The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-01-02

ing, with one dollar in his pocket and
a buckskin he purposed selling in I'm
iontown.
His first stop was at his Uncle
James Spurgin's farm, who, upon
hearing of Meshach's intentions to be
responsible to no one but himself for
his success or failure in life, gave the
boy some good advice as he babe him
God-speed on his journey, which i'm
pressed Meshach and proved a guild
ing star through long life. His I'M
Gle stressed the clean, outstanding boy
OF man whose truthfulness and hon
esty of purpose would stand through
all the vicissitudes of life and to give
his best in all his undertakings; never
to take an unfair advantage, always
remembering the race is not up to the
swift or strong but to him that over
cometh.
A cold, stormy morning with snow
knee deep greeted them and Mesh
ach's relatives insisted that he visit
With them until weather conditions
were more pleasant for his long walk
of twenty-five miles to Uniontown,
his next objective.
But the urge was too great for this
ifteen-year old boy who interplay
faced the issues of life without school
ing, without money, without training
in any particular. Meshach was bless
ed with an optimistic spirit that en-
abled him to easily adapt himself to
any circumstances. He got much
pleasure out of his unusual expert
ences and fortunately was unaware of
his limitations.
Meets His Grandfather and Mother.
On Sunday he stopped to rest at
the home of Mr.. Foote, who upon
hearing his name and learning his
destination, asked him if he was re-
lated to old William and John Brown
ing. After some questioning Meshach
was convinced they were his grand
father and uncle. Mr.. Foote told him
they would have preaching there that
afternoon and for him to stay and
meet his relatives, as they always at
tended the services. When Meshach
was introduced to old Mr.. Browning,
now eighty years old, as his grand
son, the old man was much affected
and asked Mr.. Foote to excuse him;
so he could take the boy to see his
mother, who lived nearby. She met
them at the door, and taking the old
mans hand led him in, inquiring
about his health and who the young
man was. Mr.. Browning told her to
look at him and see if she could tell
whom he resembled. She scanned
Meshach closely, saying she did not
remember of ever having seen him.
"Be composed" the old man said.
at is your son Meshach."
"The Lord be praised" she ex-
claimed and sank unconscious to her
chair.
Her husband asked Meshach to re-
tire until she revived, while he bathed
her face in cold water, but she did
not fully recover her composure until
after supper, when they spent pleas
ant evening, exchanging condolences
and experiences they had passed thru
in the past six years.
While here Meshach met General
Biggs, who was surveying the State
of Ohio, and asked Meshach to join his
expedition as hunter, but his mother
opposed this so strenuously, telling
him of the hostility of the Indians,
who only three years before had ami
hilated seveal parties of white men,
Meshach, for her piece of mind, gave
up the Ohio project and went with
Francis Dodd to Mr.. Caldwells in
Wheeling where he was employed as
sort of major-domo at ten dollars
per month. He stayed four months,
proving himself very reliable and sat-
isfactory to Mr.. Caldwell but equally
unsatisfactory to Mrs. Caldwell, who
suspected growing attachment be-
tween Meshach and her daughter
Nancy. So the young woman was sent
away on an indefinite visit. Mrs.
Caldwell turned her attention to max
ing Meshachs life as uncomfortable