CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 69 



apparently much Pleased to see me. Sunday 12, Loafed about, no 

 church to go to, so Monday 13, Went up to Mr. Beech's Coal mines 

 & back, 3 miles off. Tuesday 14, Went to Col. Lee's, 8 miles from 

 Wilkes Barre. Wednesday /5 th , Went to Wilkesbarre & back again. 

 Saw Charley Denison. Thursday /d th , after going in Col. Lee's coal 

 mines back to Beech grove, 13 miles. Saturday, i8 th . From Beech 

 Grove to Sunberry, 45 miles. Sunday, /p th , In morning to Church. 

 In afternoon over to Northumberland. Stayed at Geo. Wentzel's 

 tavern. Monday, 2O ih , Over again to Northumberland spent day. 

 Tuesday 21 st , As this is the Longest day's walk I made I will be more 

 particular; I left Sunberry at 5 A. M. Reached Seling's grove at 6, 

 4.5 miles. Breakfasted, and at % of 7 Went to Liverpool by 20 

 minutes after n, 21 miles. Eat Dinner there and at 12^ went to 

 Duncan's Island, the head of it; at 3^2, 14 miles. Left it at 4^, and 

 Reached Carlisle at n P. M., 20 miles. I came by the wrong road 

 not going through Petersburg, this making it so much longer. The 

 total was 60 miles. Whole time 18 hours. I did not ride a single 

 foot. Walking time about 15 hours. I was a good deal fatigued 

 after crossing Sterret's Gap, having passed so many mountains and 

 hills, but on reaching Carlisle I felt as if I could have gone 10 miles 

 further; got up next morning at 7 without the slightest stiffness or 

 Pain. Walked in all 400 odd miles. Rode besides, 40 at different 

 times. Lost 12 pounds of flesh, and burnt to color of old Aunt Rachel. 

 Walked in a Blouse Check shirt, Beaverteen Pants, Heavy shoes & 

 cap. Carried Knapsack & Gun. Weight of extras on coming home, 

 25 pounds. 



The above is a compressed account of my trip which was as 

 pleasant as it could possibly be. Fine clear cool weather all the 

 time, with but one or two exceptions. The day I left Bellfonte 

 there was a heavy frost, and Saturday the n, my fingers were so 

 numb going from Danville to Beech Grove that till 12 o'clock M. 

 I could scarce load my gun. Old Mr. Beech is a wonderful old man, 

 something like grandmother, very friendly too. He wants Mother 

 & Grandmother to come up. Republican Swallows are the most 

 common swallows along the Susquehanna. I saw at least 100 nests 

 under the eaves of William Hall's Barn. I saw 8 or 10 pair of Goosan- 

 ders at different places in the Juniata & Susquehanna also one of 

 Hooded Merganser. I saw a fine male South-Southerly in the river 



