True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-02-17

uay, anu yet L lOOk IN the grass across
the table and see the wiihered features
of an old man. Is it myself that is old :
| draw my hand over face of wrinkles,
and then lay it upon smooth bald head.
Around the ears, are thin white locks,
and wel.worn staff glistens in the fire
light.
Years haze gone by, while the heart
has been dreaming as though there were
no winter after the spring time of youth.
Forty years ago, as was saying, my
fathers family settled in one of the coun'
ties Of central New York. All was a
wilderness, wild, grand. beautiful. We
located fifteen miles from the larIhest
pioneer clearing" The shadows were
around US, the tall trees and the pictur-
esque mountains. ..rr..'.
Many summers day have toiled up
the rugged mountain sides, and looked
cut upon a sea of green as il Swayed and
rolled, in the summer breeze, or watched
the warming sun as it fingered to bathe
the whole wilderness in flood Of gold
and crimson. All were very beautiful.
The axe had opened space in the for
est. and a cabin of that good old time af-
forded US shelter. 1t looked new and
comfortable, and its chimney smoke curl
ed gracefully up and vanished with the
shadows of the forest. The backened
heaps smoked and crackled, and deep in
those wild. wood solitudes the wilderness
blossomed and smiled in the presence Of
yellow harvests. A happy home was
there. The birds sang at earliest morn
and the deep river near the door nlurmuret
sweetly at nigh fall. ....
There were gentle whisperings in the
old trees. AS they bow their heads Il
the winds, holy anthem aoated VI
from the vast temples where natur
brea,hed fresh and pure from the hand o
God. The wild.howers bloomed ever
by the very door sill, and the deer stopped
in the forest edge TO gaze upon the smoke
of the chimney. ..,
"Twas beautiful home in the old vii
derness ......
The spring bro't us neghbors. Twas
, great day when a settler came in and pur
chased land across The river. He received
, warm welcome from pioneer hearts
| and by the ready agency OF pioneer hand
a comfortable log cabin peeped out from
( the dense woodland on the opposite bank
, | watched the smoke from its open roof a
r the sun went down. and eagerly looked
for it The next morning. But it was no
' the smoke cared so much about. onl,
e knew that it curled upward from the fire
l side where dwelt as beautiful creatur
g as ever bloomed away from the bus,
world. And So watched the smoke
/ and dreamed as ! watched the river, IN
S til the moon threw down its beautifu
v pathway of shimmering silver, and listen
e ed for the sound of familiar footsteps.
= Across the river was the home of Car
:, rie Mason. Before the mellow haze c
e Autumn had dropped its dreamy hue o
g lake and stream, learned to love he
: and tell her so in the still moonlight {
that hidden home.
IS The leaves faded and The winter wind
n wailing through the forest. But we care
e little for that. The snow fell thick an
% last, but our cabin homes were brigh
,r and our hearts were alive with happines
IN and hope. When the spring opened, an
L. the birds returned, we were 10 be married
= | was happy. ss
W A winter evening party in new coul
IN try. Did you ever attend one, reader
IS There are large hearths nd open hear
ID to be found.
~ Carrie and were invited to attend Il
ct party. A rude 'iumper" had been bull
ly and in this we started. Ten miles we
in soon passed, and we found ourselves
as merry and as happy throng as ev
re gathered on frontier. The huge fl
st cracked on the hearth, and old fashion
ly fun and frolic rang out until a late hor
lat The moon had gone down when ,
ly started for home, and the snow began
W. fall. But we needed il not, for we talk
a fast as the stout horse sped on the fore
ny path.
Carrie grasped my arm and whisper
ok Hist The wind shreked over the to
on of the dark pines, and laughed at |
re. fears. But she nestled close to my 81
he and talked with less glee. In spite of
- efforts, shadow would creep over l
an own-spirits.
The road wound around dense grow
N, of pines which shot upward and vel
il even the sky from our path. The
is pines swayed and moaned in the incre
er. ing storm, and the snow fell fast a
,es thickly. touched the horse with
he whip. and he moved briskly through
g n woods. ...
ear Again Carrie grasped my arm. I he
ith nothing save the storm, and yet !
mn startled as the horse gave a quick snC
Ark and struck into a gallop. With a h'
nse full of happiness, | had not yet dream
md Of danger.
,ey Again the horse snorted in alarm
lrs. There were sounds above the storm,
uld | felt my cheek grow white and cold,
blood rush quickly back to my he
Clear, wild, terrific, it burst out ii