Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1875-12-02
For the Fayetteville Observer.
A Day in the Woods.
BY r. NJ. HIBBETT.

This morning after breakfast,
FASTENED to the fields and wood,
for long stroll; and to enjoy here
amid familiar scenes a quiet com,
munion with nature, to look once
more on hill and valley, on the
clear running water of creek and
rivulet, to enjoy, in one word, the
vitalizing influences, of a day with
nature, in her own haunts in Sep
tember. This day, too, seemed
of al! the days Of the year, to be
the fttes. for such a strolling, row,
ing, unsettled, pleasure seeking
disposition as held possession OF
my heart and fancy. 1t really
seemed that Indian summer had
improvised and sent forward a
day IL advance, to remind US of
that soft season of sunshine, still
air, and mild weather that blesses
and distinguishes Autumn in the
Valley of the Cumberland. A
thin blue haze filed the air,
through which the warm rays of
the su1 seemed turned to pencil
touches of the richest and softest
lines. A few clouds, white and.
feathery, foated in the still upper
air. They seemed buoyant, but
very idle and listlesS. lazily turn
ing this way and that, like things
of life, come like myself to enjoy
themselves by looking at every
thing else. The air was pure
and balmy-0tnaoSt had the odor
of sweet flowers-jid have il liz
the elixir OF life, for breathing it
freshened every nerve, and made
one fairly tremulous with delight.
l passed through a field of Sedge
in bloom. The slight dew had
passed away, but still hung in ye
ry small drops upon the blade
points. Through this and tie
flowers the sun seemed changed
into innumerable tiny rainbows,
just sufficiently distinct to be OBJ
served; yet steady gaze would
dispel the illusion. Moving
slowly, your half depressed glance
caught the sparkle OF a diamond
intermingling its bright light with
the ruby and the emerald, with
sapphire and with gold; stop, en-
,ranced by thevision. and only the
,ilvery bloom of the sedge, and
he crystal drop of dew We: your
Eye.
From the fields passed to the
'orest, through the leaves and
branches OF which a soft breeze
vas blowing. instantly thought
IF those of whom Kirk White
says:
n any there be, who through the vale of
life,
With velvet pace, UNDECIDED, softly go,
Y hile jarring discort,'S inharmonious strife
Awakes them not to wo;
3y them unheedad, carking care,
Greeh-eyed grief, aud dull despair;
smoothly they pursue their way,
With even tenor, and with equal breath,
Alike thro' cloudy, ami tbrO' sunny day,
Then sink in peace to deatL!
So, softly went the breeze, now
and soon grew still-sO
till that not a leaf moved, but
ii seemed fixed as if touched sud-
Ienly by the finger OF death -
'trolling on, l reached the cliff,
It the junction of the creek and
ivulet, and here seating myself a
nong the mounds, gave myself to
ELECTION. Ere long, heard not
az off the discordant sounds of a
orn- mill. | closed my eyes aud
trove to bring the busy throug a
'out the mill before my fancy, |
nd SO identify myself with hat
Gene, shutting out this But
vhen | had shut nay eyes, and
'egan to force my imagination up.
N a new track, | heard from be-
lind me, in the bottom, the tink-
ing of a cow bell, and just then
he creakiug Of the mill went out
n a long drawn, gushing, nerve
hattering sound like the death
hriek of some wild animal; and
aCos glad. Next, a squirrel
;ame up the bluff to a hickory
lear by, and cheerfully proceeded
o take his breakfast, manifesting
he delight his palate took in his
luts by continued jerks Of his
,ushy tail. What man that has
,ver heard the clear shriIl crack
If rifle, could watch a squirril,
'uE himself up on a limb, and
lot iustinctiveIy shut one eye and
AXE sight? l must confess that
,an't, at least mine closed, and my
ingers wandered along the barrel
If an imaginary gun, bat the lit
lie gentleman having satisfied his
appetite without the interruption
Of powder-made noise, in very
yaily manner took leave of me
me- and went home. Then came