The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-02-04

RecOtieCtiOns Offhe Olden Time,
First Series---No. 8.

10 tie EditorS If he KgjS d htelIigcacsy:
MEssRs. EDITORS Il trust may not be
charged with affectation when say that |
feel that my last letter was so near fail
ure that ! have serious misgivings as to
the propriety of attempting another upon
the same general subject But, in taking
retrospect, find there are still many Of
the past generation in Hartford to whom |
ought to refer and in doing which, shall
throw myself upon the forbearuncc and
magnanimity of yourself and your readers.
In former letter had occasion to use
the name Of FOX hunter" Tom Bond, with
out reference to him or his characteristics
He was well advanced in years when first
knew him, and was register of wills for the
county for nearly half century. He but
seldom visited the Office, and certainly
never pretended to perform any of the du-
ties. He was querulous, testy old man,
usually seeming to be in an ill-humor with
himself and every body clse but those most
intimately acquainted with him knew this
to be more seeming than real-an eccen-
tricity, or whim, that had by indulgence
become secopd nature. He was not very
select or rcvcrent in the choice of words
and would just rs soon shower impreca-
lions as blessings upon friend. This,
however, was foreign to his natural feel
ings, rs he would 90 as far as any other
man to accommodate a neighbor, and
would divide his last shilling with friend.
He had, in some sort, reduced profanity to
science, and swore more gracefully than
many men talk piously. He loved his toddy,
his friends and his dogs
His son, little" Tom Bond, attended to
all the duties of the Office, and discharged
them faithfully and well. His disposition
was the opposite Of that Of his father, en-
ceedingly kind and gentle in all his inter
course. He was of a vivacious and Joyous
temperament, sometimes little mischiev-
GUS, but amiablc towards all, without re-
gard to their standing or condition. He
had family, and lived at what was called
the "White House," near where | imagine
"Fallston" to be located, without knowing
as there was no such place in my day.
His residence was some four or five miles
from Bel Air, yet Little Tom would ride
in on his iron grey, work all day, and then
ride back at night, and always had pleas
ant word or joke for all he happened to
meet. Although his father seemed to take
pride in being abrupt and morose with all
others, he invariably spoke kindly to Little
Tom.
Another of the Bond family was Little
Joshua" so-called to distinguish him
from Lame Joshua" He was a brother
of VIM. B. and A. A. and the Lord never
put bigger soul in so small body. AL
though afflicted and thus deprived ofmany
of the pleasures and pastimes of Others of
his age, he was endowed with liberal
share OF humor, and employed many droll
and laughable expressions He detested
mean action, and detecting such in anoth
er, was sufficient cause of alienation. re-
member having heard him say, on one
occasion, rather than do another an injury
he would sink himself to the bottom ofthe
bay and crawl under an oyster-shell. Poor
little Joshua, consumption cut him down
in early manhood, but not before he had
given evidence Of superior intellectual en-
dowments, singular purity Of nature, great
righteousness of character, brave to fault
and as gentle and affectionate as a woman.
He died at the residence of his aunt Sally,
,, in the old stone house at the corner, and
when he was laid to rest, his grave was
watered by many a sad and bitter tear.
A few short years after the death of
Little Joshua, he was followed to the "un-
discovered country" by two noble yonng
men with whom lie had been raised and
was very intimate. | allude to Parker
Moores and VIM. Johns. They both fell
in the prime and pride of manhood, just
as they had begun to appreciate and pur-
sue those higher and holier aims which
lead to usefulness and honor. was boy
then, but old enough to mediate upon that
mysterious Providence which thus blasted
budding ambition in moment, while the
worthless drone was spared that cut
down the joyous and buoyant aspirant at
the very moment the world had opened
out all bright and beautiful before him,
while the misanthrope and hypochondriac
were allowed to linger among scenes and