The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-11-19
From the Wisconsin Chief.
About Stoves.

stove, madam, Is an abOmlnatlou-a
palpable invention of the enemy. Not for
it's colds, bronchial diseases, or consump-
tons alone. There are other charges against
them. They have driven out the light and
warmth of the olden time dispensation, and
inaugurated one of gloom They are cheer
less unsoeial. Dark, forbidding, and
breathing out a parched and enervating
heat, they sullenly sentinel the sanctuaries
they have usurped. The old FIRE place was
fitting emblem of the old friendships, and
Inequalities, and honest greetings, 1t en-
gendered and Witnessed open. genial, glow
mo. There was broad smile crept out
from under its ample forestick and kindled
upward, and its embers winked and nodded
how are you, as the lights and shades
chased each other over the tirnbers to the
CHEEKY singing of the sap which dubbed
out on the ends the axe had cleft. And the
flames, after dancing and leaping over the
walls with the shadows, peeped merrily I'M
der the mantle, and vanished up the Chin
ney. The dog and the cat, ever more hap
py in that good old light, and the children
piled the jack-knife on choice bits of pine,
or with treacherous strings and crumbs at
tached, drew the cricket from HE covert be-
storm beat against the panes, it was pleasant
to hear the Ginning of the old fashioned
bells-old fashioned, I say-ringing above
the storm, and hear merry voices at the door,
and see friends in cloaks, and overcoats,
burst in with the binding gust and stomp
their way to the hearth, and shake off the
drifting snow by the melting warmth. The
boys. they had boys in those days were
ordered to pile on more wood. and the crack
ling flames kept gleeful time to the unstInted
wagging of every tongue. A visit from
such friends, was worth the while. They
were of solid flesh and blood and earnest
hearts. Their hands had the grip of vice.
The women of that day had not all been
transferred into Hatties, and Netties, and
Jennies, and a thousand other babyish, con-
fectionery terms to hide the good old Sax
on, but we had Aunt Marys, Margarets,
Polys and Rebeccas.
tell you, sir, there acre Conaen IN those
days.
AS was saying, the fire was built in the
"spare room,' but all through the evening,
the honest spoken, healthy, substantial
mothers would slip quietly back into the
kitchen where the turkey was basting before
the fire, and standing in the corner, look in
to the trusty blaze, which told no secrets,
and have right down good chat of various
matters.
Perhaps the visit was from company of
boys and girls-not gentlemen and ladies'
plump load, buried under coy robes, and
sweeping up 10 the door with shout which
startled all of US to the window. The
swaying light was held aloft by our ''gals"
and the monster load helped out, each lean
ing SO trustingly on arms which had creFt
around like holding tie for the safety of
one who might be cold, or who might fall
out by the way while the bells shot round
the corner to the barn, the hoods and cloaks
were removed, and cheeks with loylier
bloom than could be charged to the wealth
er, opening like roses to the fire light
Then the tide of talk and feeling swelled
from score of tongues and hearts. until
the house rang again with the sounds. The
pie-pumpkins and apple, you must under
Standard sweet-cakes were passed, the
old folks slipped quietly out and away TO
bed, and then
Well, what is the use of getting garrulous
of these things, to person who never saw
a generous old farm house or fire place
1t does us good, however, to talk of them,
for their memories come over us like a
pleasant dream. We forgot that half a cen
fury has gone by since then, yet under the
locks of snow, the fire of ''other days" kin
dies for the time and we feel like springing
after the first handsome face which shall
mischievously peer around the standing
ring. and dare us to a strife of "Snap en-
andcatch 'enl." In the meantime, the fire
was forgotten and wanned, the mirth grew
less noisy, and couples slid away and sat
cozily in corners, and kept up murmur
ing undertone of conversation. The old
clock had been wickedly turned back, but
time wore On nevertheless, and some more
courageous one sprang up and broke the
charm. The buzz of voices swelled up
again, and there was hurrying after the
''Lhings," and while hoods were tied, eyes
were turned up to see where certain ''fellers"
were standing with their hats in hand. The
good byes were spoken and sealed with
kiss. and the load again huddled into the
sleigh, and the impatient horses sped away
over the crisping snow. Couples were
dropped here and there, and one of the good
times, like dream whose pleasant memoir
les linger, faded out into the shadows of a
morning nap.
SCRIPTURE DIcK.-The Chenango county
IN. Y. Telegraph tells the following story
of the early life of the sage of the Susque-