The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-04-06

Kip was at length routed by his termagaut
wife, who would suddenly break in upon
the tranquility of the Assem- b!ase, ans! call
the members all to nausht; nor was that
august parsonage, Nicholas Ved,ler him
self. sacred from the daring tongue of this
terrible virago, who charged him outright
with encouraging her husband in habits OF
idleness.
Poor Rip was at last reduced almost to
despair; and his only alternative. to escape
from the labor of the farm and clamor of
his wife, was to take gun in hand and
stroll away into the woods. Here he would
sometimes seat himself ut the foot of tree
and share the contents of his wallet with
Wolf, with whom he sympathizcd as fellow
sufferer in persecution, 50 Poor VOLT"
he would say, "thy mistress leads thee a
dogs life Of it but never mind, my lad,
whilst live thou shalt never want friend
to stand by thee!'' Wolf would was his
tail. look wistiully in his masters face,
and il dogs can feel pity, 1 verify believe
he reci procated the sentiment with all his
heart.
In long ramble Of the kind on fine
autumnal day, Rip had unconscious!y
scrambled to one Of the highest parts oG the
kaatskill mountains. lie was after his
favorite sport Of squirrel shooting. and the
still solitudes had echoed and re echoed
with the reports Of his gun. Painting and
fatigued, he threw himself, late III the at
ternoon, on a greer knoll, covered with
mountain herbage, that crowned the brow
of ;ipice. From an opening between
the trees lie could overlook all the lower
country for many mile of rich woodland.
He saw at distance the IordIy Hudson,
far. far below him, moving on its silent but
majestic course, with the reflection Of
purple cloud, or the sail of "a tagging bark
here and there sleeping on its CLASSY bosom,
and at last losing itself in the blue high
lands.
On the other side he looked down into
a deep mountain glen. wild. lonely, and
shagged, the bottom filled with fragments
from the impending cliffs and scarcely
lighted by the rejecting ray Of the set ting
sun. For some time Rip lay musins on
this scene evening was gradually advanc-
ing the mountains began to throw their
long blue shadows over the valleys he
saw that it would be dark long before he
could reach the village, and he heaved
heavy sigh when he thought Of encounter
ing the terrors Of Dame Van Wrinkle.
AS he was about to descend, he heard
a voice from distance, ha)looing. s. Rip
Van Winkle! Rip Van WinkIe!" He
looked round, but could see nothing but
crow winginy its solitary flight across the
mountain. lie thought his fancy must
have deceived him, and turned again to
descend, when he heard the same cry ring
through the still evening air s 8 Rip Van
Winkle! Rip Van WiEkle pat the same
time Wolf bristled up his back, and giving
a low growI, skuIkcd to his masters side,
looking fearfullv down into the glen. Rip
now felt vague apprehension stealing
over him he looked anxiously in the same
direction, and perceived strange figure
slowly toiling up the rocks. aud bending
under the weight Of something he carried
on his back. lie was surprised to
any human being in this lonely and
unfrequented place, but supposing it to
be some one Of the neishborhood in need
of his assistance, he fastened down to
yield it.
On nearer approach he was still more
surprised at the snsularty of the strangers
appearance. He was short square built
old fellow, with thick bushy hair, aud
grizzly beard. His dress was Of the an
tique Dutch fashi0n--a cloth jerkin strap
ped round the waist-several pair of
breeches. the outer one Of ample volume,
decorated with rows Of buttons down the
sides, and lunches at tie knees. lie bore
on his shoulder stout kes that seemed
full of liquor, and made signs for Rip to
approach and assist him with the load.
Though rather shy and distrustful Of this
acquaintance, Rip complied with his usual
alacrity; and mutually relieving each 9th
er, they clambered up a narrow gully. APP
parently the dry bed Of mountain torrent.
AS they ascended, Rip every now aud then
heard long rolling peals. like distant thun-
der. that seemed to issue out Of deep
ravine, or rather cleft, between lofty rocks,
toward which their rugged path conducted.
lie paused for an instant, but supposins
it to be the muttering Of one Of those tran
sient thuntler-showers which often take
place in mountain heights. he proc ceeded.
Passing through the ravine, they came to
hollow, like small amphitheatre. sur
rounded by perpendicular preciplces, over
the Drinks Of which impending trees shot
their branches, so that you only caught
eIimpses of the azure sky and the bright
evening cloud. During the whole time.
Rim and his companion had labored on in
silence: for though the for,her marveled
greatly what could be the object of carry
ing a kes Of liquor up this wild mountain,
vet there was something strange and in-
comprehensive about the unknown. that
inspired awe aud checked familiarity.
On entering the amphitheatre, new OBJ
jects Of wonder presented themselves. On
a level spot in the centre was company