The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-05-20

StalltlliH Ill HIS IHfu' anu THOUGHT nc Scctil-
cd to take microscopic view of nc, as Tho
he We're looking for something about the size
of gold dollar, that his greasy pouch claim
I'd affinity to.
The judges cabin was situate in quite an
elevated, airy situation, in the midst of the
black Jacks. The land around in this vicini-
tv appeared thin and inclined to bar, cn, but
the Judge being one of the coolest inllabit-
ants, S" had things fixed up in rather better
order than his ncighbors. IT'S the old Tex
ans, generally, who keep the houses for al :
commodating travellers, and having been ac-
tors in the most stirring scenes i'll Texan his
tory, their accounts and stories Of the trials,
harlShips, and dangers Of f.onticr l:fc, aIc a.
ways interesting to those fond of narratives Of
adventure.
Little River was formerly great resort fol
Indians, who were attracted to that Part OF
the country, doubtless, by the fine hunting
grounds round about that stream. In times
of danger the settlers were always on the
alert and being as wei acquainted with In
dian signs and Indian Strategy as the rcd m II
themselves, they knew how to counter act,
| and Illustrate the designs Of their wiley enc
| mics.
When the Ind!ars came down upon the set
| tlemnt in great force, and the signS were de-
c.lcdly dangerous, the settlers took 70 tic
brush, with wives and children, to use tic
old II lgc's expression, until t, cy were able to
mus c.. force sufficient to take the ii,d, OF
rather Die woods and plaili,s, against thtil
enemies Twas an awful way to raise u
family" said the .i'd C, when lc WAS swing
me an account Of their early history: ste
bring them upin the woods in the n.ilSt of
alarms and danger, and be kept constantly on
the look out, and in suspense"
B,forc leaving Little River, | have an old
bcc-hun er> yarn 10 spin, whom | met with
somewhere in my ranllcs, but as "mmc
host is beginning 10 slcw ummislakallc
symptoms Of drowSincSs, must defer it until
morning. So bidding the judge good night, |
will take mySlf of to the cotton bed, that is
waiting for me in one corner Of tie cabin.
For a lazy fellow these log cabins arc adm-
rablc places of abode. No laundering up
long, flights of steps to find his way to some
little, cold bed chamber, exploring Zigaag
passages by the dim glimmcr Of bed lamp,
whose faint, almost expiring ray makes him
think Of brownies and Of bpglcs,' and Of
ghosts that have Straycd from ncighboling
churchyards. But there stands his bed in
one corner, and before him blazcs bright
fire in capaciouS fire. lace DER topped by Il
chimney built Of sticks something like a
very domestic kind Of hcncoop. which have
frequently seen about farm yarls-and plas-
tered inside and cut with mud. There is no
free range of vision but you may lie on your
back, and scan by the light of blazing fire,
the rude architecture which fitted together
the pole raftcrs that support the claphoard
roof, and feel a sensation of pride as You ned
itate how infinitely superior a log cabin is to
an Indian wgwam, constructed of skins and
bark. Thro' the crcviccs in the roof you can
catch an occasional glimpse of bright little
starpccping down at you, like a guardian an
gel seated on his golden throne, and watching
over your midnight sluinbcrs. If you wish a
horizontal view, you have but to rel over on
one side, and peer out into the darkness BE-
tween the intcrstices Of the logs, where SCI
anadc of owls is going on accompanied by the
howl of wolves and an occasional scream
from panther. Or far away Oh the horizon,
perhaps you behold the livid glare of burn
ing prairie, rejecting its rcd light against u
cloudlcss sky; and in the midst Of these sights
and sounds you fall to sleep, and dream of
bear hunts, Indian fights, 'northers," and
all the bugaboo scenes that serve to color
Texan story, till you are awakened at gray
dawn by the cacklc of Guinea fowls, and the
growing of chickens. \ negro pretty soon
makes his appearance, and kindles fire by
which to make your toilet. Texas is great
country for the propagation of fowls, cspcci-
ally Guinea fowls; every cabin in the State
seems to be disturbed by tn cir inccssant cac-
lilc. The climate being remarkably dry and
mild in winter, poultry ofall kinds ilourishcs
admirably. f. E. +.