to realize suffi- cient for u comfortable support. BIRTH AND PARENTAGE. My eves first opened upon this world in Johnston R. I.*, Sept. 13, 1887. What my first impressions were, when I saw the sights, I do not know except that they were similar to those received by other little ones on like occasions. My advent created no little sensation in our house. My parents were greatly rejoiced at un- safe arrival, mv father when first looking on me, being so tickled he could hardly hold in. Soon my uncles and aiints all came to see me, and my arrival became the topic of general conversation throughout the neigh- borhood. Mv lather and others often toted me hist here and then there, sometimes tossing me up and down, deeming it no small privilege to do so. But lor ali these kind attentions I was not always grateful, for 6BP5 4 old Adam'sdisposition, somehow or other, got mixed in with my mettle as quick as I got here ; so, as a general thing, I was not very well contented with my new con- dition, often becoming fretful, and squalling almost hard enough to .split my throat. Indeed, 1 became so used to crying that it was no hardship to do so, and did not always know what I cried for. If I had under- stood the true state of the case, I should no doubt have acted differently. I did n't know then that all who came here had to begin in this small way ; that the greatest president, emperor or king that ever lived, had to commence life as I did, a tiny, squalling, puking lit- tle fellow. My parents' names are Smith W. and Rosanna Har- rington Brown. As I joined the family it became re- organized, and shortly afterwards I was named John Francis Brown, which was duly recorded in the fami- ly record. EARLY SICKNESS--.MOVING TO EISKEVILLE--ATTENDING SCHOOL. What occurred during my very early years I, of course, cannot very distinctly remember. My moth- er says when young I was very forward, being able when only nine months old to walk alone with consid- erable steadiness. But her loving heart was early doomed to disappointment in relation to her first born. At the tender age just named, I was siezed with dis- tressing tits, which continued at intervals for a long time. Day after day, week after week, month after month, and even year after year, my mother watched over me with a tenderness and care, with toils and anxieties, that nothing but strong maternal love could enable her to endure. For nearly five long years I remained in this critical condition, a mere skeleton, sometimes being so reduced that I had to be tended on a pillow, and was once laid aside as dead. But by 5 the watchful care of a tender mother, the treatmeutof a skillful physician, blessed by One above higher than they, a turn came to my complaint, and a short time afterwards, when in mv sixth year, I was completely relieved from the distressing malady. Al'terthe elapse of a few weeks more, my strength would compare fa- vorably with most boys of my age. About this time my family moved to Fiskeville ,R. 1. When little more than six years of age I was placed a I school, but am sorry to say, that like some other boys, I thought more of play than of my book. I did not then feel the importance of obtaining an education I have since felt; that the golden moments once passed might never return. After spending some time in this indifferent manner my p-.irents, seeing me making but little if any progress in learning, removed me from the school and'placed me in the factory. 1 was pleased with the change, and soon became as expert as any of my age at the business. , MOVING TO IIOPEVILLE--ENTEE1NU THE FACTORY—SCI F- FLING PROPENSITY--RUNNING AWAY AND ITS TRIALS. In the spring of lS-4f> my lolks moved to Hopcville. R.I. I at once entered the factory in this place, being then about nine years of age. The work I had to do pleased me, and I was ambitious to show the other help, that I could act my part as well as any of them. In mingling with my new associates I soon became attached to many of them, which they kindly reciprocated ; and when out of the mill, I was made a welcome participator in all their sports. My strength and vivacity increased as my years advanced, and in running, jumping, scuffling, &c, I believe it was gen- erally considered, that I was a match for most boys of my age. My propensity for quarrelling was never very prominent, though occasionally, like other boys, I got my back up when I thought my rights were pur- () posely invaded, aid was not backward to pitch in and try to set tie in; t!er right. One suclu ceasion I can dis- tinctly remember—it occurred one evening in the principal store of the village, then kept by Mr. J. Tis- daie. Myself and two other boys got into a difficulty, when I suddenly grabbed one of them, and pitched him headlong upon the fioor, he falling in a manner that threw me directly upon his body, upsetting the stove as we fell, when the Old Nick was to pay generally— several other persons were present and witnessed the melee. Shortly afterwards I left the store, being helped out by Mr. Tisdale, rather faster than my usual gait. But the worst thing I ever did in my life was run- ning away when little more than twelve years of