Having gotten home, as I have just related, I remained with my father
until the next fall, at which time he took it into his head to send me
to a little country school, which was kept in the neighbourhood by a man
whose name was Benjamin Kitchen; though I believe he was no way
connected with the cabinet. I went four days, and had just began to
learn my letters a little, when I had an unfortunate falling out with
one of the scholars,--a boy much larger and older than myself. I knew
well enough that though the school-house might do for a still hunt, it
wouldn't do for _a drive_, and so I concluded to wait until I could get
him out, and then I was determined to give him salt and vinegar. I
waited till in the evening, and when the larger scholars were spelling,
I slip'd out, and going some distance along his road, I lay by the
way-side in the bushes, waiting for him to come along. After a while he
and his company came on sure enough, and I pitched out from the bushes
and set on him like a wild cat. I scratched his face all to a flitter
jig, and soon made him cry out for quarters in good earnest. The fight
being over, I went on home, and the next morning was started again to
school; but do you think I went? No, indeed. I was very clear of it; for
I expected the master would lick me up, as bad as I had the boy. So,
instead of going to the school-house, I laid out in the woods all day
until in the evening the scholars were dismissed, and my brothers, who
were also going to school, came along, returning home. I wanted to
conceal this whole business from my father, and I therefore persuaded
them not to tell on me, which they agreed to.
Things went on in this way for several days; I starting with them to
school in the morning, and returning with them in the evening, but lying
out in the woods all day. At last, however, the master wrote a note to
my father, inquiring why I was not sent to school. When he read this
note, he called me up, and I knew very well that I was in a devil of a
hobble, for my father had been taking a few _horns_, and was in a good
condition to make the fur fly. He called on me to know why I had not
been at school? I told him I was afraid to go, and that the master
would whip me; for I knew quite well if I was turned over to this old
Kitchen, I should be cooked up to a cracklin, in little or no time. But
I soon found that I was not to expect a much better fate at home; for my
father told me, in a very angry manner, that he would whip me an eternal
sight worse than the master, if I didn't start immediately to the
school. I tried again to beg off; but nothing would do, but to go to the
school. Finding me rather too slow about starting, he gathered about a
two year old hickory, and broke after me. I put out with all my might,
and soon we were both up to the top of our speed. We had a tolerable
tough race for about a mile; but mind me, not on the school-house road,
for I was trying to get as far the t'other way as possible. And I yet
believe, if my father and the schoolmaster could both have levied on me
about that time, I should never have been called on to sit in the
councils of the nation, for I think they would have used me up. But
fortunately for me, about this time, I saw just before me a hill, over
which I made headway, like a young steamboat. As soon as I had passed
over it, I turned to one side, and hid myself in the bushes. Here I
waited until the old gentleman passed by, puffing and blowing, as tho'
his steam was high enough to burst his boilers. I waited until he gave
up the hunt, and passed back again: I then cut out, and went to the
house of an acquaintance a few miles off, who was just about to start
with a drove. His name was Jesse Cheek, and I hired myself to go with
him, determining not to return home, as home and the school-house had
both become too hot for me. I had an elder brother, who also hired to go
with the same drove. We set out and went on through Abbingdon, and the
county seat of Withe county, in the state of Virginia; and then through
Lynchburgh, by Orange court-house, and Charlottesville, passing through
what was called Chester Gap, on to a town called Front Royal, where my
employer sold out his drove to a man by the name of Vanmetre; and I was
started homeward again, in company with a brother of the first owner of
the drove, with one horse between us; having left my brother to come on
with the balance of the company.
I traveled on with my new comrade about three days' journey; but much to
his discredit, as I then thought, and still think, he took care all the
time to ride, but never to tie; at last I told him to go ahead, and I
would come when I got ready. He gave me four dollars to bear my expenses
upwards of four hundred miles, and then cut out and left me.
