﻿COLONEL THORNDIKE. 



He strikes with a straw ; 



He cleaves the clouds ; 



He takes a spear to kill a fly ; 



He brings his machines after the war is over ; 



He washes his sheep with scalding water ; 



He speaks of things more ancient than chaos : 



He roasts snow in a furnace ; 



He holds a looking-glass to a mole ; 



He is teaching iron to swim ; 



He is building a bridge over the sea. 



Colonel Thorndike. 



COLONEL THORNDIKE, of Boston, some twenty-five years ago was 

 one of the wealthiest merchants of the city. We heard an an- 

 ecdote of him a short time since, related by a gentleman who war- 

 familiar with the circumstances at the time. 



A poor widow woman picked up a roll of bank bills on the side- 

 walk, and without hesitation went immediately to the crier and had 

 notice given. The money was identified by Col. Thorndike. He 

 had lost from his vest pocket that day a roll of bills amounting to 

 a thousand dollars. 



The poor woman was sent for, and came to his room. After re- 

 ceiving from her the full amount lost, he took a five dollar bill and 

 presented it to her. She appeared grateful for the money now her 

 own, and withdrew. Just as she had got into the street, his coach- 

 man, who was a witness to the transaction, and had heard the poor 

 woman's story of her situation in the world, spoke and said : " It 

 seems to me, sir, you ought to have done something more for a poor 

 ividow, with a large family to support by her own hands." 



These few words of his servant, in whom he had confidence, 

 touched the heart of the rich man. " Call her back instantly," said 

 he. She returned. "Madam," said he, " at the suggestion of my 

 servant, I will do more for you. Mr. Towne will accompany you 

 home, and if the story you have told us prove true, as I believe it 

 will, he has authority to help you, and I will be responsible for the 

 expense of educating your children." 



