The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-10-31

/ was born near Hickory in the year 1922
At the age of twelve my father removed to
the State of Ohio, at that time spoken of as
the West. Travelling in those days was quite
different thing from what it is now. The
old National Road was Che principal line of
communication between States lying east of
the mountains and the West. The coach and
Conestoga wagon did the work now done by
the railroads.&c. one for travelling, express
age and the mails; the other for the transpor-
tation of merchandise from the East. Ohio
at that time being much talked of in our
country as a perfect Ell Dorado, my father
was seized with the fever of emigration and
concluded to remove thither. So, early in
October, 1884, we packed our earthly posses
sions into q four horse wagon and headed
Westward. Our family at that time number
ed seven members-my father mother and
five children. We were sixteen days in
travelling from Baltimore to Wheeling, W.
Va, and to myself and brother James, two
years my junior, it was a joyous holiday,
long to be remembered. 1t was the ideal life
OF boy. To have nothing to do but to take
long walks ahead and wait by the roadside
until the wagon came up; to stone the squirrels
and explore every shady nook by the road
sde was just the thing to delight the heart of
boy, and took up great portion of our
time. Then, when tired, we could climb into
the wagon and slowing ourselves snugly
away among the traps watch with childish
interest the every-varying scenery presented
to the eye. At night we would stop at tav
ern, rent room, and in the morning, after
preparing provisions for the day, start again,
making our regular halt at noon to bait the
cattle and eat the lunch prepared by the care
full hands of our mother.
Having been reared in a slightly rolling
country, the mountains were a great wonder
to the smaller fry; and well remember when
creeping slowly through this stern region of
the peculiarly impressive feelings that assert
ed themselves, especially on the occasion of
passing through what was known as the
Shades of Death" On one occasion, while
in the heart of the Aleghanies, my brother
and II, having gotten some distance ahead of
our party, had stopped TO rest by the road side,
when we were accosted by a gentleman
travelling in the opposite direction, who ask
ed us where we were going, and, upon our
informing him, he advised us to make what
haste we could back to the wagon, as two
boys had been killed by bears near that place
short time before. Without stopping to
thank the good gentleman we made tracks
for our party, and, happily, succeeded in
reaching them in safety. | have since reason
to think it was only hoax, and wish to
here note that forgive the gray-headed ras-
cal, wherever he may be, for his little joke.
Arriving safely in Wheeling, West Va, after
more than two weeks of hard travelling, we
stopped for few days rest before crossing
the river into Ohio. In striking contrast to
our journey of sixteen days by wagon in
1884, was my return trip by the Baltimore &
Ohio, which occupied just thirteen hours
something less than one hour by rail for each
day by wagon.
In travelling through Hartford I was forci-
bly, struck by the greatly improved condition
of the farming land. Fifty years ago many
hundreds of acres of land were thrown out in
commons, which are now under high state
of cultivation, producing good crops and
dotted with neat homesteads and good farm
buildings, showing thrift and prosperity on
every hand.
Formerly everything raised on the farm had
to be hauled to Baltimore to be sold. Now
the Maryland Central gives an outlet from
this part of the country, at that time un-
known, and which is especially beneficial in
view of the increased productiveness of the
country.
When boy had distance of from three
to four miles to 60 to school, which general
ly consisted of a short winter tern, at which
limited course of study was taught. Now
every valley and eminence has its school
on the most approved plan, with an educa-
tional system that will compare favorably
with that of other States. The two points
which for more than half a century | had
specially fostered in my mind in connection
with the country of my birth were, the Hick-
DRY and the Catholic church near by. Both
seemed like old friends from whom had long
been parted. The same quiet with which as
boy had been delighted still pervaded the
venerable house of God. The old pastor to
whom had listened when a child had long
since been gathered to his fathers, and his
place at present is occupied by the learned
Father Fowler.
On the 18th of September, 1890, stood
upon the spot where sixty-eight years before
had first beheld the light OF day. No man
who has not made pilgrimage of this dura-
ton can understand the feelings OF an old
man upon an occasion of this kind. Of the
thronging memories that come crowding
thick and fast from the departed years men,
cries of childhood of the time when at my
mothers knee / learned to lisp sour Father
which art in Heaven; of the brave hopes
and endeavors of life, realized or unrealiZed,
as the case may be. A gray and grizzled
man at the spot where as little babe he
walled his ushering cry into this world. As
Longfellow beautifully puts it.
10 La Chadeau come back old
My blood is thin, my heart is cold,
Seeking along the rivers ooZe-
Seeking beside the river Seymouse
The days of my spring-time of long ago."
| hope my readers will excuse the garrulity
OF an old man, but these things come very
close to his heart. But must desist, for
these things, as our old boyhooc's friend
Crusoe says, are bye the bye.
What Hartford county boy ever forgets old
Deer Creek-the stream of all streams for pole
and line fishing, at least, so we thought.
Many is the time that slipping away from
the round of teamwork I have found pleas
ant half days recreation along its banks with
a pole cut out of the woods, can of bait
and an old piece of cord for line. And
made it point to hunt up and sit upon the
very rock near Parker's Mill where, long
ago, I had pulled in many sinner. At that
time, too, game was very abundant and the
writer well remembers being taken on a
hunting excursion by maternal uncle and
ofshooting wild turkey in the Big Woods
at Red Hill, about one and one-half miles
from the Hickory, on the farm of Joseph
Trimble, at present owned by William Mich
ael.
The writer before closing wishes to speak
of the hearty Southern hospitality which he
every where experienced and of that absence
of greed which is characteristic of some
parts of our country. And furthermore that
this hospitality and leisure to enjoy life goes
hand in hand with a substantial thrift that
is everywhere shown. He wishes to note
also the fact of being under great obligations
to his people, strangers until now, for their
marked attention and untirlng efforts to make
his visit thoroughly enjoyable one.
JOHN W. DUFF.
Morning VieaO, Ohio.
NoTE-Mr Duff is son of John Duff,
who in 1912 ran the great race against Car
Isle, in Old Town, Baltimore, in which Car
Isle, q noted runner of that day, was beaten.
From $50, 900 to $40, 900 changed hands upon
the occasion. There was at one time scarf
in the possession of the family of Mr.. Duff
which was given him by lady short time
before the race came off. Mr. Duff also ran
another race, long talked of in this county,
against runner named James, in which Mr..
Duff was the successful competitor.
They Made their Mark.
For The Egis and Intelligencer.
OF the % braves who signed Magma Charta all
but three had to make their mark, !" being unable
to write.
So says the Baltimore Sua
Twenty-three of the braves may have made
their marks, but their sign manual was no
evidence that they did not know how TO
write. In the ages we call dark the sign of
the Cross was the surcst pledge Of faith. On
deeds such as Magma Charta, and others of
less importance, high dignitaries with their
own hand made this Christian token; their
spcreta riea added thar names and titleo 60