Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-11-10

anu lhSiO ID q TRUE lH0uSH vulgar
saying that "one cannot twist a silk
purse out of a sow's ear" The yard
stick and plough-share, are two differ
ent Implements, though they both may
be profitable in proper hands. Mr..
Peregrine Pringle and his thrifty wife
had calculated the chances of a farm
in the neighbolhood of the city against
their stock in trade, in the dry good
line. There were great attractions in
a country life besides, there is a de-
gree Of independence about a farmer
which is entirely n to a " cit "
in the place of rotten banks, protest
ed notes, tickle customers, under SELL
ing and tricks Of trade, he has the va
riegated map Of nature, the pure and
balmy breeze, fresh and wholesome
food, and bracing exercise. The pros
and cons were we'll weighed by Mr..
Pringle, and he sold out his stock and
took to farming, though he confessed
his perfect ignorance of either the art
or science of horticulture. Mrs. Prin-
gle, too, dear creature was of a ro-
mantle turn !; she loved the woods, the
fields, the hills, and the valleys the
soft murmur of the brook was eloquent
with music, and she read volumes of
poetry in the myriads of flowers that
opened their delicate petals to the gold
en- sun, or caught the limpid dew in
their thirsty chalice. The odds were
two to one in favor o|ffarming.
A brace ofmonths passed in "rural
felicity" something like that which we
have related. The market garden
vas attended win h the utmost care by
Mr.. Pringle and old lsam-the corn
grew tall, and tossed its feathered top
proudly in the air the rich cantelopes
and water-mellons swelled to ripeness
the potatoe blossoms looked wonder
fully thick, though nobody knew what
vas going on under ground-the lusci-
Gus tomato became first green and then
of a crimson red-the fruit trees bent
down with their golden burthen-and
the grass shot up and invited the
scythe. Mr.. Pringle was all joy and
ecstacy-he said nothing about hollow
eggs, damp rooms, rats and mosquitoes
his whole heart and soul were upon
the excellent and profitable crop he
was about to make.
"Let us taste some of those excel
lent melons," said he one day to his
wife, while at dinner. She according
ly sent Isam to break several from the
vines. The old negro returned VITA
a basket full, and a very long face
80, massa," exclaimed he, dem eau
talope and water melon just same like
de egg; dc mole and de ground rat eat
'em all hollow /; not one LETT ON de vine
wild somethin' in him."
MIR. Pringle shrugged his shoulders
at the news, and went without a desert.
600 and NOW the grass in the large
field" said he to lsam, Is and see II we
can't make something Of that"
Isam moved the grass and spread 1t
out in the sun, but did not stack 1t at
night /; a storm came on, and the hay
was all destroyed. Mr.. Pringle did
not despair, but visited his orchard to
see how his fruit trees thrived {; alas!
alas a distemper had seized them from
want of proper attention, and the fruit
was falling to the ground rotten and
worm eaten. Had his fences been well
secured, he probably might have reap
ed a handsome harvest of corn, but on
one unlucky night the cattle OF HIS
neighbor broke through, and laid waste
his whole crop, the towering stalks
were torn down and trampled on the
ground, and his last hope was prostra-
ted with theml
4 i y
"My love-" said Mr.. Peregrine Prin-
gle to his wife one night after all the
children had been put to bed four of.
them with an ague, and two with the
cholera infantum from eating crude ve-
getables, "my love, we used to have
very pleasant evenings in the city
YOU know we used either to go a visit
ing or to the theatre, or some other
place of amusement.-How dull it il
here"
eyes, my DEAR" replied Mrs. Pere-
CRIME Pringle "how melancholy those
Katy. dds and crickets sound; really
think there is something worth living
for in the city. All! how wish to
see my old friends once again round
our fire-side." =,
al always did like the counter and
the yard.stick"-
"The city is SO lively
"The country is so dull
"We shall certainly die here
"And no one to bury u.s."
= * + =
Mr.. and Mrs. Peregrine Pringle and
all the little Pringles, with old lsam and
all the household, were seen moving