Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-03-12
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AUNT NARY.-A Sketch from Life.


cufhfI, hcf unEtfa bustlf engaged upon tie
knitting, which she invariably held 10 her hands,
and her gate intsntly fastened upon the glowing
emben o. the rudy ire-hef uhile hairs sisal.
log IRON under her Old dirnily eap-her form
stopped and lettering under tie scishl Of al.
most reatury-l am led iRy0lunlArily % ca.
Claim, "AaS poor Aunt Mary, lhoush in the
world, surely thou art Dot Of IT,
Aunt Mary is study; and though | shall not
attempt 10 portray al her character. Vet can.
not refrain from sketehins some u her peruli.
antics, which will strike those acquainted uith
her hS being true 10 lie, whilst 10 those anac.
quaiuIed With her, they may not prove the less
unacceptable, because " their truihlulnesS
She was born aud bred Amid the scenes "
pioneer lie, in Western Virginia, in Old Fort
/ Henry, which stood where nov the busy hum
oi peaceful industry has been instrumental IN
building up the SECOND city II the Common.
wealth. In the halcyon days Of her youth, the
gayeS; among tbs gay, her beauty va the lhcmo
VI every toIgue aud tho admiution Of every
eye She is one VI those last links IN the chain
which connect, the present with the days and
scenes VI the Revolution.
/ She was blooming girl 4, the period when
the renegade, Simon Girty, with hi, band Of
ruthless savages, made an unsuccessful attack
on Fort Henry, and contributed in no small dc.
gree to the repulse Of the enemy, By the actiy.
lty and zeal she displayed in loading the rifles
Of the pioneers who, with such distinguished
herOism, defended the lltle Fort on that never
10 be forgotten occasion.
But look at heb now, and behold how charged
from the bounding, bIlthesoms girl Of that DAY,
/ whose heart knew no sorrow, and whose eve
was undimmsd by sadness.
4 But the scenes Of her youth were still fresh
in her memory, and shs loved to recount the in.
eidenIS Of her early life and dwull with linsrr
ing londnesS upon the history Of the past On
one occasion, ! remarked to her that the period
OF the early settlement Of the West, was fraught
with much danger aud hardship
la, child, she replied, "in those DAYS, We
didn't care for danger aud hardship, because
there were brave hearts and strong arms ready
| to meet IT, Aud besides, We were all as one
family aud interested in each others welfare. -
II one was poor, the rest would contribute to his
support aud 1t would not DO regarded as char.
I " because, he would DO expected, under ike
! circumstance, we're no able, to contribute to
the support Of his fellows"
"Well, Aunt" said II have no doubt there
was 4 great deal Of kindness and disinterested.
ness manifested in Those days"
ITO DO sure there was, child" she rcioined.
and We had more real enjoyment aud pleasure
then, too, than young people have now. Why,
when wedding took place in those days, every
one was expected To participate in the festivities
without an invitation sent on perfumed satin
paper, 10 request the honor Of their COMPANY.
and then, after tho wedding, the men would hew
| the logs and build cabin Tor the newly welded
pair; and when it vas chinked and plastered.
then followed what was called the "houSe-warm.
ing, and all could join in the song, the dance
aud the teaSt-a feast not Of sugarcd dainties
and painted cOnfections-bul feast where the
board groaned under tho weight of the Juicy
venison the fat bear steak, and the tender tur-
key, with the hoe cake and corn bread"
"Ah, child, She.continued with sigh, "thcse
days are not like the days of my youth. In the
very midst Of our eRjoyments We were sur
rounded with dangers, and although we knew
not the moment when the willy savage would
be upon us, and his terrible whSr.whoop start!e
US from our pleasures, yet this very insecurity
served only to heighten our pleasures because
they were uncertain, and hence the trusty rifle
was always within reach, ~ that we might DO
prepared for any emergency"
in the shape Of little black dog, came bound.
ing into the room, and with every demonstra.
ton OF joy jumped about her feet, and licked
the hem Of her dress, lcaped into her lap, and
nestled himself IN its ample folds with assurance
aud confidence, but suddenly espying stran.
scr IN the room, tho little fest set up an angry
bark at one whom he doubtless deemed an in.
truder, until Aunt Mary, in tones Of affection,
mingled with rcproof oxclaimed-"Why Tip,
you're naughty" and he crouChed his head with
growl and became silent.
Now Zip" was an object Of intense affection,
and there was no more certain way of mourning
the displsasure Of his mistress than BY treating
him with indifference or contempt: therefore,
my conduct was always moderated towards him
in such degree as to treat him with profound
respect. This was the only remaining object in
the world eft her to love, and he was child,
friend and companion to her. She would lavish
on him all the affection Of parent for child;
she would commune with him as with a friend,
and wherever she went he was constantly nj her
side, When Tip" was out Of her presence,
and unable to reach her, he would whine and
cry as II his very heart would break, and his
mistress would become restless and uneasy un.
I'll he made his appearance. In u corner Of the
Old cupboard there was always kept large
store of tit bits for his delicate palate, and when
hungry, with pleading cocntenance, his paws
resting upon her knees, he would gaze into her
face, and in sorrowtnl tone which never failed
to prevail, he would beg his allowance. But
every dog has his day, and 10 had poor Zip"
A time came when the bark Of Zip" ceased,
and his intelligent eyus ceased to speak to ths
quick understanding Of his mistress.
One by one she had witnessed friend after
frienddepart. Her husband had been long since
laid in the silent chambers ofdeatli, and one nf.
ter another Of her children she had followed TO
the tomb. Is it any wonder that the old
lady's eyes Swelled with tears, and she fallCrel
in the uttCrancc of the name Of herpetg Stand.
ing all alone. like come lnnnlr trna In ihn mil,