I purchased some provisions, and went on slowly, until at length I fell
in with a waggoner, with whom I was disposed to scrape up a hasty
acquaintance. I inquired where he lived, and where he was going, and all
about his affairs. He informed me that he lived in Greenville,
Tennessee, and was on his way to a place called Gerardstown, fifteen
miles below Winchester. He also said, that after he should make his
journey to that place, he would immediately return to Tennessee. His
name was Adam Myers, and a jolly good fellow he seemed to be. On a
little reflection, I determined to turn back and go with him, which I
did; and we journeyed on slowly as waggons commonly do, but merrily
enough. I often thought of home, and, indeed, wished bad enough to be
there; but, when I thought of the school-house, and Kitchen, my master,
and the race with my father, and the big hickory he carried, and of the
fierceness of the storm of wrath that I had left him in, I was afraid to
venture back; for I knew my father's nature so well, that I was certain
his anger would hang on to him like a turkle does to a fisherman's toe,
and that, if I went back in a hurry, he would give me the devil in three
or four ways But I and the waggoner had traveled two days, when we met
my brother, who, I before stated, I had left behind when the drove was
sold out. He persuaded me to go home, but I refused. He pressed me hard,
and brought up a great many mighty strong arguments to induce me to turn
back again. He pictured the pleasure of meeting my mother, and my
sisters, who all loved me dearly, and told me what uneasiness they had
already suffered about me. I could not help shedding tears, which I did
not often do, and my affections all pointed back to those dearest
friends, and as I thought, nearly the only ones I had in the world; but
then the promised whipping--that was the thing. It came right slap down
on every thought of home; and I finally determined that make or break,
hit or miss, I would just hang on to my journey, and go ahead with the
waggoner. My brother was much grieved at our parting, but he went his
way, and so did I. We went on until at last we got to Gerardstown, where
the waggoner tried to get a back load, but he could not without going to
Alexandria. He engaged to go there, and I concluded that I would wait
until he returned. I set in to work for a man by the name of John Gray,
at twenty-five cents per day. My labour, however, was light, such as
ploughing in some small grain, in which I succeeded in pleasing the old
man very well. I continued working for him until the waggoner got back,
and for a good long time afterwards, as he continued to run his team
back and forward, hauling to and from Baltimore. In the next spring,
from the proceeds of my daily labour, small as it was, I was able to get
me some decent clothes, and concluded I would make a trip with the
waggoner to Baltimore, and see what sort of a place that was, and what
sort of folks lived there. I gave him the balance of what money I had
for safe keeping, which, as well as I recollect, was about seven
dollars. We got on well enough until we came near Ellicott's Mills. Our
load consisted of flour, in barrels. Here I got into the waggon for the
purpose of changing my clothing, not thinking that I was in any danger;
but while I was in there we were met by some wheel-barrow men, who were
working on the road, and the horses took a scare and away they went,
like they had seen a ghost. They made a sudden wheel around, and broke
the waggon tongue slap, short off, as a pipe-stem; and snap went both of
the axletrees at the same time, and of all devlish flouncing about of
flour barrels that ever was seen, I reckon this took the beat. Even _a
rat_ would have stood a bad chance in a _straight_ race among them, and
not much better in a crooked one; for he would have been in a good way
to be ground up as fine as ginger by their rolling over him. But this
proved to me, that if a fellow is born to be hung, he will never be
drowned; and, further, that if he is born for a seat in Congress, even
flour barrels can't make a mash of him. All these dangers I escaped
unhurt, though, like most of the office-holders of these times, for a
while I was afraid to say my soul was my own; for I didn't know how soon
I should be knocked into a cocked hat, and get my walking papers for
another country.
We put our load into another waggon, and hauled ours to a workman's shop
in Baltimore, having delivered the flour, and there we intended to
remain two or three days, which time was necessary to repair the runaway
waggon. While I was there, I went, one day, down to the wharf, and was
much delighted to see the big ships, and their sails all flying; for I
had never seen any such things before, and, indeed, I didn't believe
there were any such things in all nature. After a short time my
curiosity induced me to step aboard of one, where I was met by the
captain, who asked me if I didn't wish to take a voyage to London? I
told him I did, for by this time I had become pretty well weaned from
home, and I cared but little where I was, or where I went, or what
become of me. He said he wanted just such a boy as I was, which I was
glad to hear. I told him I would go and get my clothes, and go with him.
He enquired about my parents, where they lived, and all about them. I
let him know that they lived in Tennessee, many hundred miles off. We
soon agreed about my intended voyage, and I went back to my friend, the
waggoner, and informed him that I was going to London, and wanted my
money and my clothes. He refused to let me have either, and swore that
he would confine me, and take me back to Tennessee. I took it to heart
very much, but he kept so close and constant a watch over me, that I
found it impossible to escape from him, until he had started homeward,
and made several days' journey on the road. He was, during this time,
very ill to me, and threatened me with his waggon whip on several
occasions. At length I resolved to leave him at all hazards; and so,
before day, one morning, I got my clothes out of his waggon, and cut
out, on foot, without a farthing of money to bear my expenses. For all
other friends having failed, I determined then to throw myself on
Providence, and see how that would use me. I had gone, however, only a
few miles when I came up with another waggoner, and such was my
situation, that I felt more than ever the necessity of endeavouring to
find a friend. I therefore concluded I would seek for one in him. He was
going westwardly, and very kindly enquired of me where I was travelling?
My youthful resolution, which had brooked almost every thing else,
rather gave way at this enquiry; for it brought the loneliness of my
situation, and every thing else that was calculated to oppress me,
directly to view. My first answer to his question was in a sprinkle of
tears, for if the world had been given to me, I could not, at that
moment, have helped crying. As soon as the storm of feeling was over, I
told him how I had been treated by the waggoner but a little before, who
kept what little money I had, and left me without a copper to buy even a
morsel of food.
He became exceedingly angry, and swore that he would make the other
waggoner give up my money, pronouncing him a scoundrel, and many other
hard names. I told him I was afraid to see him, for he had threatened me
with his waggon whip, and I believed he would injure me. But my new
friend was a very large, stout-looking man, and as resolute as a tiger.
