The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-09-15
For the Cecil Wing.
REFLECTIONS
On the Site of an Old House.

As we pass along the country our atten-
tcntion is frequently arrested BY the APP
pcarancc OF little hillock, covered with
grass OF deeper green, than that of the
surrounding landscape, and a few ancient
and drcaycd fruit trees, standing near, tell
us that this spot was the place of human
beings, and close by from under the bill,
issues a spring of crvsta! water. This was
the abode of one of the early settlers ofthe
country; but for his name and history,
where are We to enquire! Some faint
recollection of them, perhaps, may be
among the imperfect traditions of the
neighborhood, but most probably they are
lost in the deep oblivion OF the past.
AS | have sat down on one Of those an
cicnt sites, reflections like these seem to
occupy my mind On this spot, in time
gone hy, there stood a house, perhaps
very rude structure, Iui!t of rough logs
from the surrounding forest, and beneath
its roof dwet family OF early settlers,
those pioneers of civilization. BY the
strong arm of the huslandman, the fields
now lying waste, were reclaimed from the
wild wood, and here he pursued the plea
sures of the chase. Here his wife labored
in her vocation OF household duties, and
reared her family, whose descendants, now
perhaps, are scattered far and vice, and
know not where stood the home of their
progentorS; Or one may occasionally pay
a visit to tins dcsoIate spot, and on review
ing the scenes of his youth, which are
still remembered, what crowd of early
associations throng around him. Here the
happicst days of his life were passed; it is
the theatre Of many interesting incidents
he never can forget. Now when be looks
around for the many we'll remembered
spots, 80 bright in his recollection, he is
forced TO cAcaim, Oh, how changed The
buildings are gone The garden shows
not vcstlgr of its former location .-The
old pear tree, and the roses, and all the
flowers are gone. There remain the shat
tered remnants Of two or three apple trees,
and he grect9 them as old acquaintance.
il" sits down by the spring and thousand
predictions Of youthful days come up be-
lore him. Here, in the merry morn OF
life, he played with his little comrades,
and as nc thinks Of them, one after another,
and of the many happy hours they passed !
on these sunny banks, and now that they
are all gone, and the very place itself seems
changed, a feeling of deep melancholy
comes over him, and he is deeply impress
ed with the llecting nature OF every thing
su5lunary, lie seats hinselihy the Old home
stead, on one OF the few chimney stone that
lie scattered about. The recollection OF the
kind mother, that watched with such
care and anxiety over his youth, caus-
cs the tear-drop TO start from his eye. On
this very spot, how she labored for her
children and how earnestly she watched
over them. When sickness came she adj
ministcrcd to their wants with heartfelt
affection and with watchlulness that
knew no rest until danger was past.-1hat
Kind friend has long since gone to her re-
ward, and her children are scattered
abroad. He is reminded too of his kind
father; OF his labor and his anxiety for his
children. He remembered the MANY in
tcrcsiing anecdotes and stories with which
he used to bcguile the long winter evenings.
Ills descriptions OF the green isle of
Erin, the place. of his birth: of his cross
ing the broad sea 50 long out of sight of
land-ol the storms the mountain waves
and the pcrIlS Of the deep. He told too. |
of the prlvatons of the carly settlers of
the savage foes that lurkcd in the wilder
deSs, and Of fierce conflicts with wild ami
, mails and Of the pleasures Of the chase.
He had stories of the Indian wars, of their
Chiefs, and their war-songs. = He had tales
too, Of the French war; but most interest
ing of all were his anecdotes of the Reyo-
luton, where he himselfhad served IN be-
half Of his oppressed country, and his eye
would brighten. ana his breast expand, as
he named the name of Washington, and
pointed hin to his children os the greatest
and best Of nef-That parent had gone
the way Of all the earth, and who knows
: "the spot that holds bis dust 2? Pr
'is There is kind melancholy pleasure,
not ungrateul TO the human heart in re-
viewing sthe incidents of early'lite; al.
though the ehjoyments Of that Interesting
period are, past and these, palmy days re-
-tufhfno more. 'y0d9 RAMBLER. 4
New LEEDS. 80 I i9se