Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-05-17
GoxEnNon WILLIAM r. puvA1.

The late William P. Duval, whose
18th ultimo, was a type of the genuine
American character-apt, self-relying.
and fertile in natural resources. He was
born in Virginia of one of its old families.
Some early pranks Of whimsical but
| innocent kind gained him the character
of an 'unlucky boy prone TO all kinds Of
mischief. The harsh treatment he eXpe-
rienced in consequence, stung him to the
quick. He considered himself misunder
stood and undervalued. "Ill go from
homc," said he, "and shift for myself"
There was in Virginia, at that time a
rage for emigration TO Kentucky. He
had heard wonders of that country, and
of the glorious, independent life of the
hunters who ranged its forests and lived
by the rifle. He determined to go there
and adopt that mode of life. His father
considered it the passing caprice of boy,
being little aware of his wounded spirit,
and of the dogged resolution of his cha
racter. Finding, however, that he was
not TO be moved either by persuasion or
remonstrance, he gave way to his humor,
trusting that little rough experience
would soon bring him home again. He
gave him well-lilled purse to assist him
on his wayfaring. The hunter in embryo
asked for horse and-servant.
"A horse why you would not go
mile without racing him and breaking
your neck, and as to the servant you
can't take care of yourself, much less of
him."
"How am 1 to travel there ?" was the
query.
"Why. 1 suppose you are man enough
to travel on foot"
Hespoke jestingly, little thinking the
lad would take him at his word; but the
latter was thoroughly aroused in regard
to the enterprise, SO he pocketed his
purse, made up his pack, and girded up
his loins for the journey.
When will you come back ?" asked
his sister, as she hung round his neck,
weeping.
Never, by Heavens ! till come back
a member of Congress from Kentucky.
l am determined to show that l am not
the tail-end of the family"
Such was the launch forth of life Of
youth but little way in his teens. His
pedestrian journey had its hardshi ps.-
He was at one time in danger of being
stopped as a runaway apprentice after
which he avoided houses as much as pos
sible, lighting fire at night in some wood
or ravine, and sleeping before it in hunt
er style.
At length he arrived at Brownsville,
leg-weary, way-worn, and in shabby
plight, having camPed out for several
nights. The landlord Of the inn was un-
willing to receive vagrant boy beueath
his roof; he was about to turn him off
when his wife interfered.
"Where can you be going. my lad ?"
said she.
To Kentucky"
" What are you going there for ?"
"To hunt"
She looked earnestly at him for mo-
ment or two.
+" Have you mother living?" said she,
at length. ...r u.E =. r III .er.t
"No, madame she has been dead for
some time" t...... .-. ....-..-
Il thought So" said she warmly 81
knew if you had mother living you
would not be here" ..--.. ,-... go. 4
From that moment the good woman
treated him during his sojourn with a
woman's kindness" .....-s..-s ..-4
Embarking at Wheeling on hat-bot.
toned boat, called broad horn, he
doated down the Ohio past Cincinnati,
tnen a mere group of log cabins, and, the
site of Louisville, where then stood soil