White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-05-04
CHAPTER l
Beginning the Red Road

The home town looked the same as
when l last made for Shooters Hill
fleeing from the ignominy of being lit
tie better than pauper. 1t was two
years since had been In Virginia, and
there were certain outstanding debts
which made 1t 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 1t 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 man
must do despite his pride; and / had
returned because something larger
than my personal welfare was con-
cerned.
However, I consoled myself with re-
memberlng that much mountain water
had flowed down the Potomac since
my hasty departure, and that all the
colonies were in the midst of stirring
times; that the extravagances of 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 unnoticed. So
it was that my long leggings, my
fringed hunting-shirt with its broad
cape, my moccasins and long rifle, my
ak beside the hunting-knife in my en-
broidered belt, gave me assurance
against recognition until l should re-
veal my identity when delivered my
news to Governor Dinwiddie.
It 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 rough faring and many a 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-
Vile, 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 N.Y.
self the past was dead, that "Black"
Brond, the forest-runner, was entirely
apart 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
see the Northern Mail, just arrived
from Richmond, draw up before the
Royal George before continuing it's
numbering journey over the kings
post-road to the north, 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 motoes. My people
had been inflicted with the family de-
vice of an outstretched open hand. My
father by nature was congenial and
convivial, prodigal with good cheer.
He had only needed the appellation
"Brond of the open hand" to complete
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
trifle left of the seasons planting And
so many times did puff up with pride
when he explained his light pockets
by saying:
tits 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
who was forced to escape petty pros
ecutions by flight into the wilderness.
It 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
my love through the paneled door and
passed around to the high gate and
looked into the garden. Like the
house, it 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 l
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 1t had when
l wrote her name In my school books
The fellow with her had been my
boon companion. His powdered wig
and beruffled shirt, his knee-breeches,
gold buckles and silken hose put my
travel-stained garb to shame. and l
was for turning back to the gate. But
saw hint of amusement In their
curious glances; and, conquering my
weakness, swept off my ragged fur
hat with an almost forgotten grace
and called myself more wildly to
their attention. Busby stared hnughti-
ly, as If were some freakish creature
from the unknown wilds The girl
frowned in perplexity; then she rec
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