He bid me not to be afraid, still swearing he would have my money, or
whip it out of the wretch who had it.
We turned and went back about two miles, when we reached the place where
he was. I went reluctantly; but I depended on my friend for protection.
When we got there, I had but little to say; but approaching the
waggoner, my friend said to him, "You damn'd rascal, you have treated
this boy badly." To which he replied, it was my fault. He was then
asked, if he did not get seven dollars of my money, which he confessed.
It was then demanded of him; but he declared most solemnly, that he had
not that amount in the world; that he had spent my money, and intended
paying it back to me when we got to Tennessee. I then felt reconciled,
and persuaded my friend to let him alone, and we returned to his waggon,
geared up, and started. His name I shall never forget while my memory
lasts; it was Henry Myers. He lived in Pennsylvania, and I found him
what he professed to be, a faithful friend and a clever fellow.
We traveled together for several days, but at length I concluded to
endeavour to make my way homeward; and for that purpose set out again on
foot, and alone. But one thing I must not omit. The last night I staid
with Mr. Myers, was at a place where several other waggoners also
staid. He told them, before we parted, that I was a poor little
straggling boy, and how I had been treated; and that I was without
money, though I had a long journey before me, through a land of
strangers, where it was not even a wilderness.
They were good enough to contribute a sort of money-purse, and presented
me with three dollars. On this amount I travelled as far as Montgomery
court-house, in the state of Virginia, where it gave out. I set in to
work for a man by the name of James Caldwell, a month, for five dollars,
which was about a shilling a day. When this time was out, I bound myself
to a man by the name of Elijah Griffith, by trade a hatter, agreeing to
work for him four years. I remained with him about eighteen months, when
he found himself so involved in debt, that he broke up, and left the
country. For this time I had received nothing, and was, of course, left
without money, and with but very few clothes, and them very indifferent
ones. I, however, set in again, and worked about as I could catch
employment, until I got a little money, and some clothing; and once more
cut out for home. When I reached New River, at the mouth of a small
stream, called Little River, the white caps were flying so, that I
couldn't get any body to attempt to put me across. I argued the case as
well as I could, but they told me there was great danger of being
capsized, and drowned, if I attempted to cross. I told them if I could
get a canoe I would venture, caps or no caps. They tried to persuade me
out of it; but finding they could not, they agreed I might take a canoe,
and so I did, and put off. I tied my clothes to the rope of the canoe,
to have them safe, whatever might happen. But I found it a mighty
ticklish business, I tell you. When I got out fairly on the river, I
would have given the world, if it had belonged to me, to have been back
on shore. But there was no time to lose now, so I just determined to do
the best I could, and the devil take the hindmost. I turned the canoe
across the waves, to do which, I had to turn it nearly up the river, as
the wind came from that way; and I went about two miles before I could
land. When I struck land, my canoe was about half full of water, and I
was as wet as a drowned rat. But I was so much rejoiced, that I scarcely
felt the cold, though my clothes were frozen on me; and in this
situation, I had to go above three miles, before I could find any house,
or fire to warm at. I, however, made out to get to one at last, and then
I thought I would warm the inside a little, as well as the outside,
that there might be no grumbling.
So I took "a leetle of the creater,"--that warmer of the cold, and
cooler of the hot,--and it made me feel so good that I concluded it was
like the negro's rabbit, "good any way." I passed on until I arrived in
Sullivan county, in the state of Tennessee, and there I met with my
brother, who had gone with me when I started from home with the cattle
drove.
I staid with him a few weeks, and then went on to my father's, which
place I reached late in the evening. Several waggons were there for the
night, and considerable company about the house. I enquired if I could
stay all night, for I did not intend to make myself known, until I saw
whether any of the family would find me out. I was told that I could
stay, and went in, but had mighty little to say to any body. I had been
gone so long, and had grown so much, that the family did not at first
know me. And another, and perhaps a stronger reason was, they had no
thought or expectation of me, for they all had long given me up for
finally lost.
After a while, we were all called to supper. I went with the rest. We
had sat down to the table and begun to eat, when my eldest sister
recollected me: she sprung up, ran and seized me around the neck, and
exclaimed, "Here is my lost brother."
My feelings at this time it would be vain and foolish for me to attempt
to describe. I had often thought I felt before, and I suppose I had, but
sure I am, I never had felt as I then did. The joy of my sisters and my
mother, and, indeed, of all the family, was such that it humbled me, and
made me sorry that I hadn't submitted to a hundred whippings, sooner
than cause so much affliction as they had suffered on my account. I
found the family had never heard a word of me from the time my brother
left me. I was now almost _fifteen_ years old; and my increased age and
size, together with the joy of my father, occasioned by my unexpected
return, I was sure would secure me against my long dreaded whipping; and
so they did. But it will be a source of astonishment to many, who
reflect that I am now a member of the American Congress,--the most
enlightened body of men in the world,--that at so advanced an age, the
age of fifteen, I did not know the first letter in the book.