Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-07-17
PIucky Boys.

Two BoYs-ragamuffins in rags and
tags--came manfully rudging up the rail-
road last Friday, and inquired the way to
G.. Baylor Aliens. Their garments were
taitered and torn, and everything about
them showed that they had "roughed IT.
through long and tedious journey. They
struck out bravely on the Bardstown
road. Arriving at Mr.. AS, they asked
for drink of water, and were conducted
back to the well, where Mrs. A., much to
her surprise, recognized one of them as
her cousin, Allen Nibbs, of Houston,
Tex, aged sixteen After the first joyful
recognition came the very natural in
uuiry how and wherefore came he in this
far-ofl land, and that, too, in such
plight The story was soon told Master
Alien supposed himself domineered over
By an older brother, and determ;,
ined to emigrate. His cousin and
grandmother were in Shelby County,
Ky.-." lust over the border a
little way"-and Allen would step over
there, some 1000 miles, and find the de-
sired freedom from brothcrly constraint.
Supper was now ready, and soon the
boys had filed the aching void of TWEEN
ty-four hours fast, and were ready for a
big talk
They left Houston without a cent of
money but managed to steal rides on
trains until they were discovered and
dumped off somewhere in the Indian
Territory, where they were forced to sub
sist for three days on blackberries. They
then managed to get into car OF sheep,
where they spent a pleasant night, throw
ing one of their dumb companions on the
floor to serve as pillow. When the
sheep came out the boys accompanied
them, much to the amusement of the rail
road hands, who declared " that they
never saw such Sheepish-looking animals
before" Then came several days oi
weary walking and watching for chance
to steal another ride. Finally they go
aboard train, and were taken hun
dred miles by the kind-hearted con
ductor
After various ups and downs ou
young heroes finally arrived at St Louis
where they begged meal and agail
boarded the first train they saw going out
hiding among the barrels to escape de
lection. Arriving at Alton, they foun,
they had taken twenty-five miles in tn
wrong direction, but, nothing daunted
they borr01oed skiff, and in the nigh
dropped down the river to st. Louis again
Here they landed and set their skill atloa
to find themselves on the wrong side O
the Mississippi, and no money to pay tn
ferriage They went aboard, however
and were taken safely across, but bein
unable to pay the passage money
nicxle each-the ferryman would not a
low ihcm to land, but carried them bac
ag in. Here was dilemma, and th
bows determined TO swim out of it, bl
while preparing to strap their clothes VI
on their heads to keep them dry happ
idea occurred to one of them;
would sell his knife. A purchase
was found, and, with thirty cents in the
pockets, the boys crossed the river
triumph. Here again fortune helpC
those who displayed such willingness al
ability to help themselves. An lllino
farmer from the interior wanted hands
help harvest, and seeing that the bo
were not of the kind who stand in Il
market-places all day idle took the
home with him, paying their fare on Il
road and giving them 50 when the wo
was done. With this they paid their ia
ON the cars as far as it would go, al
then walked or stole rides the balance
the way, passing through Louisville al
walking up the railroad to this plat
where, as stated above, they arrived !;
Friday evening, having travelled sol
1000 miles in three weeks, making t
entire trip without money and, as til
say, without stealing anything, exec
one skiff and more rides than they cou
count.-ShelbyoiNe (Ky.) Courdnt.