Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-08-06
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about them, even
though VIC may never meet them lace u
face. 1t is about boy of this kind that
l want to ten YOU now
This boys life began in the valley OF
Virginia, one hundred and one years
ago, and il was so different from that OF
his brothers and of all his young COM
panions. that we follow 1t with an IN
terest that mover flags He was active.
hardy ana tall beyond mis- years, and
the name mat he was most often called
by and that lung to him through all
his after life, is Sam.
In the days of our pioneer forefatherS
support for family could be Wrung
from the forest only by hard and patti
ent labor, and every healthy boy was
expected to do his part. sam was
healthy boy; indeed the records OF that
day seem 10 give no account or any
other kind, and he worked with his old
er brothers all day for the privilege OF
running across fields to the school
house that, he might keep his place in
the spelling class-th last to recite
before dismi sal.
Yet Sam learned to read, and write
and to cipher, and reading was, II MS
hands, rcy 20 unlock storehoas"
of wonderful treasure. Often ana oft'h
had he heard from his mother stories
of the brave Scotch Highlandcrs. VINO
were his ancestors. and many detail
of the famous siege of Derry III when
his foreiatE,fs took where the %'l-
liant defenders fought and starved ana
prayed ard hoped till at last reliei
came. Soldiers Of the Revolution round
welcome that never failed at his faith
c,'s tleside. and their young 'lSt"n-
ers heard many tale OF battles fought
of peril and suffering undergone.
When sam was thirteen his stlhles
and sports In the old Washington Cox
lege building We're forever interrupted
His father died. and his mother was leil
with nine children to face me future
There were fertile lands on the Ten
nessee, ample enough to furnish nome
for each brave son who consented u
leave the home in that beautiful valley
and cross the Allegheny Mountains. II
was perilous undertaking. and ful
of wild adventure. but they rested al
last not many miles from the Tennes'
see
Hard work and plenty of 1t young
Sam shared cheerfully with his broth
crs: but he was able to give some at
tendance at an academy, too. lie hat
read and re-read an English transla
ton of Homer until his mind was a.llet
with the desire TO read the poems II
the tongue in which they were written
He asked his teacher in the academ.
to instruct him in Latin and Greek
and was promptly refused. Perhaps
long afterwards. when this man saw
what a great career opened before hi
Young and bashful nupil, he repente'
his decision.
About this time an opening that wa
thought a very good one presented it
aelf. A man who kept a small tradin
store was in need of an assistant, an
Go.nerly influence prevailed to pu
Sam in the position. Just the numbe
of DAVIS it took to I'LL up the measure G
his disgust is not recorded but Sam sud
denly disappeared, and with him his RI
lie and his much-loved books.
Beyond the Tennessee lay the coun
try Of the Cherokees, a brave and pow
erful nation living in peace and abunt
ance on their own lands. To them Sal
went, and they received him with niue
friendship, and their chief. the stated
and revered OoloOteka, in course {