The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-01-23

there when young. 1t has been the res
idence of the Hawthorns for nearly half
a century; and no less than five of its
venerable proprietors had gone, success
sively, down to the ample family vault
that was close upon its border, and con-
secrated to the reception of the beloved
remains. recolleCt at this moment,
the visit paid TO young Oliver, when |
was on the eve of leaving my native
village for the great mart of commerce
Of Pennsylvania. He had only a few
years before came into possession, by
the death of his father, and had al
ways been what, even in those times of
extravaganza, would be called a good
liver; and indeed thought he might be,
for he got with his farm some hundreds
in loose cash, fourteen or fifteen head of
fine fat cattle, and two teams of excel
lent horses, besides quantity of grain
and other far ing stock and materials in
profusion. But what was my surprise
to hear him talk of hard times-of the
difficulty Of procuring money-and of
the unmannerly impudence of certain
persons to whom he said he happened
to owe several small sums. In the
course of the Conversation, however, he
told me he had been getting his gig re-
paired, which he had broken some time
before in driving IF a bridge, at the same
time that he had killed fine six-years-old
bay, to replace which, swept off round
two hundred-tha he had two lawsuits
on hand-and hadnot seen the sun rise
or took hold of a plough in two years.
had always took notice that Oliver APP
peared the most free and easy man in
all the country; for he never missed
hunt, a fishing party, or horse-race,
within twenty miles round; but never
thought of the consequences of such
course, or should not, assuredIy, have
thought strange that hard times should
overtake him.
And then it was really amusing to
hear him talk. He praised up the life
of a farmer to the clouds, and hoped
that every man that was ashamed of the
plough might want bread; and how
necessary it is, he would say, that in
stead of saying to set of workmen,
go TO work, one should say, come along
with me to work. In fine, he preached
the soundest doctrine of any farmer in
the whole country, and acted as directly
opposite to his own advice as it was pos
sible for man to do.
Oliver had young brother, who liv-
ed III small, but neat pine cabin, at the
foot of the bill. He had been untortu-
nate in incurring the displeasure of his
father by marrying poor but lovely
girl, who had engaged bis affections
while he was yet child The old
gentleman Bob told the story himself,)
one day called bin and said, $ Bob,
squire Mayo's daughter is the person |
intend you shall marry you will there
fore let me hear no more about Mary b.
Father said he, Cooking at his own
hard hands and stretching them out,)
while these hands and this heart are
mine, will not sell myself for all Hol-
horn Hill And he never changed his
mind-he married, renting the little cot
tage and few acres on which he now
lived, he settled himself, and began the
world without a farthing.
On my return from the farmhouse,
(for so the mansion on Holborn Hill was
Called stopped at Roberts and took
with him glass of beer and slice OF
sweet cake. Bob was too busy TO talk
much of the times, but as soon as | had
finished my glass, he invited me into the
meadow where he was moving, and
bid me seat myself. there we talked an
hour or two, while he finished his davis
work and gave me history of has af-
fairs. He had never been three months
in debt, he said, to any man; and the
reason was plain work my little on
shares what belongs 10 my landlord |
never touch and as to the articles
which do not raise, pay for them or
do without them Grain can raise no
more Of to my share, than / can use
my beeyes fatten from my few acres of
meadow and the hay ! get from ia
couple of COWS supply US with butter,
cheese, and miIk--a little spot of flax
clothesus-rye serves us for coffee morn
ing and highland there are few ma
pie trees on the place, from which
make all the maple sugar | want to use.
Now and then have a few bushels of
grain, few pounds of butter, cheese,
or some other little articles to SELL
ca -. N, rlzI.4 4 H., -.