The North-Carolina standard., 1843-04-26
From the Boston Evening Gazette.
THE TWO OFFERS
Or
"INc Tanner anil the Salt Boiler"
BY ANN F. PORTER.

then termed, echoed for the first time the merry
sound of the busy axe. A few years made a
great chanoe-the sclearings were dotted here
and there with picturesque log cabins, and the
weary traveller, who for hours had followed the
bridIe path through the forest, hailed the curling
smoke from the mud chimney as sure prcsage
of a warm welcome, and a warmer supper o
sham and hominy' The periFs of the Indian war
and the close intimacy occasioned by life in the
garrison, made the settlers feel their dependence
Tpon each other and united their hearts as well
as their interests. Nearly all of these pioneers
were pilgrim sons, nheriting the stern virtues and
brave hearts of their puritan fathers. Danger
was pastime to their restless spirits, and the hard
labor of clearing land, building their own houses
and tilling their fields, even before they were
cleared of stumps, gave vlgor and energy TO thelr
bodies, and even were there fewer advantages to
be gained by life in the wilderness, they but ex-
changed the cold winds and barren sands of our
New England sea shore for dwelling amid the
rich fields and fertile valleys that border upon the
sIIa Belle RIVER The first permanent settle
ment was made in 1888 at a spot on the river
where the Muskingum, literally translated Elk
Eve. rolls its tributary waters to the Ohio.
The traveller of this day, as he is hurried swift
along by the almost magic power of steam, fails
not to cast lingering look upon this lovely spot
anil echoes the remark of each preceding observer,
W q
chose!' The place increased but slowly on ac-
count of Indian troubles 1t first received It's
name in I793-that year memorable in France
for the tragic death of Maria Antionete, and these
sturdy sons of the forest uniting with their serner
nature sympathy for the fair sufferer, gallantly
called it Marietta in honor of that most unfortun-
ate queen Nearly all of the inhabitants resided
in the garrison This was piece OF ground IN
the form of square, surrounded by an embank-
ment of earth-on the top of which was rude
embrasure composed of stakes driven into the
ground at short distances fIom each other.
Within this enclosure were the houscs, mostly
built of unhewn logs, presenting rather rule
appearance to the eye accustomed to the neat and
tidy dwellings of New England village. But
we will not despisc them for many a noble spirit
has been graded in those rude houses ofthe west
and many a bright eyed merry girl has graced
them with her presence. AS some who peruse
this may have never seen q log cabin, allow me
to push open the door, for the latch string is loose
and give them peep into a domicile of primitive
times Start not, gentle reader, the hand of neat
ness and of taste has been here Thank Heaven
the gifts of nature are lavshed profuscly upon
all earths children. 1t needs but the open eye to
see their beauties, and the open heart to receive
them. The sunbeams shine as brightly upon the
rich, brown bark of those rough logs, as 1t does
upon the frettcd domes and gilded palaces of
above your head, gives forth its perfume as sweet
ly as when nurtured by high-born damsels and
watered from marble fountains Above all, in
the human heart here, that exquisite piece of
Gods workmanship, you will find more kindly
impulse-more Of the graceS which dignity hu-
manity, than in the crowded city where every
thing seems calculated to call forth the selfshness
and cupidity Of men,
But keep you too long at the door-see, it is
II L. hoe oroI hor
little flock around hcr-the boarded floor is clean
ly swept-the bed looks as if it received its finish
ing touch from the hand of quakeress, and were
it not for that sleepy little urchin, who has his
hand upon the head board to draw it out, we
should not perceive the trundle-bed beneath. But
herefare more bodies than can be comfortably
lodged in two beds All, but you perceive not all
the conveniences of the place Yonder is a mar
row. ladder. It leads to the lof-that is the rest
ing place for the older boys. They need not,
like the scientific Ferguson. go out into the open
fields to watch at the stars, for the openings
through the unshingIcd roof are but so many
loop holes for the embryo astronomer The rain
and snow may give them some trouble, but these
are only trifes to the buckeye boy. They were
early Injured to hardship, and taught by their
brave mothers, they were we'll prepared for the
trials and emergencies incident to new country.
Little has been said of those noble women who
accompanied the early SeulerS. L nelf names are
unknown in romance or in song, but their need
of praise land ought woman to ask more y is,
that 'their children rise up and call them bless
ed" have said that these emigrants were all
united in feeling and in action. Most of them
were adventurers, energetic spirits, determined to
seek and find fortune. Industry was the watch
word of all-anl when trees were to be felled,
stumps rooted out, log cabins rolled up corn to be
planted, and new lands to survey, who could be
ldle2 But there were some exceptions. AS the
Indians ceased to trouble them, and pitched wig
vans further towards the setting sun-and the
rich land began to yield abundant crops then
temptations were presented to those who, too indo
lent to sow amid hardships and danger, were yet
willing to reap when days of peace came.
Soon after the garrison was desertcd-and
houses began to be erected in different parts of the
valley-there quite a commotion in the SET
tement occasioned by the arrival of family AS
the boat neared the shore group were collected
to receive them, the in their flannel frocks or
hunting shirts, and the women in their fustian
gowns and check aprons. But careless of per-
sonal appearance, they were impatiently waiting
to welcome the strangers, for a pilgrim from New
England was hailed as brother from home
4 number of ladies were discerncd in the
stern, and one by her commanding figure and
richer dress attracted their attention As she stem