Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-01-23
For The lnqui, v and Chronicle.
INTER.

inform you, in measure, of the appearance
and demeanor of an old gantleman who
lately taken up his abode with us. 1t is
trne. | generally fee. some scruples in
speaking or writing about sny one behind
his back; but, as the venerable parsonage,
above referred TO. frequently does things
behind my back. ! will take the liberty,
on this occasion, to give you chapter of
his history.
To Judge from the testimony given by
ancient records, he nmst be. at least, 5000
years old; and when beheld him, in i'm
imagination, | supposed, considering the ex-
trenle whteness of his head and beard and
his tall, gaunt person, that he, in truth.
must have been born some time about the
commencement Of antiquity -as least, he is
| old, old, old; and what is the worst, be is
an old bachelor; this may account for the
hardness OF his heart, and the GOODNESS aud
taciturnity of his disposition. And being
Of great age, as he is perhaps awaIe--at
least, he has never denied being nd-one
| would naturally expect him to Keep within
doors more tEan lie usually does, think
more about eternity, and not be 50 much en-
F.. gagged in trying 20 cover the fair face of
nature sith pail of desolaion. And
sometimes, when he first visits us, he does
manifest syplpteius Of eon.rition, he ap-
pears more than commonly mild and amir
able. 50 that wsshave faith 10 his sincerity
and hope in his overcoming his cruel dispo-
sition, ont alas, before he gets warm among
VS., or permits US 10 get warm, his mis-
chievous propensitics viii ge, the better of
him, when ''bristling Ut" he will give US
I All the scold sboulder," march round thro'
the neighborhood, and put feeling of
/ caldness between Us aud our best fiends,
and his capers do not stop here. lie will
! blow aronHd III such q manner that the very
! clouds will be ennpeilel to look darkly up
on as he will act as though he were ''Iord
OF the mauor.' take the liberty Of binding
the rivers In fettcrs Of ice, and covering
the plaifs with snow, 50 az 10 n,ake it q III
cul: for men TO frayel aud whilst one is
undergoing the unpleasant sensations oeea
stoned By tae coldness of the air with which
he is surrounded, If he happens to meet
one, instead of shaking aite warmly by the
hand. be will try TO pinch ones toes, if
possible, commence trying to freeze ones
nose, or to take Que by the ears with his
long, bopy faeer-, especially il they
Should unfortunately extend 10 any eonsid-
eraqle distance from ouc 5 b..ad. lie also
compels people often TO incur heavy ex-
pco>es, which Of right he ought 10 bear;
but | believe there *. as yet, 10 law or
statute b. which we might get so desirable
al end effected. and even If there were, be
is never III possession of any Of the ''shi-
ming dust" neither does be keep any goods
nor chatIels about him, so We could not
compel him to pay any part OF the expenS-
eS which he occasions. lie is one Of these
individuals from whom we can take but lit
tie: therefore he Is IN some respects lnde-
peudent. and be seems 10 be aware Of It, as
to all appearance, he is going to do very
inneh as he pleases, during ,he partial alb
scnee of the suu; Tie sun is, by the way,
about the only one that can do much with
the old fellow Ii We were to command
him TO he off. he would pay no aftention to
il; bn. cue consolation there is, that, al
ihoa.h he COW does so bravely, yet, when
the potent sun shall come hack from the
suliry South, be win compel the old gen
tlenlsn 70 gather up his Straps" and leave.
But am glad to record that he is not
always 80 disohliging. lie does sometimes
treat people young people with great
plcasa,itry aud good nature. And would
Just nov state, that with all bis faults
yen know we ali have our faults-l have
no doubt, but that ii one Of US were placed
IN his lonely situation, it would not be any
better for the world than il is. lie is
little passionate, bus, when his boist erou'
feelings have in measure ssbsidcd, he en-
deavours, apparently, to concliiaie our ia
vour, so as TO get us TO forget his former
GOODNESS, and TO engage in something thai
may afford us innocent and pleasant amnso.
peht. He will get old folks together tc
converse on matters relative 10 the past, the
present and the future; on which occasions
oil differences are frequently forgotten, the
chain of Friendship is made stronger anr
brighter, and many \ hall is made to re-
sound with peals Of honest laughter, ana
having covered the earth with the proper
material, he will induce young people Il
sturn oui, . and with smiles of cheerful.
! ness to visit one another, accompanied bJ
, tae music Of the cheerful bells, carrying