The courier., 1901-08-10
THE COURIER

Athens. where Squire Gilman lives.
and have the advantage of his advice.
or to proceed to Cincinnati, as great
things are said concerning the country
at from twenty to thirty miles from
healthy, pleasant, and New England
people. Peter (his oldest son) is fierce
to go Cincinnati way. Whenever I
make stop will inform you by let
ter. and then shall be in hopes of the
favor Of one from you.
can say for myself, I do not re-
gret my undertaking as yet: neither
from what they say do I think my
wife and children do. | wish we were
more thankful for all the mercies we
have experienced in all that long and
terrible way" At times il looked very
black, and then I found the consola-
tions of q clear conscience in the un-
dertaking. I will instance one: came
to Laurel Ridge, three miles up and
four down, no inn for seven miles, and
it rained. So put up. Next day 1t
rained. On the third 1t seemed as IL
1t would come fair-poor accommoda-
tions, the road thronged, emigrants
from Ireland and Germany 1ocking in.
l felt ,C clear to start-wife unwell-
rained some-had to double the team
slow work. When the sun was about
an hour high, had gained but two
miles; there was no tavern, and but
one house for five miles except turn
pikers' huts (for by the way there is
about twelve or fifteen miles of as good
turnpike as any in the United States,
and all the way 1t appears to be under
way). proposed to my people and the
eastern man to encamp, to cut holes in
crotches, to cover them with my
painted wagon cloth, to build a fire
had slept in the woods. I had fire.
works, axe and hatchet; so shortly my
sick wife was in a snug apartment,
and rested better than for several
nights. We had provisions with us,
and oats for horses.
1t may seem strange to you, but my
wife from that time began to mend.
Blessed be God for His mercy. You
may well think my oldest daughters
were filled with dismay when they
saw the tent preparing, and to them
1t seemed like enchantment to see their
mother so well of in SO short a time.
The night was of a pitchy darkness
with fine rain, the two faithful dogs
keeping watch. The company were
In health the next morning, which was
pleasant. and We left our habitation
with feelings l trust of thankfulness.
You would be surprised to see the
great number on the road-some very
poor-swarms of old country emf
grants.
The climate is very different on this
side of the mountain from what 1t is
On the other side. 1t is as warm here
DR. warmer than the summer before
asst in Vermont. There is something
very agreeable in the air.
November 13.
After sealing my letter I thought I
would add the following: I am cred
bly, informed that the navigation to
Cincinnati in such a boat as mine is
'afe and healthy; that after about fifty
miles any man that ever steered a
boat could do it. l have a journeyman
)f sober habits recommended to me as
pilot, who wants to go to Cincinnati
or tri1e over his living. The dis
dnCc Us lduu Is tuTee NuuQre0 ana
,y water five hundred miles. I am
Utmost determined to 60 to Cincinnati
that is, to try to; then go twenty
" thirty miles up the Miami river,
lire a small farm for a while, and
ook around. The people here say the
Miami country is the best in the
United States. l think of these lines:
The world was all before them where
o choose their place Of rest. and Pro-
'idence their guide" I am told that
N the swell the Ohio has now. a good
'ilot will take my boat to Cincinnati
n six days.
Your affectionate brother,
A. B.
Fort Hamilton. O.,
Nov. 80, 1917.