The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1867-03-06
HANS PATRICK LIE CONNOR.
A Family Man and a MAN with
out a Family.


"Hans Patrick lie Conner" narrates the
following: --.. ..-... ....,..-..
II was tray cling" says he, "about seven
wears ago, on horseback, near the western
border Of Missouri. What object | had in
heing there it is unnecessary to state, but
for the benefit Of the timid minded and too
suspicious | may be pardoned for saying
that was neither iayhawking nor acting IN
the capacity of highwaymen was | a
member of any body militia.
ut was Christmas, and there was deep
snow on the ground. The sun was just
sinking in the west behind hank of omi-
nous looking clouds that prophesied snow
storm. I had ridden all day without pass
ing any habitation save two or three little
log cabins that looked scarcely large enough
to accommodate single inmate. | was con
Siderably delighted, therefore, when about
sunset, | came in sight of rather comfort
ably appearing house built of hewn logs,
and standing in the midst of field that
bore evidence of having produced a fair
crop of corn the previous season, AS
drew near to the house, the dulcet strains Of
that amiable tune commonly called Racken
sack, burst on my ears, wrung from the
bowels Of solitary fiddle BY, and BY
heard voices--a great many OF them, and
was convinced that II merrv-naking was go.
ing on. just as | was felctating myself
upon the prospect OF nights enjoyment
beneath d comfortable roof, with the ro-
mantle accompaniment of old fashioned
pastime, my eyes lit on spectacle that for
moment staggered me, but soon recov,
cred, and refining up my horse, l. stopped
for good view Of it. About hundred
wards from the house, seated on an old log,
was hrawny old man with shaggy beard
and clad in the rayment peculiar to that
section. A white cloth was spread before
him, on which were some scraps of bread
and meat. which he was endeavoring to de-
vour in the most selfish manner | ever saw.
| don't know why, but had an instructive
percel ton that man was the proprietor OF
the house. r
Friend, said I, f'why don't you go in
doors to eat your supper 5.'5
Heldid not deign to look up, but he an
swered me. "a voice came like falling
star" as Longfellow has it; deep,l sepul-
chral awful voice: ~. t|.HJ
None oyer id business"
Looking at the matter in its legitimate
light, perhaps he was correct. hut thought
he might have been less profane about it,
The clouds in the west looked too threaten
ing for NE to be put off 50 easily. 'Racken
sack became more and, more enticlng.
Can you keep me all nightEh 4 asked,
timidly. r. III ts.l.y.y1 ~,
Cant keep nothin', was the reply.
1t struck me he kept his equilibrium, at
least. tried new lead, in hopes of
coming to a better understanding.
Have there been many Eastern folks in
these parts lately, fos'the purpose of enter
ing land?" / enquired. S
''Yes. a good many on EN- has been out
this wav. and they generally enter land as
soou as they git here. We pop EN- over
with a piece of cold lead and chuck EN- un-
der the gravel. Don't want no caterlopers.
3 I shuddered. More than ever was de-
termined not to proceed any further on a
dark road in country where they popped
people over.
''hly friend" I said, appealing to his
finer sensibilities, Il suppose you have a
family?'
Te dropped his victuals and looked up,
His ewes dilated and the veins began to
swell in his neck. thought something
terrible was coming. Said he
See here, stranger. I've took good deal
from you-more'n | never. did from any
other man. But let that be mint; want t
to ak you a question. Amt yoa got a
fatnily?' ,,4.... .........
"Not if know myself. s-.f
"What! Now, looky here, Captain, dom
try TO come it over INC. Ole Jack Hack
bonpy ain t the man tce be fooled With
dog my cats if he is. You amt got no
family" ...r
{ "Never was married in my life, as | am
Christian.
"NIaior, hain't got no right to dispute
yer. That ere ceuntenance OF yourn looks
tolerabls honest like. Never had no wite?'
"Nevcrl e...f
''Nor no children, nuther?'
This latter question | thought it not
worth while to answer, as moments re.
Election must convince him of its absurdlty.
He continued:
"Kurnel, pledge me yer word and honor
as a man -er never ha no wife nor children,
spe, hly darters, and I'm yer friend till
deth." fyt# a.s ap
II pledge, with all my heart
General, git down, Drap. I'll feed
yer beast and you can 60 into tie house.
Byme by you'll git some supper, and I'll
see that you have the best bed in the house
Never was married. Well, by hokey!"
I told him / would prefer to accompany
his to the stable to see my beast provided
for; and as we proceeded on our way, my
accommodating host discourEed as follows:
"Spose yon think old Jake Hackbonny's
curious crittcr. That's what they all say.
But tell yer what it is, I've seed some
mity hard times. A good many years ago,
/ got married out in Posey County, Indi-
amy. | managed to pick up purity good
sort of gal She was thirty like, knowed
how take keer O things. So / moves oat
here into Missouri and cleers ur little
patch q ground and builds me house.
i'Now," sez Ito my old woman, (she was
Young gal, then, and a good natered kind
q tEing,} ses l, Polly" Chats my wlfe's
name. Polly" sez |, don't mind raisin'
family now, A family o boys would be
mighty heap O. sarvice to me in clearin'
my ground and sich like You know. -
Yes, seq she, Jacob, hoys is mighty
handy to a body when they git old and
der smiled. end every thing went tn very
agreeable till byme by we had child born.
/ paid an all.6Ied big doctors bill and had
to do all coockinior a whole week; and the
consarned yo1ngun was a gal Taenb.''
..,c' tIS1tt4s thk ,ra' r rsaI-ltf I iInt . Y.n,'