Litchfield enquirer., 1835-02-19

cheerfully of the future. He feels that he is in possession of mysterious secret, of which happy children have no suspicion. { He knows what the life is on which they are about 10 enter 1; and he is sure that whether it smiles or frowns upon them, it's brightest glances will be cold and dull conu- pared with those under which they are 1 now basking.
 "7'dlss of the Border" Under this title Judge HALL has just given to the read- 1 ing public another volume of his delightful sketches of Scenes and Manners in the West. 1t needs no quotation to give assu- rance of their excellence to the many who are already familiar with his style of fming- led graphic simplicity and unfailiug humor. To those who are not, we would commend the following brief extract, illustrative of primitive life in Missouri:
 "Some twelve or thirteen years ago. when the good land on the northern from tier of Missouri was beginning to be found out, and the village of Palmyra had been recently located on the extreme verge of the settlements of the white men, uncle Moses, who had built his cabin hard by. went into that promising village one day, in hopes of finding letter from his cousin David, then at Louisville, and to whom he had written to come to Missouri. Three hours pleasant ride brought him to tOayn. He soon found Major Obadiah -, who had been lately appointed postmaster, and who had such an aversion to confinement. that he appropriated his hat to all the pur- poses of post-officeA-an arrangement bv which he complied with the law, requiring him to take special care of ali letters and papers committed to his keeping, and the instructions directing him to be always found an his office, and, at the same time, enjoyed such locomotive freedom, us per- m'tted him to go hunting or fishing, at his pleasure. He was thus ready at all times, wherever he might be, to answer any cali on his department promptly.
 The major, seating himself on the grass, emptied his hat of its contents, and requested uncle Moses to assist him in hunting for his letter: whenever you come to any that looks dirty and greasy, like these,' said he, inst throw them in that pile; they are all dead letters, and intend to send them off to head quarters, the very next time the post rider comes for can's afford to tote them any longer, cucumber ing up the oGcc for nothing.' Uncle Mo- sos thought they were at head quarters al- ready, but made no remark, and quietly putting on his spcctacles, gave his ,assis- lance asrequired.
 After quarter of an hours careful ex- animation, it was agreed by both, that there was no letter in the o0ice for uncle Moses.
 But stop said the postmaster, as un- cle Moses was preparing to mount his horse, you arc trading character,-come, let me sell you lot of goods at wholesale. Willy Wan, the owner, has gone to St. Louis to lay ID fresh supply, and has left me to Keep store for him till he returns. He has almost sold out, and hate to bs cramped up in house all day, SO have packed up the whole stock in these two hundles'-hauling them out of his coat pockets.
 Uncle Moses looked over them with- out ever cracking smile, for it was grave business.
 Here, examine them --calicoes, rib- bons. laces, &c. all as good as new-no mistake-I'll take ten dollars in coon skins for the whole invoice, which is less than cost, rather than tote them any longer.
 The Majors offer of lot of store goods, for less than cost, struck him favor- ably. and he offered three. dozen raccoon skins for the whole. sTake them.' said the Major-'i it is too lite-but if Wan doesn't like the trade, I'll pay the balance myself.
 Now said the Postmaster, slet us go down 10 tho river where Hunt, and the 6atance of the 6oys, are fishing. We have been holding an election here for the last few days, and as nobody came in to vote to-day, we all concluded to go fishing.' -
 But what election is it?'
 Why, 10 elect delegates to form our State Constitution
 Il have heard off but had forgot it. [ am entitled to a vote.'
 Certainly you are. Hunt and I are two of the Judges. He has taken the poll- books along with him :-come along, we will take your vote al the river-ust as good as lift was done in town. hate for malities, and this three days election-ev. cry one could as well do their voting in one.' :
 Down they went to the river; the Judg- es and clerks were called together. and recorded the first vote that uncle Moses ever gave in Missouri"