ed in extricating one arm, and at length safely reached the boom with his friend. Speaking of this, he says, "We returned well sobered, nor could we rally our mirthfulness; we had been too near death. While held down by my friend, I despaired of breaking his grasp, and my mind, - how active! In a moment, I reviewed my life. I thought of our fate, of our clothing upon the bank, of the current bearing us to the drift-wood, of my dear mother, and the anguish of her heart. The rush of thought! But we rose, though so exhausted I could scarcely breathe. A mighty effort was yet necessary to reach the boom. The land I could not strike for till I was rested." It is worthy of notice that both these young men consecrated their lives to their country, and both nobly fell at their post of duty.

In the spring of 1860 he became deeply interested in our national affairs, and raised a fine liberty-pole, with top-mast, cross-trees, and shrouds. At the hight of sixty feet floated a fine banner, with the inscription, "UNION AND LIBERTY." During the presidential campaign, the first Lincoln banner flung to the breeze in Manitowoc County, was from his flag-staff. As I expressed surprise at his enthusiasm in a region where the opposite party had things their own way, he said, "I believe the triumph of

union and liberty, under God, depends upon

Mr. Lincoln's election. He is the man for the crisis." Not entitled to vote, he still watched the progress of the campaign with the eagerness of an old politician. With Mr. Lincoln's success he was highly delighted, and soon raised a new flag of more imposing dimensions. As my eyes now catch its ample folds, and the staff near my window, how affecting the thought that the dear boy laid down his life in defense of the principles which so early stirred his soul.

True to his ancestry, Mead was very decided in his anti-slavery views, heartily adopting the language of Cowper:

"I would not have a slave to till my ground,
To carry me, to fan me while I sleep

And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth
That sinews bought and sold have ever earned."

He believed the justice, truth, and faithfulness of God were committed to the speedy annihilation of American slavery, and that the South would soon be studded with free pulpits, free platforms, and free schools.

CHAPTER III.

TRAVEL.

Plans a journey to the Eastern States - Delayed by sickness The family prepare to accompany him — The Sabbath-keeping steamboat -The lake voyage — Visit to his grandfather - Tender care for his mother- Visits New York and Philadelphia - Returns to Ohio Thence to Milwaukee and home - Appointed superintendent of the Sabbath school - Mode of instruction Conscientiousness in discharge of duty - Efforts to do good - Commences study of law.

E

ARLY in the summer of 1861 he made arrangements to visit New York, by way of the lakes; but the day set for his departure found him prostrated with the measles. He was intending to visit the haunts of his childhood; the fields over which he was wont to ramble; the streams where with hook and line he had thrown out the fatal bait ; the hill down which he used to coast with his "Good-by." He expected to meet the companions of his boyhood, and recount its pleasures; world of enjoyment seemed at hand. To be disappointed was a sore trial, but with his favorite expression, "It is all right," he quite cheerfully relinquished his plans again.

It was affecting to see his submission; patient and cheerful as in health, thankful that his case was no worse, he left the result to Him who knows the end from the beginning. Soon, perfectly recovered, thoughts of the journey again awaken the liveliest interest. But now his sister, despite her resolution, is taken with the same disease, and then the mother, frail at best, and exhausted with anxiety and watching, also falls a victim. Thus were Mead's patience and faith severely tested.

July and August were spent in the sick-room, and many a night did the loving boy watch by the bedside of his mother, with the most filial tenderness. She was now slowly recovering; a lake voyage will be beneficial; we will yet follow out our original programme. A throughboat seldom calls; only one regularly, and she on the Sabbath. Trunks are packed, and the family wait several days; then comes the Galena, on Sabbath evening. She is a good boat, and it only remains to step on board; there may not be another through-boat for a week. "Shall we go?" said the father, hesitatingly. The noble youth replied, "No, we will not leave such an example behind us; we can wait a little longer." A Sabbath boat was no boat for him. Monday passed; "no boat."

Tuesday, A. M.,
The sun is set-

ting; dark clouds are hanging in the horizon. Hark! a whistle; a boat; the May Flower (beautiful name, and worthy.) In half an hour all are on board and off on the trip of a thousand miles. "You see we are all right now," said he; "did not I say we could wait and trust? I have had no uneasiness about it."

The clouds which were gathering in the west soon overcast the moon, and the wind freshened. A storm is at hand; sudden squalls strike the steamer, but she moves on, and the next morning finds us safely sheltered behind the Manitos. Fond of the sublime in nature, he had often wished to encounter a severe storm on these inland seas. All day he sat enjoying the wild surging of the deep, rolling dark and heavily, or stood with the engineer, watching the effect of the steam on the laboring engine. "Quite a blow," says the clever engineer; “we have not had such a rocking for months." But the vessel sustained no injury until the third day, when some heavy iron bolts drew from their sockets. Suddenly the machinery stopped. A leak! A fire! What is the trouble? small boat is lowered; there is an alarm; but soon all are rejoiced to find "it is not fire." The leak closed, the noble craft again moves on, arriving in Buffalo Saturday afternoon, in good time to reach his nearest friends before the Sabbath.

The