Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-07-03
From Godey's Lady's Book.
Peter Allan's Panther Chase:
BY SARAH HErDURN HAYES.
cI INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A BACKWO0DSNAN

BY SARAH HErEURN HAYES.
The little story i, is our present purpose
10 relate, is one which may be depended
upon as strictly hue. The leading incl
dents were related by descendant oil the
person we intend to introduce under the
cognomen of Peter Allan !; and, aIiho' un-
der the necessity of detailing ii in our own
way, we will give an unvarnished state
ment of facts. Peter Allen was fine,
athletic young Irishman, who came from
The auld co,tnirie in the nineteenth year OF
his age. Fifty years hack, the class oil
emigranis who arrived from that unhappy
country were, as a general thing, less des-
,ilute than al present. As far as worldly
wealth was concerned, Peter had small
Iairi,nony which he was fortunate enough
to dispose Of to advantage. The sum thus
obtained he boarded with great care, and
being possessed Of uncommon natural
shrewdness, and endowed with indomitabe
energy of character. he managed by labor.
ing with his hands to support himself in
comfort and, after a lime, 10 lay up a
portion of his earnings towards what had
ever been the summit of his wishes. viz.
ihe possession of farm. Peter was up
early and down late no job that promised
the reward OF penny was beneath his
notice, and employment that required trust
was usually executed so as to give entire
satisfaction. So obliging was his disposi-
iion, and so punctual his habits, that he at
length began TO make friends among his
employers. One rich gentleman in parllc.
ular, attracted, in the first place, by his
open countenance, took a great deal OF
notice Of him and. on Peter making him
acquainted with his secret and long-cher-
ished scheme, of some day owning a
farm, the gentleman promised TO make in-
quiry, and if he could discover a place
that would sui, him, he would take an early
opportunity Of acquainling him with the
fact.
Accordingly. one morning he sent for
Peter, and informed him that he had been
making inquiry, and had learned from a
correspondent that there was farm. such
as Peter wished, about two hundred miles
from the city. This appeared like the end
of the world TO the unsophisiicated Irish
man; but the gentleman, taking down a
map, made him acquainted with its loca-
lion, and pointing out the advantages
which might accrue TO him from being
among the first settlers, with the gradual
rise which must take place in the value Of
property as the country became populated.
he became willing and eager TO embrace
the opportunity thus offered for enriching
himself. There was another difficulty,
however, in the way. Allan had become
enamored Of blue eyed lass living on the
Jersey side, who could no. see any reason
for going so far 10 make home in the
Pennsylvania woods; and it required all
his power OF persuasion, and every epithet
Of endearment the musical language Of his
native land could supply, to alter her res
olution.
Al length, Debby consented, and no
time was lost in making their preparations.
Their mode Of conveyance was after the
ancient fashion, a heavy wagon. 1t was
laden with such articles Of furniture as
might be useful in their new home. and
with provisions for themselves, and pro.
vender for the four stout horses whose
business i, was TO convey it over the
wrelched road stretching from Philadelphia
into the interior. This mode of convey
ance had its Inconvenience; but, al tht
time Of which we write, no other was
practicable, and Peter and his vile, will
the man servant and maid. who accom-
panied them, endured the dscomforts o
the journey with exemplary patience an,
cheerful hope. The wagon was the shelte
and the transport ;'for in their route. a
tha, day, few habitations were 10 be seen
and when at night-lalI they would halt i
some deep forest and kindle their hug
campfire, they would spread their repa'
beneath some verarching tree. and, st
cure in the light Of the cheerful blaze, tai
over the occurrences Of the day with jes'
and laughter While, perhaps, the ou