The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-07-28
WHOLE NUMBER l22

the farm-sons OF nelghborlng farmers
one of when is cycling the charms of
sweet Mary with an expression easily
read by good physiognomist. The
group is completed by the schoolmaster,
young man with glowing eye which
speaks of an intellect that will tell upon
the world some day with as much force
as though he had not been obliged to
obtain his education by Summer labor
and Winter teaching. He is one Of
New England's rising sons. The meal
is for men who toll. At one end Of
the table stands a pot of ample dimen-
sions, smoking from the great oven,
hanking the fire place, of that most cx-
cellcnt of New England cookerics,
a dish of baked beans p
crowned with great square piece of salt
fat pork, crisped and rich. Lower
down, broad pewter platter holds the
remains of the "boiled victuals' that
formed the dinncr--bccf, pork, potatoes,
cabbage, beets and turnips-a pile that
might rival small hay cock in size and
shapc-a plate of rye and Indian bread,
cold, and another made of rye flour arc
untouched ; for great loaf just drawn
from the oven, nicely Drowned and hot,
is offered in great broken pieces to tempt
the appetite to one of the richest repasts
ever given to an epicure. BY the side
of the old lady stands black earthen
tea pot, the contents of which are freely
offered, but, only accepted by two OF
them, as the rich new milk or hearty
old cider, is preferred as a bevrage,
morning, noon and night, by those old
fashioned hearty laborcrs. We must
not forget the never failing accompani-
ment of'thc evening meal at this season
of the year in New England, for tits New
England's proudest dish, the golden
pumpkins sweetest pie.
God being thanked for his great
bounties after the close of this happy
meal, all draw into circle around the
great fire place. Father is finishing off
an axe-helve, Jed is mending pair Of
boots, and one of the hired men upon
the other side of the same bench is re-
pairing wagon harness both use the
same tools. The other two are employ
ed, one shelling corn and the other help
ing Mary peel pumpkins, which are cut
in slices and hung upon poles overhead.
This is Mary's accepted lover. Happy
hearts and blessed industry. Alb and
Sol are engaged with the schoolmaster
around the big table, lighted with a
home made candle; they are studying
geography, writing and arithmetic
fitting themselves for future statesmen.
Mother is making new coat for one of
the boys, Ada is ironing at side table,
and Hetty is washing the supper dishes
at another. There are two other men,
bers of this happy family group-the cat
occupies the top of the blue-dye tub,
which stands in the corner of the fire.
place, and old Bose sleeps quietly under
the table.
Directly, and before any sound is
audible to human ear, he gets up, walks
out into the long entry and gives a loud
sharp bark at the outside door and
stands waiting the approaching step.
Soon satisfied that the new conner is a
friend, he retres again to his repose,
and three or four boys that look as if
they might be brothers to those already
described, so much are they dressed
alike, enter and draw around the table
with the others and the school-master.
These are from neighboring farm, sons
of widow, who have till now been so
much engaged with the labors of the
farm, they have been unable to attend
the school in the day time, but are de-
termined to lose none of the evening
opportunities to keep along with their
class. They will make honest, intelli-
gent, Industrious farmers.
The old folks welcome them heartily,
and the young ones are all rejoiced at
their arrival. The old lady inquiries
why in the world their mother did not
come along; and Mary, is so sorry to
hear that It is because Sarah is not so
we'll, and mother is very busy in getting
their new clothes done so they can go