Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-02-26
LEGEND OF THE REVOLUTION.
The Old whig and the Old Terry.
BY GILMORE SIMS.

1
noon, a pleased listener. as usual, tc
a group of backwoodsmen. sitting
upon bench in front OF Carolina
tavern. While they chatted, an old
man rode in from the country. He
was we'll mounted: and though eyi-
IDENTIFY one who had some time since
compassed the usual limits OF human
life, he carried himself with all the
erectness of Colonel of dragons.
The landlord, an excellent fellow,
who was quite as fond as myself of
telling or listening to a story, re-
ceived the old man with peculiar
difference. He whispered to me:
"This is old Colonel K, Of
St. Georges, whom they call King
K. in those parts. He rules the
parish"
| watched the newcomer with
great attention. He sat down with
the group; talked about cotton, which
then brought good prices;-and, it
appeared. was expecting his wagon
that night. The old fellow seemed
to be very well known. and was
very communicative. He evidently
felt his position TO be quite secure in
the esteem Of everybody. He spoke
of his wife as old as himself, and
quite as vigorous, and he confessed
to fully eighty winters Of experience.
| have observed that when men have
fairly passed the middle period of
life, and can no longer venture TO
claim to be young, they then become
proud Of their years. So manifold
are the subjects and the forms OF hu-
man vanity. Old Col. K. was, how
ever, an old man evidently. His
white hairs and furrowed visage
were conclusive proof of his frosty
experience-frosty, but kindly-and
the facility and freedom with which
he spoke Of old times, and his great
knowledge OF details, particularly
during the revolutionary period, as
sured all who heard him, Of a per-
sonal knowledge Of the events rela-
ted, which could have come from no
other than a personal experience
He had gone through several anec-
dotes which | found singularIy fresh
and pleasant, when another traveller
made his appearance. This person
seemed TO be quite as old as the for
mer. He was well made, and about
the middle size, of light complexion,
grey eyes, and very good features,
taken separately, but on the whole,
the expression was not progressing.
There was. something obliquitous
in the cast Of his eye, and lurking
shadow Of suspicion and mistrust
seemed to gather beneath his great
white eyebrows. He like the former,
was erect also in his carriage, his
step was firm, aud his figure was in
dicative Of the possession, in past
times, at all events. OF great strength
and activity. He was evidently
capable Of great physical endurance;
but he complained OF fatigue. He
had ridden fifty miles that day.
"There was time" he remarked,
"when | could have done that thing
almost before breakfast, but | amt
good for it now; no how"
"And where might you come
froml" demanded the first stranger,
Col. K, whom remarked, from the
first arrival Of the last traveller, as
cautiously watching him, with some-
thing like look of recognition.
"Fair6eld's roy DISTRICT" was the
prompt reply.
"FairfeId! you're an old man like
myself" said Col. K.
"a short ways beyond the eighth
mile post"
"That's what | call oldl Pm
something over that myself. Have
you been all your life in Carolina?"
"It's my native State" said the
other.
"Then you must have SarUed on
one side or tother in the Revelutionl"
was the remark made with singular
quickness.
The person thus addressed was
rising at the moment and about to
enter The tavern. He cast a sidelong
and suspicious glance at the speaker,
and answered in rather low tone:
81 reckon | did,"
"Them were the days that tried
mems soulsP' remarked Col. K. in
the somewhat stale phrase; as if all
days were not calculated TO try mems
souls where they have any to be
tried. But K. continued:
"Was Fairfield your native dis
tricti" m 3
"No, was born in Collinton,"
(Colleton9
"Ahl we'll j used TO know every
hole and corner in Cellinton, and al
most The name OF every man and
woman that was ever born there
Pm Collinton man, myself, and If
you sarved in your young days in
those parts, we ought TO know one
l1.L.- Nv na,,as. Y