Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-03-27
A Sketch from Life.

|
You have neither watered the horse nor fed the
pigs. There's Sal, scolding down stairs because
there's no wood cut for the oven; and you have
left the bars of the lane down, and the COW has
gone into neighbor Humphreys field. Get out
you idle, lazy, good-for-nothing loon-out of my
sight"
Mr. Davis six feet high. Obadiah was not more
than five feet three The last adiectives, with
their terminating noun, were rendered much more
emphatic by the hearty cuffs with which each one
was accompanied, and the last explanatory push,
which came from hand brawny with fifty years
labor formed hint not to be mistaken, that the
negligent youths company was no longer wanted
Obadiah was lubberly-looking fellow, about
seventeen. He bore the beating with a good
grace the necessity of which frequent experience
had inculcated; and, without saying word to his
irritated parent, he went down the lane-a neglect
of the bars of which had formed one of the counts
| in the declaration against him--and sat down on
stone, in little grove of trees by the side of a
brook, whose waters swept rapidly over their SAN
dy bed, and flld the air with freshness and music
He ruminated awhile, with under lip out in pout-
ing way, which, with him as well as others, was
sign of some internal agitation.
eyes" he exclaimed-for why should not far
mers boys address the groves and invoke the rural
spirits, as well as Tell or Brutes 3" Yes" says
Obadiah, drawing the sleeve of his coat across his
mouth, with more of a view of comfort than grace
eyes, I'll be darncd if | stand that ere any more
amt to be beat like dog all my life and think
may as well give dad the slip now as any other
time I'll tell him ont. If he's mind to give
me trifle so much the better; if he hant, he may
let it alone.''
1t was about two days after the preceding events
that Mr.. Davis was surprised by the appearance of
his son, apparently equipped for journey. He
stared at him a moment, partly silent from dis
pleasure, and partly from surprise.
/ well, father" said Obadiah, with some hesta-
ton, "Im come to bid you good Bye
"To bid me good bye, you fool! Why, where
are you going!'
Il am going to seek my fortune in the world,
father. | know am of no use to you. think |
can do almost as well anywhere else. can't do
much worse, at all events. So | am going down
to York, or somewhere thereabouts to get along
by myself
Mr.. Davis demonstrated with the young adven-
turer, but found him firm in the purpose which he
had, it seemed been a considerable time in adopt
ing; and, after much useless persuation, with a
voice softened by the thought of their approaching
separation, he asked him what course he intended
to pursue.
81 am going to study law"
"And how are you to be supported while you
are following your studiesr
Il guess I'll teach school, answered Obadiah
with the gravity Of saint
The old man, in spite of his sorrow could not
refrain from laughing at the thought of his young
unsuccessful agriculturist retailing wisdom and
knowledge to the rising generation, or pursuing
the subtle shadows Of justice through the may
labyrinths of law. He looked at him with increased
wonder. There he was, with his brown coat and
linsey-woolsey trousers, his hair combed straight
over his forehead, and standing in the most awk
ward of attitudes. But Obadiah, it appears, haC
made up his mind, and was not inclined to return
to his old employment on any terms. He, there
fore, bade his father good bye and also his sister
Sally and the cook. short walk over the farm
afforded him an opportunity of performing the same
tender duty toward the horse, the pig and the ole
COW. All things being at length settled to his sat
isfaction, he started on his way. The poultry
were gathering on the roost and the old dog Casol
came after him, wagging his tail affectionately
and entreating eloquently, but in vain, 10 accom-
pany his master on his novel expedition. Many
sensitive folks would have yielded few soft re-
grets to the quiet and really beautiful spot he was
leaving, perhaps forever, But Obadiah never
dreamed of regretting what he was doing of his
own accord He cast, therefore, only slight re-
Prospective glance upon the scene Of his boyisf
pains and pleasures; and having surveyed it mo
ment, with one eye shut, commenced his journey
whistling Yankee Doodle.
The disadvantages under which he labored wert
immense. Without education, and totally desti
tute OF experience in the fashionable or literary
world; friendless and almost penniless, he was t.
make his way among those who had enjoyed prop
er instruction and high friends from their birth
who had been ushered into public life with tn,
honors of college, and who could scarcely regart
the quiet, plain and retiring country boy, excep
with smiles and derision.
His advantages, however, were not disregardeC