Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-27
NO. IT..
For tho spectator.
Arkansas Correspondence. No. 6.


course with the people of that portion of Arkan-
sas which had the pleasure Of visiting. One
of the greatest pleasures stranger experiences
is derived from conversing with those persons
in the humble walks Of life, whose mode OF
thought and expression are moulded and shaped
| by surrounding circumstances, and whose frank
ness and candor lead them to keep back nothing
such as we frequently find among emigrants
and frontier settlers. In little while the en-
igrant becomes the happiest of men 1t seems to
me, and for this reason, he Is in situation that
enables him to perceive and feel that his lot Is
the lot Of all. When he sees no lordy building
contiguous, rearing its lofty roof, to shame 6y
contrast, the meanness of his humble cabin
home. then contentrnent has for him its charms,
which is an ample recompense for all the hard
ships he endures. He tolls all the day long, and
when evening comes, We realize 10 him the FOL :
lowing picture of conteDted life:
| At night returning, every labor sped,
| He sits him down the monarch of Q shed;
Smiles by his cheerful fire. and round surveys
His children's looks that brighten ct the blszsi
While his loved partner, boastful of her hoard,
Displays her cleanly platter on the board;
Aud haply too some pilgrim thither led,
With many tale repays the nightly bed.
The stranger is generally piled with great
many questionsa as to where he Is from, and the
character of the business that has brought him
to the new State. When all these points have
been settled, much of the subsequent converse
ton is formed accordingly 30 far as the settler
takes leading part in suggesting topics. If
the stranger is looking for land, the settler has
great deal to say about what be has done or
expects to do in land, or if he is Missionary,
ard is looking up the lost sheep of the House OF
Isres to please bis guest, the hospitable settler
manifests commendable willingness to talk g.
bout preaching, preachers and preaching places.
In this way he often brings In his own views
and experience, respecting matters of religion,
and what it requires of man to be, in sale and
proper condition. One old Arksnsian, who had
been in the Indian wars, took the first opportu-
nifty he had to give me to understand that 'ihe
was one of the most morslest of men," "To the
best of his knowledge he had not sworn an oath
in his life. l have told but few or no lies, and
have always lived very peacefully with every
body. But should you sir, be so unfortunate, ss
to hear me swear or curse at any time along,
you may know from the manner do 1t, that
1t is new business with me, you will soon see
that will have the swearing words all wrong"
Upon one occasion in company with friend,
met with Swede, who had served through
the Mexican War, in Cavalry Regiment, but Is
now q merchant. BE was informed in my pres
ence of 90 evening appointment for preaching
not far from his store. He expressed himself as
highly pleased at having Sunday eveningpreach-
ing 80 convenient, for Sunday morning he gen
erally wished to have to himself as he often had
several little natters to straighten up, which bad
accumulated on his hands through the week.
The first evening spent In Arkansas, made
the acquaintance of sweet and modest child,
upon whose lovely features, the seal OF pure
and gulleless heart was beautifully impressed
That same evening however we parted to meet
no more on earth, hence my recollection OF her
is like sweetly remembered dream, to be often
recalled with feelings OF tender regret, u am
going home to see my Father and Mother are
among her last remembered words, and while
there she was laid upon her dying bed.
On Saturday evening (Nov. 5tbO she fell a.
sleep beneath the shadowings of an Angels
wings, and was borne We gladly hope to the
| arms of that precious Savior, whose words are
SO soothing to a bereaved Mothsr's hear. "SnfS
fer little children to come unto me and Iorola
them not. for of such is the kingdom OF God"
On Sabbath morning while the fields and for
ests where she once played seemed tiDged with
sweet sadness. as falling leaves rustled gently
around, impressively foreboding the winter OF
death that comes apace, Lucy lFF** was borne
to her little grave.
Beloved one, farewell it was thy happy lotto
be taken away from the evil to come. Hadst
thou lived longer, the worlds slluriDg charms
might have ensnared and led thee to sin and
sorrow, and forever closed the gates of mercy on
thee. 1t was precious privilege to Ito thy
rest on Sabbath in childhood, wearing as thou
didst look of subdued resignation and peaceful
joy, sweetly emblematiOal of duty, done in the
past and of hope in the future-the hope that
after thy peaceful slumbers here, we meet again
when the morning of eternity is breaking DER
the sweet scenes of Heaven.
In my next purpose to give you few more
items of personal incident which will close our
l. ANGUILLE.