Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-11-23
Autobiography of a Lawyer.

believe | started in life under the ans
pices of my fathers aunt, Deborah, a maid
en- lady of sixty-four, who, in The place of
my father and mother, whom l never saw,
alternately patted me and scolded me as
long as she was able. escaped from both
when eleven years old by running away; and
although she sent me innumerablc messages
when she discovered my whereabouts, to re-
turn to her and be sent to school and fitted
for college, undutifully refused ever to 60
near her again.
| had "hired out" with a small farmer to
do his "chorcs" for my board and clothes,
and stayed there three years, at the end of
which time my moving propensities moved
me to run off from him. | had made my
arrangements, and was even mounted on
top of the Reading stage, when who should
come into the taverA but the farmer.
"Where are you going, boy| he called
out in hard and severe tone.
'|ro Boston, sir"
ITO Boston!" ~
cannot describe the manner in which
he said this; but it-awoko up all the mem.
ories of flogging which left scars yet, lhavc
not time to tell you how many moro thar
the immortal Fusbos had. He was a coarse
profane man, and he launched forth into &
strain of abuse which would have made
my blood chill if l had been afraid of him
and babe me instantly to go home.
"Thank you sir" said. 81 am engaged
to somebody else."
At this mhment, the stage started. He
ordered the driver to stop and let me down
but he drove on, and | am almost ashamed
to record that made a significant gestur'
with my thumb and finger upon my yer,
decent Roman nose, and called out:
"Good bye, sir-you shall hear from M
some day." and ] went off in the exultan
triumph of freedom.
was delighted with the fine prospec
which enjoyed in my elevated seat. Th
driver was very kind to me, refusing to TAX
my money for the whole journey, and offer
ing to find me a stopping place in the city
At that time there was very old hous
in Howard street, now demolished, in whic
a Mr.. Jones, kept boarders. Here b
stopped the stage for me to get down.
"What shall do, driver9" said
"Just ring that bell, my lad," he ar
swered, land somebody will come and le
you in"
looked up to the top of the door.
II don't see any bell, sir" said timidly
The man burst into loud laugh.
"Pull that knob, gEeeny," he said, an
straightway | pulled it again and agail
until Mr.. Jones, queer looking fellow
with one leg, and dilspidsted eye, came
the door and looked daggers out of his r.
naming orb of vision upon the luckle'
wight who had broken his bell wire.
"Let that youngster stay with you an
mamma Jones, till come TO supper" sal
the still laughing driver; and stayed.
Mamma Jones was a lady that woul
have made fine companion for Dani
Lambert. Sheltered beneath her capaciol
wings, could bid defoDce to little M
Jones, who dared not attack anything th
his wife might take fancy for petting.
This knowledge, together with the dai
sight of my old friend, the stage drive
kept me happy through the winter.
secured knives and forks, and performc
quite series of similar dignided labo
every morning; but when boys of my ov
age we're around, Isometimes thought viii
looking at their good and respectable clot
ing, that it would not have been b
plan for me to have accepted Aunt Deb
fah's offer of sending me 70 college.
3 An opportunity offering for me to 60
sea, prepared to 60, despite the tears al
entreaties of the fat lady. Whensb fouI
me determined, she provided me with 6
erything needful tor voyage, bugged
70 her capacious heart, and bade me G'