Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-08-06
Z JEFFERSON COUNTY, w. VA THURSDAY, AUGUST t. 1889
Biu Nye in Boston.
In account Of Visit to HIS Birthplace IN
the State Of Maine.

the State Of Maine.
Las; week | visited my birthplace in the
state of Maine waited thirty years for
the public to visit it, and as there didn't
seem to be much of a rush this spring,
thought would 20 and visit it myself |
was telling friend the other day that the
public did not seem to manifest the interes.
in my birthplace that | thought it ought to,
and he said that | ought not to mind that.
." Just wait" said he, till the people of
the United States have an opportunity to
visit your tomb, and you will be surprised
to see how they will run excursion trains
up there to Moosehead lake, or wherever
you plant yourself 1t will be a perfect pic
mic. Your hold on the American people,
William, is wonderful, but your death would
seem to assure it, and kind Of capitalize the
affection now exhisting, but still in a nebu
lous and gummy state"
A man ought not to criticise his birth
place, presume, and yet, if were to do il
all over again, do not know whether |
would select that particular spot or not.
Sometimes | think | would not. And yet,
what memories cluster about that old house!
There was the place where first met my
parent. 1t was at that time that an acquain-
tance sprang up which has ripened in late
years into mutual respect and esteem. 1t
was there that what might be termed cas-
ual meeting took place that has, under the
alchemy of resistless years, turned to golden
links, forming pleasant but powerful bond
of union between my parents and myself.
For that reason hope that may be spar
ed to my parents for many years 10 come
Many old memories now cluster about
that old home, as | have said. There is,
also other old bric-a-brac which has accu-
muated since | was born there. | took a
small stone from the front yard as a kind of
memmentO of the occasion and the place.
| do not think il has been detected yet.
There was another stone in the yard, so it
may be weeks before anyone finds out that
| took one OF them.
How humble the home, and yet what a
lesson it should teach the boys of America
Here, amid the barren and the nhospitable
waste of rocks and cold, the last place in the
world that man would naturally select to
be born in, began the life of one who, by
his own unaided effort, in after years rose
to the proud height of postmaster at Lara
mie City, Wyoming, and, with an estimate
of the future that was almost prophetic, re-
signed before he could be characterized as
an offensive partisan.
Here on the banks of the raging Piscata-
quis. where winter fingers in the lap Of
spring till it occasions good deal of talk,
there began career which has been the
wonder and admiration of every vigilance
committee west of the turbulent Missouri.
There on that spot, with no inheritance
but prodisposition to premature badness
and bitter hatred of rum, with no person
al property but misit suspender and
stone-bruise, began life history which has
never ceased to be a warning TO people who
sell groceries on credit.
It should teach the youth Of this young
land what glorious possibilities may lie con-
cealed in the rough and tough bosom Of the
rcluctantpresent II shows how steady per-
severance and good appetite vii! always
win in the end. II teaches Us that wealth
is not indispensable, and that if we live a.
we should, draw out Of politics at the prop
er time, and die a few days before the pub
/ lie demand it, the matter of our birthplace
will not be considered.
Still, my birthplace is all right as birth
place 1t was good, quiet place TO be
born Ali the old neighbors said that Shir-
ley was a very quiet place up to the time !
was born there, and when took my parents
by the hands and gently led them away in
the spring Of 'l3. saying " Parents, this Is
no place for u.s." it became quiet.
1t is the only birthplace ! have, however,
and hope that all the readers Of the GtoJe
will feel perfectly free to go there any time
and visit it, and carry their dinner as / did.
Extrayagant cordiaity and oyerilowing hos
pitality have always kept my birthplace
back Bosf0H sunday Globe.