age. I was not only smart, but was too well aware of the fact, and, like too many other boys when high notions get into their noddles, impatient of proper restraint. Sometimes the superintendent of the factory was al- lowed to punish some of the younger portions of the help when tardy in getting to their work, to which some of us were very much averse. One day he whipped jiic for this offense which did n't set very well on my stomach, and I made up my mind that he should never have a chance to do so again. So, on the next afternoon, I and two other boys about my age, who a .short time previously had been whipped for the same offence, obtained leave to go out of the mill, when we started for Providence with the determina- tion, if possible, to find a chance to go to sea. This was a bold undertaking for boys so young and inexperienced; and before getting halfway to Provi- dence Ave began to relent at the course we were pur- suing. But I kept my thoughts to myself. Not so with my companions, for one of them, after having travelled an hour or so, said in a faint hearte'd tone, i "What Avill our mothers think when avc don't come home to supper?"' to Avhich the other responded, evi- dently sharing in the same misgivings, "Mine Avon't sleep a wink to night, I know she Avor/t—shell think I've got drowned." But I did not betray my real feel- ings, though my heart A\as as full as either of them, but shouted, *b Cheer up boys, we are now free—let us act like men !'' When within a short distance of the city my feelings Avere quite severely tested—avc met a cousin of mine with a team, which not a littled startled me ; for I felt afraid he Avould attempt to take me back, or in case he did not succeed, that he Avould report to my parents where he saw me, Avhen an officer would be sent in pursuit. My first conjecture was realized ; for as avc came up he jumped from his load, when I started to run making my heels fly SAviftly enough the reader may depend, on seeing Avhich he at once started on full tilt after me, telling me as he ran that I Avas running away, and must stop and go back with him—that to go off in this way would kill my mother, iScc. But I heeded not his calls and managed to keep out of his reach until he gave up the chase. So the reader can pereieve that thus early the freedom avc enjoyed began to trouble us, being not very sweet after all. We reached the city a short time before sunset, and soon afterwards found a sea captain on the Avharf near his vessel, which lay a little distance below the bridge on the east side of the river, to whom avc made known our object, the writer doing the talking, for, as before hinted, my comrades had become more than three quarters sick of what we had undertaken. The cap- tain seemed to favor our object, and told us where to find a shipping office to sign our names. I turned and started towards the office named ; but on looking over my shoulder I saw my companions moving off in 8 quite another direction, and at a rapid pace too, ivhcn 1 also abandoned our project, being more than half glad to find an excuse to do so, and started after them. The rapt.sin's negro, on seeing our movements ran after ih shouting. "You belong to our ship! come back you runaways !'' He soon, however, abandoned the pursuil — what was his object we did not know. but sup-pose he did !'straw and a good sized bag. The writer got into the bag and the boys out of roguery tied him in. all trying to be as cheerful as we could. Soon, being tired, all were unconscious of what was passing aiound us. I»itt we were n<>{ allowed to spend the night qui- etly for about 12 o'clock I should judge we were arousid by the barking of a dog which wa* close to the wagon. This not a little startled us, but we kept quiet not knowing what next might beta 11 us. Soon the dog, which we concluded belonged to the owner of the wagon, ceased barking and shortly afterwards walked .away, when we leaped from the wagon and passed over the bridge, up Westminster street, to the arcade, and sat down upon the stops. After being there a short time a policeman came along, and asked what we wore doing there. We answered, •* We've got lost." He again asked, •• Where do you belong?" Wo told him we lived at Piverpoint, when he inform- rd us we had better start along, or he should be obliged to put us Avhere we wouhl be taken care of. and left us 9 passing clown toAvards the bridge. We did not start, however, until the watchman had reached the bridge and returned to within a few rods of us, when Ave jumped up and ran up Westminster street, as fast as our legs would carry us. As Ave started, the officer commenced running after us Avith all his might, and seemed to gain on us at first, which greatly frightened us ; but, after running forty or fifty rods, we dodged into a lane, when he lost sight of us, and it was the last Ave saw of him. By this time, we are free to confess, we had become very unhappy, feeling so guilty while passing along that Ave watched every nook and corner, expecting an officer to rush from behind them, and pounce upon us. The night was quite dark, which tended to inten- sify our fears. When Ave reached the outskirts