The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-02
WASHINGTON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY Q 1854

ments they are gone with the irrevocahle
past--but to me they arc milestones in the
way behind me, monuments in the once land of
promise, craven over with home pictures no
mances, and pleasant fanciee-the Gay dreams
OF youth, looking back upon which, the heart
beats faster, the voice grows soft, and the eyes
dim. ~, 80 s.f.
That dear old farmhouse! How often j
visit in fancy the kitchen, with its eleven doors,
broad rafters and unhewn beams it's huge
nre-piaee, its dressere, glttering with silver
bright pewter, and the glsss-doored cupboard
beneath, always disclosing to curious ken q
most savory conglomeration of edibles The
The rush bottomed chairs, the round table in
the corner, the well thumbed almanac, the lit
tie shelf, on which lay the dog -eared Bible;
ali! and the broad,rimmed hat On its nail, are
there-an there!
Why that great kitchen was lighted by only
two exceedingly diminutive windows, why It's
darkness was rendered still more dim by the
coat of Spanish brown on its ceiled walls,
leave to more practical Economists than myself
to decide. Suffice it to say, that twilight still
pays carly visits 10 chat old hall few etrag-
Cling rays still illuminate at mid day its brown
walls; it's eleven doors still turn ON their rusty
hinges, but the round table is gone the alma
nae and Bible are worm eaten and worn the
bright pewter basins have disappeared, and no
longing eye ever beholds, through the dust
stained glass of that little cupboard, the cheese
and gingerbread Of olden times. So pass away
the things of this world!
Into the cellar my childish curiosity seldom
carried me its precincts were surrendered to
hobgoblins and ghosts. The stone-paved
dairy was modern invention ; and the "east
and west" rooms were too recent in finish to
inspire me with emotions of either wonder or
awe. But the great east chamber, with its
mysterious closet, its chest of oaken drawers,
pine table, high. backed chairs, and low white
curtained bedstead how often have | peeped
tremblingly through the key hole, if perohance
l might catch glimpse of its presiding genius.
At length on some state OCCASION the secret
was revealed, the charm dissolved, the strong
hold opened, and even little | admitted into
the Utmost recesses of its mysterious closet.
was envious that day of my elder sister, for |
saw no reason why could not have taken the
second part of my grandmOther's name, and,
with it, a goodly portion of the parti-colored
china, and stores of linen, which my sister in
herited for sporting the first The old-fash-
ioned tiny tea-sets have disappeared, with
other appurtenances of child plays the linen
is among the things that were--with them has
gone my envy for my sisters legacy. So it is
in this Worthwhile the spirit dwells in clay,
we are of earth earthly. In childhood, the
sunniest hours of life, there are little heart
burnings envyings and chickering's. Time
flies; we no longer speak, and act like chill
dren but there come heavier and deeper
griefs to mar our maturer joys.
For weeks, after that triumphal entry, might
have been seen the prints of ten little toes on
the sanded floor. They are gone now, and
am no longer young. The golden apple-tree
in the orchard still shakes off its yearly bur
woodland as green as ever the walnut tree
has grown taller and broader the narrow
green lane yet winds down to the pasture
land the frogs croak on the cow-beIl tinkles
still-but my grandfather's step will no longe,
be heard in the old brown kitchen, his axe il
the woodland, nor his voice in my grandfather
home.