South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-10-06
John Conroy's Luck.


native town was pretty we'll stocked with
lawyers, made up his mind that he would
leave his home and seek his fortune in
tho South. He was Young man of
good talents and great industry, but,
being poor. had not the means 10 sus.
tain himself until he could acquire n
reputation in the profession that would
yield him requisite income. lie there.
fore gathered his little store of IN oney.
and set out one cold winter day to seek
some place to locate on the Mississippi
river At least, such was his intention.
Tho most trifiing circumstances, he
remarked, frequently turn ones destiny
Tor good or evil. had spent some lit.
tie time IN most of the towns along the
Mississippi, and finding nothing that
seemed to justify young LAWYER of
Northern birth in living there, finally
arrived ut Columbus, Tennessee, Just
eight months after l had left my home
Twas here l met gentleman who gave
me letter of introduction to lawyer
residing in Hickman. Kentucky, who he
thought couli assist me in my Efforts 10
become established,
1t was bright morning that mount.
cd 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 roofs of a small village,
situated about mile in advance Of me.
came inYitingly before my vision. My
tired horse must have discovered them
about the same moment as his master,
for he pricked up bis cars and com
menced to accelerate his pace. Turning
from the highway and following lane
bordered with green sward, l made a
short cut to the village street. But lust
before l reached the houses I met a
short, puffy person on horseback who
was coming down the road.
Good day. SIR" lie said" reinin: up
his steed. which, at q glance, / saw was
thoroughbred. Good day. sir. Are
you going to halt here. or do YOU 90
anywhere in the neighborhood of the
Kentucky State line?"
Not being acquainted with the topo.
Sraphy Of the country could not an
swer his question directly, but told him
that L was going to Hickman.
Il shall be happy to obligs you. If in
my power l replied; "but permit me
to ask you il You are in any way related
to Lawyer Northup Of Hickman"
"Ah," he rejoined, that is all right.
You'll have to pass my place. and per
haps put mp there for night. Now, sir.
| would be Obliged to YOU if YOU would
do me a small favor Ny name is North.
up, Elliston Northup. and live only
some fifteen miles from Hickman.
Yes, SIR lie replied, The is my bro.
thcr.s
81 am very happy TO meet YOU. sir"
| continued, "for I bear letter Of in.
PRODUCTION from Major Saunders. OF Co.
i'Imbus, TO your brother" And i'm.
mediatcly opened my saddle bags and
got out my letter. which | handed INV
new made acquaintance 10 read.
odd Saunders lie said, with n smile
"a he finished reading it, aad handed i,
back to mo. "ile is good fellow. Is
his nose as red as ever? haven. seen
him for n couple Of years"
Il must confess" I replied. with n
laugh. that the majors nose is pretty
fiery"
"Hc is an awful drinkcr,' said Mr..
Northup Few men can hold the night
with him. 7 assure YOU"
"Iou astonish me" ! rcnlied. az
was at the hotel week with him, and I
never once remember having seen him
at the bar
"No. no." exclaimed Mr. Northur.
saunders don't drink at bar. Hes
worry peculiar man, very methodical ::
all his drinking is done ut the club
There's where you'll see him Law his
companions out like ninepins. Bnt re-.
ally I'm OBTAINING you. Nv object was
to ask You to inform my daughter.
whom You will find at home, that Jake
has run away from me again, and / sup.
pose has taken 10 tho woods. Tell her
If you please, 20 inform Thompson. the
oycrsecr. No doubt he'll be sneaking
around before ! return"
Run away | ventured TO observe.
Yes" replied Mr Northup. II was
taking him up 10 Larkin's plantation 10
sell him for he's no manner Of use to
me. SO he managed TO slip away soon
after arrived at tho village Yesterday"
Promising 10 attend to Mr. NortLup's
request, we bid each other good bye
and separated. After good nights
rest, | set on, tho following morning Oh
nv journey.
II was almost dusk when rode IN 10
Mr. Northup's mansion. A dozen az
more hounds seemed determined to dis.
putc my passage up the lane. and their
barking had the effect TO bring Miss
Northup to the front porch. where she
welcomed INC and received the message
her father sent by me.
Jake ~ bad fellow" she replied.
"iapa has borne with his bad conduct
for a long time. and, strange to saw. bo
never had him punishe until last week
The wretch cut out the tongue Of one OF
orr fayorite hounds. and papa thcn or.
dered Thompson 20 whip him-aud "a
Mr.. Larkin was willing 10 buy him 20
work IN bis lumber mill, papa determin
cd 20 sell him."
lie must be bad fellow" replied.
Indeed, YOU are quite correct she
answered but l knew lie had ESCAPED
before you arrived, for he visited the
f9Hf - IL