Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1855-12-13

truth in the saying, ''times change and men
change with them,' am convinced that it
does not apply to the boys. A few years
ago, having splendid PAGER, sprung into
the saddle with the intention of cantering
davn to the post office. At that time was
not very superior rider, and in passing
through the streets was invariably cheered
BY the boys at play, who in some cases came
crowding after me, making sundry con-
temptuous remarks in regard to my horse
manship; and, as I dared not put the beast
to his speed, and was afraid to retrace my
steps lest the young rascals should pull me
out of the saddle, [ thought it best to slip
into a back lane and leave my gallant roam
Gith farrier, telling him that the horses
shoes were rather loose. This accomplish
I'd, [ skulked home through the fields, and
about two hours later Hotspur galloped into
she yard, ridden by two boys whom thought
] had seen before Since that time my
equestrian excursions have not extended
beyond the limits of my farm.
Although our dwelling place is in so Sc
cluded spot we are not by any means with
out vsiters. Sometimes they come by water
A few years ago we were beset by a scout
ing party of Penobscot Indians, who had
come all the way from their eastern homes
IN birch canoes, padding them along the
coast. They remained encamped in our
nearly week, earning little
money by selling fancy baskets and other
.knick-nacks to the s'pale faces" who came
IN swarms to see them. Two or three of
the young squaws were very pretty, and
dressed with great neatness. The young
braves gave proof of their skill as archers
by shooting coppers from the head of a cleft
stick driven into the ground at distance of
from eight to ten yards; while the older men
spent the greater part of every pleasant day
in their canoes, in the management of which
they were remarkably expert One of their
most favorite articles Of food was the flesh
of the putting pig, a curious sort Of marine
animal which rises to the suaface, pufs
vigorously, rolls clumsily over, and then
disappears. This they used to shoot with
musket. Twas rather 10th to part with these
picturesque strangers; but trade had slack
,ened and they were compelled to go.
Occasionally troop of little girls, after
81 tiresome ramble through the fields in
in search of berries or wild flowers, throng
into the yard, tap timidly at the door, and
ask for drink of water and leave to rest
themselves in the barn. They are easily
persuaded to enter the house, and how their
young faces brighten at the light of pitcher
of milk. After half an hours rest during
which time they tell of the mishaps that
have befallen them in the pastures, they
depart on an exploring expedition to the
barn, where some of them promise corn to
the old gobbler on condition that he will
Of hay to the heifer, who keeps them at a
safe distance by divers threatening motions
of her head, and third party make an un-
successful attempt to corner Clarion, who
flies screaming over their heads, making
them scatter in all directions with a tremen-
dous uproar. Finally, they gather up their
bonnets, come to the door to tell us they are
going, and in a few minutes the yard is as
quiet as it was before they came. For a
little while the silence is so painful that [
listen with suppressed breathing, eagerly
catching at the sound of distant voices, grow
ing fainter and fainter, and ending in a
dreamy burst of girlish laughter, which
mingles with the solemn roar of the sea-
The stiffness that ensues at their departure
seems no longer desirable, and it is thus
that l realize the happiness which their pre-
sence has afforded me-
And what has the future in store for these
little children? Even if death should spare
them for season, time and circumstance
will divide them, bringing riches to one
poverty to another, and sorrow and weari-
ness to all; so that they will sometimes
think with sigh of the summer afternoon
that was spent so pleasantly in a farm-yard
by the sea.