Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-11-04

pie, down by the Darrcl spring, tnat
gushed ont cool and clear, at the foot
of the hill, and where the Eastern emf
grant so often halted for the night. and
built his campfire aid refreshed himr
self and family for the coming journey.
The clear, cool water, so soft. so much
like New England's gushing foun-
tains, was a rich treat to weary trav-
elers in those early days. Those old
oaks were pleasant shelter, 'teo.
stretching their arms east, west, north
and south, as if to show proper resent
ment toward George and Dan for cut
ting Of their grand old heads, That
stretched skyward day by day.
1t is no matter; we were all cat-birds
robbins, and girls, as happy. as happy
could be. Our lungs were strong. for
we had never learned that Nature
made a mistake in giving women
breathing room, or that the-"real lady"
must be fashioned by hands and whale
bones, cords and tapes, into symmetry
and grace. Strong hands had we, too
Cooley and Graham had not given
us such oft-repeated lessons about
small. white hands and taper fingers as
they have the girls of the present day.
And then, our hearts were willing, for
our good mothers had imbued our
minds with the great truth, that labor
and useful employment gave health,
strength, and happiness. How balmy
and fresh were the breezcs of spring!
How magnificent the apple orchard!
Every tree in its affluence of bloom. a
huge bouquet tied up by the hand of
our mother Nature for the use of her
clil,lren. No wonder the brown
thra,her made the spice-apple his
home; it was the most beautiful Of
them all-so round, so graceful. We
all loved it, too, for there we gathered
the first ripened fruit; there the wood
pecker lodged his red head among the
| linn bs, and drummed his defence as he
picked the blushing check of the fair
est and best. His time is not come
yet; but the threshcr is master now
There they go, with bills full of shreds
from the barnyard, where the flax was
prepared for the wheel. See, see,
Kate, we will hunt their nest some
day!
Fie. now wander! it seems but
yesterday. so freshly does it all come
back 10 me this sunny morning. l
breathe the lors and mark the beauty
and take in the melody Of my child
hoods home, and hear the voices ofthc
loved onoS, and see my mother looking
out with calm, bue eye upon her chill
dren. as if it were all before me-
Lord. keep my memory green!"
Well, well, we worked away. BY
the south door,of the cold Spanish po-
tato" (as some of the ncighbors chris
tened the irregular, red brick house.
built then, as few are now, with a
view to comfort and convenience, light
and ventilation, but very plain and
homely) was a nook yard or so wide,
which separated the doorstep from the
stone wall that supported the cellar
stairway.
Into this nook in the winter fell the
scrapings of the feet as they came in
from the barnyard, the swecpings OF
the hoase, and many bits and ends,
which the east wind, whiSking round
the corner, compelled us to throw down
and beat a retreat, with teers starting
in our eyes. a f
This nook, now the spring was
, come; must be cleaned out There
were the winter bouquests, made Of
sprigs of evergreen, few having beer
wet and dipped in flour to make them
snowy white, to contrast with the deeT
Sreen and buds of blue. There were
the orange clusters Of the bitterswcc,
, and open scarlet berries Of the firebush
, or, as the Indians called it, the Wa
: hoo, and the jetty secd-clustcrers o
: the blackberry lily. Where ther,
ever bouquests as beautiful to my ey'
as those my mother placed upon th'
, mantles in the old homestead thirty
five years ago? Never, oh never
AS i threw them all bespoiled anc
moldy into my basket, there seemed t.
4 spring from every one a face or form
: of some we'll beloved friend, and the,
: came singing around me the melodies
I ofthe Christmas time-Cynthia, Lucy
S Abby, Julia, Adeline, Mary, Betsy
5 Emeline, Lou, Helen, Laura. Clara
and Eliza, and-yes. it's no use Il
deny it--Frank. Harry, Dan, Will
Aleck, George, John. Charles--ah! I
whole host Of them-all that playe,
"Philander," Lost my glove yester
day." Button, button, who would b
4 button?" all who paid pounds ant
measured tape and kissed pigeon fas