Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-10-26
Original 4apers.
For the Spirit Of the Age.
A Night in a Dark Corner.

by r. q. VII.
In the latter part Of the summer Of 1851,
while travelling through one Of the border
counties Of the State Of -, turned
aside from the main way into narrow
path, and entered neighborhood near the
source of small river, to transact some
business for q friend. | had been in many
places. but this was the most dreary region
/ ever visited 1t was a dark corner; yes,
the darkest had ever seen. The sun did
not refuse to give it light, neither was it
under the shadow of towering mountains,
but the miasmatic vapor arising from still
houses had darkeued the land. The in
habitants here, like in all other such places,
had lost every principle Of refinement, and
even the beasts, from which they only diff
fer 10 form and in having small spark Of
soul, were turned to skeletons, while veg
citation shrank from the dread malaria
Here was land that might have been an
Eden, had not the devil entered it in SER
pentine form, and overshadowed it with
the mists of ofignorance, superstition and vice
In the morning | passed through rich
and populous neighborhood, where the lux
uriant growth Of vegetation in the fields
spoke of the wisdom, industry, temperance
and happiness of the farmer. There were
commodious farm houses and neat, white
cottages dotting the hills, and here and
there, in adjacent fields, the low cabin ot
the virtuous poor. There plenty was
heaped up in the store house of the wise
and virtuous farmer-but here poverty,
wretchedness and death. There the poor
man brought low by misfortune, sends up
his nightly orison in faith to the Most High
though the hand of God is upon MIN; but
bereowhat contrast the shackles of the
prince of darkness are fast visited upon him
and he reels, blasphemes and dies.
or this den Of infamy, and night spen
there, propose to draw pcture-not
true one confess, for the coloring will b
of too light shade. What tongue ca
describe the dearth Of a land of stills 3
What pen depict its woes9
Fatigued and hungry, dismounted &
tic door Of the dilapidated log hut of Squir
W. The Squire was the head ma
of the settlement, and a curious specimen
humanity at that. He was to be my guid
to the different places where had bus
ness, as well as my helper, officially, in i
transaction. | entered his hut, but cou
sec little to kindlc hope of dinner in
hungry man; but being of an inquisiti'
nature, | concluded to stdrDe with him OF
uirht: for had found that person mig
learn lesson from any thing-even fro
the haunts of vice and misery-and had
been otherwise disposed | would have hi
to rctrace my steps a considerable dstan
to find better place, and that would ha
thrown me hore the next night
While musing over the miseries of a pa
of mankind, heard the sound, "come al
cat" proceeding from the opening in t
"countcnance" of ten year old urchi
dressed from crown to sole in dirt and shi
| took a seat at the table; before me
the Squire, with dish of beans under
shadow of his long "S0aetter." At
right was cake Of corn bread, baked up
a hot rock or oven lid. The beans wol
have been much more palatable had til
been cooked with bacon and the bre
lacked everything but crust and bran.
While mincing, surveyed the inter
of the shanty there sat "Mrs. SOUR
from whose physiognomy ! could see no
ing TO tell Of better days seen, or even
sired; but the outlines of storms W
clearly defined At the first glance SUI
stitious sensations crept over me; 10
knew not but the last witch had taken
Quarters here There were ten chidr
whose looks bespoke faith enough to
to remove mountains, their glossy visa
demonstrating that dirt had been the c
ingredient of their diet ever since they
the cradle.
When "night let its sable mantle dc
and pinned it with the stars" scare
for book "to drive dull care away"
found mono except the "Code." Then
inr a 'stringcd instrument" hanging to
wall, | called for music one Of the
took it. down, sawed string in two,
never ventured out on tune. Who
expect music where the fires of the
have been quenchcd9 2
called for place to sleep; the
bed was shown me, and the boy that
the cleanest shirt was appointed my
fellow. stumbled in" and was
wiapt in slumber. About midnight
awakened by something cooling po,
upon me. It was raining, and the
only served to collect the large drop
run them through in spouts. cha
position, but found TO dry place |
called TO the Squire TO know what
but all the answer was, at will quit
whiIe-thunder showers seldom last
So it did, but not till l was comp