USA > Kentucky > Livingston County > Chronicles of a Kentucky settlement > Part 3
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beautiful little Laura, who was then about two years old, and could prattle very sweetly, soon showed a sin- gular fondness for her " Dody," as she called Joseph, and was never so pleased as when he led her around by the hand or carried her in his arıns.
When making one of his visits to the Howards, Joseph saw little Laura alone in the road, which, oppo- site the house, passed through a narrow lane ; and at the same moment he saw a pair of runaway horses, attached to an empty wagon, coming at full speed along the lanc. He at once rushed to the child's rescue, and, grasping her in his arms, attempted to spring out of the way, but he was knocked down, without, however, being seriously hurt. The child was unharmed. Mrs. Howard, who was looking for her " baby," as she called little Laura, witnessed the accident and ran to the brave boy's assistance. Joseph was afterwards in even greater favor with the family than before, and was often spoken of as the rescuer of their darling little Laura.
But Joseph's happy days with the Howards were soon to terminate. The winter having passed, Mr. Morris determined to resume his westward journey. He had heard so much of the magnificent timber and fertile soil of the valley of the Cumberland River that he resolved to remove thither. In the spring of 1806, as soon as the roads were in fair condition, a start was made. Mr. Howard and his wife and children were present to bid their friends and former companions good-by.
When the parting word had to be spoken, Mrs. Howard took her little dimpled and rosy-cheeked Laura in her arms, and turning to Joseph said, " Little Laura must have a kiss before you go."
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" Yes-yes," replied the boy, and the kiss was heartily given. Then taking from his pocket a small but beautiful green pebble he handed it to Mrs. How- ard, and said : "Take this for little Laura to wear around her neck, so that she won't forget me. I found it in a small branch among the mountains of old North Carolina."
Mrs. Howard, on accepting the pretty pebble, said : " Laura will, as she grows older, often hear us speak of you, my dear Joseph, and will no doubt greatly prize the little memento from the brave boy who saved her life."
The lonely boy turned away with a sad heart, for he . felt a peculiar sympathy and tenderness for that child -such as he had never felt for any other.
The partings over, the word was given by Mr. Mor- ris ; then came a loud report from Stephen's whip-a kind of parting salute-and the teams were once more moving forward : the same personnel, horses, oxen, and wagons that had left Hillsboro the autumn before. Whither they were bound they knew not, excepting that they purposed settling on or near the Cumberland River, below Nashville, then a village of some four hundred inhabitants.
Early in July (1306), Mr. Morris and his family encamped on the northern bank of the Cumberland River, at the spot now occupied by the pretty and thriving town of Clarksville, Tennessee. There was then no house within several miles. A rude hut was soon constructed ; for, making this his base, Mr. Mor- ris determined to examine the country for many miles around before he determined the exact spot at which he would locate. A few weeks later he selected a spot
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near where now stands the town of Springfield, in Robinson County, Tennessee. The country around was finely timbered, interspersed with gentle hills and fertile valleys, and the numerous small streams, gliding or rippling over pebbly bottoms, were as transparent - as air. A few other pioneers were attracted to the same section about that time, so that when Mr. Morris had selected a spot for building on, and had cut, hewed, and hauled the logs together, he had enough neigh- bors, within a few hours' ride, to voluntarily come for- ward and assist him at his house raising. By October all was in readiness for the family to move in.
Here their laborious and humdrum life went on for about eight years. In the spring and summer it was plowing and sowing, and reaping and mowing ; in the autumn and winter, it was chopping and hewing, and hauling and building outhouses and fences ; and when the day's work was done there was corn to be shucked, and cattle to be fed and attended to. The females were kept equally busy, for, in addition to ordinary household duties, there was spinning and weaving to be done-nearly every article of wearing apparel being made at home. It was still " Work, work, work ! morning, noon, and night !" As the neighborhood filled up there was a good deal of saddlery work to be done, and much of Joseph Adair's time was required in the shop, which had been erected in one corner of the large yard which surrounded the house.
