I was determined to live a virtuous life. We took, while in Nashville, extensive walks, that we might see the different parts of the city. Having taken an extensive walk one evening after supper we were returning, my companion halted in front of what appeared to me a doubtful house, and said to me, "Let's go in here and see some fun." There was considerable merriment within. I assured him that I would not. He then said, "You go to our room and I will come after awhile." I then turned to him and firmly said "Jim, you can do as you please. You are older than I am, but I want it distinctly understood that if you go into that house you have traveled your last mile at my expense." He knew that I meant just what I said, and so went with me to our room.
The time came for our boat to start; Mr. Huffaker came, settled our board bill, accompanied us to the boat, and bade us farewell. The trip to Cairo was a lonesome one. From Cairo we traveled to St. Louis by railroad. From St. Louis we went to Jefferson City. There we expected to get boat passage to Independence. A boat was expected to start on that trip soon, but not being able to get any satisfaction as to when, we determined to go to Boonville by stage. Before reaching Cairo we had formed the acquaintance of a gentleman bound for the vicinity of Independence. As we judged upon first acquaintance he proved to be a pleasant and safe companion.
It was after sunset when the stage left Jefferson City. The nights were dark, and it was cold winter weather. I did not like appearances. So I told my companions that I would not get inside of that stage, but would sit with the driver. The stage was heavily loaded with mail and I watched him closely. Soon he drove onto a place where the vehicle tilted. At the proper time I made a spring and landed safely on my feet. I heard a faint cry from within for help. The baggage was smothering my Kentucky companion. By the time the driver had adjusted his team I, by an extra effort, had extricated my two companions. They were somewhat frightened, but nobody was hurt. We took our valises and told the driver he could go on. We had a dark, muddy walk for some miles before we got to where we could find a place to rest.
When we reached Boonville we telegraphed to Jefferson City to know if any boat was between there and Boonville destined for St. Joseph. The answer came, No. We then started for Glassgow, reaching that place in the evening we stopped for the night. Early next morning the boat we had been expecting landed at Glassgow. We went aboard and asked the price of a ticket to our destined point. "Twenty dollars," was the answer. I told the --------- that was the price from Jefferson City. He said it was the same from there. I told my companions that I could walk it for less than that. We had between two and three months to spend somewhere before time for starting across the planes, and my Kentucky friend having spent some time, on a previous trip, in Putnam Co., Mo., he proposed that we go there to spend the time till spring opened. To this we consented. We went to Unionville, via Bloomington and Kirksville. In Putnam county we found several with whom we had been acquainted in Kentucky. We had been there but a few days when Jim informed me that he had determined not to go
