Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-03
from the Democratic Rppitw.
HARRY BLAKE.
A story Of Circumstantial Evidence
founded on fact.
CHAPTER. I.


Somewhere about the time when the il
feeling, which had long been gathering
strength and venom, between England
and her American colonies, was ripening
into rebellion, there stood on the road
between Albany and Schenectady fam
taslic old building, whose style had been
Matched on the foggy brain, and whose
walls had reared by the sturdy hand, Of
some Dutch architect. 1t was subslan-
tial, antiquated house, time worn. grey,
but not dilapidated; half smothered in
trees, with odd.looking wings stretching
out in every imaginable direction, with
little reference TO uniformity or regularity.
Sharp gables, with steps to the tops Of
them, jutted up among the green branches
of the trees; crooked chimneys, forked for
the benefit of s,orks, which never came
there, and of all possible forms, were
perchcd on the roo:; some OF them stiff
and upright, like stark warriors on guard,
and others twisting and bending, like so
many inquislive old fellows, endeavoring
to peep into the narrow little windows
which garnished the second story. But
everything about it was solid, strong, and
old. The very barns had generous look
They were low, roomy, and extensive,
with broad, wide doors and windows, and
had comfortable, liberal air, not UNI
like some sturdy, short-legged fellow,
with large stomach and ample breeches
pockets.
From the lowest branch of large sy-
camore, in 6 'pof this house, hunga ign
board, ornamehted with the figure of
horse, of deep blue color-a variety OF
that animal possibly common in those days,
but at present extinct-indicating that it
was a place OF public entertainments
Such an intimation, however, was little
needed in its own immediate neighborhood,
for the Blue Horse was place noted
throughout the whole country roundfjr its
good ale, its warm fres:de, and its Jolly,
jovial old landlord, who told story drank
his ale, and smoked his pipe, with any
man in the country; and so he could but
get crony at the bar-room fire, he cared
little whether fhe ale which was making
him mellow was ever TO be paid for. 1t is
no wonder, then, that the Blue Horse he
came the delight of the men, and the hor-
rOr of their wives, who wondered that
their husbands would wander off Of nights
TO old Garrett Quankenboss's house, and
listen to his registering stories, when they
could be so much more uselully employed
in splitting wood or rocking the babies TO
sleep at home. Rumors of their venom
reached the ears of old Garret; but he
smoked his pipe, closed his eyes, and for
got them. His customers did The same,
and, in spite of conjugal opposition, the
bar-room of the Blue Horse was rarely
empty.
This bar-room was a large barn.like
chamber, with wide, gaping fireplace,
and great sturdy fre-dogs squa,tIng in
front of it, with huge logs of wood resting
on and warming their hinder parts--by
the way, an application to warmth in d.
rectlon which has latterly become quite
common, not only to fre-dogs, but to all
frequenters OF bar-rooms. Heavy rafters,
blackened by time and smoke, crossed the
tOP Of the room, and from them projected
books on which hung hams, hind quarters
oi smoked beet, baskets, kettles, and yari-
Gus articles OF culinary use. Over the
snimney were several guns, covered with
aust and cobwebs, and which probably had
never been used since the landlord was n
boy; but on which he now occasionally
cast an anxious eye, as rumors of war and
strife reached him from the more eastern
colonies. Wooden chairs, wooden tables.
a wooden dresser, garnished with pewter
plates, shining like SO many mirrors, and
huge armchair in the chimney corner.
with Garret Quackenboss's fat body and
Jolly face in the midst of it, completed the
of the room.