Maryland free press., 1866-07-26
The Way to the Next House.

-.,ss=s-sss sosHe years-sinee AN acnaaiHtance or
f. oufsset putsondorse back from The eastern
- part Of Massachusetts for, the Green Noun
tains IN erinont. While travelling
through the town-of New. Salem his road
iedsinto piece Of woods, some few miles
IN length. and long before he got out of
which he began to entertain doubts wheth-
er he should be blest with the sight of d
human habitation; but az al things must
haye M, end, SO ut last the woods the neat
brown house Of q farmer greeted his view
Near the road was tall. rawboned, over,
grown, ianterh-jawed boy, probably seven.
,'fTs teen years of age. digging potatoes. He
,.,oiw was a, curious figure to behold. What was
lacking In the length of his tow breeches
was amply made up for behind; his suspen-
.1lr' ders appeared to be composed of bireh
,. Il, bark, grape vine and sheepskiu;and as for
his hat, which was of dngy white felt
~, poor thing, il had evidently seen better
days-but now, alas! it was but the shad-
ow of its glory. Whether the tempest of
time had beaten the top in, or the lads ex-
panding genius had burst it out, it was
missing, and through the aperture rcd hair
lnabundance stood sixways for Sunday
In short, he was about the toughest speci-
menof domestic manufacture that ever
mortal ibeheld.- Our travelling friend feel
ing an Itching to scraps acquaintance with
the crttter, drewSup the reiDs of his horse,
aaa and began" Halo, my friend can you in
01i form ME how far it is to the next house?"
Jonathan started up--leaned on his hoe
handie-rcstcd one foot of the gan,brel on
his sinister leg, and replied-'H YOUR
i self how'd do? Well I lest can. Taiu't
near as far as it used to be afore they cnt
the woods away-then twas generally
reckoned four miles, but now the san
shrivels up the road, and it don't make
more'n tew. The first house you come tu
though rs barn, and the next is hav
stack; but old Hoskin's house is beyant.-
you'll pc sure to meet bis gals long afore
you get there-tarnal rompin' critters: they
plague our folks MORN little His sheen
get into our pasture every day, and his
gals In our orchard. Dad sets the dog
~ nrter the sheep and ME after the gals; and
the way we make the wool and petticoats
y,ia ny is a sin to snakes II see your in
clined to be facetious, young man;pray tell
me how it happens that one of your legs is
.rl shorter than the other?'i 81, never low
a anybody to meddle with my grass tanglers,
mister; but seein' it's you, I'll tell ye. l
was born so by 'ticplar request, 50 that
when hold plow, can 60 with one foot
e III sie furrer and tother on dry land and
not over; besides it's very convenient
whent NOW round a side hill" "Very
good indeed ed.how do your potatoes come
on this year?" "They don't come on at
all; I dig 'em out" but they are small,
ah 1perceive'" ."Yes, I know it-you see
we planted some whoppin' blue noses over.
in that ere patch over there, and they
= fourished 30 alfredly that these 'ere stop
ped CROWN just out of spite. cause they
40, knowed they couldn't begin. to keen nm 8
"a h.You appear to be very smart, and I
'''' should think you could afford better hat
than the one you wear" 'The looks ain't
nothin'; It's all in the behavior rve cot
better one at home, but don't dig ta-,
ters IN 1t, no hnw.a q "You have been in
these parts some time, should euess?p 81
guess 20 tew. was born and got brotin' up
IN that ere eouse, but my native place is
down IN Podunk." ''Then you said it was
about three and o. half miles to the next
houser ''Yes. sir, it was a~spell ago;
~ and I don't believe it's grown much shorter
-... SINCE" Much obliged. Good .bve."-
'',Good bye to ye- that's darn slick horse
ofyour'n."
E17 Said an old man one day! a.Wheu
! look back over the pilgramage of advent
ful and not unsuccessful life, can conf
IDENTIFY say that never did an act of kind
ness to any human being without finding
81 myself the happier for i afterwards. (
~ single friendly &c cheerfuify, pleasantly.
and promptly done to fellow creature in
trouble or in difficulty, besides the good to
him, has before now thrown a streak of
sunshine into my heart for the remainder
Of the day, which would not take a twen-
ty dollar bank note for l
~