The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-16
The l.and-Fever.
By MRS. CAROLINE N. KIRKLAND.

h8no-Gteef
MRS. CAROLINE N. KIRKLAND
In 1885 and 1886, a fever of speculation in
lands took place in the far west. Both the specu-
latOrs, and the ''and-lOokers" who helped them
in the business of their purchases, were odious
TO the actual settlers, because, by thus buying
up land, they threatened 10 maintain a wilder
ness round the clearngs for years. serious
disadvantage TO these already too solitary men.
SO much being promised, and with the addition
al knowledge that the ackwoodsmen are gem
orally very hospitable, the reader will appre-
bend the humOr of the following sketch. Ii
was at the height Of the fever that Mr.. Will
loughby, a resPectsble-lOoking middle aged
man, riding a Jaded horse, and carrying with
him blankets, valise, sadde-bags, and holsters,
stopped in front Of a rough log house, and ac-
costed its tall and meagre tenant
THrs individual and his dwelling resem-
bled each other in an unusual degree.
The house was, as We have said of the
Toughest; Its ribs scarcely half filled i'm
with clay; its ''looped and Widowed rag
gedness rendered more conspicuous by the
tattered cotton sheets which had long done
duty as 9 lass, and which now futtered in
every breeze; its roof of oak shingles.
warped into every possible curve; and its
stick chimney, 50 like its owners hat.
opened at the top, and TANNED in at the
sides; all Swallowed forth the contour and
equipments Of the exceedingly and selfsat-
isfed person who leaned on the fence, and
snapped his long cart-whip, while ne gave
such answers as suited him TO the gentle
man in the India-rubbers, taking especial
care not to invite him to alight.
''Can you tell me, my friend,-"
civilly began MIR. Willoughby.
s'Ohl friend :" interrupted the settler:
''who told you that | was your friend!
Friends is scuss in these parts"
s'You have at least no reason to be other.
wise, replied the traveller, who was blessed
with very patient temper, especially where
there was no use in getting angry.
81 don't know that" was the reply.
"What fetch'd YOU into these woods p
'1f | should say my horse the answer
would perhaps be as civil as the ques-
ton"
-'Jist as you like" said the other, turning
on his heel, and walking of.
81 wished merely to ask you," resumed
Mr.. Willoughby, talking after the noncha-
liant son of the forest, whether this is Mr.. |
Peppers land"
'How do you know ii amt mine 2"
''l'm not likely 10 know at present il
seems, said the traveller, whose patience
was getting little frayed And taking out
his memorandum-book, he ran over his
minutes ".South half Of northwest quart
er Of section foureen-Your name is
Leander Pepper, is it not p
"Where did you get 50 much news ?
You ant the sheriff, be ye?'
'Pop!" screamed a white-headed urchin
from the house. "Mam says supper.
ready"
$50 ant y replied the papa; "Ive
got all my chores to do yet" And he
busted himself at log pg-stye on the oppo.
site side Of the road, half as large as The
dwelling-house. Here he was soon sur
rounded by squealing multitude, with
whom he seemed to hold regular CONVEX
sation.
Mr.. Willoughby looked at the westering
sun, which was not far above the dense
wall Of trees that shut in the small clear
ing then at the heavy clouds which ad-
vsnced from the north, threatening stormy
night; then at his watch, and then at his
notebook; and after all, at his predicament,
)n the whole, an unpleasant prospect.
But al tals moment female face showed
tself at the door. Our travellers memory
reverted at once to the testimony OF Led
yard and Mungo Park and he had also
'ome floating and indistinct poetical recol-
Iections Of woman's being useful when a
man was in difficulties, though hard to
please al other times The result Of these
which occupied a precious
second, was, that Mr.. Willoughby dis
fastened his horse TO the fence.
and advanced with brave and determined
air, to throw himself upon female kindness
and sympathy.
He naturally looked at the lady, as he (
approached the door, but she did not return
the compliment. She looked at the Dig,
md talked to the children, and Mr.. vii.
loughby had time to observe that she was
he very duplicate Of her husband; as tall.
rs bony, as ragged, and twice as cross-Ioo
ng.
''Malviny Jane y she exclaimed, in no
iulcet treble, ''be done a-paddlin' in that
ere water 1! If | come there, I'LL"
you'd better look at Sophrony, / +
,ues = was the reply. :
"Why, what s she a-doin' ?"
"well, | guess il you look, you'll see r