The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-10-03


and in which it was clearly stated this
superior race of emmett had been a natural
selection progressively developed from an
unprogressed type still existing here and
recognizable, he said: "It was with much
pleasure thai he acknowledged the receipt
of - communication, and in the most
polite possible style thanked me for the
flattering manner in which 1 had alluded
to his eminent progenitor." He said other
things about me that would not look well
here. l wrote again describing another
interesting race of ants (Eredoma Terana)
horticultural ant-but the Confederate
war INTERVIEWED and he did not reply.
Isn't it a little singular that my cores
pondence with the Darwns has always been
frustrated by big wars? Let us return
now to where l was about to enter the
army of 1919. volunteered in company
of dragons. Full of patriotism and feel
ing highly incensed at British arrogance,
was anxious for the bloody conflict. We
were marched and encamped on the war
path, where we were detained three months.
The army becoming demoralized by sick
ness and tired of inaction, began to write
home for substitutes, which they effected
in great numbers. The face of the army
was greatly changed. ] stood up to my
post and did what they told me until there
were no further use for soldiers in that
war, and felt myself thoroughly gorged
with soldering; and had come to the con-
clusion that hereafter would let those do
the fighting who arise the fuss.
In the meantime, however, l had read
early marriage. This agreed perfectly
with my semi civilized humanity, and the
influence of the controlling animal devel-
opments. The advice of the old teacher
at that stage of my being, seemed quite
reasonable and right. 1 did so, and thereby
in course of time, demonstrated the fallacy
of the Franklin theory. That is, as far as
such an organism as possess, is test. l
was utterly incompetent to the duties and
responsibilities of domestic life. l how
ever, made out to worry through with it
without calling for help. My ten living
Qost three) children grown, married
and settled off on ample homes long ago,
and they are sustaining themselves pretty
we'll. But they are, in their mental aspect,
not above fair to good middling; and the
mischief that have done them by bring
ing them into a world that is full to the
brim with the same sort, and to myself, by
placing clog on the pursuits that nature
bad fitted me for, is great; while failed
with the Franklin experiment, to bestow
on the world an equivalent for the harm it
produced. l do not allude to this matter
regretfully, but as circumstance which
continued to check the natural inclination
and bent of my capacity up to 1852. At
that period having settled my numerous
brood, my domestic responsibility ceased.
l have been free and could pursue that
which seem to please me best. But it was
no go. The train of philosophic thought
had been long since broken; the habit for
investigation and experimentation inter-
rupted, the faculties and powers for scien-
tfic scrutiny were blunted, and no longer
capable of producing reliable ultimates.
was in Texas when l obtained my free
dom. 1t was then, scientifically speaking
an unexplored region. Every thing fresh,
new and beautiful; and, here l renewed the
long neglected inclination for investigating
the natural sciences; but before l begin to
tell what did in Texas, l must return to
Georgia and commence to narrate some of
the most remarkable occurrence that turned
up, during the period of the Franklin
experiment-the thirty. eight years spent in
the nursery.
The first year after was married 1dwelt
with my brothers and the negroes to Guilt
waite the farm. The farm was not large,
the labor strong; had many days to de-
vote to field sports, which was beginning
to relish very much. 1t had been many
years since had INDUCED my aptitude and
capabilities for capturing fish and all kinds
of game. This was comparatively new
country with plenty of deer, turkey and
endless fish. Near my fathers place was
a beautiful clear running creek, and three
miles off a splendid little clear river all
full of fish. 1t was matter of astonish-
ment to our neighbors who came from the
older, fished out portions when they saw
the amount of fish I took out of the creeks
round about with my Indian contrivances.
They all wanted fish but said they could
catch none. Didn't know what kind of bait
nor the good days to fish. Their women
were talking about wanting fish; and for
the purpose of supplying the craving
women with good mess and to have lit
tie good sport, l, without letting any one
of them know that had spoken to anoth-
er, had engaged six men, each with three
nicely prepared torches of fat pine, to
assemble at 4 o'clock P. NJ, at my fathers
house. They had according to my instruc-
tions managed the preparations very pri-
vately; and now to behold such company
with faggots slung on their backs, they
looked at each other and said, "We dare,
sol boys" and were about to break up.
But my father interfering said: "No, gen.
tleman, 60 on with him, he'll get you
plenty of fish if you will hold him good
light long enough"
So I, with my bow and two steel pointed
arrows, in advance of my fagot bearers
hurried off, and by the time dark set in we
were seven miles off on a nice creek that
ran within two miles of fathers house;
our plan was to fish back to that two mile
place.
We rested until it was thoroughly dark,
and some of the men remarked it was a
dull prospect and that they felt so tired OF
the wild goose chase had led them, that
they did not feel like dragging any further.
| lighted torch and had not proceeded
three steps in the water before l saw and
killed trout twelve inches long. The
men who had been sitting all this time
were instant on foot and heard no more
said about the fatigue and briers.
The creek had never before been fishsd
,r;+Y, torohoc II was full 0f GOOD fish