True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-09-23
q. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.

Purpose Ill my mlnu1 look my travelling
bag upon my arm and wandered down
the road, having first ascertained that the
train would not be due under an hour.
The course which I had chosen led me
directly away from the railroad, up a
narrow ravine, through which a small
stream found its way to the river below.
The rays of the morning sun were shin
ing directly down the pass, and, turned
aslant by boughs of oak and pine, and
waving foliage, made rich green lights
and shadows chase each other over the
smooth, velvet sward. Five minutes
walk brought me to turn in the ravine
and the river, and before me lay spread
out one Of the sweetest pastoral scenes
imaginable.
The ravine, growing suddenly wider,
made room along the water course for
broad medows, which were now waving
with the summer harvest; the gradual
slope of the hills afforded rich pasturage
for herd Of fine looking cattle; while a
range of mountains upon one side, and
encircling woods upon the other, shut in
the view, and gave TO the spot an air of
quietude and seclusion which was pre-
cisely suited to my own frame Of mind.
Before the door of neat little farm
house, which was the only dwelling in
sight, stood pleasant, motherly looking
woman, surrounded by troop of chick
ems and ducks, to whom she was dispens.
ing, with liberal hand, their morning
meal. There was something in her CHEEKY,
benevolent counlenance, and the clear,
full tone in which she addressed her
brood Of younglings, which attracted me;
and leaning over the neat, white paling,
which separated the yard from the road,
I wished her a good morning and compli.
mented her upon her poultry. l was moi
disappointed in obtaining good. natured
reply, and after %Shdiferent remarks,
| asked her if l could obtain a breakfast
there.
She looked at me for the first time
with that suspicious glance with which
women are wont 10 regard lonely Won
derer Of their own sex. tried to look
unconcious and to command my color,
and think | lolerably succeeded.
"Have you travlled far this morning %
she asked.
"Only from the station below,"I re.
piled. '"I came up from the city in the
express last night, and finding myself
obliged 10 remain here some time 10 wait
for train, I strolled out for walk and
your place looks so inviting that | ventured
TO ask if might take breakfast with
YOU"
This well-timed compliment, aided,
perhaps, by the hearty, sincere tone in
which it was uttered, restored the good
woman to her complacency, and she i'm
mediately invited me into clean well
arranged kitchen, where a table was
bountifully spread for the morning re.
past.
The worthy farmer soon entered, fol
lowed by his two sons-the one young
man grown, and the other lad of fiheer
or sixteen, and two or three laborers ant
having learned from his wife the little
which she knew of me, welcomed me tt
bis board with a franknes and hospitality
which I could not but admire.
liked the place, and there were indi
cations of sound sense and warmth o
heart among the people, which commend
ed them at once to my respect. l wal
as poor as they were, and setting aside ;
few boarding school accomplishments
perhaps no better educated. | had "a ma
tural and instructive love for the free, un
conventional life of the country, and
dreaded to 60 back into such society from
which I had fled, where my condition
could not but make me the subject Of dis
agreeable remarks. Why should I NO
make an effort 10 remain where | was 2
"Do you ever take boarders 7" l ask
ed Of the farmers wife, as we fingered
chatting over our last cup Of coffee. afte
the men had left. "My errand. in thi
part Of the country is TO obtain board 70
the summer. l expected to 60 to s.
where l have relatives, but the trai
brought me farther than intended ; an
| like your place SO much that | woul
willingly remain here, if you could &C
commodate me.
The frank and CHEEKY tone in which
spoke was not at all natural under m
circumstances, but ii was so we'll affec
ed that my hostess did not motto
the difference. She looked surprised fc
moment, and then replied
awe never have kept borders, but it
SO lonesome here that l have sometime
:, thought / would like to have some We
man in the family. Ill see what m
husband says, and, if he's agreeable,
would not mind having ye stay-that j.
if you think you can put up with plai
farmers fare.
! assured her that this was precisel
/ what ] desired /; and the farmer havin
been called in and a price agreed upol
the business was soon settled.
"Yourv baggage is not here, I SUI
. pose 7" said Mr.. Coiesworth. iar
The question caused me an instan!