Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-19

bulky logs, making sizzle and crash, as the
red, forked flames Tapped the dry bark, and
then shot up, clear and brilliant, leaping and
dancing like mad.
The conversation now turned upon friends
at home. One and another dear name was
mentioned reverenty, and wife and BARNS
referred to with many gush of kindly feel
ing.
Poor Locke said one, after long pause;
l wonder how he is now. This will be just
the place for him.
Yes replied another 'the excitement of
a backwoods' life will restore his mind, per-
haps, to its long banished cheerfulness. 1t
is valued friend we speak off, he added,
noticing Herman's inquiring glance. Two
years ago he buried most beautiful and
amiable wife-the sister of Illsly, here
which so affected his spirits that his friends
feared arrangement. But his grief is some
what subdued now, although he has set
tied melancholy which seems incurable.-
Then there is Grace he continued such
delicate, fragile blossom as she, how can
| she live here 4? Be assured she will not let
her father come without her.
Neither would he leave her. said IlIsly.
She is as the very apple Of his eye; she so
resembles my dead sister, she must be dear
to him.
But then to shut such beauty as hers in
these thick woods. She will lose some
splendid chances Of marriage. Why, she
might command the hand Of a millionaire
besides she is too gentle and delicate a crea
ture to endure the hardships of a settlers
life
True, Grace is a great beauty, but she i:
wholly unconsciously of her charms; the
most modest and unassuming girl that | ev
er saw
She's great one-that niece of yourn,
f chimed in Sibee, determined to give hi
share of praise She's not one of your tar
q nal, stuck-up I4dics-I can't abide them NJ
way, shape nor manner. Yes, that Grace
Locke is worthy the bet man in Christen
f DOM he muttered, in a musing tone for
q the truth must be told, Silbee-the unpoHsh
= ed, awkward, but handsome Sllbee-was
devoted admirer of little Grace Locke
Sweet girl-a more honest heart never offer
ed its deyotions upon the shrine fyour beau
ty.
= This train of thought was broken b
young DRAGON, who, with a yawn and de
o cidedIy sleepy face, asked Herman if ther
were any hostile Indians round.
4 lie replied that they never troubled an,
q one unless molested; that they were yer
thinly scattered some miles apart, and seem
J. ed to be friendly to the whites.
70 We'll, Courtney said lll,ly, turning wit
y. a satisfied air to his friend, | don't see b.
we shall have to make our tents in til
, place. Our new friend here is voucher
= and to all appearance correct one-for Il
y, eligibility Of the location. We can sci
" back our deputies, and they of course W
:, give as favorable report as they can of O
or = doings, and bring on the rest Of our comp
i, ny i'll the spring. Meanwhile we can be
ii work, and perhaps ourfriend here will boa
- us till we raise a cabin for ourselves. WI
i say you strangerF
=. Gladly replied Herman, entering il
10 the excitement of the scheme, though ],
so one hour previous he had firmly resolved
leave for parts unknown, and plunge il
another wilderness. But, to use ahackn,
NJ ed phrase
itv "A change came DER the spirit of his Dream
lite and he found himself looking forward W
as sanguine hopes as the widest specula
rF among them.
ice Then it is settled exclaimed Illsly, w
an air Of satisfaction. Tomorrow, if
,ly. friend here will accompany us, we will
anime the country. In two years we'll h
m thriving settlement here. Mark my VOL
Of we will make the dirt fly when we get
ing
And while we are about it, we might
ian, we'll aame our town officers said Courtn
gaily. 'IlIsy, here, shall be Squire;
ook new friend, who has quite legal look,
are the way, we will dub him Judge; and J
of uanSon-'
Take care, Courtney, don't 60 any
an ther-don't depute a sheriff and jailor !;
"a remember the old saying when we were
a. together-that he who pickles the rod
rs the master generally gets the first fogg
with In right good humor the emigrant p
spread themselves about the hut, upon
said shaggy skins furnished by their host,
his were soon buried in sleep.
ther One little habitation after another do
and the beautiful valley, as time went on; re
and unseemly they were, but they shelf
It he strong and brave hearts. The soil arc
I'd as them was rich, and capable of bearing b
produce with but little culture. They
rma- each reserved and enclosed large ga
" spot. The settlers were as united as
from man, and worked with a hearty good
and as, during the winter, there were
lven- few heavy storms, in the succeeding 81
tired they had progressed beyond their exp
have tions. They were now in readiness to
talk mence operations on larger scale, and
ears, more commodious dwellings.
emi- At tie opening Of the warm season
Mr.. was a fresh arrival of emigrants, all
block friends, who brought the welcome II
has gencc that, by the ensuing August, tn
# his pirited Locke and his daughter would
ustry them in their western home.
,e his 1t was wonderful what Joy this
dis brought to the lonesome settlers. So
ought bad they been deprived of the compa
lie so loved ones, that each man felt as #
mt we child was soon to meet them; for all
Proyi- and loved the gentle Grace Locke.
la. She IS charming little creature,
Illsly to Herman, as he sat chatting wit
h, but one bright evening so innocent, SO