The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-09-20

homeward. As we passed or met, any of
them, Ned, who had never before witness
ed the like, was both pleased and aston
ished TO see the lads doff their straw hats
and make their bows, and the little girls to
drop their graceful courteseys.
Il say, Tom,' he exclaimed, isn't this
strange? The bows and courtseys ofthese
pretty children would put to the blush any
draw;ng-room performance | ever saw
How easy, natural and pretty they are!
Who can the teacher of these young ideas
be, Tom!'
der graceful looking girl, who has just
turned up that lane ahead of US.
What! That lass with the sun bonnet
It at the teacher? Egae! I'd give trif1e
to see her face
You would be gratiied, Ned re-
piled.
Halo, Farmer Gray, how do you do?'
halloed |, addressing person in an adjoin-
ing field, with d low crowned hat and tow
frock on.
'Ah, how dye do, how dye do?' ex-
claimed Gray, as he dropped his hoe and
came hurrying up to US. whats the
news from town? Have you been hunt
ing! Ah, see, bags full. am glad to
see you, won't you stop and stay the night!
You look tred your young friend there
particularly
With the utmo st pleasure we at once ac-
cepted the hospitable invitation of Gray,
who Immediately led the way to his house.
1t was constructed of hewn logs, beautiful
ly situated upon little eminence, in the
midst Of verdure, and gracefully overhung
with festoons of the wood-bine and the wild
grape. Ushering us into square-room,
Gray introduced us 10 his wife and daugh-
term the person of the latter we was not
slow in discovering the little school mis-
tress. The carnatlon was little height
ened upon the white round cheek of the
beautiful and bashful Ellen Gray, as she
gave her hand TO us on our introduction.
This done she skipped away with the
lightness of a fawn to assist her mother in
the PrePa rations of our supper.
We had handed over our game bags to
Gray, telling him to make free with the
contents. Within an hours time, the large
white linen spread was put upon the table
and soon after, whole troop of partridges
and woodcock, some swimming in gravy,
some reeking from the gridiron, and others
differently dressed came smoking hot upon
their respective dishes. Following these,
came green corn, early potatoes, cucumbers
bouncing radishes, and divers other speci-
mems of the vegetable creation; then came
the fresh, golden, aromatic butter and
cheese; then the warm mullins, accompan.
led by hot coffee, home-brewed ale, and
blackberries and cream. Seated around
this bountiful provision, were farmer Gray
his wife, Ellen, her two young brothers,
Ned and my self. With appetites sharpened
by our days toll did Ned and myself do
extensive justice TO those savory viands.
Never do | remember TO have annoyed
meal with greater relish, or to have pos
sessed greater flow ofspirits when it was
over. As for Ned, he had become a
changed man. He seemed at last, 10 have
found the true poetry of the rich feast be-
fore him, and more particularly in the soft
blue of Ellen's eyes.
| The meal being over, the short evening
passed away in pleasant and animated con-
versation. Farmer Gray was a man of
sterling good sense, and the conversation
embraced political and financial as well as
agricultural topics, both Ned and myself
were surprised as we'll as instructed by the
sound knowledge, good judgment, ald
correctness of sentiment with which his
talk abounded. He possessed, also most
cheerful temper, which told upon his
smooth unwrinkled forehead and ruddy
face (although he was probably sixty years
OF age) and in the total absence of gray
hairs. His sense of the ludicrous, too
was particularly keen, and frequently man.
ifested itself in repeated bursts of hearty
laughter, when any mirthful subject was
on the tapis.
While | was thus engaged with farmer
Gray, Ned, it appeared, had found s'metal
more attractive" and was ''coming the
agreeable" quite extensively with the pref
ty Ellen. He examined her little library
as she stood by his side, and l could SCI
him frequently cast an approving look up
on her as he turned over the title pages te
the volumes, compliment which she re
paid by the sweetest smiles and bushes
Ned also perpetrated some original stanza.
in her Album, and stood convicted of many
: other little attentions and gallantries, tot
numerous, as advertisers says, "to mention
in the handbill.''
But the most interesting and holy mo
retiring to rest, the excellent family O
+ Grey were assembled for their evening de
votions. The rich and clear tones will
which Ellen read chapter from the Sa
cred Book, and the sylph-like grace witt
which she kncll, bending her beautiful