The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-12-30
AN OLD TiMEis.h K10RY
Lille On the National Road Icrors Rnil,
r0asls We're la Vogue

sU""* we're tA t0GHs
There resides In this vicluitya number Of
old residents all OF WHOM cun tell more or
less interesting episode in connection with
theif lives. Tho industrious reporters often
encounter these old fellows and rs tley nenr.
Iy always can be induced to talk freely many
MI interesting story Is stored away In the
reportolial head for future use or reference
The writer recently ran into one OF these
characters and as he Is not willing that his
maine should be used In connection will,
the story, for convenience sake he sbull he
designated as Mr.. X. The story was arrived
nj by the Colonel's remnrkins "Iha, artiele
In 4 recent number of the lSrELll0ryCyn
entitlcd'rhe Criticism Oh IN Unrehearsei Par.
fosmance Of OLE Dulr recalls an inciaent n
my mind TINT think would DO to tell. "A +
carries with 1t the same cllaracteristics as
those related In The sketch spoken Of" = -
Having thus introduced the subject, cIca RI
were lighted and the old gentleman fired
away. Previous to the completion OF the
Baltimore 4 Ohio, when all merchandise
rom the Isl reached US by wagon over the
National road, was the owner OF teams md
did hauling between Baltimore and the I WS.t %
sometimes going AS far as Columbus. On ons
OF thcsc trips, which ended ut IanesviIle =
purchased horse and hiring a trivcr "a =
my teams, started home by myself nv,
horseback. On the way caught up will n
companion also mounted and boun,{ for III =
point. A mile or so the other side of Nor.
ristown We came In sight OF u pedestrj,n whn
with his long stride and spriney sten Ici ~ :
for such length Of time that Dur attentian
WIS attracted 10 the fact and finally indmre.i
us 10 overtakc him. When we cams mar
enough to get good Ylew OF the fellow sid
10 my Trend, No wonder that man led ne
such chase. for he Is the best nut I'm mnn !
have seen In ten year, and I Intend to trv
bis metal 20 "
IN those days was MS good Judge q
mcn as WAS OF horses. and while today st,ch
= declaration ny made would slau,p mo M
low nhu euArtelsome then men were rated
you know more BY their physical ability the,I
by any other. Friendly contests In nrnu1
tbs superiority were very common md chn,,'
pi2ns travelled from iiity, To ono .hunI,cI
MI les Tor no other purpose than 10 iii tir,S:
selves against others. OF whom ,hcv LnI
heard. Il do say Il myself, / was con.;frrsd
one ol tho best men that wayoned nver lie
road, and felt that here was man worthy
OF my prowess.a g, ~ IN =" '" '''' ~
rode up and saluted him. and after i
leW Woias about about the weather and roajs 70.
n,a,xsa nnn seu ~ ou must be good runner, aa
you are 70 g9od y walkerT' mo / do not
You are good jumper. AIN, ,TS vou sa s''Ai %Soi
thst !!; ! know of was ihc answer.
,hs. Mell yoaer = good fighter .heaYi "Sot
sIae smn tnow 10y, o.. was the repeated answer.
IN II man, You are good for something,
Hnd a,'a am am going to and GU. What il ~
l.; At t., this ~ point my companion calling me
ny nhmn. intcr1ered and tried 10 persuade
the 70 let Tie man alone, but TO no purpose,
asl was reused and replied. n tell you a
,s man pu. gP like .lms niaa. is good a. sea'e.
,mnS, and l am desernined 10 lind out what
hs.' AZ this tho stranger spoke up and
said. ",lr. K, as l understand tha. Isyeur
name. when you asked lie II I was not a
sood fighter, l told you WIS not, bu. now
tell you ! can fight little, and II you get aG
your horse Will show you how much
can fight "As soon as the words
were out OF his mouth" said Mr:
X, "l was of my horse, and
Was marching up 10 him, buttoning up my
coat rs | went when the fellow said to ne.
Perhaps you had better take that oil ii you