Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-10-25
vol. 55.-N0. 81.
AUTrMN.


Like some richly illuminated manuscript
of clustered art, the wonder book Of Nature
is spreading out its autumn pages in all their
wontcd brilliancy Of mingled colcring every
mountain is a swelling mound Of jewclled
lustre, and every vale and clpmp Of wood
land blending Of rich rainbow tints, over
which bright sun-warmed haze, is SPREAD
inst as the old missal painters used to oano-a
py the heads Of saints and apostles With
halo of golden light. The hoar-frost covers
the meadows in the carly morning, and lies
in crisp sparkling wreaihs upon the fences
and baru-roofs, while overhead a sky Of the
deepest blue is beginning to soften ander the
sunshine. Not leaf quivors, and the pale
cottage smoke cnrls up in straight unwa-
vering column through the frosty air, while
cloudlets Of mist rest iingeringly on the lake;
or creep lazily mp tho hillsides.
There is an cxhilaration 10 the air aud
new life in the wind that comes csroering
from the northwest, bearing frost on its
wings, and brightness to the autumn woods.
The farmer is cary afeld with his CHEEKY
call, as he guides his oxen to the late har-
vesting The maize fields display their tent
like rows, with garniturc Of yellow pumpkins
scattered between, and the buckwhoat PATCH
es, no longer yielding their "honied fra-r
grancc,'' are falling before the qdick-swing-
ing cradle, and lie like red spots upon The
landscape. The orchards are Drumming with
rosy fruit, and the chestnut burs are show
erug down their treasures in the woods,->
Plenty seems to reign and the fullncss ofthe
year has put its stamp Of gladnass upon all
"a mellow richness on the clustered trees.
And, from baker full Of richest dyes,
Pouring new glory on the autumn woods,
And dipping in warm light the pillarcd clouds,
Morn, on the mountain, Ikea summer bird,
Lifts up her purple wing and in Che wales
The gentle wind sweet and passionate rover,
Kisses the blushing leaves and stirs up life
Within the solemn woods Of esh deep crirnsoncd,
And silver becQa, the maple yellow ieavcd--
Where Autumn like faint old man, sits down
By the wayside aweary. Through the trees
The golden robin moves; the purple lnch f
That on wild cherry and red cedar feds,
A winter bird comes with its plaintive whistle
And peclSs by the wych hazel; while aloft
From cottagcroofs the warbling blucbird sings"
~ -s--s-A---
IT, The following descriptive sketch Of
Rufna Ehoate. the great New ENGLAND Or.
ator, viii be found to be amusing if nothing
else. 1t may, however, for aught VIC know
TO the contrary, be graphic and life-like
picture. We incline to think that it is. -
The man who wrote it, an exchange remarks,
ought to have something Done for him.
"Rufus Choate is picture 10 look at, and
crowder 10 spout. He is about seven foot
six or six foot ccven in his socks, supple as an
eel, and wiry as corkscrew. His face is
compound of wrinkles, ''yellcr janders and
jurisprudence. lie has small, keen, pierre
ing black eyes, and head shaped like a
mammoth goose egg, big end up; his hair
black and curly, much resembling bag Of
wool in sadInirablc order,V or brush heap
in gale ofwind. His body has no par'ie-
ular shape, and his wit and hislegal "dodges"
have set many judge in smoker. aud 50
coafounded jurors, as to make it almost inn
possible for them to speak plain English, or
tell the truth for the rest Of their natural
lives. Rufus is great on twisting himself
up; squirming himself around, and pranciug,
jumping and kicking up the dust when sieain's
up. His oratory is tirst-rate, and his argu-
menls ingenious and forciblc0 lie generally
makes s'ten strike"-iudge and jury down
at the end of every sentence. He il great
on fowry expressions and highfalutin "aabl
burhs." Strangers mostly think he is crazy
aud tiie rest scarcely understand what be is
about. He invoices his time and elocution
over ordinary charges for having ones self
put through a coursc Of law
'Rufus Choate IS about fifty years Of age
perhaps over. lie Is considered the ablest
lawyer in New England, or perhaps the Uni
ted States. His Handwriting can't be de-
ciphered without the ard Of a pair eotnpasses
aud quadrant. His autograph somewhat
resembles the map Of Ohio, and looks ike 1
piece Of crayon skctching, done ~ the dark
with three pronged fork lie has baen ID
the Senate, and may be, # he has time to
feb for it, President Of the United States"
--------<- ->--------
lJ-At small town up the river, young
lawyer who thought iiaself esonc,'' made
certain proposal al q TOWN meeting which
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