In June, 1812, the second war with Great Britain was declared. The cry for volunteers reached Tennes- see, and many sprang forward from among the hills and hollows of the remote district where Mr. Morris had made his home. Joseph Adair was then but
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eighteen years of age, an apprentice, and in delicate health. He may have inherited something of his father's martial spirit, or it may have been the lonely life, the grinding monotony, and the longing for change and excitement, but certain it is he wished to - " go to the wars." Mr. Morris, however, opposed his wishes, and Joseph gave him credit for doing so not from selfish considerations, but from an honest convic- tion that he was not strong enough to endure the hard- ships and exposure of a campaign.
The war continued, and Joseph worked on until the summer of 1814, when the startling news came that Washington City, the nation's capital, was in danger ; then, that the city, with its superb buildings, was burned, and the National Library destroyed. Joseph Adair, being then in improved health, and near the close of his apprenticeship, could no longer be re- strained from joining an infantry company, which was raised in the surrounding counties and rapidly marched towards the seat of war. After reaching the mountains of Virginia, news came of the desperate engagement at Baltimore (September 12th), the death of General Ross, the British commander, and the termination of the war in the East. (The battle at New Orleans, the closing struggle, was not, however, fought until the following January.) Then came the long, dull march home, spiritless, because all-officers and privates-were dis- appointed at having had no share in the drama which had just closed.
After his discharge from military service, Joseph returned to Mr. Morris's, none the worse for his short and bloodless campaign ; in fact, in improved health, and more self-reliant by reason of association and con- tact with comrades in arms.
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On attaining the age of twenty-one, and being then a free man, Joseph Adair was the possessor of a good horse and accoutrements, and two hundred dollars in money,-one hundred of which, with a good outfit of clothing, was given him by Mr. Morris.
Although he had never felt any special attachment for any member of Mr. Morris's family, excepting for the youngest child-a very beautiful little girl named Ellen, then about three years old, -- yet it was not with- out a sad heart that he saw the day approach when he must leave them, -leave the only spot in all the world which he could call home ! What made the parting all the sadder was that both Mr. and Mrs. Morris, undemonstrative as they always had been, showed much more regard and affectionate sympathy for him than he had ever given them credit for. It made him inwardly accuse himself of having judged them too harshly. What especially surprised and touched him was the almost lavish addition Mrs. Morris had made to his stock of wearing apparel,-those many small articles which a man is apt to overlook or regard as non-essential, but which a fond mother would be sure to think her son required. Then, too, Mr. Morris had said to him should his health fail him, or should any accident befall him so that he could not work, "Come to us ! make this your home !" And Mrs. Morris and all the children had joined in the request with so much earnestness that he could not doubt their entire sincerity. And then there were Matilda, and Stephen, and Ben ! Great blinding tears stood in the eyes of the good old cook. And Stephen had always showed such a thoughtful regard for him, shielding him, as far as he could, from such night work as would make " dat cough o' yourn wus." And Ben had been
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his playmate-his companion on many a fishing excur- sion on Sundays, and had always insisted " on choppin' de wood fur de shop fire, case yous kaint han'le de axe cientifex, likes dis individ'al."
But the parting must take place. Hands were grasped. earnest good-bys were exchanged, little Ellen was kissed, and then-Joseph mounted his horse and was soon out of sight.
But whither was Joseph Adair travelling alone ? He knew not more than this : that he intended going first to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for he had been told that he could certainly obtain employment there as a jour- neyman saddler; and, if so, he would remain there for a time,-how long would depend upon circumstances, but after a while he would travel on towards Northern Kentucky (Shelby County, where his father was liv- ing) ; the father whom he had not seen for eighteen years, and of whom he had no distinct remembrance. Joseph had written to and received several letters from him in recent years, and from these he knew his father was again a widower, and that his second family of children consisted of four sons and one daughter, none of whom Joseph had ever seen.
After working at Hopkinsville a few months, Joseph visited his father, Thomas Adair, and found him a much older-looking and feebler man than he expected, but retaining much of the vivacity and cheerfulness which had characterized him when young. The old man was very poor, and barely maintaining his family by the cultivation of a small farm, in which he was assisted by two of his sons, the others being too young to work. The youngest of the children was a very handsome boy named Daniel, who was about four
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years old, and resembled somewhat his half-brother Joseph in this, that they both had very black hair and eyes and rather dark complexions. Dan was a resolute and self-possessed little fellow, and soon became quite a favorite with his " new brother,''-for so he spoke of Joseph.
