New-York tribune., 1889-12-22
OLIVER y0HNS0NS LONG WALK.
FROM BOSTON TO VERMONT.
MEMORIES OF THE YOUTHFUL YEARS OF THE

MEMORIES OF THE YOUTHFUL YEARS OF THE
VETERAN JOURNALIST
| TO Ms Euttor OF The Trtdune'
| Sir: 7 wish 10 make correction Of the statement
made at the funeral of Oliver Johnson that he, WIN
his wife, walked 800 miles on visit 70 MS hauVe
| town from motives OF economy or from necessity.
Mr. johnson was close economist In personal
expenses His fastidous tastes made IL impossioie.
| lie did good conscientious work always. 30 accurate
was he as a compositor that his work was said 10 Do
" once done. twice donen As editor and journalist
| he brought his goods TO the market; they were OF
choice quality and received corresponding compensa-
ton. As to fnanciering, he never gave his nina 10
! It, He might have been the victim OF sharpers AZ
| times-such men often are-but their ways ne hhe"
not, and were ever to his mind an enigma unsoWed
| The trip to Vermont on foot was made from Boston
| in the summer Of 1910. The destination was my
fathers home in Peacham some so miles from Boston
| direct. Mr. Leonard Johnson, the only remaining
member of the family lives. at the age OF ninety
three I'm the place where both were born. Oliver
and Mary Anne Johnson started In company WIN MISS
Thankful southwick and an English lady ieh'
whose name / have forgotten, who had inspired the"
with her ideas of the pleasure OF journey Oh
foot The limit TO be Northampton, Mass six'y
miles from Boston. Having walked so far In com-
pany with these ladies' and enjoyed the novelty of
the journey on foot much, they parted company
Mr. and Mrs. johnson determined to walk TO Putney'
VT, where lived the Rev. Brouglton Nhite' MIS-.
Johnsons father an aged and retired Congregational
minister. He was greatly surprised at the eccentric
action of his children and when the visit was over
insisted ordering a conveyance 10 take them o''
of town, and which, to please him. they consented
70 accent From Puney they made their way 10
Peacham dispatching the luggage ahead, and bringing
themselves to 1t when they were ready, or wheh
weather permitted II the last OF June, weather
lovely for the most part and everything cEarihihg'
The railroad at that time had penetrated no further
north than Concord, n. H., but it was easy at any
time to obtain lift by stage. They did not ride
much however. They took their lunches in the shade
at midday. They drew water with the old sweeps
from the wells at the doors of the farm houses Any
thing else they wished could also be obtained among
these hospitable people They were most delightful
company to others-better still, they were excellent
company for each other. They were free as tie
winds which blew or the waters WHICH ran IN the
pebby brooks where they bahed their feet as In te7
happy childhood She was the graver of the tw2;
and sometimes but without much avail tried 10 hold
him in check. though she dearly loved his fun. what
others thought or sad OF their project ana acuQm WIS
miles a day, planning to reach village in the
cool of the evening have head my aunt say sleep
oliver Johnson as, as young man was st srIlngly hd
thrown. To children he ndescribably fascinating
lie could play all their games and beat them at al
sorts funny antics. He could mimic everybody and
everything alive All common, homely, odd, ludicrous
things seemed made only to stimulate and TO inspire
ing delighted him like making the old house ring to the
rafters with the laughter of children.
COMPARED with the homcly, undemOnstrative life Of
the people Of forty years ago, the ideal life of Oliver
and Mary Anne Johnson not only as husband and
cation Later years brought serious business and less
freauent visits Nothing however, at any time, wholly
took away from oliver Johnson his sunny cheerfuncss
and his bright wit flashed out occasionally TO the last
Loving all that life affords, ii painful to note
the limitations that and infrmty bring. Being
inquired of If he was able to 60 to church. he answered
I" ! am become a dOer not hearer of the Word The
painful illness OF the last few weeks endured with
unaiing sweetness and patience and in cheerful hope
of the better life hevond majestic gravity rested
upon his free beautiful in death If the former things
had passed away and lie had entered the greater
and more enduring MARY H. SEMPLE.
Brooklyn, Dec 10, 1852