Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-09-02
TOM HOPKINS.

They whe knew the little tswn OF Craniey.
come thirty years ago, must needs renacmbeF
Tom Hoy kIns, the losdeSt if not the greatest
man IN the place, and one Of the most ceie
brated sportsmen In that sporting ueighbor-
hood, which he had honoured with hii resi-
ocnro fer q Longer time thaa he-still in the
ptinls oil ilie, and as tenacious Of his pretcn-
sIons to youth Is fnd;ng beauty-carcd to
hear tell of Tom whose farns!. was pone of
the most iiiustI ious, his ascestors haSlsg been
for time innemoftal. Stocers in tbs town,
had the good luck. before he WAS out Of pet
ticoais, 20 take the fancy OF = Eilh relation, a
grand aust, WAC, eapls ated, Us grand aunis
are went to DE, by happy union OF pre;ti-
hess and mischief, rosy checks, and naughty
tracks, the usua! hotits oil a spoiled child, ia
stalled the chabby faced Pickle into the post
Of present pet aad future heir sent BIN to
school At her own expense, and declared her
intention TO make gentleman OF him in pro-
per tme-a prospect which, as Der hopeful
grand nephew conceived the mmunities and
privileges of gentiEty to consist Of jdleness
and field sports, proved sufficiently delightful
10 reconcile him 10 the previous fornalty of
learning 'suall Latin and less Greek" and
bore him safely through the forms. with no
worse reputation than that ef being the gre
test dusce that ever qaltted the school
When that happy time arrived. however,
there vas some difference OF opinion as to his
destination. Tom having set his heart on
one mode Of killing, whilst his grand aunt
had decided on another. Il will be soldier
ciitd Tom. already enamoured Of gunnery.
you shall be an an apotheeary," replied
aunt Deborah, equally devoted 10 the draught
and pill. Physic and arms fought pitched
Dazzle; and long and obstinate was the con
test there was even some danger that the
dispute might have ended in disinheriance,
to the probable benefit Of The county hospi
raj, when discreet friend prsdentiy sugges-
red the possibility Of uniting the two modes
d putting people cut of the world, and Tom
consented TO den the apron and sleeves, and
become usa gGnsoa apoitceairc, under pror.,,,.e
OF Hourifblag at some future day as an army
surgeon "a promise which, -ot ke.. 20 The
,,s''er' was at least 50 .rr re;.,zed as TO MAKE
gun surgeon u militia. a9d obtain for him
'''e r-..-Isble privilege ci wearing a ssa coat,
az uieaaiiug MI. lac aTais.
Thesc delights, however extatic, soon lost
their gos> aad their novelty. Tom speedily
Uncovered that hunting and shooting were
hS real vacations; and aUnt Deborah happen
ING 10 die and TO leave him a comfortable IL
dependence, he retired from the service, al
ter one wiaier spent ia the country quarters,
retained TO his native town. bud; himself Q
house, set up an establishment, Consisting Of
couple OF huAisIs. a brace Of pointers, ser
saat lad, aad aa old woman, and began to
make war on the hares. foxes, pheasaass
patridgss, and o.her fer G adisHoe, all won the
Character of sportsman, which he filed
with eminent ability aud success, being uni
ferssly reckoned one of the boidest riders
esd best shots ia fhe country.
AT iae Time OF which spsstg, he was of an
age somewhat eqniyocai /; public fame called
AIN hisy whilst lac himself stuck obsdhstely