Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1872-02-03
CAPT. JAMES HUGHES;
Or, ;" Uncle Jimny Hughcs' as lie acas
fumiHorlv colt0-

Tanner Hughes, born in Chester coun-
tv, Pennsylvania in l754, and after
that event his parents moved to Alb
York county, near the
settlements Of the ConoWago. Here he
grew to manhood, under the guidance
Of y pious father, man, remarkable
for energy and perseverance and un-
der the gentle influence of a mother
whose memory he so venerated; that
even in his eightieth year he would
shed tears of gratitude, in fond re-
membrance Of her many amiable vlr-
tues. After the death of his parents,
(who died within five days of each
other) he accompanied Mr.. Arnold
Elder to his mountain home, on the
banks of Toms Creek. The wildness
and beauty of St. Mary's Mount, the
green foliage of the pines, the simpli-
city of the inhabitants, warmed his
heart and caused him to eXclaim =
God smiles upon this country and
hcnceforth it shall be my home He
then settled upon the farm of Richard
Elder, (now known as Hayland) In
this secluded spot he followed his
trade Of weaving for a short time :;
then changed his business to that Of
keeping a country store, in the same
house now occupied by his youngest
grandson.
This ancient building was after
wards converted into a school by the
veuerated Dubois and was the COM
mcncement Of Mt. st. Mary's College
1t was moved Il few years after TO its
present site. Its large and improved
buildings forming great contrast to
its humble original, in the days of
Aud Lang Sync,"
Mr., Hughes frequently amused his
children by narrating lessons taken
from Scripture and anecdotes Of his
youth, and found them very attentive
listeners.
On one occasion he related to them
about the choice of his wife. He pre-
faced this tale by saying: "Ihe first
Sunday after my arrival at the noun
tain, Mrs Elder, (who was fond of
.oklngl said TO me: "Now james,
you lust choose a wife from among
,Ur mountain damsels; a better oppor-
.Nuit,' will never present itself Of get
t.hg a Nlrtuous partner than at the
Church where You are this day going.
| pom your return, however, YOU must
be honorable with me and tell me
which one YOU have selected. My
dear young man, youth is inexperien-
cel and generally governed by ap-
pcaranee8. will act the part Of a
irue friend and be your monitor
When seated at the hospitable dinner
Mrs. Elder began her interrogatorles
by asking what | thought of the
mountain nymphs, and if | had choos-
en- one? Honor bright, my boy.'
Il will answer vou aunt Chloe con-
scientously. After church | saw a
fine looking lady; | presumed from
her naughty mien and piercing black
eyes to be the Queen of the mountain
tail Of stature and a real beauty to
bcholl-she WAS surely born to capt.
vate hearts and to take poor men prl-
Soncrs.
"Ah, Mr.. Hughes, you must not
soar quite SO high she replied
Miss Lucy is our mountain Eagle
and will marry none but u very great
man or a very wealthy one.
Her ambition was successful; she
afterwards married Captain Richard
Jennings, a man Of noble appearance
and the wealth to crown all. He was
an cmigrant of the Emerald Isle-set-
tied and died in Emmitsburg,
Mrs Elder then inquired "If he
had no heart or eyes for any Of the
other fair daughters belonging to this
mountain border?'
EYES, he quickly replied. "There
way meek blue eyed maiden with
auburn hair, fair complexion, n rose
on each check, a dimole on the chin
her mo1e@ty and good looks pleased
me.
Ms. Elder replicd: "Sho is the
Mountain Daisey, the pet Of ali who
know her. [ will let YOU have Lizzie;
she is Il treasure within herself and
by her amjability will shed happiness
on all around her.
The good humorcd old gentleman
ended this little episode by saying in
his own joyiol manner: 81 married
both these IadicS-the Daiscy and
Eagle
The children showing astonishment
on their countrnances, he explained
himself thus: II was married to your
grand mother-the Daisey first who
was the mother Of my children. She
was gentle by nature, a devoted wife
and the most aii'ectionate of moth
ers.
"After her doa h I cspousod the
EogIe-my present wife; sharing with
Inc the cares and anXjotics Of old age
and the love Of my chIldrcn.'
In 1880, james Hughes was united
in holy n1trimony to Elizabeth FL