Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-04-29
tFrom the National Inteliigencerl
GOV. wM. r. DuvAL.

The late VIM. P. Duval whose death took
place al Washington the 19 instant was
type OF the genuine American character
apt, self-relyiug, and fertile in natural resour-
ces' He was born in Virginia, OF one Of its
old families. Some early pranks, Of a whm-
seal but innocent kind, gained him the char
ac'er OF an "nnlncky boy" prone to all kinds
oil mischief The harsh treatment he expe-
rienced 10 consequence s,ung him TO the
quick. He considered himself misunde stood
aud undervalued. '1'll go from home," said
ne, "and shit for myself.n There was al
That time in Virginia rage for emigration TO
Kentucky He had heard wonders Of iha,
country, and Of the glorious, independent life
oi the hunters who ranged its forests, and
lived by The rife. He determined 10 90 there
and adopt that mode OF life. His father con.
s'uered 1t the passing caprice of boy, being
IittIe aware of his wounded spin, and of The
dogged resolution Of his character. Finding,
however, that he was not 10 be moved either
by persuasion or remonsirance, he gave way
10 his humor, trusting that little rough ex-
perlence would soon bring him home again
he even gave him wellilled purse TO as.
slsl him on his wayaring The hunter in
embryo asked for horse aud servant.
ga horse why you would not 60 a mile
without racing him and breaking your neck.
and as 10 a servant, you canno, take care of
| yourself, much less OF him.
How am TO travel there ?'
"Why, ] suppose you are man enough to
travel on fooi.'
He spoke jesiingly, little thinking the lad
would take him al his word but the latter
was thoroughly pioued in respec, 10 the en-
lerprise, so he pocketcd the purse, made up
his pack, and girded up his lons for the Jour.
ney.
"When will you come back ~ said his sis
ter, as she hung round his neck weeping
'Never, by heavens ill come back n
member of Congress from Kentucky. lam
determined 10 show tha, | am no, the tail
end of the far hy."
Such was the launch forth in life of youth
but a little way in his teens Hi, pedestrian
journey had its hardships. He was at one
time in danger of being stopped as runaway
apprentice after which he avoided houses as
much as possible, lighting fire a, nigh, in
some wood or ravine, and sleeping before it
in hunters style.
Al length he arrived at Brownsville, leg
weary, way.worn, and in shabby plight, hav.
ing "camped ou,'' for several nights. The
landlord Of the inn was unwilling 10 receive
vagrant boy beneath his roof; he was
about TO turn him of, when his wife inter-
fered.
"Where can you be going my lad ," said
she.
"To Kentucky"
"What are you going there for! ~
oTo hunt"
She looked earnestly at him for moment
oriwo. "4ave you mother livingl" said
she, at length.
"No, madam she has been dead Tor some
tme.u
~ thought So" said she, warmly;u "a
knew il you had a mother living you would
not be here" From that moment The good
woman treated him during his sojourn with a
woman's kindness.
Embarking at Wheeling on fat -bo,iomed
boat, called broad horn, he floa,ed down
the Ohio past Cincinnati, then a mere group
Of log cabins, and the site of Louisville,
where then stood a solitary house, until, after
voyage of several days, he landed near the
mouth OF Green river, and struck for the in.
terror of Kentucky. He had relations in
Lexington and other settled places, but he
resolved TO keep clear Of them all, being re.
solu,ely bent on making his own way in the
world wiihou, assistance or control. So he
made for the widest part of The country
camping out at night, and supping on will
turkey which he had shot, la the midst O
the wilderness he was accos,ed by man il
hunting dress.
"where are yOu from r' said the latter.
"From Richmond"
"Whai in old yirgiuial'
"The same"
"How on earth did you get here in
81 landed al Green river from a broae
hon,n
"And where are your companions ''
III have none.n
"where are you going %
"Any where"
"whaI have you come here for"
/ "To hunlh
"well," cried ths other, laughing, oyou'l
make real hunter, lhsIs's no mi.lakinl
that. Bu, come, 60 home with me; al
name ia Bill smnheHj | live noI far OIL
say with me little while and IN leael
500 how 10 huHi.n
This Was his fire, Introduction into hpaiinl
. life lilo soon became expert Ia "woo'
eFaf," and MAS great isyoIls among III
, handy hunlsis 0t ksalueky, lls Ismsias'
! among them ualil, from The inaos Of popal4
> ,ioo, game bsesme soales aad until, pIeba
bly, he had satisfied the hualins hsmoi. N
: nes began 10 lhblk hs Sas ~ lof soms,hlnl
better 'haa "a cary sua en bic shonlis
day ai'si day, dedsias absul fsf bsais, dss,
asi eihsf blele beasls Iia sallsd 10 M
n'ad hi' hsilsh boasl assss 10 rsla,a hom
ualil hs returned . msmbsf u Cesgiss
; i'om ksalaety, wss lhis tbs way 10 d
. hl.ssall lol such slAllea