After remaining a few weeks with his father, and providing as well as he could for the well-being of the family, Joseph again resumed his roaming. Within the year he was again in Knoxville, Tennessee, where, it will be remembered, he had parted from the Howard family. No sooner had he arrived there than he made inquiries for Mr. Howard, and learned, greatly to his disappointment, that he had removed some nine or ten years before to Kentucky, but to what town or county was not known. Joseph was more than disappointed, for of late he had thought much of little blue-eyed Laura, now nearly twelve years of age, and wondered if, when he met her, she would give him another kiss, and whether she ever wore around her neck the beau- tiful little green pebble he had given her. "Ah," he said to himself, as if half in jest and half in earnest, " this is nonsense-downright foolishness," and away he walked, whistling in an undertone, a habit of his when in a brown study; but he then and there resolved to find the Howards if he could.
From Knoxville, Joseph wrote to his brothers, Wil- liam and Thomas, who had remained in Hillsboro ; and, after informing them of his visit to their father, urged them to join him in Knoxville, where he would remain until he could hear from them, and then go with him to Kentucky. About three months after- wards, Joseph was, when very busy in a shop where he 3
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had obtained employment, aroused by the entrance of a stranger, -a young man apparently not more than five- or six-and-twenty-who, after entering, stood erect and looked around but said nothing. One glance at the stranger's almost jet-black hair, black eyes, and straight but rather prominent nose, satisfied Joseph that he-the stranger-was one of his brothers, and approaching and looking him full in the face, he said :
" Is this William, or is it Thomas Adair ? "
" William," was the answer after a short pause.
The meeting between these two young men-these brothers who had been separated since early childhood, can, as the novelists say, be better imagined than described. Oh, how many questions there were to be asked ! how many answers required ! what minute sketches to be given !
Joseph soon learned that his brother Thomas was greatly inclined to come West. "But," said William, who spoke with a merry twinkle in his eyes, "would you believe it, old boy,"-and here he slapped Joseph on the shoulder, -- " Tom 's got a wife, and, I can tell you, she is no dumb oracle, and likes to be consulted. And as Tom is now deputy-sheriff, and as she hopes he will soon be high sheriff, and adorn one of the big front pews in the Baptist Church, she gently intimated to Tom, in language not to be mistaken when emanating from an oracle, that he-had-better-stay-where-he-was ! and Tom stayed."
A few days later-it was in October, 1816-the two brothers left Knoxville for Hopkinsville, Kentucky ; and, on their way, visited Mr. Morris, remained with him several days, and were most hospitably enter- tained. This was the first visit Joseph had made the
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family since his departure the year before, and the manner of his reception showed that he had a warmer place in the affections of every member of the family than he had supposed. He found that little Ellen was growing prettier every day, and was such a bright, . romping little creature, and such a pet with her parents, as to give to the entire household an air of more animation and cheerfulness than had character- ized it in former days. Joseph had, in his travels, purchased a pretty little gold locket, and when he hung this around the neck of his little favorite-Ellen -- she went almost wild with delight, for it was not only her first piece of jewelry, but the only piece owned by any member of the family, if we except some brass rings which Matilda, the cook, wore to keep off the " ruma- tiz." Joseph's " nice present " to her little " pet and darling " touched the heart of Mrs. Morris, who, in return, as some " small recompense," insisted upon replenishing Joseph's wardrobe with a fresh supply of warm woollen socks, mittens, comforters, etc. Matilda, Stephen, and Ben were found to be as hale and hearty as ever, and " mi'ty glad ter see Mister Josef."
" I tells yer what it is," said Ben, addressing Mr. Joseph, " I has diskiver'd a hole in de creek down yonder whar yous ken ke'ch whappin' big goggle-eyed pearch 'bout as fas' as yous ken fro in yer hook."
This indirect invitation to go a-fishing Joseph was reluctantly obliged to decline, for he was fond of fish- ing, and was an expert in the use of the rod and line. He was, moreover, disposed to afford Ben the pleasure which he knew the poor black would derive from such an excursion, and the renewal of old associations. Ben was, however, recompensed in some measure for his
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disappointment by a " big shiney " silver dollar, which he declared looked as big in his eyes as a "cart wheel."
