Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-01-20


"Stl stand the forests prfneval," upon the
mountain range that skirts the southern border of
the valley Of the Tennessee River. Towering
and jagged cliffs, rocks piled upon rocks in Wild
est confusion, roaring streams that pour their
crystal foods through deep gorges, their banks,
Of natures masonry, rising on either hand from
fifty to three hundred feet in height, form the
principal features Of the scenery through range
of counties, running from east 10 west, through
The Northern part of Alabama and south Of the
Tennessee River. Many lovely retreat may
there be found that has never been trodden, ex-
cept by the Indian or the adventurous hunter.
The wild deer, the wolf and the panther still
claim habitation amid these wiids, though their
ranks are yearly thinned BY the hunters rifle.
Amid these solitndes the pioneer has pitched
his tent, and built his cabin, in some fertile
glen. On the rich bottoms Of the larger
streams, one occasionally meets with quite
settlement often a community by themselves, so
far from the marts of trade and commerce, that
perhaps but once year, they collect their little
stock of exports, " gear" up team, and one or
more of the number who are best skilled in traf-
fcng, set out on pilgrimage to the nearest
town which may be two miles distant there
to dispose Of their commodities, and purchase
their necessaries for the coming year. There.
if the soil is sufficiently fertile, they live quiet,
secluded life, and, no doubt contened and
happy one. Their wants are few, and easily
satisfied. Their soil furnishes enough to eat,
their tiocks and cotton patches their clothing.
They need no duty to protect home MANUFACTURES
for their distance from the busy world pre-
cludes competition. They have few or no public
men to touch the chord of discord and strife
The schoolmaster may indeed sometimes be
found among them, but is generally one of their
own number, whose ambition leads him no high
er than to teach reading, writing and arthnet
for salary of from one 10 two hundred dollars
per year.
1t was in such community that chanced to
fall one rainy day, when the weather was too
disagreeable to hunt. entered log cabin,
presenting more than an ordinary appearance of
neatness and comfort. The venerable proprietor
was engaged in one corner of the room, with
the awl and hammer, the old lady was busy at
the loom, some half dozen boys and as many
girls were busy braiding straw, knitting, sewing,
spinning &C., Sc Struck with the appearance
OF industry, and witha the air of comfort that
pervaded their little domcil took careless
survey OF the scene, when something like the
following conversation took place:
"Slr," said with some surprise, "you seem
to supply all your wants by your own industry
Do you maauflcture every thing you usa?"
"Every thing, sir, but our coffee salt and
iron. OF these we lay in supply once year,
The wild bees furnish us with honey VIC raise
our own cotton aud wool, spin and weave 1t our
se'Ves' and 1t furnishes us with clothing com.
'ortaoie and go)d enough; and as for our living,
we can raise all one need desire. We make
'e" straw hats, which together with the iurs wc
~ "'"'e', our Du,ter and cheese, and a
10" 0'ner articles, are sufficient to purchase all
''i' we need IRON the store. Straw furnishes
US with hats for summer, and coon skin G, MS are
Il good enough Tor winter"
= But your leather, you must uorcho 50 ,h,,
too? F" r0'A'' ''a'
- WIN significant waive Of the bora h., l..
y '"' way 10 some large lroughs in the va I'd
Here" said he, we tan our hides .na L.,
m ns ,hen ,a w.t." vi our own hands. We dry and pount
"e inc oark' put our hides in these ,ro,ah' -'' m
manufacture as good leather as can he ,n,,,a w :,
o Tue pest annery, and you see.n con,;.".I "
holding up his foot, e" can make on;,a Nv
to SHOE Yonder Is oul blacksui,h,s I shae e,eVe
cry 1'an is his own workman, as wa t'. ""' ,' eV
10 to do but sharpen our plows and sboe 80. ''''
which is not often necessary "''''
'tn Have you any mills ?" asked 7
"We have horse MILL" he reo,;oa -,
md grinding our corn, bul as we build our bo,...
not logs, and have little use for plank vo. 49,
saw mill"
yes "You have little need OF doctor. su,,,.,
"A few roots and uiybs answer all purno..