412 John Bachman. 



passion for flowers is contagious, and I found it had 

 extended to several others in the neighborhood. * * 

 Your grandfather's photograph, which you so 

 kindly sent me. is a very great treasure. * * Oh, 

 how I would prize the photograph of your grand- 

 mother, who was so much of a mother to me, when 

 I was far from my own home. I imagine I still see 



her gentle, quiet face, and hear her sweet welcome. 

 ***** 



My personal history connected with my visit to 

 Pennsylvania is short, and scarcely worth relating. 



I had intended to defray my own expenses while 

 studying for the ministry. I remained at Milestown, 

 I think, a year; at Frankfort, not quite so long, 

 until my studies were so far completed that I ac - 

 cepted a call from three congregations in my native 

 county, Rennsellaer, where I hoped to spend the 

 rest of my days as a country parson. * 



I have some pleasant reminiscences of the old 

 school house at Milestown (Elwood). It was there 

 that Wilson, the ornithologist, first tried his hand 

 as a pedagogue, and it was there that William Dun- 

 can, his nephew, succeeded him. I met them both 

 at Philadelphia, and they advised me to accept the- 

 offer made me from Milestown. 



The old school house was a large one-story build- 

 ing, that appeared to have been enlarged from time 

 to time, not simply to accommodate the growing 

 school, but to hold a congregation of worshipers 

 that were collected together there as often as some 

 stray clergyman, of any denomination, happened to 

 visit the neighborhood. 



The teachers successively boarded at the house of 

 Mr. Gulp, situated a few hundred yards from the 

 school house. The pupils were of both sexes, and 

 of all sizes and ages. The higher branches, although 

 taught, were not much relished. A small class in 



