Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-09

cliffs, which are known the Painted Rocks. They are
limestone and rise from the margin of the French Broad to
the height OF two three and four hundred feet They are of
yelowsh cast owing to the dnppngs Of mineral water
ana Ia FORM as irregular and fantastic well be imagined
ihey eAehd along the river nearly mile and every step
present new phases OF beauty and grandeur Taken sepa
raey, requires but rihng effort Of the fancy 10 find
among them towers ampars and moa seepes and domes
in great abundance but when taken as whole and viewed
from the opposite bank of the river they present the
ance oil once-magnhcen city in ruins Not only are thew
exceedingly beautiful in themselves, but the surrounding
scenery highly attractive for the mountains seem 10 have
hudded themselves together for the purpose of looking down
upon and admrng the winding and rapid stream. With re
gard to historical and Legendary associations the Painted
Rocks ngulary barren in this particular however thew
like the entire valley Of the French Broad where relics Of
by-gone people few and far between. The rugged as
pect of this country would to imply that was never
regularly inhabited by the Indians but was their hunting
grounds and what would appear to strengthen this idea is
the fact that it is at the present day. particularly famous
for its game
On the DAY that returned from my trip down the French
Broad the weather quite howey and the consequence
was, the rain was occasionally employed apology for stop
ping and enjoying quiet conversation with the people the
road At Of the places where halted there was contest
going between Wings concerning the talents Of the
honorable gentleman who represents the famous county of
Buncombe in Congress. The men were both strongly at
ached to the representative and the consisted in their
efforts to excel each other in complmenng their friend and
the climax of the argument seemed be that Mr. CLIsGmAN
was not "soae pumpkins" but "ruMPKINs." The
srangeness Of this expression attracted my attention. and
when opportunity offered questioned the successful dis
puan as to the origin and meaning Of the phase he had en-
poyed and the substance Of his reply might give to YOU if
il was Of nature to interest the reader.
AT another of the houses where aied for an hou ii was
my fortune arrive just in time witness the conclusion of
domestic quarrel between young husband and his WIFE,
On subsequently inqurng into the history of this aeconate
couple obtained the following particulars The young man
was reported to be very weakmnded individual and ever
since his marriage had been exceedingly jealous of his wife,
who Gas had seen) quite beautiful and known to be
perfectly true to her husband Jealousy, however, was the
rage of the man. and he constantly making himself yery
ridiculous wife demonstrated but the same time appe-
caed his folly and acted accordingly On one occasion she was
politely informed by her husband that he very unhappy and
intended hang himself every WELL replied the wife, al
will have good time" The husband was desperate
and having obtained rope carefully adjusted certain STOOL
ne slipped the former his head and when he knew that
his wife was looking on, he swung himself crossbeam of
his cabin In playing his trick, however, he unfortunately
kicked the STOOL (which he had placed in convenient
losing his life in reality but saved by the timely assist
ance Of his wife. His first remark being cut down was
Jane, won't please after the doctor I've twisted my
neck dreadully."
also picked up, while travelling along the French Broad
the following bit of history connected with of the hand
soonest plantations said river About forty years ago
young girl and her brother (who mere boy) found
themselves in this portion Of North Carolina, strangers
phans, iendess and with only the moneyed inheritance of
hundred and fifty dollars. With this money the girl
bought piece Of land and her little brother having died. she
hired herself housekeeper. In process of time she
married, her little property into the keeping of her hus
band who squandered it, died drunkad and left her with
out penny. By the kindness Of friend she borrowed
couple of hundred dollars and to Ashve and opened
boarding house In the of five years she made ten
thousand dollars married second tme and by the profgacy
and death of her second husband again every penny of
her property Years elapsed and the unceasng industry of
the poor widow recompensed by the smiles Of fortune
and she is the of large and valuable plantation
which is the fruit of her individual TOLL and number Of
song and manly the comforts of her old age But
enough am in Ashvlle, and the conclusion Of
my letter.