White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-06-18


Go along Billy,"-and he gosged his, old horse
who wriggIed, shot forward, and curled it so rap
idly, that all which remained visible of him wa
dark streak.
Contrasting western witi eastern manners
and thinking Of Buck Horn and its Inhabitants
pursued my way, until, from well known sig
mails, knew a knnsO- ae~--4ud IN 4 lev
moments after, situated in small soaring, i'm
mediately on the road, appeared large rude
double-logged cabin, with Bucks Horn nailed
over the doors, which means, in the West, en-
tsrtainment for man and horse, and this iden
ti6edas the tavern to which had been recon
mended.
It was now the dusk of evening, and although
its appearance. was uninEiting, it seemed to me-
a welcome spot--it was quiet-and as / rode up
nothing was to be seen but the cattle lying abou
the yard, chewing their cud, snd the fowls ar
ranged in close order on the limbs of an oak
which grew near to the door-my arrival, how
ever, seemed entirely to change the scene, fol
the dogs came whisking and barking about me
as if they wished to know who and what was
and what was my business-the COWS eyed me
the turkeys clucked-and thought an old COB
bier would have twisted his neck off in his solic
itude to get his head in such position, that he
might take fair sQuint at me. Turkeys, wher
they examine any thing closely, only use one
eye, and my old gObbler would first try one, and
then the other, and then he pat his head under
his wing, as if for the purpose of frightening hi:
vision, and drawing it out, would take long
searching look-and then he examined his roost
and said something to the turkeys around him
which / could not understand-but they al
clucked, and adjusted themselves, concluding,
thought, with, she's stranger in these parts
and don't much like his looks and they
would have liked them much less had they known
the state of my appetite.
While all this was passing an old lady came
to the door to see what was the cause of SO much
commotion, looked out for an instant, and then
disappeared-next came flock of children oil
all sizes, barefooted, with short cotton shirts,
who scarcely saw me before away they scamper-
ed, tumblipg over each other, into one of the
side doors--and finally theTrta1s.U, itifa state
ly stride, the landlord of the house-he was
without coat. rough in appearance, large and
portly in his form, with good humored, Jolly
locking face, and while he approached, pair Of
eyes might be seen peeping out through every
crevice in the house.
"Come, friend, won't you liphtFr
Thank you, sir, wish to spend the evening
with you.''
Git doNn-git down-I'll take your horse
and fix you as snug as bear in a hollow"
Having dismounted, he stripped my horse, aud
giving me nv saddIe-baes and saddle I" Now
take 'em in, and put 'em under the bed an mske
yourself at home..chiIdren clear the way, an
let this gentleman come"
did ash was directed, but observed that the
gobbler rose up, and turned his head towards the
door I entered, in order that he might keep a
sharp look Out--it was nobly done, he seemed
resolved never to turn his back to an enemy.
Having examined the apartment, 1 drew a
chair. before large blazing Gre, and contented
with appearances, sat silent spectator of the
group before me-the house contained but two
rooms and garrett, or loft as it is there called.
running the whole extent CT the building, and
yet had seen children enough about the estab-
lishment to have filed up at least four good
rooms, and still, every moment saw a new face
there were many girls among the group, all
pretty, yett barefooted, and when they would
catch me looking at irfeet-they would stoop
so as to make their dress entirely conceal them
-msdesty must be innate, thought 1.
The return of the landlord thinned the little
group around me-he sent off all the small fry
into the next room, and drawing some whiskey
made me drink--then seating himself, began to
inquire after his kin in the old country, all of
whom he fancied must know, merely because
came from the same sssse--Sl isOassins this, and
sundry other topics, we whiled away some time
II learned from him, that he, with his ife,had
that morning returned from visit to Alabama.
and that some of the neighbors would drap in
presently to hear the news-I could hear the
crowd gathering in the zlijoining room, and was
soon after called TO supper.
The supper though plentiful and inviting, had
been prepared in the room where the largest part
Of the company was assembIed-and there eve
~ face was joyous and happy, save that of the
good dame, whose tuty it had been to prepare
the evening meal-she looked raihsr Grabbed,
and slung about the pots and pans, seemingly
entirely careless of the shins Of her neighbors.
But she received my thanks, for among other
things, there was large quantity of sweet po-
tatOes, sliced and fried, which / had ordered for
my own use. We crowded around the table,
cracked jokes, and began to eat. There was
stranger at my elbow, who dipped into my sweet
potatoes 50 often, that began 70 take quite a
dislike to him-fOr it was dish Of which was
very fond. which had ordered, and consequent
y considered as my own prOperty-besides this.
was as keen set as hawk.
Stranger" said /, = you are fond of pOta-
tatoes ~
MOL can't say as how am-but the way
that aunt Poll there cooks 'em is caution, an
think these are quite s.6srnt; jest stick me
up few-will your,
Yon mean to say tbey win ssOn be dsfsaet,
I supposei' -
No. sir; s.sEuk IS the idea, and, if you
don't know what suffiank i, would advise Jon
TO ssseais.. for it's quite impossible for you 70
ss4rsms here.