The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-25
A PUBLIC CALAMITY.
Snringfield Renuhlican
)UR VANISHING NAN
Marine Journal.
COY AND GENERAL.
An Incident in the Career of Andrew
johnson.


One morning in the month of September
1926, young man about is years of age was
walking on mountain road from North
Carolina, leading to Washington county
Tennessee. 1t was a lonely road, and the
boy presented poor appearance. There
was nothing attractive about him nor tn,
little bundle which hung ON the end of
rough stick resting on his shoulder. Hi.
dress denoted he was poor. and the coarse
homespun indicated that he belonged to tn,
poor class of whites. The boys feature,
were coarse, he was awkwardly built, and
walked with stumbling gait that did moi
impress one in his favor.
The country in which he walked on his way
to Tennessee was very beautiful. The hills
were covered with gigantic forests. while
thick underbrush grew along the roadside.
Streams of cold, clear water were to be seen
on all sides bubbling along and dashing over
rocks-pretty streams that in few months
would be torrents madly tearing down the
mountain sides, and sweeping all before
them.
AS the boy reached the top of hill he
stopped and looked over towards Tennessee
The scenery was grand, and peak after peak
all heavily wooded, could be seen as far as
the eye could reach.
Nothing could be more beautiful than the
mountains on that warm afternoon. The
leaves on the trees were beginning to fall,
and were changing from bright green to
beautiful shades of red and gold Gentle
breezes famed the boys cheek, and he drank
in pure atmosphere scented by luXuriant
odor arising from fragrant mountain tiow-
ers. For few moments he stopped, and
though boy of ordinary appearance, the
grandeur Of nature appeared to even affect
his dull lace. While gazing far in the dis
lance there was wearied expression ON his
countenance. He was thinking of the many
miles he would have to go before reaching
his destination, and of the discouraging out
look before him.. While thus musing he was
startled by the clatter OF horses hOofs, and
turning beheld man mounted ON a power
ful horse approaching him at trot.
AT the appearance of the individual in the
saddle the boys face betrayed look of in
terest. The newcomer was man between
90 and go years of age, tall, thin and with an
erectness that denoted military training. He
rode his horse with the air of a man used to
commanding and with an ease that betrayed
familiarity with the saddle. His face was
smooth shaver, disclosing firm mouth with
thin lips and a pair of eyes that were very
brilliant
The whole appearance of the newcomer
was that of man of energy, fearlessness,
and ability, and the boy gazed with awe on
this formidable figure. The demeanor asso-
clated in the mind of the boy the bearing of
general, so touching his hat he said: Good
evening. general" The stranger appeared
surprised and asked the boy if he knew him.
The answer was in the negative The man
appeared interested in his youthful compan-
ion, and they entered into conversation
hnrcQmQn mo nf hn foil
found in his companion a good listener, but
one very Ignorant. The boy confessed that
he could not write or spell, but had heard
few things read from an old school book
he was very supplemented boy, but the
kind manner of the stranger appeared to set
him at ease, and he frankly told him that he
was going to Tennessee to seek his fortune.
he horseman encouraged him, and togeth-
er they reached the crossroads, one leading
TO JOnesb0r0, the other to Greenville The
horseman here babe the boy goodby, with
encouraging words, and turned towards
Jonesboro, while the boy proceeded on his
way to Greenville. On leaving the horseman
the boy appeared wrapped in deep thought;
then he stopped, and raising his head, said,
Il am going to be man like him." and then,
as If encouraged by his resolution, he set
out with quickened step for Greenville.
Three years later the horseman was Presi-
dent Of the United States. Thirty-nine years
later the boy filed the same Office The horses
drew johnson.
When Andrew johnson reached Green
vile he hardly knew what to do. He went
to tailor shop and asked for work, having
some knowledge of the trade, but the tailor
needed no assistance, and johnson turned
his attention elsewhere. He was not boy
with much assurance, and was in fact rather
bashful, so he stood around good deal hop
ing for something to turn up. At last the
tailor took pity on the friendless boy, and
seeing him standing opposite his store one
day, with look of Encouragement on his
face, he went to him and asked him to come
over to the shop and he would try to help
him. johnson quickly accepted the offer and
went to work.
:. Opposite the shop where johnson worked
lived an Irishwoman with three daughters.
This woman was shoemaker, having
learned the trade from her husband and con-
tinued to work at it after his death in order
to support and educate her three children.
johnson became acquainted with the fami-
ly and married one of the girls, who though
possessing but limited education was fully
capable of instructing her husband, which
she did, teaching him to read, write and ci-
pher. While giving her lessons, her husband
would sit cross-legged and work at his trade.