always of a forgiving disposition, but I am not conscious at the present time that I ever did forgive that woman. Father had to economise, so the jeans cloth would be bark colored. Aunt Fleming would make blue mixed jeans. She not only made blue mixed of a fine quality, but for her boys a Sunday suit she would mix in Turkey red enough to give an extra appearance. It was winter time when I went to live with that family. Aunt gave me a nice fitting suit of her extra jeans. Well, Joseph may have thought as much of his coat of divers colors, but I am sure he did not think any more of his coat than I did of my suit. And now, if I could have a suit of as nice jeans as that was you preachers could have your Prince Albert, and welcome.
My father was a very indulgent parent. Except when I had to stay with little sister I was my father's constant companion. After Creek Baptist meeting house was built on Father's land, Gap Creek was between our residence and the meeting house. Father was old and tottery. In crossing the creek and in climbing the hill upon which the meeting house stood he would brace himself on his right side with his cane and on the other by resting his left hand on my shoulder. Whenever I was with him I was a happy boy, whether on the road, the farm or about the little water mill. After his death I missed his kind counsel, his words of encouragement, and above all his caressing love. I longed to be the object of some one's affection and tender care. Uncle and Aunt Fleming were kind, but they had a large family of children, and boys near my size, that made me feel that I was the one too many, there was no room. Spring opened, I longed for home. My oldest living brother had married and lived at the old home. I went back with the idea of living there, but it was no longer home. I went to live with a cousin by marriage, I was taken sick and they sent me back to my brother's to be cared for.
When I had sufficiently recovered I went into an adjoining county to live with a second cousin by marriage. They were inclined to be tyrannical. While there I determined to become a Christian, but was prevented. Although but fourteen years of age I was decidedly of a religious turn of mind. I worked there about three months for which they gave me two shirts made of common domestic. A few miles from there, in what was known as Caney Gap, lived an aged widow by the name of Beck. She and a daughter, about 35 years old lived alone, except what time F. E. Beck, a grandson, and a Baptist preacher, stayed with them. They wanted a boy to stay with them. Hearing of me, and being well acquainted with Father, as he was one of their kind of preachers, they concluded I was the boy they wanted. While we were at work one evening a finely dressed, fine looking man, with a very pleasant expression, and riding one of the finest horses I had ever seen rode to where we were and asked if that was Mr. _____. He introduced himself and inquired if I was the Hancook boy that was living there. He then made his errand known. He could see that he was not thanked for that visit. He took in the situation and said, "My grandmother and aunt need some boy to stay with them, and if we can get such a boy we are able and willing to do a good part by him." Turning to me he said, "Please let me know your decision soon." My decision was then made, but I dare not let it be known.
