American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-10-29
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THE FARMERS COLUMN.
Old Fashioned Farmers in New Eng
-..NL- ~ land. .--- 49,

kitchen, taken during tho evening meal
Of cool autumn dayl 1t is a picture
ofihc calm happiness ofrural life.
The kitchen of the old farmhouse Of
New England is not the scullsry. or
mere cooking place Of some modern
houses-a dirty hole, comfortless out
room, or sort Of human bake oven.
where the cook is almost as much cook
cd as the food. No, it is a room per-
hsps twenty four feet long. and sixteen
wide, elllighted warm, neat, and every
way comfortable. Upon one side
there is a fireplace large enough 10
roast whole ox,in which great fire Of
logs sends up cheerful blaze, lighting
. up the whole rooms It it's brightness
might be seen throug, he great incur
tanned windows like a beacon light to
tho traveller. as he comes down the slope
ofyonder hill.two miles away. and makes
him involuntarily thank God, in anlici.
patton. for the good things spread out
upon the great table standing between
the window and the fire.
. Let w take note of this old fashioned
meal. At the head Of tho table sits
matron of some sixty summers, though
in appearance there is nothing of tho
winter Of old age about her. Her dress
is gown Of homespun worsted, we'll
fortified with hannsls from tho Same
, ,nanufactury. that bid defiance to the
autumn winds of n rigorous climate
She wears cap on the head, and shoes
and stockings upon tho feet. that were
made in pursuance of the best medical
recipe ever written-"Ke ep tho head
cool and the feet dry and warm"-for
the stockings are the product Of busy
fingers at the idle moments with many
housewives. and the shoes Of stout leath,
or, were made for service, and the cap
is mere Ornamental snow.wreath a.
mong raven locks, and her face is the
indication Of health and happiness
Upon her right had sits tho farmer,
dressed in butter nut colored coat, blue
pants, buff vest, white linen shir,--every
article home-ma de stout boots and black
silk oravat.; for he has been to town.
and this is the holiday suit. Below him
sits Jedediah, Marvin, Abram, and Solo
mon, all econom icaL names, for they can
be shortened in common use to Jed,
. Marv. Alb, and Sol. Two oftnese wear
the check. wooden winter frock of New
England farmers, the others are in round
jackets-they are school boys, Upon
the left sits Mary, Adelne, and Mehe-
label pictures ofrural beauty and health.
The Oldest is "drest up;" she has been
TO town with father; she has a gown Of
E" boughton stuff." around her neck is a
boa Of lambs wool, knit by her own
hands, fastened in the throat with grand.
mothers silver brooch. The other two
are in check wooden, wove, colored and
made up under the Same roof. Further
down the table are three athletic young
mon, day laborers upon the farm, sons
of neighboring farmers, one of whom is
cycling the charms of the sweet face Of
Mary with an expression easily read by
good physiognomist, The group is
completed by the schoolmaster, young
man with glowing eye, which speaks
of on intellect that will tell upon the
world some day with as much furce os
though he had not been obliged to OBJ.
tain his education by summer labor and
winter teaching. He is one of New
England's rising sons The meal is for
men who toll. At one end of tho table
stands q pot, Of ample dimensions. smok-
ing from the great oven thanking the fire.
place, Of that most excellent of New
England cookeries--a dish Of baked
beans-crowned with great, square
piece of salt, fat pork, crisped and rich.
Lower down, broad, pewter pIaterholds
the remains Of the boiled victuals"
that formed the dinner--bcef, potatoes,
cabbage. beets and turnips--a pile that
might rival small bay.cock in sizo and
shape; plate Of rye and Indian bread,
cold, and another, made Of rye hour;are
untouched; for great loaf. just drawn
from the oven, Drowned and hot, is of
fored in great. broken pieces, to tempt
the appetite to one Of the richest repasts
ever given to an epicure. BY the side
Of tho old lady stands a black, earlben
tea pot, the contents Of which are free.
ly offered, but only accepted by two Of
them, as the rich, new milk, or hearty,
old cider, 10 preferred as a beverage,
morning. noon, and night, by those old
fashioned, hearty laborers. Wo must
not forget the neyer.failiDg accompani.
mont Of the evening meal at this season
OF the year in New England, for tits
New England's proudest dish, the gold.
on pumpkin sweetest pie. .r..
God being thanked for his great boun.
ties after the close of this happy meal,
ell draw into circle the around great
Fireplace. Father 10 finishing of an axe
helvc, Jed is mendng pair Of boots,
and one Of the hired men 0poa the other
side Of the samo bonch is repairing bar
hoss~-both use the came tools. The
other two are employed, ono Smelling
corn aud the other helping Mary peel
pumpkins, which are cut in slices and
hung upon poles overhead. This Is