Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-11-06

A
sheet of (oolscap in The form of a letter from
her daughter. She was just dressing for
sailing party, so she laid it aside until IN,
next morning, when with sundry exclama
tons OF wonder she broke the seal. But hoy
did her wonder increase as she read,
DEAR FATHERAND MOTHER ~ have pro
vided myself this mammoth sheet for the pur
pose, and with the intention of writing YOU ,
history oil my six months in the country.
| 1--WE shall find some amusement in this let
ter,' said Mrs. Henshaw to her listening hui,
band
"Lonisa is disposed to be face,ious, ] see
ny her commencing with father and mother,
IL was Saturday evening when I arrived a,
MIR. Gray's and as you will remember cold
rain had succeeded the fine weather. I fell
chilled and miserable and the snug old farm
house presented most comfortable appear
ance. As the coach drew up, the house doc,
opened, and porily gentleman came out
saying to some persons within, "no, no, I can
bring her in my arms if necessary"
lie looked surprised as sprang out of the
vehicle; he, however conducted me very
courteously into the parlour. But at the
door paused. 1t was a large apartment,
destitute of centre table, piano, lounge, but
there was bright wood fire burning on the
hearth, and the room contained every thing
necessary TO comfort, and some superflui,es !:
for before the fire stood velvet cushioned
easy chair and footstool, and my aunt Gray
with large snowy pillow in her hands was
waiting to accommodate her invalid niece.
She looked curiously at me; blushed for
shame while my heart overlooked toward
them for their kindness. And then the GRO
tesqueness of my own position presented it.
self, and while ] pressed hand of each,
burst into hearty fit of laughter, in which
my uncle joined merrily.-"Grlsn he cried
as soon as he could speak-"come, YOUR
cousin needs no possets or weak soups; come
and shake hands with her." The three girls
entered. and while they made their compli
ments he went on, "away with the big chair:
all Louisa wants is employment, air and ex.
ercise In six weeks she will be able TO run
race with the fleetest beau in the townsbip.n
lie then sat down beside me and enoured
Tor you both with great kindness and soIic.
tude, until we were summoned to tea. Dur
ing the evening had leisure to examine nv
cousins. They are named Mary, Ellen. and
Lucy. was struck with their beauty and
the proprety of every thing around them
assure you, mother, they were perfectly
elegant in their home made dresses. with
white capes and aprons. When we retired
for the night found we were all to sleep in
large chamber, with good fire in the small
fire place, and two large beds standing in op-
posite corners, with wash stands and all etce-
teras. Mary. the eldest, sat down by the Ia
bic, and opening a large Bible began te, read
tf,tt
and sat down and listened devoully. When
the chapter was read she said, 'let us pray,''
and we knelt while she read devoutly some
beautiful evening prayers. Inever laid down
In my life so happy before.
In the morning we arose before the sun,
when we came down we found aunt busy
about the breakfast; and the girls got the
white pals to go and milk would 90 with
them, and though was very much afraid of
the cows, went into the yard, and soon
grew so bold as to put my hand on one that
Lucy was milking, and finally resolved 10 do
as they did. was very awkward, and we all
laughed heartily, but they said would soon
learn. And then the funny little calves with
their innocent faces and merry gamboIs-oh!
how ] did love them. After an excellent
breakfast we dressed for church. Neither off
my cousins were in any way inferior TO yonr
elegant Louisa. The congregation at the
church was highly respectable i'm appearance,
serious and devout in their demeanor, and at
tentve TO the services. Through the week
as observed the cheerful activity of nv I'M
Gle and his family, saw the girls sweeping.
securing, scrubbing, churning, baking, cook
ing, spinning, sewing, knitting, embroidering,
sketchng, painting, and withal finding time to
read and write, grew very much ashamed of
my own ignorance and helplessness, and re-
solved to make myself mistress of all these
useful accomplishments. They were all busy
the whole day, and seemed to take pleasure
i'll their occupations. Oh if you could see
their happy faces as they sit at work in the
evening while uncle reads aloud and then
if you could listen to our evening HYMNS.
Such singing never heard, so sweet, so clear
and so natural declare forgot my i'll
health before had been here two DAYS.
There is much pleasure in gardening. When
the girls commenced put on laced boots as
they did. and they went to work digging
beds, trauspantiDg flowers, sowing seeds and
training shrubs.
We do not fear the dew or run for slight
shower. Such garden as we had such
variety and abundance of flowers and vege-
tables, such Injuries in form of peas, beans
and salads. fatter myself am now quite
a gardener, though a. first did no, know a
plant from weed. have also learned how
to make cheese. Not merely to see it done,
but to perform the whole process myself j.
have become proof against ''damp air or damp
Feet" You should see us gathering straw
berries IN the meadow while the grass is wet
with dew, or making hay at the approach of
a thunder cloud, until the big drops begin to
fall, and then running to the house laughing
amid the bright shower Oh there IS no