Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-12-15

Our visit at this hospitable freside was
now near its close, as we had arranged to
return To Lake Brown with the early morn
ing. After supper the interest around the
hearth was heightened In the appearance Of
w. H. KitsmilIer, and Z. L. Browning an ad-
Joining prosperous farmcr. an enthusiasm
Democrat. and second son, we believe, OF our
host. A littlc while thereaiter, Dick and
bis Uncle William came fof the proposed
coon hunt This time the dog was securely
fastened before coming into The house.
Kittsmiller is famous hunter and woods
man He has been engaged 10 some Of the
most fearlu. adventures and explorations
known 10 the Black Water regions. He was
the guide in the famous expedition of 1853,
with Strother Porte Crayon) and several
other distinguished engineers looking for
the boundary stone al the head OF the Black
Water Falls. There were ct this time laurel
forests Is miles wide and 30 long, 10 which
the EXPEDITION lived for 10 or 10 days under
his care and guidance. He yet resides in
this historic section of country. He was at
the time we met him engaged 10 securing
hogs from the farmers OF this neighborhood
To take out to the Black Water TO fatten on
beech mast. In this forest he herds them
until the first or middle OF December. For
his services he gets the every third hog OF
the respective number taken from each
farmer. He lives alone 10 shed whilst herd
ing the hogs, seeing 10 the meanwhile no
living being The hogs are generally in fine
condition when he drives them back home.
II is regarded o profitable enterprise when
the herdman secures one or two hundred
hogs. Our host often pursued this branch
in connection with his farming operations,
and as late as 1884 had out tor mast 144
hogs. e
Until the boys were ready TO start on the
coon hunt, marvellous accounts were given
by Kittsmiller and Mr.. Browning Of their
bear, panther, wolf and wild cat fights. Or
ten they were together, often alone. The
narrow escapes they made after the most
hazardous fights seemed almost miraculous.
The hardships they endured, for often they
lived for one and two weeks in the painless
forests, with no shelter but the trees, with
nothing 10 eat but little bread and wild
game, no covering save their clothes, would
appear TO our people as the idle workings of
an idle Imagination. But at that period
this whole country abounded in vast num-
bers of such animals They loved such ad.
ventures because Of their excitement, we
may add its danger. They were not alone
In this respect. There were many others
whom they named, many OF them still liv
Jug WuO uClikutCu W lOitOW Juot ouNu a
life-whose path way, like their own, was
ever, in the day time and through the night,
beset with great suffering from severe ex
posture, We listened to these variations
with as much pleasure as though we had
bee an old hunter We must add however
that the bare narration Of such adventures
is about all we would care 70 enjoy--in this
instance il was distance from the place OF
action that LENT enchantment TO the scene"
We retired for the night near II o'clock.
When we came down In the morning We
learned, with surprise, that the old gentle
man and Kittsmiller remained up until l
o'clock in the morning going over the event
ful scenes of their lives. fia
By way OF giving our readers some idea of
the remarkable endurance Of this man at his
advanced age and his recuperative power,
We may remark that on the day following
our arrival at his home he was complain
ing considerably, thought he had taken cold
in his ride over TO the lake. so after we had
gone out for ramble he took his big sheep
skin, which he keeps on his lounge, spread
1t on the door before the fire, then laid down
and gave his feet good roasting When
we returned he arose and said, snow | am
all right"
A word 10 conclusion and we have fin
ished our description OF this portion of our
protracted but pleasant stay in the noun
tains.
AS We looked upon this aged couple, for
sixty long years as man wife, still in the en-.
joyment OF good health, we could but think
of the scenes through which they had
passed-what flowers and fruits they had
borne-what harvests they have gathered,
that now in the wintry days they may sit
Town and rejoice. Ifthere was any portion
Of this domestic picture that held our adj.
miration in fast control IL WAS, their deep
and earnest l0yefor each other ltwss as
bright and full Of joy as on their bridal morn.
The slightest movement or look Of the one
attracted the attention aud elected q remark
from the other. For sixty years, shut off
from the vanities, follies, temptations and
ambitions oil the world, with no guide but
an honest conscience, living up TO literal
Interpretation of the golden rule Of life, do
unto others as you would have them do unto
you" with no teacher save the silent whis
perings of the towering and majestic scenery
in which they were developed, they have
been travelling hand 10 hand over the rugged
pathway OF life. Now, quietly aud calmly
rs child in its sleep, they are going down
Town 10 the sun down of life with the occi
dent beautifully mellowed and upholstered
and with the pleasing reflection that their
lives have been properly, prosperously aud
peacefully spent
W. X.