of the city, being both sleepy and weary, we looked for a place Avhere we could lie down again. Soon Ave found a hog-sty with considerable straAv laying round the entrance, and, thinking it unoccupied, at once put our- selves in motion to take possession. But unlooked for trouble beset us. No sooner had one of my com- panions jumped into the yard and began to stir the straw a little, than a large hog suddenly jumped up. and, after giving one or two savage grunts, pitched at him Avith a fierceness that even now makes me shud- der when I think of it. Not a little startled he rush- ed back upon the fence in a tAvinkling. But the fero- cious animal Avas as nimble as he avjis, and at his heels in season to grab him by the pantaloons and hold him fast. Very soon, however, with my assistance, my poor comrade was released with no damage done, except tearing an ugly slit in the lower portion of one leg of his pantidoons. We supposed the infuriated beast Avas an old sow, and thought we had come to nab some of her little ones. It being nearly morning, 10 Ave made no more efforts to obtain rest, but began our journey homewards. Having fully made; up our minds to return horn \ af- ter leaving the city and suburbs we had proper time for serious reflection. Although we felt better than we did before coming to this conclusion, yet it was ex- ceedingly mortifying to think of our predicament—to go home under such circumstances was a bitter pill to swalloAv. We had undertaken to run away and then abandoned it, till our high notions of freedom having been upset and vanished as bubbles burst and vanish in the air—now we must return, and meet the conse- quences of the failure. All these things avc re talked over freely, as we passed along. "John," said one of my companions, tkto go home and get a severe whip- ping from my parents I can bear; but to meet my old associates and hear their taunts and jeers will kill me." The other (poor fellow since died) responded, kT feel the same, and h id almost rather be hung than go horn >, we shall never hear the last of it." The writer is free to confess that to again mingle with his old asso- ciates after Avhat had occurred, avjis the most cutting to his natural feelings of any thing he could con- ceive of, but said but little. 1 did however rejoin 'T feel as bad about it boys, as you do; but let us go home and show by our good conduct in the fu- ture that Ave are sorry for Avhat we have done and the affair Avill soon be unthought of," which little speech seemed to operate somewhat as a balm to our fears. Our fever of shame and regrets however a\;is still too high to think of returning immediately. So AA'e loitered along tiiking a circuitous route during that day and the next, and reached our homes little before midnight on the third day after leaving the factory, I hope wiser and better boys than before. Pot some reason or othei^we were never punished for the offence. 11 SV'IMAHXO PUOPKXSITY-- SAYING A COAIilA!1!', FROM DUOWNIXG--ALSO MY JJROTI1KK. When quite young I learned the art of swimming, and have ever since had a strong propensity to sport in the water. Many times have I gone without my meals to indulge in the pleasing exercise, sometimes floating upon the water in one position then in another : and then wouhl strive to the utmost to sec how far I could swim under it. At other times I sought the deepest places and Avould dive from great heights. Sometimes, I am sorry to say, my strong desire to in- dulge in my favorite amusement would get the mastery of common sense and I would leave the mill in a state of high perspiration to gambol in the liquid element, often paying dear for the indulgence, by receiving a severe cold. One occasion I can well remember; it occurred in the month of dune. Below the factory dam is a deep spring of very cool water, so deep and cold that no person had ever dived deep enough to reach the bottom. At the time alluded to directly from the mill I repaired to the spot on a wager, de- termined to do up the matter to my satisfaction. I commenced the task and dove down and down until I accomplished it, bringing up a stone as a proof of what 1 had done, amid the applause of several specta- tors. But in performing the exploit I became so chill- ed and stiff, that it was with difficulty I reached the shore, which brought on one of the severest colds I ev- er had, that lasted many Aveeks. This rash act was one of the means that has brought me to my present siid condition. But my knowledge of swimming was of advantage as well as disadvantage—on different occasions it help- ed me to save two boys from drowning, ore of them beinirniv own brother. The first one was in the wa- 12 ter Avith me learning how to swim. On taking my eye from him a short time, for which I never could for- give myself, he got into too deep water and disap- peared, and on looking for him he was no where to be seen. But in casting my eyes to the bottom of the trench I discovered the poor struggling fellow, the sight of which terribly frightened me, when as quick as thought I dove down and brought him to the sur- face, and soon had him on shore, where after rubbing his body and pullin