Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-07-10
From AIthur's Magazine.
ksCvCrSeS of Fortune.
PART |.
SKETCH OF WESTERN LIFE.

II was mild autumnal evening in 1873
l he sun had just gone down, and his lingering
beams, like dallying lovers, still kissed the
hlush'ng foliage of forest, in what was then
called The :" Far West" Jack Frost. ,ha, in
ImI'able painter, had already decked each tree
and shrub with thousand hues from the rich,
deep, golden tint, to the modest Quaker drab
All nature, indeed, seemed 10 have put on The
coat of many colours as if determined TO
10 have at least one grand display, before old
winter should throw over its face The white
veil of unwilling seclusion.
The venerable forest of thousand wears.
seemed 10 forge, It's age, as lis tree tops smiled
in the departing light of the sun, while the
nesting birds from its embowered recesses car
rolled forth their simple vespers. The blue
smoke, 100, curling from the rude chimney of
solitary log cabin, which stood in The centre of
small clearing" in The midst Of The wood.
seemed 10 rise joyfulIy into the clear a,mos-
phere, as if it were the evening sacrifice of The
tenemenl's humble inmates
These were, hardy New Engand's Plon-
eer, his wife, Two sons, and an infant daughter.
The sons, William and James, were old enough
10 assist their father al clearing, breaking, and
cropping" The members of this humble fami-
ly were amongst the first settlers in that part of
the West, and of course endured many hard
ships, while they were deprived Of The luxuries
OF an Eastern residence vel they were cheer
difficulty of paying for the lands they had pur-
chased, their happiness would have been COM
pleIe.
The difficulties which frowned upon them
from The future. and the spirit with which they
me, them, will appear from what follows.
Upon The evening in question, they were par
taking Of their frugal supper, when knock
from without. interrupted their meal and con-
versaiion. Lee, the head of lhe family answer
ing The summons a, the door, saluted by a
well dressed stranger, on horseback. who re-
quesled accommodation" for himself and his
tired animal uni morning. He was immedi-
aiely welcomed by the sturdy pioneer, and CIV
ing bis horse in charge Of one of The boys, soon
found himself comfortably seated by ihe iireside
of his host A plain bus substantial supper was
quickly prepared after par'aking of which. the
stranger, won by the unaffected cordiail,y Of
his entertainer, forgo. all reserve,-and in the
course OF the conversation which ensuel, COM
munca'ed 10 him his name and history,
The guest, Henry Florence. was native
and merchan, in one Of Our Eastern ciries.-
He was wealthy and fond OF adventure, and
having vested few hundreds in western lands,
he resolved TO crafty his desire Of seeing the
vas. forests, the rolling praries, and The noble
lakes and rivers of the great West Upon a
visit of adventure as well as profit, therefore,
he had acciden,ly become The guest of the SET
Tier.
81 You must endure many privaiions. in this
wild, unsettled country" sad Florence, in the
course of the evenings conversation.
"Yes; but The East" AIM The place for poor
men now ME anu Dlne are dS SopU ds dnN
body, and like to be, where | can live like
other folks. The VESTS growin' country,
and I've notion can grow with II and when
| die, leave something handsome for my chill
dren.
How long have you been here :"
"Three year. last March"
flow have you prospeted during that timer
"Oh first rate, so far; bu, the drought has
slmos, ruined the crops this year and I'm hard
pressed TO raise the money 10 make The ias
paymen, on my land. The shiners' sae nigh
ty scarce 10 these parts, and fp a.eared some
times, Ill have 10 give up the iand and all I've
earned these as' two Yeas and paid toward,
II. But peveI mind, we must have troubles o.
else we wouldni know ~ha, We Gould do. !
we tried"
The last words were spoken with tone @
resolution, though his voice 'rembied slightly