The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-02-10

do tell US, Uncle Oliver !" rcsounded on all
sides, and we crowded around the old gen.
tleman with eager and expectant faces, chat
ting like 50 many magpies.
Uncle Oliver sat down in great armchair
in the middle of the room, still looking at us
very seriously. $50 you want me to tell
you what have scen?'' he said. swell, l
have only one objection-you can't DO quiet
long enough to listen" :.
''Just try us Wen be us mute as mice,"
replied Jessie. "Comc, girls, be quiet, and
sit down."
In proOfof our acquiescence, we all ranged
ourselves upon chairs, which we drew. in q
semi-circle about Uncle Oliver, and awaited
the forthcoming tale with the greatest anxi-
ETY., for Uncle Oliver was famous story
teller.
"Years and years ago, began the old gen.
tleman-"I won't say just how many, but
il was when was little more than eighteen
years of age-I lived with my mother and
father in small settlement within days
ride of the city Of Cincinnati. My father
was farmer, and Of course we raised our
own grain, fruit and vegetables, and were
in no want of beef, mutton, pork, fowls and
game but tea and coffee, loaf sugar and
spices, were only to be procured by journey
to the city; and us those articles were in
constant use in the family, the shopping cx-
petitions were not only important, but fire.
quent. The duty of undertaking these ex-
cursions invariably devolved upon myself ;
and as young people arc generally fond OF
such little Journeys, esteemed the perform
ancc privilege, and was in high spirits,
when any want was suggested, which would
oblige me to saddle my old horse, and start
for Cincinnati.
al can see myself still i; dressed in my best
suit, and mounted on old nottcr's back,
with two baskets slung before me upon the
horse, and capacious pocket-book buttoned
up in my vest pocket, making my way along
the road with us much Importance rs any
ambassador charged with State affairs could
possibly have felt; and can yet hear Inc
mothers anxious charges not to forget thy
tea on any account.
"Yes, hut, dear unclc, about All-Hallow
Fen, and what you saw?" interrupted i'm
patient Jessie.
"I'm coming to that, child" replied Un-
Gle Oliver; "this is part of the story"
"One morning, just exactly at this time OF
the year, started upon one of my usual ex.
petitions. 1t was windy, disagrceable day.
The atmosphere had a leiden look, and the
brown trees, nearly dcnuded of their bright
autumn leaves, were pictures to behold
There were signs OF storm in the cloudy sky,
and the sOaghing Of the wind among the
woods near by; but had no doubt that
should accomplish my crrand, and return be-
fore it burst upon us. ] set forth merrily,
whistling as | went, and cndeavoring to coax
my old stcady-guing horse into more RAPID
pace than was his wont, and partly succeeded
in my endeavors. for old Trotter, after much
resistance and obotinacy, broke into an un.
even motion, which he considered trot, and
kept it up all the way to Cincinnati.
II arrived safely, made my purchases, and
began to rctrace my steps. The day had by
this time become intensely cold. The wind
was full in my face, and 40 sharp that II
, nearly took uwuy my breath. However, ]
buttoncd my coat to my chin, pulled my hat
over my eyes, and rode detcrminedly forward
at the best speed of which old Trotter was
capable. Nearly halfway upon my journey
stood n large frame-house, surrounded by well
titled fields andan ampleorchard. The front
of the house was directly on the road, which
took a sudden curve short distance beyond,
and became better, and more sheltered. |
! looked forward to the appearance of this
halfway house with much anxicty-past the
turning, mSway would be far pleasanter,
and my progress more rapid; and | begun
to wish most heartily for my journeys end,
us the night was drawing on, and a wet
now began to drift down upon the cherries
andscape. You may imagine my consterna-
ton, therefore, when, Just as arrived oppo-
site the dwelling, old Trottcr slipped upon
the wet ground, stumbled, and fell, throwing
me upon my back, and dispensing the con.
tents Of my baskets in every direction among
the snow -sprinkled, brown grass. Fortu-
natcly, was unhurt.
"Alter ascertaining this important fact,
| gathered up my merchandise, and turned
to rcmount TIotter; but the old horse had
been less favored than I, and soon found
that he was too lame to proceed farther
Here was q situation stood in mute per-
plexity, thinking, remember, how often |
had heard that nallow Fen was an illOmen-
ed time, and that mshaps of oil kinds were
sure 10 bef,ll the unlucky wight who was
abroad after dark upon that dpy. While
ruminated | cast my eye toward the window
of The old farmhouse. The light OF n lamp
jus kindled fell through the panes upon The
snow which lined the sill-a wonan's shad-
ow fitted 10 aud fro What cosy picture
il was, | thought Of fhomc-oftea and dough-
NUTS, warm biscuit and crisp bacon, mincc
pie warmed in thc capacious oven, and fell
dismal, beyond expression, us The moisture OF
my garments chilled me through and
through.
"Suddenly. clear voice Startled me with
thc words, rs anything The matter with your
horse, strangcr?' and turning, | bcheld II
young man, rather boy, mounted ON "A hand
some horse, who had approached without my
knowledge, over the soft snow. / forgot
what answered, bur M all events the con-
yers,fion resulted in an invitation 10 enter the
huus, near by, and rest till morning. I'm
Gle and aunt will be very happy 10 entertain
YOU, am sure continued The boy, 'and you
know il is impossible 10 proceed tonight.
"rhe fact was scif.evident, and | gladly
accepted the invitation. and was ushcred into
the dwelling forthwith. My companion was
warmly greeted by an old lady and gentle
man, both evidently Scotch people, who
sprang from their seats by tho firc us he en-
tered, and hailed him by the name of Jamie !;
and INV reception was kind in the extreme.
A seat was placed for me; the old gentle
man sent a servant lad to care for my horse !;
and the old lady insisted upon my exchang-
inc nv wet coat for one of tho old gentle
mans, in which, us he was very stout, and l
very slender, doubtlcss cut n singular fig
urc. Meanwhile. supper was served by a
buxom, middle-aged servant woman, and we
all took our places ut the board, and after