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

tHe purpose, IL DelnS esloeHeo, 1hio"Shou'
the country, as a potent noarisher and
strengthened Of the hair.
Brom Bones, however, was the hero of
the scene, having come to the gathering on
his favorite steed Daredevil, creature,
like himself, full of mettle and mischief,
and which no one but himself could man.
age. He was, in fact, noted for preferring
vicious animals, given to all kinds of tricks,
which kept the rider in constant risk of
his neck, for he held tractable we'll
broken horse as unworthy of lad of
spirit.
Fain would l pause to dwell upon the
world of charms that burst upon the en-
raptured gaze Of my hero, as he entered
the state parlor of Van Tassel's mansion.
Not those of the bevy buxem of lasses with
their luxurious display of red and white;
but the ample charms of a genuine Dutch
country tea table, in the sumptuous time
of autumn. Such heaped-up platters of
cakes of various and almost indescribable
kinds, known only to experienced Dutch
housewives There was the doughty
doughnut, the tenderer oily koek, and the
crisp and crumbling cruller; sweet cakes
and short cakes, ginger-cakes and honey
cakes and the whole family of cakes
And then there were apple-pies and peach
pies and pumpkin-pies; besides slices of
ham and smoked beef; and moreover
deleetable dishes of preserved plums, and
peaches, and pears, and ounces; not to
mention broiled shad and roasted chicken;
together with bowls of milk and cream, all
mingled higg ledy-pggledy, pretty much as
l have enumerated them, with the motherly
teapot sending up its clouds of vapor
from the midst-Heaven bless the mark
l want breath and time to discuss this
banquet as it deserves, and am too eager
to get on with my story. Happily, Ichabod
Crane was not in so great hurry as his
historian, but did ample justice to every
dainty.
He was kind and thankful creature,
whose heart dilatsd in proportion as his
skin was filled with good cheer; and whose
spirits rose with eating as some mems do
with drink. He could not help, too, roll
ing his large eyes round him as he ate, and
chuckling with the possibility that he
might one day be lord of all this scene of
almost unimaginable luxury and splendor.
Then, he thought, how soon he'd turn his
back upon the old school-house; snap his
fingers in the face of Hans Van Ripper,
and every other niggardly patron, and
kick any tinerant pedagogue out-of doors
that should dare to call him comrade!
Old Baltus Van Tassel moved about
among his guests with face dilated with
content and good humor, round and jolly
as the harvest-moon. His hospitable at
tentions were BRIEF but expressive, being
confined to shake of the hand, slap on
the shoulder, loud laugh and pressing
invitation to ''fall to, and help themselves"
And now the sound of the music from
the common room, or hall, summoned to
the dance. The musician was an old gray
headed negro, who had been the itnerant
orchestra of the neighborhood for more
than half a century. His instrument was
as old and battered as himself. The great
er part of the time he scraped on two or
three strings accompanying every move
ment of the bow with motion of the
head; bowling almost to the ground and
stamping with his foot whenever fresh
couple were to start.
Ichabod prided himself upon his dancing
as much as upon his vocal powers. Not
limb, not fibre about him was id le; and
to have seen his loosely hung frame in full
motion, and Gathering about the room,
you would have thought Saint Vitus him
self, that blessed patron of the dance, was
figuring before you in person. He was
the admiration of all the negroes; who,
having gathered, of all ages and sizes,
from the farm and the neighborhood stood
forming a pyramid Of shining black faces
at every doCr and window, gazing with de-
light at the scene, rolling their white eye
balls, and showing grinning rows of ivory
from ear to ear. How could the fogger of
unchins be otherwise than animated and
joyous? the lady of his heart was his part
ner in the dance, and smiling graciously in
reply to all his amorous oglings; while
Brom Bones, serely smitten with love and
jealousy, sat brooding by himself in one
corner.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.