After the brothers had arrived in Hopkinsville, William, who was a skilful cabinet carpenter, procured a shop, and was soon busily and profitably employed. A year or two later he married a Miss Sally McKee of Macminnville, Tennessee.
Joseph Adair, after remaining with his brother Wil- liam for some months, resumed his roving life; and wherever he went he made enquiries for Mr. Christo- pher Howard. Thus passed about seven years of his life, during which he travelled and read much ; but, obtaining no information, he almost despaired of ever finding the family to which he was so much attached. During these seven years of roaming he several times visited Mr. Morris; and, after his brother William had married, he repeatedly visited him ; for not only was he greatly attached to him, but also to William's young and fair-haired wife. Early in 1825, Joseph was in Hopkinsville, on one of these visits to his brother, and had about made up his mind to cease his roving, abandon his search for Mr. Howard, and make Hop- kinsville his home, when he got acquainted with a journeyman saddler named Knapp, who had travelled much in Western Kentucky, and to whom he put the same old question-" Have you, in your travels, ever come across a man named Christopher Howard ? "
Mr. Knapp, after pondering a moment, answered, " Yaws ; there's a farmer and surveyor called Kit, or Squire Howard, who lives down in Livingston County, near Salem."
"Can you tell me anything of the man, -of his per-
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sonal appearance, etc. ? " was the next and eager question.
" Wall, let me see," Knapp answered, meditatively. " I done some work for him wunst ; an', when he come to pay me, he didn't complain of my charges,-said they was mod'rate. That's what few men ever does. But that aint tellin' you what kind of a lookin' man he is. Wall, he's 'bout fifty to fifty-five years old, say five foot nine to ten inches high, brownish ha'r, which he gin'rally w'ars long ; and gray eyes, if I don't disre- member. He lives nigh on to five miles from town an' yet he always walks in unless it's tar-nation muddy, while most men ride if they 've a mile to go."
" That is certainly the man I have so long tried to find !" mused Adair ; and then asked: "Do you know any of the members of his family ? "
" Yaws ; there's Thornton, his oldest son ; he's a young lawyer, so I've heard, but he don't live in them parts now ; an' there 's some darters married, an' some at hum ;- tar-nation spankin' gals, so I've been told ; but I never seed none on 'em as I knows on."
" And what sort of a place do you think Salem would be for a saddlery shop ? " Adair asked.
" Wall, there's one slip-shod shop there. There 's a right smart o' bisness don' in Salem, an' a good shop would likely do bang-up."
Adair thanked Mr. Knapp for the information given him, and at once made up his mind that to Salem he would go, as soon as he could make his arrangements.
Whether he would make that his home would depend on circumstances.
CHAPTER IV.
Joseph Adair's Meeting with Laura Howard-Adair Introduces himself to the Howard Family-A Warm Reception-Laura Howard as an Artist.
O NE afternoon, in the summer of 1825, when Mrs. Christopher Howard and two of her daughters were returning home, on horseback, from services at the Union Meeting-house, the elder of the daughters said : "Mother, I was told to-day that old Mrs. Lay is very sick. Do you mind if I ride by and see how she is ? "
" I'm sorry to hear it," replied the mother. "Some of us ought to go and see her ; and you may do so. And remember to ask if there is anything I can do for her. I wonder if she finished the warping of that cloth, before she was taken sick. If not, tell them to let me know, and I will come over to-morrow and finish it for her ; for I know she is anxious for Eliza to go on with the weaving. And mind not to ride too fast, for that young horse of yours is hardly bridle-wise, and none of the gentlest ; and if you go dashing along, as you sometimes do, you may get thrown."
" All right, mother," replied the daughter, "Jerry and I understand each other. He's only dangerous when he fears a pair of spurs; but I'll be careful."
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Then saying "By-by," she turned from the main road, and was soon cantering along one which led through the woods for a mile or more, and terminated at Mrs. Lay's house.
