The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-28
Letter From a Country Girl.

Letter From Country Girl.
STUMpv1LLE, MIMI. March Is, 1852.
TO the Editors of the Pioneer and Democrat.
Do you like to hear from country people :
I've often thought how nice it would be if
some one would inform you Of what is going
on in our remote corner of the /" Big
Woods" but being only q green country
girl, I never before dared to trust my pen
to perform the important task. l have at
last decided to make the attempt, and if it
will pay for printing, well,-if not, consign
it to the flames, or grant it the honor Of
lighting your editorial cigar, if you are &C.
customed to indulge in anything of that
sort. I
must first tell you something about
our town." but / cannot give q very mi.
mute description, for if do, some one may
mistrust what place "Stumpville" is. 1t
is picturesque and beautiful, of course how
could it be otherwise, surrounded as it is
with the noblest part Of Gods creation
the grand old woods, whose leafy solitudes
are just the spot to nurture genius and
mosquitoes. These towering trees shut out
from us the din and confusion, the crime
and misery of the outer world, and shut US
in with ourselves and our neighbors, so that
when we fail to find amusement in pursuing
our own affairs, we can busy ourselves with
theirs. Yes, our town and neighborhood is
little world in itself, and if our people
continue progressing as rapidly as they have
done in the science of home manufactures"
we can soon do very we'll without the rest
of creation. .. ..r
The population of Stumpville is conn.,
posed of the several varieties usually found
in all respectable communities, and their
vocations are as numerous and various.
We have farmers, mechanics, shoemakers,
blacksmiths, merchant, school teachers,
gossips,-a few matter-of.fact, sensible,
mind. yOur-own-businees sort of people,
and gerry .tew of those unnameable persons
who spin street yarn, and after getting their
neighbors completely "wound up" in it,
proceed to back bite" them. ....
Taken en- masse, however, we are pretty
good people. We are not, as you may
suppose, entirely destitute of the social and
literary entertainments which many of the
settlers in new country are deprived of.
We have "preaching" quite often, and oc.
casionally an adventurous lecturer strays
into our midst and enlightens US with his
views on his favorite theme. Then, too, the
citizens often collect for a private debate,
and their discussions are not lacking in ins
terest nor excitement. Sometimes the subs
ject of argument is religion, sometimes
mathematics, but tener, we fear, the per.
sonal appearance, accomplishments, and
good or bad qualities of the ladies.
The most engrossing theme under con-
sideration of late, has been the respective
merits of the various substitutes for coffee
which have been introduced into our towns
and co6ee pots. I believe the voice of pub.
lie sentiment has given "pease" the prefer
ence, and unless this tax, grievous to be
borne, is removed, ere another season, dare
say that pease will be cultivated pretty ex
tensively, aud we mag succeed in convincing
ourselves and Others that they out-rival the
real Java, though I doubt it very much.
And we don't intend to 60 without sugar,
although the "Fire-eaters ard Abolition.
lists" have kicked up such row and cut off
our supply from New Orleans. No, our
people are very Independent, and there is no
end to their ingenuity and enterpr Use; so, if
the weather remains pleasant, we shall be
RECALLED with the liquid sweets that flow
from many maple.
But there, must not write any more
this time, for perhaps l am only wasting
paper, but if you feel any interest in the
history of Stumpvile, you will probably
hear again from A Country GIRL