The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-06-16

. ing" and the cannons, jokes, and fire
crackers with which the field and tavern
I were enlivenea. us
e There was no work on the farm that
day; the mill was silent, and the store was
: closed. 4g ..s.lf
Mr. James In the forenoon patronized
the dry crackers, (which be furnished
the society-and the drer discourse
furnished by Mr.. Metwhistle-a the S.
5. Celebration and went after dinner to
an auction. a50. r.t.
r 1t was contrary to the custom at Mill
brook to transact any business on the an
: niversary of our nations independence
but poor widow having few household
articles and farming utensils to dispose of,
Millbrook had charltably offered to 90 and
purchase them on the fourth of July af-
, ternoon
The auction sale was at an old farm
house, some three miles from the village,
but notwithstanding the distance, James
resolved to walk thither IN company with
large party of his neighbors, who other
, wise went on foot. On his way the mer-
chant perceived his two brothers who were
walking on in the same direction, but
with different parties; and when he re-
fected on the sad change which had TAX
en- place in his family within the last
year and half, he was very much cast
down game TaFfn8R @
i "Once we were as one man IN every
thing" he thought. "We were strong
happy-and the world looked upon us
with uncommon respect. Now, since we
are divided, we are blamed by some, scorn-
} ed by others, and prosecuted by not few.
!, People take advantage of our weakness to
promote their own selfish ends, aud we
set them the example by iujurine each
other. For the past year my profits have
been mere nothing compared to what
they have been heretofore"
The conversation of his companions
aroused James from his reflections. The
party walked leisurely to the auction, and
soon after the sale commenced.
The Widow Wilson was more benefit
ted by patriotism in Millbrook that day,
, [ am afraid, than anybody else. The
auction affair was more creditable to hui
manity, and more beneficial to society,
too, than all the gun firing, drinking and
fighting at the Training" and all the
marching hand in hand, eating cakes and
raisins, and hearing dull speeches, at the
s. S. Celebration. People bid generous
ly; everything went up at high figure
James bought horse at ninety-three dol
certainly all he was worth-and bid
off great variety of other articles, with
out much hope of being able to dispose of
them at present Richard, too, showed
his patriotism, for he bought harness, a
calf and some farming utensils and Jo-
sep.: bid off a chaise.
After the auction sale, or vendue, as it
was called, was over, the patriots of Mill
brook gathered in groups, to discuss pol
itics and the weather, and to offer vague
surmises touching the prosperity of the
nation and of the Widow w ilson, when a
cry of surprise and wonder called their
attention to glare in the western sky, in
the direction of the village.
Fire! Fire!" exclaimed the awe
stricken crowd. ftaa- $500
The placid groups were in an instant
heaving to and fro from conservation
People rushed in every direction, and the
few who had come on horseback or in We
hicles made hasty preparations to depart
Each man seemed to think it was his own
house which was burning; and the ut
most confusion prevailed.
James was holding the horse he had
purchased, and which he was going to
lead home by the halter. The animal
was wild--he snorted and plunged, and
it was with difficulty that James could
hold him. The young man was in state
of great perplexity and alarm. Anxious
as he was to fly to the fire, he dared not
attempt to fly without bride. Just
then, Richard hurried past him. james
remembered seeing him bid off harness..
Brother, for G cd S sake" cried James,
''lend me your blind bride! must ride
for | think it is my store burning"
/" The fire is in the direction of my
house." began the excited Richard.
"Well, put the bride on my horse, and
you shall ride behind me-"
The horse won't carry double" said
a son of Widow Wilson. arza1a. se
For. heavens sake, what shall we do ?"
cried James. "Ah! there is Josesh; he
bid off the chaise. Brother Brother :"
Joseph turned.
"James, is that your" he SAID hurried
Ily. "My mill is on fire, l am sure
Haven't you harness for that horse !?
We might put him into my chaise, and
drive to the village in tenth part ofthe
time it would take to. run there-while
my buildings are burning"