The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-03-12

has taught me of the morals AMI emotions o.
men, that never have | met II man, in my
somewhat checkcred and diversified inter
course, with more generous and honorable
impulses than Alphonso Johnson ] have
not heard of him for forty years, and if lie s
still living and should happen to see this let
ter hope he will let me hear from him. -
Indeed would be too happy if each one |
have mentioned, who may sec my letters
would drop me few lines, at least
VIM S. Hays was another very promising
and handsome man, but some years before
left he married very lovely lady. bought
number of negrocs, fixed up several teams.
and took the long and toisome journey to
Alabama, where he intended to embark in
planting. VIM. p Beall accompanied his
wagons, but soon returned How Mr.. HAYS
succeeded, or whether he ever returned, |
have never learned. He was sprightly
man, full of adventure and energy, and hence,
| thought, well qualified to battle his way up
in life, which presume he did.
believe have said nothing about John
Mckinney, Ir., farther than that lie edited a
paper in Bel Air short time. He was
postmaster and mail contractor for many
| years, and discharged his duties with great
promptness and fidelity. He was one of
natures n0bemen, backward and unassu-
ming-almost as much so as a Miss in her
teens-and unlike his jocular and merry old
sire he was thoughtful and sedate, but al
ways polite and gcntlemanly. never knew
him to partake of the sports of the young
men of the place, but was always found at
tie post of duty. He was n bachelor as
long ms | knew him, although any young
lady in the county might have regarded him
As prize.
| have named John Magncss in one or
two preceding letters, but have said nothing
about him, except that he assisted Mr.. Jones
in serving his guests on public occasion, and
mad n charming little sister. John was
rollicking, jovial, heightened, mischievous,
industrious, managing piece of fat humanity;
loved to share q halfpint with congenial
friend, and lived like nabob at his own
| pleasant and comfortable home. He owned
large but sterile tract Of land, which he
cultivated in patches but by some means,
although as liberal as most good-natured men,
he made an abundance to live on, entertain
cd great deal of company, and at the end
of each year had a surplus to lay up for
rainy day. He was excessively fond of fc-
male society, but when the subject of matri-
mony was mentioned, he looked at it ask
ance, as a turkey looks at a snake.
| VIM. Gillespie was another of my ancient
acquaintance, and more active, energetic,
enterAising man l have never known. He
was, by turns, farmer, merchant, trader
then trader merchant farmer. A horsc-racc
in Hartford without VIM. Gillespie, was no
race at all, and he scarcely ever failed to
ride one of the horses, and almost invariably
the winner There was a sorrcl racer in
Hartford at that day called Prince George
and there was not sportsman in the coun-
ty who you'd not have riskcd his pile on
him when VIM Gillespie was in the saddle
He was genial, happy little man, always
ready toramusement, speculation and adven-
ture and never failed to have something to
do. Whatever he had was at the command
of his friends, and nothing seemed to give
him more pleasure than to contribute to tic
/ happiness and comfort of those around him.
There arc others, Mcssrs. Editors, to whom
! | would love TO refer but these letters, like
all things else, must have an end, and pru-
denCe admOniShes me that it is time to be
/ looking for it, "reminiscences, like an soft
told tale" become insipid, and it requires
more tact and discretion TO know how and
where to quit than how and where to begin.
| am afraid | have already gone beyond the
line between reason and the ridiculous, and
therefore propose to wind my long yarn into
a ball. In doing this, again tender you my
thanks for the opportunity you have so kind
ly afforded me to review the days of my
youth-to revisit in fancy the scenes of my
childhood-to hold communion with those
who have long since forgotten me, as well as
those who have passed over the dark river
and for the privilege that has led my heart
and feelings to those mental re-associations
which are only surpassed by the real personal
greeting Of long sevcred playmates and
| friends.
AS you have generously offered me the use
of your columns for an occasional letter upon
any subject of general interest that may
strike my fancy, shall certainly avail my
self ofyour kindness. | have been thinking
of giving you a description of White Top
Mountain, in full view of where l am now
sitting, and of the remarkable bear and wolf
hunter hermit who has made his solitary
home in its deep recesses, in my crude way.
will try to let you have it in time for your
next issue,
Respectfully, &c, G. B. G.