, 1862-02-08

AHV uI0@ul-4dnu D PeIl was unfortunately
broken by friends gentle admonition in
the morning that it was time to build fire ;
and through this incautious interference, the
mail matter vanished into thin air, and dis
closed to the agitated postmaster the su-
preme absurdity of his dream.
AN old veteran, who has withstood the
storms of three-score years, took us by the
hand the other morning, and with unafect-
ed and solemn gravity, said F." Young man,
did you ever see anything like it in your
lfe?" Imagining, of course, that his ques-
ton related to the weather, we were con-
ming over In memory the severe times of
the past, intending to give his apparently
momentous question truthful reply; but
before we could utter it, the old man boldly
affirmed that it were impossible. In addi-
ton to an extended description of the weaUh-
er during the winter-with dates and notes
minute and accurate-he gave us also an
autobiography of his quiet life in fine old
eastern state, where, through the rauta-
tions of fortune, he had experienced many
ups and downs, but had succeeded as the
sole endeavor Of his life, in acquiring the
possession cf a valuable farm and comfort
able home for his family. The honest in
dustry of years finally claimed its reward,
and contentment-the most happy lot of
life smiling upon him and his household,
gave promise of season of unalloyed hap
piness and a pleasant voyage down to the
I" silent river" But alas the old man
heard the enhancing stories of the golden
treasures hid away among the mountains of
the sunset land AS {" distance lends en-
chantment to the view," so did these sto-
ried treasures CLEAN brighter and brighter
in the sunlight of the old mans imagina-
ton, until they at length attained power
with him that bid defiance to obstacles and
robbed his home of its comforts and attrac-
tions. He became as the young man, fresh
with the vigor of manhood and hope. In
preparation for the journey which was to
compass his ambition, he bent form 'hch
though laden with the weight of year was
animated and vigorous under the ten rary
excitement. The old man became attic
Much as we respect and honor hi sray
hairs, this must be set down againsi : as
an indiscretion which should ser him
WE'LL" infatuated by the glimmeril pros-
poets of wealth, he sacrificed his h0 and
household goods, and bent his steps ward
the occident. Weary and toil-w6a, he
reached the land of promise, but found not
the perennial fower-garden which his heat
ed Imagination had pictured. He possessed
himself of an embryo farm, situated near
the foothills of the mountains, and enjoys
view which he compares to the Alps, and
terms the eternal SHOWS.
Like many others, our old friend has
doubtless formed his opinions of the climate
and the country from the data which the
present winter has furnished and yet, not
withstanding his earnest declaration that he
has "seen nothing like it," and his ex-
pressed determination to make but short
stay in our midst, we will venture the opin-
ion that during years to come prolific fields
of golden grain will darken an enclosure
which, though rude now, is susceptible Of
higher polish than the home in the shad-
owy distance. And the old mans right
arm, nerved with the prospect of more
desirable homestead, will WELD the sickle
as in days of yore.