Year: 1861

me and scolded me as long as she was able.
escaped from both when eleven years old by
running away, and although she sent me innu-
nerabIe messages when she discovered my
whereabouts, to return to her, and be sent to
school and fitted for college, I undutifully re-
fused ever to go near her again


had hired out with small farmer TO do
his chores " for my board and clothes, and I
staid three years, at the end Of which time my
rowing propeusities moved me to run off from
him had made my arrangements, and was
even mounted on the top Of the Reading stage,
when who should come into the tavern yard
but the farmer


"Where are you going, boy? he called out
in a hard and severe tone.


"To Boston, sir.


"To Boston y


cannot describe the manner in which he
said this but it woke up all the memories of
hoggng which left scars-yet I have not
time to tell you how many more than the i'm
mortal Fuabos had lie was a coarse profaue
man, and he launched out into strain of abuse
would have made my blood chill If had been
afraid Of him, and bade me instantly go home


"Thank you, sir" said, Z" am engaged to
somebody else


AT this moment the stage started He or
dered the driver to stop and let me down but
he moved on, and am almost ashamed to re-
cord that made significant gesture with my
thumb and finger upon my very decent Roman
nose, and calling out:


" Good by, sir, you she'll hear from me some
day I went off in the exultant triumph Of
freedom.


was delighted with the fne prospect which
enjoyed in my elevated seat. The driver was
very kind to me, refusing 10 take my money
for the whole journey, ana offering to find me
stopping place in the city.


At that time there was very old house in
Howard street, since demolished. in which a
Mr.. Jones kept boarders for o number Of years.
Here he stopped the stage for me to get down.


"What shall do, driver?" I asked.


"Just ring that bell, my lad" he answered,
and somebody will come and let you in


looked up at the top of the door.


81 don't see any bell, sir" said timidly.


The man burst into loud laugh.


"Pull that knob, greeny," he said; and
straightway pulled it again and again, until
Mr. Jones, queer looking fellow, with one leg
and dilapidated eye. came to the door and
looked daggers out of his remaining orb of Wis
ion, upon the luckless wief WHO had broken
bis bell wire.


"Let that youugster stay with you and
mamma Jones till come to supper, said the
still laughing driver and I staid.


Mamma Jones was a lady that would have
made fine companion for Daniel Lambert.
Sheltered beneath her capacious wings, could
bid defiance to little Mr. Jones, who dared net
attack anything that bis wife might take a
fancy for petting. This knowledge, together
with the daily sight Of my old friend the driver,
kept me happy through the Winter scour-
ed knives. and performed quite a series Of sim
liar dignifed labors every morning but when
boys of MY age were around, I sometimes
thought. while looking at their good and re
spectacle clothing, that it would not have been
a bad plan for me to have accepted Aunt De-
borahs offer of sending me to college.


An opportunity offering of going to sea,
prepared to 90, despite the tears and entreaties
of the fat lady. When she saw 1 was deter
mined, she provided me with everything need
fal for voyage, hugged me to her capacious
heart and bade me God speed. Jones, who
was so angry because l staid there, was still
more so when went away-and in bis wife's
absence tainted me Of my new clothes, which
he more than half suspected came from her
although they passed as the gift Of the stage
driver.


The servants were assembled to see me go
away, and their hearty Good by Sam "a
safe return to you, old fellow Y was probably
more sincere than ninetenths of all the good
wishes that have been expressed for me since
that time.


she'll say but little about my sea life 1t
did not answer my expectations at all. Inever
passed day without iatolerabe sea-sickness,
and being a light, delicate boy, the captain ad-
vised me as friend to stay in future upon
land. Going on shore, the mate stepped for
ward and shook my hand, saying
Well, Sam, you have killed sailor, after
all"


I did not then know the meaning Of this
phrase, but when got back to the old house
in Howard street, my friend, the driver, re-
peated it, and from him I got an explanation
of the term.


could not go back 10 the kitchen to work
again after my voyage, SO l looked diligently
for some employment. An advertisement in
the paper for a printers boy caught my eye,
and applied and was received. Here l was
quite happy. I made myself a favorite in the
Office, and fortunately succeeded in learning
the business so that my services would COM
mand fair remuneration. At tweuty-one I
married Susan Russell, the daughter of my
employer. am thus brief in recording this,
! bo,,rsa b,, No alcben1v whatever conld con.