An hour later Miss Howard was again in the main - road where she had parted from her mother and sister, and saw in advance of her a gentleman on horseback, riding very slowly. "I wonder who that is !" she said to herself. "He must be a stranger ! I don't think I have ever seen him or his horse before. And, oh my, how very lame his horse is ! "
She soon overtook the gentleman, and, when abreast of him, he, observing her, bowed and said : "Excuse me, Miss, for I am a stranger here. Can you tell me how far it is to Salem ? My horse is very lame, as you may see, and I am anxious that he should have rest."
" The distance, sir, is about five miles," she answered, in a clear musical voice. "But, sir," she added, "I fear your horse is too lame to go that distance. My father lives on this road but a short distance from here, and he will, I am sure, take good care of your horse and loan you another to go on to town."
" That would be very kind of him," replied the stranger. "And may I ask your father's name ? "
" Howard, sir," was the prompt answer.
" Ah !" exclaimed the gentleman, who was none other than Joseph Adair : who, then, whilst avoiding anything like an impertinent stare, looked more crit- ically at the young lady than he had before done. " Can this Mr. Howard," he thought, " be Mr. Chris- topher Howard ? It almost certainly is ! And this is one of his daughters ; but which one ? Is it possible this can be Laura ? She is apparently about the right
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age ; yes, little Laura should now be about twenty years old ; and she is certainly very beautiful, as I always imagined Laura would be. What an animated face, and what lovely blue eyes !" Then, fearing lest his protracted silence should surprise his fair com- panion, he resumed in a composed manner. "Can it be," he said, "that your father once lived in Knoxville, Tennessee ? for in that town I once knew a gentleman named Christopher Howard."
"My father's name, sir, is Christopher Howard, and he once lived in Knoxville." And, having said this, she felt much inclined to ask the gentleman his name, but she hesitated, thinking he would soon in- form her.
"The Mr. Christopher Howard whom I knew," said the gentleman, "had-let me see-yes, he had six children : two daughters, Harriet and Nora ; then two sons, Thornton and William ; then another daughter, Eva ; and last, such a pretty child, named Laura."
At the mention of her name in so marked and yet so respectful a manner, accompanied by a look of such apparent interest, the young lady became so agitated that she let fall her riding whip ; seeing which, the gentleman quickly dismounted, and having recovered the whip, handed it to her with a peculiarly pleasant smile. By the time he had remounted, she had recov- ered sufficient composure to apologize for the trouble she had given him, and continuing, said : " You have mentioned correctly the names of my brothers and sisters who are older than myself, and-my name is Laura. And now -- "
She was interrupted by the gentleman, who said, in a pleasant and rather humorous manner : "Oh, you
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were going to ask my name. Now, had I asked your name, I should consider it only fair to tell you mine."
" Oh, sir, but you --- "'
"Nay-nay," he said, again interrupting her, "I only asked your father's name, and spoke of a pretty child named Laura, when you told me --- "
" But, sir," exclaimed the young lady, " that-"
"Don't apologize," he said quickly. "It was not quite fair for me to have spoken thus ; and, if I have annoyed you, I must ask your pardon. But," he went on, " before telling you my name, permit me to ask if you remember ever to have been nearly run over by a wagon."
" Oh, sir," she answered in an agitated manner, " I do not remember it, but my mother has often told me of how I was once saved, by a brave boy, from being run over, and perhaps killed."
" And does it so happen," resumed the gentleman, "that you now have, or ever had, among your trinkets a little green pebble ? "
"I have it, here !" she answered, with ill-concealed excitement in her voice and manner, as she exhibited the glittering pebble, which was fastened to a small chain that hung around her neck. " And you "- she went on with unfeigned earnestness in her voice and manner-" you are Joseph Adair ! I know it !"
" I am," was the low but distinct answer.
" Oh, how glad I am," she exclaimed, " to see you ! When I was but a child, you saved my life ! You gave me this beautiful stone ! Oh, how glad we will all be to see you !"
"I am indeed glad," said Adair, in a somewhat tremulous voice, " to know that I have not been for-
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gotten by you all, and I am specially pleased to find you wearing the pebble I gave you when I parted from you, a child, years ago. But now tell me," he went on, " about your parents, brothers, and sisters. I hope all are alive and well."
In reply she told him-and her expressive face was all aglow with animation as she spoke-that her father and mother were well, and that her brother Thornton and her sisters Harriet, Nora, and Eva were married and all doing well.
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