The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09

profit by this experience refrained from Civ |
ing away my story.
Mr.. Robert Mcknight, then editor of the
Chronicle, desired some news for his paper, and
kindly offered the columns of the Chrenicle to
vindicste my position. Mr.. Moreland accom-
panied me to the office, and at his suggestion
declined to print anything.
/ am particular to explain all this now, be-
cause it has On important bearing on what fol-
lowed. Suffice it to say, that the very persist
ence of those people in demanding my history
only served to make me contrary, and caused
me TO give offense TO some whom / thought
were meddlesome. | refused in an emphatic
and impolitic way to crafty this curiosity.
AT MY FATHERS HOUSE,
on the sunset side of the Allegany Mountains,
close by Cresson Springs, / remained in COM
parative retirement but for few days only.
Ny grandfather was at this time living with
my father in his old age.
The old gentleman, though upwards of 20
years then, was quite active, and welcomed me
home in his dignifed way. AS we sat down to
the family table grandfather invoked the GUS
tomary blessing extending it into quite
lengthy prayer of thankfulness aud gratitude
for my return in such an impressive manner
that | have always remembered that one
prayer. lie was much interested In the war,
and regretted that his infrmities prevented his
taking part in the field in defense Of the Gov
ernment.
reference to his diary, which he was even
then keeping up, under date Of April IA, 1862
shows the following entry: This day Georges
son returned home, after long confinement
among the rebels. He seems to have the spirit
that keeps him going all the time"
AT the same time another son of my grand
father, my uncle, was a Major and Quartermas-
ter in Confederate regiment of Texans; thus
it is that in our family brother was against
brother and father against son."
IL
sylvania the rebel gray uniform seemed to have
pretty much the same effect on the natives as
| red rag in bulls face.
Our old family doctor, a neighbor who had
known me as boy, when calling to see me felt
constrained to say, in joking way: Pm glad
| TO see you safe home again, but don't come
| home any more with that kind of clothes on"
While was at home it so happened that Par
| son Br0wnlow was coming up through Ohio on
| his way TO Washington after his release or ban
! ishment from home He,was having quite extern
siye ovatioDs at all the principal cities, dellY-
ering at each place one of his characteristic
| speeches. One day, rather unexpectedly to me,
we were told that the Parson would pass our
! place on certain train in few hours. l de-
/ termined to see him, and, if possible, get a
! speech for our townspeople while the train
stopped. Quite crowd had gathered about
/ the platform by the time the train reached us.
WE DISCOVERED THE PARsoN
| sitting on the engine.
| The railroad officials, who were quite atten-
| tive to this class Of travellers, usually tender
their distinguished guests seat the engine,
for better view of the scenery as the train
whirls over the big mountain.
climbed up on the engine az soon the
train stopped, followed closely by my father and
several others. The Parson looked surprised,
and l imagined for moment that when he
| saw the familiar gray clothes making break
on him, followed by a crowd Of eager persons
so closely that he recalled some Of his former
| Knoxville experiences among the rebels.
Mr. Brownlow had changed considerably
since / had seen him when be was wrapped up
in his old shawl in his Knoxville parlor. he
was dressed in a new suit of black brOadcloth,
and wore high silk hat, gloves, ETC., that gave
him quite a clerical appearance.
Without speaking word for moment. so
surprised was he, he simply reached his hand
toward me with blank stare of astonishment
on his couutenance To my hearty, laughing
greeting he soon cordially replied, and but for
the fact that the train stopped only mo-
ment we would have had good speech from
him.
When the train reached Altoona, 25 miles
beyond where the party were met by g. w
Childs and Mr. Stewart, as a committee from
the city of Philadelphia. in reply to their
address of welcome, Mr.. BrOYnlow pleasantly
referred to meeting one OF his rebel guard VI
on the mountain -" declaring that the rebel
ghost followed him, phantom like, every place
he went, night and day-always awake.
In making some inquiries recently of my
folks at home as to their recollection Of thi;
visit, am reminded that amongst those whC
climbed the engine with me to see the grea
preacher were the Rev. j. G.. Gogley, then auC
at present member of the Pittsburg Confer
cree of the Dr.. E. Church. who viii, if neces
sary, testify to the correctness of this remark
able interview the mountain between th'
Parson and his former rebel guard. The wood
sawyer who was there when the engini
stopped. BIr. David Farber, an active, heart,
man, is also still on duty there. He serYet
faithfully for two years in the army, part 0
which he put in a5 prisoner
a day or two after this occurrence, in com
pany with the Hon. A. A. Barker, who repre-
sented that District in Congress, l went t
Washington city and made nay personal call
on those who were most interested in hearin
from me.
To be continued