Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-13

Mr.. Wiloughby looked at the westerine
sun, which was not far above the dense
wall of trees which shut in the small clea-
ring; then at the heavy clouds which adj
vanced from the north, threatning stor-
my night; then at his watch, and then at
his note book; and after all, at his predica-
mention the whole, an unpleasant pros
| pect. But at this moment a female face
| showed itself at the door. Our travellers
memory reverted at once to the testimony
of Ledyard and Mungo Park; and he had
also some floating and indistinct poetical
| recollections ofwoman's being useful when
man was in difficulties, though hard to
please at other times The result of these
"reminiscences, which occupied precious Sc
cond, was, that Mr.. Willoughby dismount-
| ed, fastened his horse to the fence and ad-
vanced with brave aud determined air, to
throw himself upon female kindness and
sympathy.
He naturally locked at the lady, as he
approached the door, but she did not re-
turn the comp mcnt. She looked at the
pigs, and talked to the children, and Mr..
Willoughby had time to observe that she
was the very duplicate Of her husband; as
tall, as bony, as ragged and twice as cross
looking. 81.
Malviny Jane,' she exclaimed, in no
dulcet treble, 'be done a -paddln' in that 'ere
water! IF come there, PHI
You'd better look atSophrony, | guessH
was the reply.
Why, what's she a-doin'?'
'Well, | guess if you look, you'll seen
responded Miss Malvina, coolly as she
passed into the house, leaving at every
step full impression Of her foot in the
same black mud, that covered her sister
from head to foot. .......
The latter was saluted with hearty
cuff, as she emerged from the puddle: and
1t was just at the propitious moment when
her shrill howl aroused the echoes, that
Mr.. Willoughby having reached the thresh-
old, was obliged to set about making the
agreeable to the mamma. And he called up
for the occasion all his poltencss.
Il believe | must become an intruder on
your hospitality for the night, madam he
began, The dame still looked at the pigs.
Mr.. Wiloughby tried again in less court
ly phrase.
'Will it be convenient for you to lodge
me tonight, ma'am? have been disap-
pointed in my search for hunting party,
whom had engaged to meet and the night
threatens a storm
81 don't know nothin' about it; you must
ask the old man. said the lady, now for
the first time taking a survey Of the new
conner; with my will, we III lodge nobody
This was not very encouraging, but it
was poor night for the woods, so our ira
weller pers3vered, and making so bold
push for the door that the lady was obliged
to retreat little, he entered, and said he
would await her husbands coming.
And in truth he could scarcely blame
the coolreception he had experienced when
he beheld the state Of affairs within those
muddy precsncts. The room was large
but it swarmed with human beings. The
huge open fireplace, with its hearth Of
rough stone, occupied nearly the whole Of
one end of the apartments; and near it stood
q long cradle, containing pair of twins,
who cried-a sort of hopeless cry, as if
they knew it would do no good, yet could
not help 1t. The schoolmaster, Git was his
week, sat reading q tattered novel, and
rocking the cradle occasionally, when the
children cried too loud. An old grey-head-
cd Indian was curiously crouched over a
large tub, Smelling corn on the edge of a
hoe; but he ceased his noisy employment
when he saw the stranger; for no Indian
will ever willingly be seen at work, though
sometimes compelled by the fears of STAR
walton, or the longing for whiskey to de-
grade himself by labor. Near the only
window was placed the workbench and en-
tire paraphernalia OF the shoemaker, who
in these regions travels from house to
house, shooting the family and mending
the harness as he goes, with various inter-
ludes Of songs and jokes, ever new and ac
ceptabe. This one who was little bald
twinkling fellow, made the smokey rafters
ring with the burden Of that favorite ditty
of the west:
All kinds ofgame to hunt, my boys also the buck
All down by the banks of the river Ohio
and children Of all sizes, Gathering in all
keys, completed the picture, and the con-
cert.
The supper table which maintained its
place in tho midst of this living and rest
less mass. might remind one of the square
stone lying bedded, in the bustling leaves
| of the acanthus; but The associations would
be any but those of Corin,hian elegance.
The only object which at that moment d.
versified its dingy surface; was an iron
hoop, into which the mistress of the feast,
proceeded TO turn q quantity of hot smoking
potatoes, adding afierward a bowl of salt,
another OF pork-fat by courtesy denomina-
ted gravy: plates and knives dropped in af-
forwards, at the discretion of the company.