Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-04-15
From the National Intelliger~er.
Governor william p. Duyal.

The late William L. Duvai, whose death took
| place at Washington on the 18th instant, was
type of the genuine American character
apt self-relying, and fertile in natural resources
| He was born in Virginia, of one of its old famI
lies. 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 experienced in eonse-
quence stung him to the quick. He considered
himself misunderstood and undervalued an
go from home," said he, !" and shift for my
| SELF There was at that time in Virginia a
rage for emigration to Kentucky He had
heard wonders of that country, and Of the glo-
rious 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 ca
price of boy, being little aware of his wounded
spirit and Of the logged resolution OF his char
acter. Finding, however, that he was not to
| be moved either by persuasion or remonstrance,
he gave way to his humor trusting that a little
rough experience would soon bring him home
again. He even gave him well-f!led 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 a servant, you cannot take care OF
yourself, much less of him.
"How am to travel thereW
"Why suppose, you are man enough to
travel on foot"
He spoke jestingly, little thinking the lad
would take him at his word; but the latter was
thoroughly piqued in respect to the enterprise,
so he pocketed the purse, made up his pack,
and girded up his loins for the journey.
"When will you come back ?" asked his Sis
I T., |,
I er, by Heavens! till | come back member of
Congress from Kentucky. am determined to
show that am not the tailend of the family"
| Such was the launch forth in life of a youth
| but little way in his teens. His pedestrian
journey had its hardships. He was at one time
in danger of being stopped as q runaway ap-
prentice; after which he avoided houses MS
much as possible, lighting a fire at night in
some wood or ravine, and sleeping before it in
| hunter style.
At length he arrived at Brownsville, leg
| weary, wayworn, and in shabby plight, having
camped out" for several nights. The land
lord OF the inn was unwilling to receive va
grant boy beneath his roof; he was about to
turn him of, when his wife interfered.
where can you be going my lad ?" said
she.
"To Kentucky" "
hat are you going there for 2"
"To hunt"
She looked earnestly at him for a moment or
two. Have you a mother living ?" said she,
at length.
""No, madam; she has been dead for some
time.''
I thought So" said she, warmly; 1T knew
if you had mother living you would not be
here
4h,4, al ,oJ tod
him during his sojourn with woman's kind
ness.
Embracing at Wheeling on fat-bottomed
boat, called broad horn" he foated down
the Ohio past Cincinnati, then mere group of
log cabins, and the site of Louisville, where
then stood a solitary house, until, after voy-
age of several days, he landed near the mouth
OF Green river, and struck for the interior Of
Kentucky. He had relations in Lexington and
other settled places, but he resolved to keep
clear of them all, being resolutely bent on ma
king his own way in the world without assist
ance or control. So he made for the widest
part of the country, camping out at night, and
supping on wild turkey which he had shot.
In the midst of the wilderness he was accosted
by q man in hunting dress.
"Where are you from" said the latter.
"From Richmond"
"What in old Virginny?"
"The same"
"How on earth did you get here?"
81 landed at Green river from a broad-horn."
And where are your companions 7"
~ have none"
"Where are you going?"
"Any where" .
What have you come here for?"
"To hunt"
"Well," cried the other, laughing, "you'll
make real hunter, there's no installing that.
But come, go home with me my name is Bill
Smithers; | live not far off; stay with me
little while, and I'll teach you how to hunt"
This was his first introduction into hunting
life He soon became expert in wood craft"
and was great tavorite among the hardy
hunters of Kentucky. He remained among
them until, from the influx Of population,
game became scarce and until, probably, he
had satisfied the hunting humor. He now be-
gan to think he was fit for something better
than to carry gun on his shoulder day after
day, lodging about after BEARS deer, and other
brute beasts. He called to his mind his boyish
boast never to return home unit he returned
member Of Congress from Kentucky. Was
this the way to fit himself for such station
He determined on becoming LAWYER. It
true, he knew almost nothing, having left school
DeloTe he Hdu ledTHI UeyOuu tHe Tule VI lHTec.
Never mind" said he to himself ~ am a
terrible fellow for hanging on to anything when
I've once made Up my mind and if a man has
but ordinary capacity, and will set to work
with heart and soul, and stick to it, he can do
almost anything"
We forbear to go into the detail of his pre-
parations for the bar, and his first launch in
the profession. The same spirit that had
brought him on foot to Kentucky and made
huntsman of him, carried him in on his new
career. He was admitted to the bar Just as he
was crossing the threshold Of manhood. The
country town where the court was sitting was
thronged with country people. He was
stranger there; an incident made him at home
as he entered the public room Of the inn, where
there was some noise and drinking he saw a |
rough bully of fellow, who was partly intoxi-
Gated, strike an old man. Duval knocked him
down and kicked him into the street. In mo-
ment he had dozen rough shakes of the hand
and invitations to drink, and found himself
quite parsonage in the rough assembly.