Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-10-16
TOM WINTERS STORY.

TOM WINTERS STORY.
was taking an early walk on the morn
ing after my arrival at the city of c.
in the spring of 1856, in order to sharper
my appetite for breakfast. when observe,
q tall end stoutly- built man on the oppo
site sidewalk proceeding in the same di
rection with myself. There was some
thing in his gait and in his manner o
swinging his right arm (he had common
market basket on his left that seemed no
unfamiliar to me; and | hastened to catcl
up with him while observed him further
1t was no easy matter; for he had strid'
that. if hurried to its best. would hav
put me to aruu to save being distanced
but succeeded in heading him off after {
rapid walk Of several squares. which bro
us to the market place. and soon hal th
satisfaction Of hearing his voice as he in
quired the price of some Of the marketing
exposed for sale. This decided me, and
recognizei me at once, and as he held ou
his huge hand. which held in mine. W,
exclaimed simultaneously: "How are you
Owen?" "How are you. Tom?"
The greeting was something more than
cordial. We had been once quite intimat,
and it was seventeen years since we had
met. ] lost sight Of him that number o
years before, and getting no satisfactor.
response to any inquiries had from time
to time male after him of mutual acqusint
ances. had gradually dropped the subject
and never expected to meet him again.
Tom Winters was a Marylander by
birth, and had known him in Ohio du
ring the Presidential canvass of 1874. wher
he had supported the gallant son of Ken
t1cky, Henry Clay, with all the ardor o
his generous, rash. and passionate nature
while 1 had supported James X. Polk. be
Fcause-because he was nominated by the
Democratic party.
can appreciate at its true worth now
that political infatuation which led me t.
reject the "Mill Boy Of the Slashes. !" and tc
decline upon Polk. There was no com
parison between the two men.
-"That was, to this.
Hyperion to satyr."
But that is passed. Polk was elected
and the gallant Harry of the West" diec
of broken heart. Thence came Texas
the repeal of the Compromise, the Rebel
lion.
''Sin, and death. and all our woes"
After few hasty questions and answers
on each side. we parted to meet at dinne
at Toms residence, and to sit down ther
for general paiabre.
was punctual to my appointment. anc
after being introduced to Mrs. Winters
(Tom was now married ard held an i'm
poriant position under the State govern
ment. and after having been presented t.
Master Henry Clay Winters, a lad o
three years. and being informed-in al
aside--tha: the next was to be named Johr
Fremont Winters. we sat down to the
table and accomplished our dinner anc
our explanations "by piece meal simulta
neonsly."
Having satisfied my quondam friend mp
on the subject of my various wanderings
succC sses, anu reverses since we parted
which were decidedly too dull and com
monp' ace to interest the reader, although
Tom. from sense of duty. probably
listened to their rehearsal with great dea
of attenion--I. in turn, questioned hin
Of the events of his life. lie ran them has
tily over. and seemed inclined to treat then
with so much brevity that had frequent
ly to call him back upon his narrative bl
question on s, me point where require,
more detailed information. But our din.
ner was over, and Mrs. Winters had re
tired with Master Henry Clay Winters
ere he ha hall satisfied my curiosity.
Winters had lett N, the little county
town in Middle Ohio, where hail know
him. in the spring of lS45. and had begun
to travel as agent for a marble dealer o
Pittsburgh, Pa. In this capacity he ha,
roamed over all the Western States durin
several years, had made extensive acquaint
ances. and been rubbed agains: the worl,
until he hail acquired great knowledge o
mankind and habits of self-reliance, with
out much Of that polish of manners whic
worldly sttri,ion usually gives a man.
He was at that time between twenty -fv
and thirty years of age. in perfect health
and of herculean strength. He was con
siderably over six feet in hight. compact
built, and that consciousness of powe
which such favored individuals possess
rendered him. in a great measure. indiffer
ent to the lopin:ons Of others. Withou
any Of the refinement which careful cultur
and early training confer, it is not to b
wondered at that Tom was not lover pal
ticular" as TO the society in which he ven
tured., or what profession he followed.
j He had also been captain of a canal
packet, drover, deputy sheriff, a gen
eral collector. and had first married il
Kentucky. and settled at Lexington. wher
he had spent fur years. There his vii
died. without leaving children. and Tor
was set ahoat upon the world sgain.-
Then he had spent two years in Mississir
pi. returned to Lexington, went to Cincir
natl; ''and since them" he continued. "
+ have lived in every county on this side j
succession. and have been here four yeal
since | married my present wife: so 70
see that the seventeen years is now file
up. and you know my whole history"
='"But what were you doing in Missil
sippi?" inquired.
For the first time Tom hesitated; and
answered with an uneasy expression and
furtive glancing about of his keen haz
e eye. that he had bsep an overseer ON