The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-03-30


mitted the night before on Squire Hubbard's
sheep and iambs-the dog had been devoured
and two large bears had been seen prowling
around Blackberry Hill, just in the edge Of
the previous evening
The young men were greatly excited, for a
large party had been organized to go out that
very evening TO Squire Hubbard's who lived
10 an adjoining town not more than ten miles
of. for the purpose of destroying the wild an
imals, as it was apprehended that their former
success would stimulate them to fresh depre
dations. So, with that belligereut propensity
which is SO stroug an element of Anglo Saxon
character, Cyrus and Enoch descanted glow
ingly on the best method of surprising and
dispatching the animals; while the sister and
mother listened with the indeGnable mixture
of wonder, admiration and terror which wo-
men always award to manly courage and skill.
But dear me- said Lefty. as she poured
Cyrus third glass of milk, what if bear
should come around here one of these days
You know that Elder Smith said he saw one
on his farm last autumn. 0, my believe
it would take the breath straight out OF my
body. to come across one of the creatures
And the rosy cheeks grew pale at the thought.
Nonsense. sis !! said the hearty voice of
Enoch, as he spread double stratum of but
ter on bis fourth slice of rye bread, there's
no sort of danger around here. Nobody in
these parts was ever touched by one of them
ERE chaps. reckon they're smart enough
not to venture their heads far into this town.
They wouldn't stay long, if they did, that's
sarttin''
Now, whether there was much philosophy
in this speech or not, it had the effect Of
greatly quieting Letty's fears; though, if
Enoch had been called on to give his reasons
for exempling Berry gate from bear intrpsiops,
he could probably have fonnd no better one
than the propensity indigenous to human ma
ture of supposing ourselves less liable to i'll
fortune thar our neighbors.
Well, after supper the boys started off in
high spirits. duly equipped with rifles and
knives. receiving many solemn injnnciions
from their mother to look out that them crit
ters didn't get hold of their SKINS maternal
warnings. WI ich have rernarkab faculty OF
going in at one ear and out at the other
Il declare. Lefty, we forgot all about that
sap boilin'r = suddenly remarked the widow
to her daughter, who having washed up the
tea-dishes. was busily smoothing down the
wavy folds of her hair at little mirror on one
side of the Kitchen, while some pleasant
thought was shyly dimpIing around her ripe
lips and frightening through her blue eyes
So we have, and they haven't piled up any
boughs. It's too had, with such nice weather
for boiling and it likely to set up and rain Q
week at this time of year.
Supposing you run down to the woods
and heap up some boughs tonight, Lefty p
The moon shines SO, it is as bright as day
The boys could hang up the kittle early fol
you, you know, but they couldn't stay to dt
anything else, for they've got to be off by sun
rise to see about them calves; and they won'
be home before midnight said Mrs. Pease
with an oracular shake of the head.
n But I'm expecting company to nigh'
4 mother,' answered Lefty. with the rosy ting
widening and deepening through her cheek
and it wouldn't be very polite to be off whe
they come -
Well, it's likely you'd have time to ge
back afore they do, child. And if it's any Q
your beaux, I can send 'em out to the ma
pies,
Now, if the truth must be told, Lefty Peas
had two admirers, for whom there had ofte
been severe struggle between her affection
and her pride. a.
Jason Williams was country merchant
a smart looking young man, WHO had recent
| gone into business for himself. 81 He was alwa,
dressed in broadcloth. stood behind the cour
ter with the politest bow and smiles imagiut
BILE, and was voted at the village singh,
school the greatest catch in the town.
Then there was Seth Peters. the miller
away down in the silence of Lettyis heart Wa
voice that plead for him as it did not for tt
merchant. Seth was good looking and inte
Iligent, while nobler heart never beat for th
woman it loved; but then his bow wasn't t
be compared with Jason's, and he wore blr
overalls, which were busted over with flo,
!. from Monday morning till Saturday nigh
except when he visited Lefty. 1t was certai
ly great contrast, and the girl felt keenly {
any maiden of twenty would when she roc
past the old mill and saw its young owner i
ri his powdered clothes lifting up the great bal
/. of wheat by the rope that dangled from tt
> front window, or poured the corn into Il
4 large trough, under which the great whe
plashed and groaned all day in the stream :
twas, as We have said, a great contrast to
on few. rods further to the new store, wi
its green shutters and large sign. AMI 81
Jason standing in the store, dressed bett
than the minister, and receive one of his inim
able bows.
Then it would be such a conquest, and
the girls would envy her so. She would
Mrs Williams, the merchants wife,
sounded exceedingly well, and yet when 8
thought of it, that low voice would rise
and speak for the miller again. Poor Lett
! no wonder it was SO severe struggle betwe
; her affections and her pride.
!. She looked out at the window. and the
moon was shining down on the bare ear
and whitening the naked branches of the
trees. The sweet pensive light stole into I
girls heart, and drew her towards it.
i guess I'll run down to the grove
e. anybody comes. you can, talk to 'em. moth
g till ] get back, for ] wont be gone long, v
!; her sudden conclusion.
r The girl. had not been absent more tn