Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-12
JOHN OONR0Y'S LUCK

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: In the year 1S49, John Conroy, who
had been admitted to the bar in the
State of Massachusetts,, finding that his
native town was pretty well stocked with
lawyers, made up his mind that ne
would leave his home and seek his for
tune in the South. He was young
man of good talents and great industry,
but, being poor, had not the means tc
sustain himself until he could acquire 8
reputation in the profession that would
yield him requisite income. He there
fore gathered his little store of money,
aud'seG out one cold winter day to seek
some place to locate on the Mississippi
river. At least, such was his intention.
The most trifing circumstances, he
remarked, frequently turn ones destiny
for good or evil. I had spent some little
time In most of the towns along the
Mississippi, and finding nothing that
seemed to justify a young lawyer OF
Northern birth in living there, I finally
arrived at Columbus, Tennessee, Just
eight months after I had left my home.
Twas here I met gentleman who gave
me letter of introduction to lawyer re-
siding in Hickman, Kentucky, who he
thought could assist me in my efforts to
become established:
1t was bright morning that mount
ed my horse, and with my letter safely
slowed away in my saddle bags, set out
on my journey. had ridden until late
in the afternoon, and was somewhat
weary when the r. offs of small village,
situated about mile in advance ofame,
came inyitipgly before my vision. My
tired horse must have discovered them
about the same moment as his master,
for he pricked up his ears and com
menced to accelerate his pace. Turning
from the highway and following lane
bordered with green sward, I made a
short cut to the village street. But just
before I reached the houses l met a
short, puffy person on horseback who
was coming down the road.
"Good day, sir" he said, refining up
his steed, which, at a glance, I saw was
thoroughbred. "Good day, sir. Are
you going to halt here, or do you go
anywhere in the neighborhood of the
Kentucky State line"
Not being acquainted with the topo
graphy of the country I could not an
swer his question directly, but told him
that was going to Hickman.
"Ah," he rejoined, "that is all right.
You'll have to pass my place, and per
haps put up there for a night. Now, sir,
would be obliged to you if you would
do me small favor. My name is North
up, E'liston Northup, and live only
some fifteen miles from Hickman.
81 shall be happy to obige you, if in
nay power" 1 replied; "but permit me
to ask you if you are in any way related
to Lawyer Northup of Hickmans"
' "Yes, sir" he replied, "he is my
brother"
"I am very happy to meet you, sir, u
I continued, for bear letter OF in
PRODUCTION from Major Saunders, OF
Columbus, to your brother" And ]
Immediately opened my saddle bags and
got out my letter, which l handed my
new made acquaintance to read.
"Old Saunders" he said, with q
smile, as he finished reading it, and
handed it back to me. He is a good
fellow. Is his nose as red as ever2 ]
haven't seen him for couple of years. u
ST must confess" replied, with q
laugh, " that the majors nose is pretty
fiery"
"He is an awful drinker," said Mr.
Northup. "Few men can hold the
night with him, 1 assure you."
You astonish me-" replied. '"
was at the hotel week with him, and
never once remember having seen hin
at the bar"
"No, no." exclaimed Mr.. Northup
"Saunders don't drink at bar. He'
a very peculiar man, very methodical
all his drinking is done at the club
There's where you'll see him lay hi
companions out like ninepins. Blu
really I'm OBTAINING you. My obiec
was to ask you to inform my daughter
whom you will find at home, that Jak
has run away from me again, and sup
pose has taken to the woods. Tell her
If you please, to inform Thompson, tn
overseer. No doubt he'll be sneakin
around before return"
"Run away 2" ventured to observe
eyes," replied Mr.. Northup.
was taking him up to Larkin's plants
tion to sell him, for he's no manuer c
use to me. So he managed to slip ava
soon after arrived at the village ye'
terday."
Promising to attend to Mr.. Northup
request, we bid each other good by
and separated. After good night
rest, set out the following morning o
my journey.
It wa almost dusk when rode up
Mr.. Northup's mansion. A dozen {
more hounds seemed determined f. ii
i,nsa ny passage up the iaue, =.
barking had the effect to bring Mil
Northup to the front porch, where 81