The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-11-01
Written for the Free Trader.
MOTHER AND SON.


"Oh, that is Pan Cake town
"Why, what name; how did it get ;" eu
phonious iitley"
.Such an odd name you mean? -
II don't know unless the wagoncrS who
used to stop there over night always got pan
cakes for breakfast But that is not equal to
Che name OF a town in Fayette county. some
where IN among the hills"
What is it!'
"Plump Sock, at your service
James laus hed heartily, yet his laugh seem
ell to have melancholy crack" about ii, still
he was feeling better. "Now there must be a
history to that name"
There is indeed, and know il well. have
stood upon the identical porch from which the
unlucky wight was preclptated into the river
at the christening 1t was one day in the
spring of the year. when the mud was very
deep, that some half dozen farmers, and as
many citizens, met at the village tavern to de-
eide on name for the village, that had grown
up almost imperceptiby among the hills. AT
Ger a great deal Of debating, some wrangllng,
and great many drinks there was rush
made 70: the great porch in front of the hotel,
and one unucky fat old Dutchman was push
eli clear off, and sprang into the mud up to
his knees, whereupon he cried out, Plump
sock, up to the knees! Plump Sock it shall
be, ply damp And the excited company took
up the chorus, Plump Sock it shall ber And
so it has ever remained"
Indeed; they must be poctical peoplc?"
They are, indeed when they can get plen.
ty of old rye
James found the company of this rude but
hearty coachman so dlverting, and the country
~ rolling, well.cuItivated and beautiful that
he rode on mile after mile careless about how
far he went Indeed, he had about made up|
his mind to go on to Brownsville, and return
the next day.
About noon they drove into Hllsboro-a
place well named, for the hills about it were
not only steep, but also rocky. The village
school on the hill was dismissed, and the chill |
dren were playing on the brown hillside and
among the recks. Upon broad rock, upon u
lofty perch, huge black snake was coled up
summing himself
Now, Billy, put on your breaks and tighten
your relns, and will wake that old fellow up"
Accordingly he raised his gun and fired.
The chips flew close to his snakeship's body, |
who erected his head quickly and looking
ahuut, stealthily slid down the side of the rock
and entered the ground near its base
There Billy, l told you would wake the
old fellow he does not like the crack of fire.
arms"
NO; neither does Old George, my leader"
who broke into gallOp, and was trying hard
10 escape from some imaginary danger.
Can you manage them, BilyY
Oh, yes; George belongs to a farmer near
Hillsboro-the old horse is lame. l never
Knew what would wake HIM up before, he Is 30
steady; think | will carry gun after this"
And gally they swept around the corner ana
az TO the front of the great stone tavern. An
hour for dinner and rest, and again they swept
down the turnpike and away to the east,
Trough the vilagc,and up hill and down dale,
tll they reached Bcalisville, named from an
old farmer named Colley Beal, who had set.
lied near by IN an early day.
Here was long row of brick houses, ex-
oudng for nearly mile on either side of the
.uH d, with one church and two notes.-the lat
Oh doing thriving business; yet railroads
we're unknown in those parts and STEAMBOATS,
ar away.
Again three miles of good roads and still
nore hllly country, and Centerville was reach.
e''. Billy drew up in front of the old tavern,
known for years as the Rogers Tavern--and
p'ssing the reins to James, descended and
nntered his painting team. This was similar
lage TO the other with one church and two
tells, and the usual quantity OF stores and
,nOps
Again ride of five miles brought them to
ie top OF the river hill A gradual descent
mile brought them into West Brownsville,
'ence across the old woodencovercd bridge
Il they entered the meek" of as rambling a
yn as ever chung to rough hillside altho'
ntainng much wealth and luxury
Here James, after good supper, wandered
81 up the river, and in the twilight took a
hlf hours swim in the pure mountain stream.
a hour after he was at the hotel and in bed, q
d obtained "A splendid nights rest.
The next day he met some young men, old
qualntanccs, who were going to spend few
US at the Fayctte Springs, IN the mountains
tar Uniontown), and pressed him to join ,
ZEN He accordingly sent the rifle back to
Us owner, and that day proceeded to the II
rings. But he was restless, and after one +
US stay returned to Brownsville Mex, morn
g, finding packet, he concluded to 20 to p,
'ttsourgh Going on board at o'clock, he
nund the little steamer ready to leave. Here