Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr - Chapter 17

A part of the Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr

I suppose when one starts out in line the best way is to get in the right path and then keep there. But what a study it is, sometimes we get a little off the correct then stop, and meditate, until the mists clear a way.

I wrote a note to Miss Smith. This was it. Miss Sorelle Smith: I have admired and loved you a long time. May I hope to win you for my wife? Very respectfully, Hiram H Hurlburt. I left this at the house, with Mrs. Smith, who answered my rap. That evening was sent to me the following: Hiram, your feelings for me have been noticed for a long time. Will you come and see me, any time? Sorelle. When I went to see her, she was alone. She came and put her arms around me, and the contact was sealed I suppose in the usual way in such cases. My life seemed to grasp all that I could ask for. Sorelle did not as yet refer me to papa; but by his appearance and Mrs. Smith every thing was apparently favorable. After some weeks, I generally managed to see her each week through the summer season. At one of my visits, I asked the privilege of speaking to Sorelles father. But she said: Ma had told pa, and pa says Sorelle may have who she wishes, and further more they have talked it over and would advise me to travel for one year, while she would be getting ready for our marriage.

Now I was astonished! There I was in office for the town, besides being constable and collector, I was appointed assistant town clear, my acquaintance with nonresident wants, made me of value.

I was saving some money. How could I break away from it all? But who ever knew of a man who tried to succeed, and win his way in life. But what would find a ay to accomplish his desires? I understood what it meant clearly - It was for me to attain more polish of manner, to overcome the roughness of country life.

At the election in September for 1849 I was standing at the voting place, and as officer of the day was taking the votes, i had the box for town representative ??? the assembly. A townsman came and slyly handed me a county court writ agains a Mr. W. a citizen of our town. I glanced at it, saw the parties names, ??? set up. Seven hundred dollars. Pretty soon, within half an hour, the man "Mr W." came and voted. I noticed he appeared unnatural, he was a man probably forty five years of age. I felt then there was some trick being played on me! But ??? they were continually voting to the legal hour 3 P.M. and the parties voted ??? would expect my honest efforts to see that no votes were taken of a doubtful character I kept my post.

Just as soon as boxes were turned and I was free about 6 P.M. I went ??? by my horse and rip, and went to Mr. Wishouse, but he was gone, and Mrs. W. could or would not say which way he went. Whether over the mountains to Hancock, down the mountain to Shoreham on Lake Champlain. Then I went at once for Nathan McQuivey who brought me the papers to serve. I was so earnest with hi??? he became frightened and owned up he was in debt to Mr. W. and would do what was right! It was about nine P.M. and I wanted to know which way Mr. W. went. So McQuivey apparently willing, went with me to Mr. W's house. It was a dark night but the family were up. McQuivey knew the house and took me to a spot outside where I might possibly hear what the family might talk about. Finally I catched on to enough to satisfy me he had gone to Shoreham, then I left. Whether McQuivey heard what I never knew; but I left immediately in the darkness for Larrabe's Point? in Shoreham on Lake Champlain. I knew the road and kept traveling the twenty seven miles. As I was nearing the lake I hitched my horse this side of the landing, and went on foot toward the shore. It was now daylight. I went shy, keeping bushes that grew on the last cove, in the land from the lake before the steamboat landing is reached from the north.

Now to explain a little, i was familiar with Larrabe's Point, having boarded the steamer, but when younger had carted lumber from father's mill to this place. In my mind Mr. W. was without doubt on foot, he would intend to reach here and keep out of sight until the advertised hour for a steamboat and then get aboard.

As I stood by a rail fence I saw a man trying to cross the cove, this cove was a ditch that would go up in the land from the lake, when the water in the lake falls there would be but little water. I went immediately further inland and hurried to the si??? next the landing. There I found Mr. W. cleaning the clay mud off his boots, as I walked up to him, I told him I had papers for him, he cam towards me as if to strike me. I had my right hand in my overload pocket hold of my revolver, but as I am both handed, as he bent toward me I struck him under the ear, and knocked him down, when he came too he found I had hand cuffed him, and pretty soon wanted to settle the affair. Then I discovered he had put a knife into my thigh. The scar now is eight inches above the knee, one and a quarter inches long, and half an inch wide in largest place; the gash is nearly up and down my thigh when standing, so no large veins were severed. It bled in my boots some, but I put a hand kerchief around it, and it made me no more trouble. Mr. W. wished go on. He told me where I could secure the debt for the plaintiff, I thought of the consequences to him, his family would come on the town, I finally took an amount of cash, and left him to tea the "Francis Saltus" steamer that was whistling for the landing.

I have meditated sometimes, Whether I did right? But my judgement concludes that I did, every time, and the secret has been kept until here wrote out January 10th 1902. Except John Goshen, Jr. got hold of some facts. I do not know how, nor how much. He told me some things, I did not respond, he was friendly and respected my silence. For I had nominated him for Censor in the Addison County Convention at Middlebury a few weeks before. He was elected and served in that body, which were appointed once in seven years. It was the last assembling of that body in Vermont, as the law was repealed.

Immediately that day after horse and self were refreshed properly without a sleep, I drove to lawyer Prouts office in Salisbury, Vt. and after telling them Mr. W. was not to be found told them where property could be found enough nearly to answer their claim, Prout made out the papers and gave me; then I cornered both lawyer and plaintiff "Mr. Huntley", that they had sent the writ and made it know Mr. W., so he could doge me, and their objective was to fasten the claim on me and my bail. As they could prove Mr. W. came to me after I had the papers, and I, had neglected my duty in not making service! They would not own up, but looked guilty, tried to conciliate me that I was a good officer, diligent and careful. I think they gave me when settling the costs afterwards, seven and a half dollars. Prout saying for extra service! More likely for me to keep quiet and not expose them.