The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-10-09
THE THURESGIAN FOREST.
BT BAYARD TAYLOR.

July 4TH-EyENING
On awakening this morniug, | became
aware of an unusual sound of hammering
about the cottage. \ mysterious whls-
reriur between the two servant maids in
the passage also attracted my attention,
| went luto the salon, which opens upon
the We, auda. and was surprised to find
Two long ladders reared in front of the
clasS-d doors. DR. X standing on the
grass. plat, under 4 apple tree, appeared
u be gazing steadia>giy at the root. As
We found the house in admirable condi.
ZION. | was curious to ascertain what re-
PAIRS II improvements he had in view
There were two men on the ladders, eu-
ployed 10 fixing the last clamp TO flag
staff WHICH rose from the apex Of the ga
Die just then, 4 breeze came down from
the mountains and blew out the folds Of
an American fag! 1es-our national
banner, although it contained but six
stripes for the good Dr., in his anxiety
10 give me at once a surprise and 4 vel
come on this day Of all DAYS, had been
more kind than correct. But the stars
were all there. The whole thyrty-four
c..uered in the blue field, in defiance OF
secession or compromise; aud thus the
INST American flag which ever waved
above rhe Thuringian forest was No sym-
bl Of a divided Uniou How brightly
the red stripes Shoae against the back.
ground Of the dls How the stars seem
i 10 tighten and sparkle in the morning
sun
To-day, it occurs to me Is the pivot on
which our political balance turns. As
the men who this day meet in Washing
ton Shall decide, shall Honor OF Disgrace.
Weakness OF Strength. prevail | an 80
IA away thai the iUvOluutiry conflict Of
hope aui fear Is worse than useless, aud
before these words can reach America,
the ioub, will either be dissolved in hcpe-
tai confidence. or dsepened into despera-
ton. This much i certain The path Of
Honor. Of Duty. and Patriotism Is plain
there Is bu: ooe. Woe to the Repub-
lie, II that path Be not followed
The weather, thus far. has not been
FroDiliou> tor our contemplated mountain
Ealks UnhappIly, afser fortnight sf
splendid weather, II Tainei last week, on
the day Of tee Seven SIceper<! This, in
German weather prophecy, denoted rain
every day for ven weeks thereafter; aud.
taiS year. the rule seems likely to held
good. The sun rises IN cloadleSS splen-
dor. but by seven o'clock the SKY is over
cast heavy blush gray clouds drag alons
the mouutzin-iops distant thunder Is
heard. and presently hard shower comes
driving from the West. In half an hour
the sky : Blue, the meadows sparkle. aud
snowy masses of eumuli topple over the
forests We rejoice st the prospect of =
lovely afternoon. and straIshtway plan al
excursion 10 one OF the legendary spots in
the neisheVVhoCd- Perhaps we are al
ready under Say. enjoying the warmth
Aad sunshine, needless Of an omiuouS
blackneSs which Is gathering behind the
Evil MOuntain-eyil, Indeed. 10 Us -
gatil, suddenly, the sun vauiSheS. and :
far-oH rustic among the woods announces
tie inevitable fate.
Ii is singular how slight degree Of
heat sufaces TO provoke ,hunder-shover
N this region Even 70 81 American.
accustomed to sudden changes Of temper
aiare, The continual vibrations q the
Thermometer are far from agreeable Two
or ;hrse hours Of sunshine. $, S0', and
yoa see The gray vailS Of shadows On the
horiron- Then the air iS suddenly cool-
g ior tine, but becomes close aud sui
tFy asaln As Soo0 2s the breeze falls. The
attitude (DeArly 0l'} i partly aceounia
De ior there v2Sarlss, vet | attribute
ioeo principally to the fact thar the spine