342 FOETY-FOUR YEARS OP 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Mary thrown from a Horse— Seriously injured — Causes her Death — Distress and 

 despondency — Time assuages grief— After months, goes to the IIunting-Grounds 

 as a relief, anil to procure Meat — Kills a largo Bear, hand to hand, with the Knife 

 — Kills two Deer — Is appointed Assessor for Allegany County — Meets with Mrs 

 Smith, a Widow — After long delay, and great opposition, Marries her — She 

 proves a good and affectionate Wife — Watches a Deer-Lick with his Son — Kills 

 two Deer— Hunts Wolves— Kills six — Scalps worth $105— Watches another Lick 

 with his Son, M. A. Browning — Buck-Ague — Kills a Deer — Last Deer killed by the 

 Author — Wife stricken with Palsy — Survives until September, 1867. 



It is an old proverb that " after the sweet comes the 

 bitter;" and it seemed to be so with me. I had lived a 

 long time in the full enjoyment of health and domestic 

 happiness, but the time had arrived for me to experience 

 a reverse in my career. 



My wife expressed a wish to visit our second daughter, 

 who lived six miles distant. We had one horse that was 

 wild and scary ; but as he was a fine pacer, and she was 

 an excellent rider, and afraid of nothing, she selected him 

 to convey her to her destination. I felt afraid when I saw 

 her take her seat in the saddle ; but off she went, at a 

 sweeping pace, and arrived safely at her journey's end. 



After a stay of two nights, Mary took a small granrt- 

 daughter before her on the saddle, and started to return 

 home. But on her way, a little boy, who observed her 

 coming, not wishing to be seen by her, stepped behind a 

 tree, and, as she came opposite to it, turned round to es- 

 cape. The horse, however, catching a glimpse of the boy, 

 made a quick bound, and threw Mary flat on the road. 

 The sudden fall, with the little girl in her lap, dislocated 



