The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-12-28
SELECTED TALES.
From the Maine Monthly Magazine.
THE EMIGRANT.


| /" Striving 10 better, of we mar what's we'll"
What chilly morning" said friend
of mine from the country, whom met the
other morning on the side walk in front of
the exchange. " What are we all coming
tol At this rate, we might ms well be on
the coast of Labradore, or turn Laplanders.
The frost last night finished my corn, and
my potatoes look as though an express had
been sent for them to embark for the North
Pole by the next iceberg. g.-Bangor, with the
whole valley of the Penobscot is not worth
what Smith gave fer few choice tim
ber lot. near Mount Katahdin. I'm for the
West Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Arkan-
sas, or even the farther off Wisconsin-any
where on earth, rather than the frozen, fog
gy State of Maine"
My friend shvered while he was speak
ing, and at the close Of his speech his teeth
chartered he buttoned up his coat, and
drew from his capacious pocket u large pair
of shag mittens, pulled them over his far
merly hands, and tucked up the frnges un-
der his soied cuffs, looking for all the world
like the personifcaton Of winters enemy
harnessed for battle
Will you just step into my office" said
L, 4" and shelter yourself from the cold, while
l tell you story"
"With all my heart" said the frank yeo-
man, I" though seldom visit shops Of that
character provided you will tell any one
who speaks of my having called on you,
that l never sue or am sued"
Comfortably seated in my office, related
story to my friend which had so kindly
an influence upon his feelings, that ] am
strongly tempted to give the substance of it
to the readers of the MAINE MONTHLY.
Roger Barton was as plain and honest a
farmer rs ever lived in the dominion of JON
athan. At the age of twenty y-three he mar
red the daughter of next door neighbor
to his father, real Yankee girl, who soon
matured into a genuine Yankee wife, and
became the mother of sons and daughters,
of whom any New Euglander might well
be proud. speak of these first, because |
know of no lovelier sight on earth than a
large family of intelligent, rosy checked,
) hearty children, appended to the establish
mel mt of an industrious, contenteo farmer.
But Mrs. Barton had much to recon-
mend her, aside from the kindly helps of
the farm and household. She kept every
thing neat and tidy in and about the house
her husbands coat was never out at the ell
bows, and if worn. was always neatly mend
ed-[th my friend looked over his own
garment, which time had looked on, and
seemed very complacent the children were
well washed and combed, and sont off to
} school in due season; she was her own dali
, ry woman, and butter and cheese better
/, than hers never graced the market-[ here
my friend looked doubtful, for his butter and
cheese carries the palm in Penobscot l.
her husband was never burdened with heavy
bills for domestic servants and. in short,
| she was all that could be desired in farm
er's wife; and Roger was almost as proud
Of his wife and children, as he was Of a
yoke of seven feet oxen, which was always
appended to his farm.
But am before my story. have not
vet told you where he lived. Were you
2 ever in that part of Oxford County which
lies west of and near the blue Mountain
Have you ever stood on the top of that lof.
J. ty eminence, and looked down to the south
, west into a basin scooped. ou, amidst sur
rounding hills, in the middle of which II
}. spread out beautiful lake, skIrted witt
farms that look as if the hands of fairies hat
dressed tbeml If you have, you mus
have noticed the farm where Roger Bartor
was so happy with his wife md children, a
: the time to which allude. Often have
stood on that mountain, and looked dowr
upon the farm, with its ueat white house
> its grass fields, out spread far and wide
dotted here and there with graceful elm
and dark 6r-trees; its pastures rising at frs
4 gently from the graceful meadows, an'
swelling at length far TO the northwest int
rocky bill; with focks and herds, croppln.
: the rich grass, s,raying over the ample bill
$ recumbent on the verdant lawns, or sporting
}. on the heights, and while looked. wishes
my fortune had been that Of Roger Bartor
instead Of being what was-a recluse stu
y dent-a candidate for a profession which
}. makes man the slave Of the pasTions o
: his fellow men.
e Roger Barton was happy, he knew h
!, was happy. lie was coniented 90 wa
: his wife so were his children. lie wa
e not rich in the town reckoning; but he wa
!. really rich. lie had enough and TO spare
n could give a trihe 10 poor sick neighboi