The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-20
NO. 1874.

Pcaught up the branch of a thorn tree which
lay at the roadside and affected to drive us to
ward her house.
Naturally, we looked back after we hat
proceeded little way, and, to oGr surprise
there stood the widow On the top of tie house
block, shading her eyes with her hand, anC
gazing in the direction Of the white house.
"Doke mounted on pair Of stills, which
elevated him ten feet in the air, and nog and
then dashing az us furiously, called himself g
giant who was como out Of the woods to devon,
US alive. Occasionally he slipt down, and
running up the trunk Of some saplng, uttered
dolorous cries
"It was gloomy winter day, yet We found
Lucretie sitting in the door-yard, ON the sunny
side Of the house, and singing to herself and
| piecing oapes of red aud yellow leaves.
have IL my mind picture OF her, just as she
sat on the ground, her feet drawn partly be-
neatS her, and ker auburn hair b,Ovyin- bout
her bare neck and shoulders. she was pleas
ed that VIC had come, and with artiess grace
| entertained us with such simple means as the
house affOrded-nuts and apples, and bright
wood fire. She was pretty, bat exceedingly
supplemented and ignorant She had read
one or two "story books" as she said, and her
modest blue eyes opened wide with wonder.
when | repeated to her the story Of Romeo
and Juliet She had never heard Of Shaks-
peare, and thought it very funny name
"Doke made himself agreeable By examin-
ing drawers and cupboards, ascending the
ladder to the garrett, and stuffing his pockets
with whatever he could find that was catable
"Lucret;a was delighted with his feeding
capacities and said, in her childish simplicity,
she believed he could eat nearly as much a.
her mothers COW.
"Never was daughter more unlike mother
gentle, loving, and dependent; whereas her
parent was rude, garrulOus, and prepared for
any and all exigeneies. Our visit was pleas
ant one, and We afterward repeated it of
evenings, in company with our brother as Mrs
Wilkinson had requested.
Tho woods were quite dark when VIC set
| out for home, for the sky was one leaden mags
except low in the west, where some cold white
streaks fingered behind the sunset. The Ground
was frozen hard, and slowly the enow-h axes
drifted down upon as, as VIC walked. DJke.
| for the most part walked before us on his
stills, asserting that he was starved, and must
| hasten home to get supper. We followed
briskly, and soon saw tho old homestead, look
ing lonesome and dark. AS We passed under
the cherry-trec IN the corner Of the door-yarj
the black rooster cackled unnaturaliy, and,
fluttering his wings, shook O shower of snow
much SIS the strange object we perceived in
the shadow OF the house. It appeared like
man jumping snartiy up and down, rs though
his footing were too hot for him. | am not
naturally timid, bat confess my pulses quick
ened, and ! hc2tated, till | saw my father
coming from TIE evening work at tho barn.
He stopped to chop wood at the door, when,
emboldenod, We went forward. So child,
you arc afraid, are you q called a wel-known
voice | know you woro afraid after sunset,
and was just coming to sec after you
"'For shame, Charley said, what are
you hopping up and down there for?'
81 didn't suppose you would comprehend
il, little one he answered; Il am exercising for
my health
:" tI.s.!' :,s=..ls.:...,s Tor was rrs.r,s
why Gon'v you help father to chop wood FOX
exercised
at would not bring tho Same muscles into
play, child he replied, and then told me had
best go in the house, for il was getting dark,
and might chance to sec q cat or dog, or
some other frightful object | passed him
without reply Gnd, as did no, saw that he was
jumping ever a rope which was fastened TO
two stakes at the distance Of n yard or more
from tho ground 1t was ludicrcus to SEQ, and
could rot help thinking Charley great
fool.
"If it was dcsolato out Of doors; we found
tho house little moro cheerful. There was no
fire, no Iight-all was cold and dismal enough
The fresh snowy wood WAS cxtinguishiug the
few embers which had kept alive through the
day; and, by the light of a single tallow can
die, my father had rcsortod to the Sharpening
Of his razor, when Martha came in, her shawl
white with snow, and her fEce wearing its most
forbidding look. She seated herecif without
removing bonnet or shawl, and a8 If she had
no intention Of remaining long.
"'Well, Martina said my father, trying the
edge Of the razor.
"Weil what, SIR sho replied, shaking tho
snow from her shawl into his face, and without
looking ct him.
"'Noshing,' said my father, rcsuming his
work.
There was q long silence, when he, trying
the edge Of the razor again, inquired # the d.
nation party had been pleasant.
"'Pleasant enough replied Martha.
"'Were many there? p
az didn't count them
@'Why, Martha, what in the world is the
matter!'
"'Nothing; what made you ask that?'
"'Why, because you look % il there was
al look as the Lord made me, suppose and
Martha spread out her wet garments before
the fire, and mOnopolized what little there
was.
at was an hour before she inquired if my
father had eaten supper, though | don't know
how she supposed be could have had it, as
there had been no one at homo to prepare it
Tor him.
"'Not tonight he replied; but it's no diff
ference about me-
"Martha seemed to think il was no differ
encc too for having said, Heaven help ell tho
women who have hungry husbands sho re-
lapsed into silence.
IL offered to prepare something, but my
father said he was not much hungry The was
afraid to say otherwise and when placed on
the table bowl Of bread and milk, it was i'm
mediately appropriated by the boy DOke.
"'It viii not be long till breakfast said
Martha, 'and fast is good for the health now
and them
Z" So my father made supper of raw tUr-
nip; and while be partook Of the scanty repast,
DOke inquired if they had anything that was
good for TO eat at the preachers and Martha,
whose ill-humor began to soften little, enter
tanned her hungry husband with an account
of tho delightful supper at the parsonage, es-
pecially praising the white bread, and baked
sweet apples, and boiled ham-she had never
see anything so nice-she wished We could
have something half as good.
"My father said he supposed we might, if
it were as well prepared, for the fine ham, and
apples, and -four, were all from bis farm. Mar
tia affected not to hear this, and proceeded 10
praise the excellent qualities Of Parson Good.
man, signing ct the close Of each sentence,
but it isn't every poor woman that has such
good man. IF he was to die, and if his
wife was to get hundred other husbands, she
wouldn't get Pars9n Goodman
"In childish indignation, almost wished
the bread and milk would choke Doke, and
that Martha might crumble into pieces. as che