The Daily spy., 1848-07-21

be conferred upon the population OF the two 9TH
er Territories
MOUNTAIN LIFE IN KENTUCKY. The
following amusing sketch of life among the
Mountains in Kentucky, is furnished by cor
respondent of the Louisville (Ky.) Examiner
&c DR.. --, whom some of you know, called
upon me yesterday and stated that he had been
sent for to visit patient some six seven miles
over the mountan and that if | would accom-
pany him there, he thought he could present
me with fine tdbleau-Uipant of mountain life
Accordingly had pony saddled and booting
myself, we started. Our road lay almost per-,
pendicul rly up one side OF the Cumberland
mountain, and down the other. Toward even
ing, we arrived at place familiarity known here.
abouts as old Jack IS, and were cordially re-
ceived and welcomed into his cabin, single log
hut, with rudely constructed camp bed in one
corner, which together with four or five rude
stools, home made, few pots and kettles, an
old chest and nine children, comprised the en-
tire furniture OF the room. The Doctor went up
to the bedside OF his patient, and seated myself
upon one of the stools in the chimney corner.
and while he was professionally engaged, was
making the above survey of the premises.
'Fro@ Kentucky" said mine host nqurlngly,
sYes sir From the settlements, s'pose p Yes
SIR pretty good country" very good.' so
I've hearn; smart chance for craps this year p
'He inquiries in regard to the agricultural pros
poets OF your vlcinage,' kindly explained the
Do tor, speaking in stranger language as far as
our entertainer were concerned. 'He knows but
little about that added he, addressing old Jack.
SELLS goods, Ireckin" said Jack. 'No,' said the
Doctor, wishing to puzzle the inquirer. Me-
chanic, then !" laconically added he, with laud-
able spirit OF investigation (Mechanic means
blacksmith in the mountain lingo) mo sir said
the Doctor, she is an authorize makes books.'-
He was immovable-'Pretty considerable trade
in books in the settlements, stranger !? said he
The Doctor and both laughed outright at this
odd reception OF authorship and old Jack was 81
fenced.
Soon after this, the daughter, good-looking
girl of some II or Is summers, saluted US with,
'come folks, set up to supper / looked round
for something to set up to, but in vain. There
was nothing in the remotest degree resembling
table, and no plates, or knives and forks, or any
OF those little indispensables to the meal usual
with us. turned an enquirng face to the Doc
tor. but he seemed to be pursuing an nvestiga
ton similar to my own.--sW Where do you want us
to set up to said he. sOh, see you and the
stranger amt used to US folks, sit here on the
stool He sat down, and the daughter soon came
toward us, dandling huge round cake made OF
pounded CON, upon her hands, tossing it up an
inch or two and catching it, and then tossing it
again to keep it from burning her hands, sPut
your knees together said she to the Doctor He
passively obeyed, and received the cake upon his
knees, where for moment or two he kent il
dancing as she had done. Presently she came
round again with skillet and stopping before
the i'll fated Doctor, she poured the contents.
which consisted oil slices OF fat nddling fried in
grease, upon the cake aforesaid, and thea raking
some Irish potatoes out of the ashes, she tumbled
them in pile on the floor between us. And this
constituted the supper We broke of pieces of
the bread from round the edges, and took the ba
con and potatoes in our fingers as best we might.
not, however, without being reminded by our
host OF that ancient and vertabe aphorism, that
fingers was made aforc knives and forks
After supper batch of straw and corn shucks
was thrown into corner, and couple of bear
skins put upon it, and our bed was ready for US
Had 1t been great deal worse, we could have
slept upon it, for our journey had fagued us no
little. After breakfast the next morning differ
ing but little from the supper of the night before.
we prepared to start Our host followed us TO
the field where our horses had been put, and de-
manded oil the Doctor his bill for medical services
why said the Doctor, where's the use of char
ging you anything, you would not be able to paw
it, 'May be wouldn't said old Jack, and he
displayed a roll OF bills that could not have
amounted TO less than hundred dollars This
brought forth from the Doctor pretty severe
lecture, addressed to old Jack, on the impropri-
ely oil keeping his family and living himself in
IN such destitute condition, when he was abun-
aant'y aole TO provide them with plenty of com.
forts. Ef it's good enough for me. reckin vou
haint no reason to object 10 II. said the old fellow
very much nettled. He paid his bill without
WORD OF objection, and we lett him alone in his
glory.'' " "''