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

oiiShed himself resolutely took advantage of
avery cloudy assent from the proprietor, to
lead his horse TO shed, and to deposit in
corner his cumbrous outer gear while the
| company used in turn the iron skillet which
served as wash-basin, dipping the water
from large trough out side, OVERLOOKING
with the abundant drippings Of the caves.
Those who had no acknowledgements,
contented themselves with the nondescript
article which seemed to stand forthe fami-
~; and when this ceremony was concluded
| all seriously addressed themselves to the
demolition of the potatoes. The grown
| people were Accommodated with chairs and
chests, the children prosecuted series oil
| flying raids upon the good cheer, snatching
potatoe now and then as they could find
an opening under the raised arm of one of
the family, and then retreating TO the CHM
ney corner, tossing the hot prize from hand
to hand, and blowing it stout!y the while.
The old Indian had disappeared.
10 our citizen, though he felt inconve-
nieriy hungry, this primitive meal seemed
little meagre; and he venturcd to ask if
ne could not be accommodated with some
tea.
Ant my victuals good enough for youp
'Oh!-the potatoes are excellent, but |
am very fond of tea
So be |, butt can't have every thing |
want, can you?'
This produced laugh from the shoe
maker, who seemed to think his patron We
ry witty, while the schoolmaster, not know
ing but the stranger might happen to be
one OF his examiners next year; produced
only faint giggle, and then reducing his
countenance instantly to an awful gravity,
helped himself to his seventh potatoe.
The rain which now poured violently,
not only outside but through tuanv a Gre
vice in the roof, naturally kept Mr.. Will
loughby cool; and finding that dry potatoes
gave him the hiccups, he withdrew from
the table, and sitting himself on the shoe
makers bench, took a survey of his quar-
ters.
Two double-beds, and the long cradle,
seemedall the sleeping apparatus; but there
was ladder which doubtless led to a lodg-
ing above. The sides Of the room were
hung with abundance Of decent clothing,
and the dresser was we'll stored with the
usual artickcs, among which tea pot and
canister shone conspicuous, so that the
appearance of inhospitality could not arise
from poverty, and Mr.. Wiloughby con-
cluded to set it down to the account Of rus
tic ignorance.
The eating ceased not until the hoop was
empty, and then the company rose and
stretched themselves, and began to guess it
was about time to go to bed. Mr.. VIII.
loughby inquired what was to be done with
his horse.
well! guess he can stay where he is
But what can he have to eat?'
Il reckon you won't get nothing for
him. without you turn him out on the mash.
He would get off TO a certainty
tie his legs
The unfortunate traveller argued in
vain. Hay was 'scuss,' and potatoes was
'scusser,' and in short the mash was the
only resource and these natural meadows
afford but poor picking after the first of
October. But to the mash was the good
steed despatched, ingloriously hampered,
with the privilege of munching wild grass
in the rain, after his days journey
Then came the question of lodging for
his master. The lady who had by this
time drawn out trundle- bed, and packed
it full of children said there was no bed for
him, unless he could sleep up chamber
with the boys.
Mr.. Willoughby declared that he should
make out very well with blanket by the
fire.
We'll just as you like;' said his host,
'but Solomon sleeps there, and if you like
to sleep by Solomon, lis more than should
do
This was the name Of the old Indian,
and Mr.. Willoughby once more cast woful
glances toward the ladder.
But now the school-master, who seemed
rather disposed to be civil, declared that he
could sleep very we'll in the cradle, and
would relnquish his place beside the shoe
maker TO the guest, who was obliged to con-
tent himself with this arrangement, which
was such as was most usual in those times.
The storm continued through the night,
and many crash in the woods atiested its
power. The sound of the storm in the dense
forest is almost precisely similar to that of
a heavy surge breaking on rocky beach;
and when our traveller slept, it was only
to dream of wreck and disaster at sea, and
to wake in horror and alright. The wild
rain drove in at every crevice, and wet the
poor children in the loft so thoroughly,
that they crawled shivering down the lad
DER and stretched themselves on the hearth,
regardless of Solomon, who had returned |
after the others were in bed.
But morning came at last; and our friend
who had no desire farther 10 test the yaunt- '