Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-22
Az.
THE LOG CABIN,

scene which 90 often greet tho travel
Ter who winds his way through the
wIlds Of Me-; scenes far different
will sometimes open to his view, when
when the black and arid field aud hall
burned fence, evince but too plainly
what element has there shaped its
course. At one time no will check the
rein at the still moulder,ng ruins Of the
lowly cabin; at another, anconsciously
urge the spur as he pauses beneath the
scathed and seemingly lettering pines,
which tower in gloom around him The
most memorable OF these forest fires,
whether we regard its extent or the
amount Of property consumed, was the
ono witnessed in 1925. Almost entire
villages were laid desolate, and numerous
families on the approach OF wi.,ter, were
without revision and without shelter.
In the spring following, business of
Importance rendering a journey into this
quartes in some degree necessary, at
dawn | mounted my horse and COM
menced my solitary route. At twilight
| had arrived within u few miles Of the
only house which was said to display in
somewhat hieroglyphic char acters, 'LIK-
Err AM LoGING,' when on ascending
one Of the highest hills, a portentous
cloud, which | had watched with some
anxiety, suddenly darkeneG the heavens,
and forbid all hope Of reaching the de-
sired haven in season to escape the
storm. My situation was certainly unen
viab!e. Before me as far as the eye
could reach lay an immense forest of
dark and naked pines, in which not a
dwelling was discernable, and during
the last hour Of my journey, l had passed
none on the road. In this dilemma, like
other prudent travellers, | ~unbuckled my
fear-nought, and guarding the neck with
amaddhional %bandanna, pressed onward
l had advanced some way into the for
est completely drenched, for the domes-
tic fabric was not destitute of porosity,
when on turning an angle Of the road, |
came to an opening evidently made by
the hand Of man. On a nearer approach,
however, it was obvious that the labours
OF the h~usbandman had here too partici-
pated in the general wreck Innumer-
able cedar bands wero scattered along,
some of them bearing the impress ofthe
axe, and here too were the remains Of
what was once u dwelling. So many
melancholy associations were awakened
by the scene around, that | was hasten
ing from the spot, when on glancing to-
wards the left, I discovered to my great
| Joy what might be termed an apology for
a cottage. 1t was evidently inhabited;
so leaping over q few windfalls that lay
between that and the roadside, l raped
upon the rough slab which formed a
barricado to the only entrance. In a
moment it was removed, and q welcome
given in that sweet one which comes
only from the lips Of woman.
The interior of this habitation I shall
not particularly describe. Almost every
thing i've to the crane was of wood and
coarsely wrought; but the whole apart
ment had an air Of cleanliness unusual
in such ~comfortless abodes. On enter
ing, the most prominent object was a
nan apparently about forty, seated in an
arm chair, the victim of a lopg and vast
ing sickness. Still he exhibited the re-
mains Of manly beauty; and tho mild
lustre Of his eye, as it b canned on his
wife, while she tenderIy adjusted his pill
low, spoke gratitude and love. Three
small boys were seated by his side, who
rose, however, on seeing me, and the ell
dest brought forward the bench for my
accommodation. The exterior Of the
building had promised so little like COM
fort within, that I had resolved when
alighting t" resume my journey the mo-
ment the storm would admit Of it. But
the interesting appearance Of the whole
group, the cheerful blaze Of the faggots,
and above all, the repeated solicitations
to tarry till morning, induced me 10 be-
come a fellow lodger. The determine
ton made, at once, my wet garments
were carefully spread out, and such was
the kindness and urbanity Of the inva-
lid, that in a few moments I was perfect.
ly at home.
The desolation without, and perhap:
a little Of that curiosity 80 characteristic
Of the Yankee, soon led me into many
enquiries relative to the late fire; ant
the tale he related, especially the horror.
of that night when his own dwelling wal
consumed, | heard with breathless at
t%ention. 'As 10 myself he observed
Il could do nothing. For some time
previous had become SO emaciated BY
disease, that ! was q mere skeleton; ye
had il been otherwise, human strength
could have availed but little in that sea
Of fire. In one night the fruit Of my Ia.
bours was swallowed up, and we were