The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-04-27
CHAPTER |
BEGINNING the Red Road

there were certain outstanding debts
(which made It embarrassing for me TO
return.
While the fairs were being held In
May and October. all persons coming
TO Alexandria would be exempt from
arrests and executions. And At was
not yet Maytime. and was back With
out road-belts, as my red friend. the
Onondaga, would style immunity from
annoyance. risked great humiliation
but there are certain things a man
must do despite his pride; and had
returned because something larger
than my personal welfare was con-
cerned.
However, l consoIed myself with re-
Numbering that much mountain water
had flowed down the Potomac since
my hasty departure, and that all the
colonies we're in the midst Of stirring
times: that the extravagances or Web
ster Brond would be forgotten now we
were at the throat Of France once
more.
The coming in OF many strangers
permitted me to remain unnottced. SO
II was that my long leggings. my
fringed hunting-shirt with its broad
cape, my >moccasins and long rife. my
ak beside the hunting-knife in my en-
broidered belt, gave me assurance
against recognition until should re-
veal my identity when | delivered my
news to Governor Dinwiddie.
II was not from choice that. | had
left my Onondaga comrade over the
mountains and come to town. although
the old false pride which had prompt
ed my flight had been washed out by
much cough faring and many q des-
perate plight. 1t was love for the col
Ony that had drawn me back.
came fresh from Fort Duquesne
and Shanoppin, from the distant Ohio
country where the English were but
little known. and where the names of
Drouillon, Laforce, de Villiers, Jumon-
yilIe. and others of the French, al
ready were so many war cries among
the Indians along the Monongahela
and the Allegheny.
Throughout the hurried Journey
back to Alexandria. had told my
self the past was dead. that "Black"
Brond, the forest-runner. was entirely
aDart from young Webster Brond who
had taken such pride in scrawling in
his Cheever's Latin Accidence his
name with Gent" affixed.
And now that was crossing the
market-square and was in time to
- the Northern Mail. just arrived
f.6m Richmond. draw up before the
Royai George before continuing its
numbering journey over the kings
post.road to the north, I felt the call
Of my ancestry and turned my steps to
the house which my fathers love for
hospitality and good cheer had lost
TO me. along with many rich acres.
Some families are unfortunate IN
coats-of-arms and notices. My people
had been inflicted with the family de-
vice of an outstretched open hand. My
father by nature was c0ngenial and
convivial. prodigaI with good cheer.
He had only needed the appellation
"Brond of the open hand' to compete,
his impoverishment. So many times
had / seen him set forth to dispose
Of his crops; SO many times had !
greeted him on his return with only a
trifie left of the seasons planting! And
SO many times did puff up with pride
when he explained his light pockets
BY saying:
aIt's a. duty we owe the name, lad.
We will plant more, but we will never
be niggardly."
| thank God he passed out before
the crash came. that he never TASTED
the bitterness. and that it could be l
who was forced to escape petty pros
ecutions by flight into the wilderness.
II would have broken his kind heart
could he have known my estrangement
from my fellows.
1t helped me much to find the place
deserted. To have seen others there,
where my father kept open house,
would have grieved me sorely. | sent
nv love through the paneled door and
passed around TO the high. gate and
looked into the garden. Like the
house, 1t showed the lack of human oc-
cupancy.
The place was riot of unframed
growth where once orderliness and
beauty had graced the winding paths.
All that was left to remind me of the
golden yesterdays was the aroma of
the Snowy cherry blossoms.
Voices close by aroused me and
turned from the gate. Despite my
rough schooling from Lake Erie down
to the Falls OF the Ohio. my heart
went pit-a-patting. just as It had when
wrote her name In my school books.
The fellow with her had been my
3D. nempanion. His powdered wig
and ruined shirt, his knee-breeches,
gol0< buckles and silken hose put my
trayefstnined garb to shame. and
was for turning back to the gate. But
saw a hint of amusement in their
Ncufious glances: and, cOnquering my
weakness swept Off my ragged fur
hat with an almost forgotten grace
nnn nsF1faa navsalP more wildly IN