canal operate
his instrument, take the rear sight from the level of the water in
the canal, then by a succession of levels backwards and forwards
carry his level to the objective point. Then the man was kind
enough to show me how, by simple addition and subtraction, the
result wanted could be obtained. I was well advanced in arithmetic
and in mathematics generally, and was confident, even if I was
hardly fourteen years old, that I could do the work of a junior
rodman.

About the first of May, 1837, the day of deliverance came. I was
to be my own master and make my own living! A fortune gilded with
hope was before me. I was to go in the stage thirty-six miles to
Zanesville, and thence by stage-route down the Muskingum River,
twenty-eight miles to McConnelsville. When the stage arrived at
my mother's house it was rather full, but there was still room
enough for me. All the family, and my comrades, had gathered to
see me off. My baggage, all new, was thrown into the boot, and I
took my seat in the stage. My heart sank a little as the stage
rolled over the hill and down the valley beyond, but the passengers
wanted to know who I was, where I was going, and what I was going
to do, and I think they got all the information they wanted, for
why should I not tell them of my visions of hope, sometimes called
plans! Oh! the golden dreams of childhood, the splendid anticipations
of boyhood, the fields of conquest to be won, the fortunes to be
made, all to vanish into thin air by the touch of reality.

I arrived at Zanesville long after dark, and very weary. I had
never been in so large a town before. The hotel was full of people,
but no one noticed me. I was hungry, but could only get the scraps
left, as the supper hour was past. I was to leave in the morning
at daylight without breakfast. I was shown into a small dark room,
on the third floor, and was to be called in the morning. I did
not like the place and was alone and in fear. I had more money
than ever before. Might I not be robbed? I took the precaution
to deposit my jack-knife on a chair within reach, to defend myself
in case of attack! My fears were soon lost in sleep. In the
morning I was aroused to take by place in the stage, but forgot my
knife, my only weapon of defense, and it was lost to me forever.
The bright morning revived my spirits. A hearty breakfast at
Taylorsville revived all my hopes and plans.

I arrived at McConnelsville about no