Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-08-22

ilgntful 10 ec3 INC facHiefs ala sneDharcs
hurrying with their curling stones TO u o
neighboring loch or river, and foreet,ip.
all the evils of high rents and falling mar
kets, in an anxiety to distinguish thep,-
selves in this manly sport. And on SUI.
DAYS it is still more interesting to see the
same individuals gathering round the
porch of the parish church, kicking a,
thew enter, the frozen snow-balls from
their ponderous shoes; while the far off
shepherd, whose compass is the warning
bell, is seen manfully climbing the track
less hill, and pausing at intervals TO catch
another sound of that tuneless instrument
which might now plead the never falling
apology Of better musicians, and to the
hooded belfry as sufficient excuse for
its increased hoarsness-At this season Of
the wear, we are told, the situation Of,
country clergyman is very far from being
a sinecure; and in thinly peopled districts,
it is no uncommon circumstance for a
pastor to be called on to christen a child
probably at the dis ance Of ten or fifteen
miles.
A good many years ago, the former in.
cumbent of the parish Of Barton being
confined to his room, one of his more dis
tant parishioners, who had received an
addition to his family" found himself IN.
der the necessity oftransporting the young
stranger to the residence Of the Minister.
The snow lay thick Oh the ground at the
time; but the onfall had ceased; the air,
although cold, was clear and bracing, the
surface of the faky expanse which stretch.
ed on every side, being slightly touched
with frost, acted as huge reflector to the
level beams of the sun, and altoge her
the weather was remarkably fine for the
season Under these circumstances the
father of the child in question set out for
the msnse Of Barton, accompanied by
two female friends, who TO lessen the "a.
tigue of travelling, were dire ted 20 keep
close in the track or cake of their Draw
NJ guide To guard against the effects
Of cold, the little stranger was wrapped
in as many folds as an Egyptian mummy,
and in the first instance committed to the
care Of the elder gossip; but the woman at
length beginning to appear tired, the far
mer insisted upon relieving them Of the
child. which he placed ''cannily" under
his right arm, covered it with the folds
of his plaid. and, being rather Of an absent
turn of mind. proceeded at pace that
would have done 10 discredit to Dominic
sampson In this way he gained rapid
ly upon his feeble companions, and in bis
great anxiety to carry the infant soft and
easy, he allowed it to slip through the
huge mound of Buchlings with which It
was surrounded. These bucklings, how
ever, still stuck fast under the farmers
arms, and his hand being numbed with /
cold, he held on his way, never suspecting /
that his burden had become lighter. Ar.
rived a. the Minister'S parlor, the mis-
tress of the house kindly proposed 10
warm the infant until the women arrived,
and was proceeding to perform this Office
when she all at once exclaimed. MyI
| G ID where is the child ?" This ex.
clamation, SO sudden and unexpected
threw the whole house into confusion
the minister forgetting his rheumatism
started to his feet like youth OF fifteen
wnile she honest farmer, gasping liz
bres tn, and trembling in every limb, loost
like man vino had seen an appirition,
on discovering that. in place Of of heal.
thy babe, he carried only bundle Of
buds" The present, however, was rOs
moment for explanation and without:
saying a single word. lie few ont of the
house with ;he intention of retracing his 4
steps; but he had not proceeded far, wAer
he was met by his female friends who ha.
fortunately picked Up their little charg
and which, although blue with cold, vs.
found to have sustained no material inJuf
from being Graded for a lew minutes q
an element pure and stainless as its cVH
the party returned to the manse lie
highest spirit; and that the ortby Ger
gyman in performing the usual ceren''l \
ny, failed not to advert to this CeineF't
ance. and recommended tie little Hrol
cent to the especial care and protection %
that Being who "tempers the wind tO ae
shorn lamb" 81
I Repdrtee-One evening after tie Gag
ture OF his army, Blu goyne being ll'i
merry, said 10 Gen. Gates" Gates, wi
the devil would ever thought you wou IA
have been general? | should have soOt4
er taken you for man midwife ir0'
your appearance ''You would not the
. have been very far wrong, answers
Gates: for it appears | have lately das
, cred you of few thousard men,"
| AT the siege of Ostend, soldier VI
, holding up loaf of bread in boast:
manner when shot took off the uPF,
E most half, leaving the other in his haO