The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-10-11
fConHnued.)

(Continued.)
When he entered the house, the con-
quest of his heart was complete. 1t was
one of those spacious farm-houses, with
high-ridged, but lowly-sloping roofs, built
in the style handed down from the first
Dutch settlers; the low projecting caves
forming piazza along the front, capable
of being closed up in bad weather. Under
this were hung fails, harness, various
utensils of husbandry, and nets for fishing
in the neighboring river. Benches were
built along the sides for Simmer use; and
great spinning wheel at one end, and
churn at the other, showed the various
uses to which this important porch might
be devoted. From this piazza the wonder
ing Ichabod entered the hall, which form
ed the centre of the mansion and the place
Of usual residence. Here, rows of re-
splendent pewter, ranged on long dresser,
dazzled his eyes. In one corner stood a
huge bag Of wool ready to be spun; in
another a quantity of linsey-woolsey just
from the loom; ears of Indian corn, and
strings of dried apples and peaches, hung
in gay festoons along the walls, mingled
with the gaud of red peppers; and door
left ajar gave him peep into the best par
lor, where the claw footed chars and dark
mahogany tables shone like mirrors; and
irons, with their accompanying shovel and
tongs, glistening from their covert of
asparagus tops; mock-eranges and conch-
shells decorated the mantel-piece; strings
of various colored birds eggs were sus-
pended above it; a great ostrich egg was
hung from the centre of the room, and
corner cupboard, knowingly left open,
displayed immense treasures of old silver
and well-mended china.
From the moment Jchabod laid his eyes
upon these regions Of delight, the peace of
his mind was at an end, and his only study
was how to gain the affections of the peer
less daughter of Van Tassel. In this en-
terprise, however, he had more real diff
culties than generally fell to the lot of
knight-errant of yore, who seldom had
anything but giants, enchanters, fiery dra-
CONS, and such like easily conquered ad-
versaries, to contend with; and had to
make his way merely through gates of
iron and brass, and walls of adamant, to
the castle-keep, where the lady of his
as easily as man would carve his way to
the centre of Christmas pie; and then
the lady gave him her hand as a matter of
course. Ichabod, on the contrary, had to
win his way to the heart of country CO.
quette, beset with labyrinth of whims
and caprices, which were forever present.
ing new difficulties and impediments; and
he had to encounter a host of fearful adj
numerous rustic admirers, who beset every
portal to her heart; keeping watchful
and angry eye upon each other, but ready
to fly out in the common cause against any
new competitor.
Among these the most formidable was
burly, roaring, FOSTERING blade, of the
name of Abraham, or, according to the
Dutch abbreviation, Brom Van Brunt, the
hero of the country round, which rang
with his feats of strength and hardihood.
He was broad shouldered, and double
.jointed, with short curly black hair, and a
bluff but not unpleasant countenance, hav-
ing mingled air of fun and arrogance.
From this Herculean frame and great pow
ers of limb, he had received the nickname
of Brom Bones, by which he was univer-
sally known. He was famed for great
knowledge and skill in horsemanship, be-
ing as dexterous on horseback as Tartar.
He was foremost at all races and cock
fights; and, with the ascendency which
bodily strength acquires in rustic life, was
the umpire in all disputes, setting his hat
on one side, and giving his decisions with
an air and tone admitting of no gainsay or
appeal. He was always ready for either a
fight or frolic; but had more mischief
than ill-will in his composition; and, with
all his overbearng roughness, there was
strong dash of waggish good-humor at
bottom. He had three or four boon COM
panions, who regarded him as their model,
and at the head of whom he secured the
country, attending every scene of feud or
merriment for miles round. In cold wealth
er he was distinguished by fur cap, sur
mounted with Haunting fox's tail; and
when the folks at a country gathering de-
serted this well-known crest at distance,
whisking about among squad of hard
riders, they always stood by for squall
Sometimes his crew would be heard dash
ing along past the farm-houses at mid
night, with whoop and halloo, like troop
of Don Cossacks; and the old dames
startled out Of their sleep, would listen for
moment till the hurry-scurr had clatter-
ed by, and then exclaim' cay, there goes
Brom Bones and his gangr' The neigh
bors looked upon him with mixture of
awe, admiration, and good will; and when
any madcap prank, or rustic bawl, occur
red in the vicinity, always shook their