Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-12-22
Pioneer Life Forty Years Ago.

Robert Dale Owen, saws: Il hav
sojonrned among the laborers OF England;
have visited amid their vineyards, III
peasantry of France; l nave dwelt 70
years among the hardy mountaineers o
Switzerland; | have seen, and conversed
and sat down in their cottages with then
all. | have found often among them sim
pie goodness; ignorance, oppression. canno
trample out that. | have witnessed pa
thence under hopeless toll, resignation be
meath grievous wrongs; | have met witt
civility, kindness, a cheerful smile, anC
a ready welcome But the spirit of tn,
man was not there-the spirit that can Lii
up the brow with 4 noble confidence ant
feel that, while it is no mans master
neither is it any mans slave. Between
them and the favorite of propitious fortune
one felt-they felt-that there was greal
| gulf fixed, broad and impossible.
Far other Is it even in the lowiiest cabir
OF our frontier West. 1t is an equal you
meet there; an equal IN political rights; ont
to whom honors and Office, even the high.
est are as open as to yourself You fee
that is an equal. The tone in which hos
pitality is rendered to you, humble though
means and forms may be, reminds you OF
II. The conversation, running over the
great subjects of the day, branching of
perhaps to questions of constitutional right
or even of international law, assures YOU
OF II. L have heard in many a back woods
cabin, lighted only by the blazing log heap.
arguments ON government, views of na-
uonal policy, judgments OF men and things
that, for SOUND sense and practical shrewd-
ness. would not disgrace any Legislative
body upon earth
1he early settler was Arabian in hoSpi-
talIty- Houses OF entertainment were in
frequent; the farmer was often Compare
lively isolated, and though scant of cash,
he had usually enough, and to spare, of
plain provision for man and beast. Thus.
as a general rule, the chance traveller found
welcome and shelter for himself and horse,
II he knocked ii, any door which he chanced
10 approach toward nIght-fall. Payment,
commonly Offered, was almost ALWAYS de-
clined.
Nv hat do owey you!" | asked d farmer,
to whom l was indebted for II comfortable
supper and breakfast, and plentiful provIs-
AOAA AOl lAlC 4
''Nell," he replied with a smile, 81
haven't time this morning to make out the
bill; but I'll tell you how you can pay it.
Promise me that if you ever come within
striking distance OF this little place again,
you'll give NE u call, SO We can have
another good, long talk together"
The only hesitation seemed to be when
they feared the stranger might be dissatis-
fed with such fare as they could offer. On
one occasion | encountered a tempestuous
snow storm during horseback Journey to
Indianapolis to attend an eighth OF January
celebration, and espying a decent looking,
double lOg-caLiu, l resolved to seek shelter
there
Can | put up with you tonight, mad
amef' | asked a patient looking woman,
who came to the door at my call.
Well" she said, hesitaIing, lit don't
seem like a body should turn a stranger
from the door Oh night like this. but We
amt liked to keep travellers. We hain't
got no meat in the house"
The snow was drifting right in my face,
and 1t was getting colder every minute.
''Have you bread and butter aud tea:n |
asked.
mo tea, but coffee, and plenty of bread
and butter and eggs OF course
81 don't want better fare than that"
said about to dismount.
''But he amt al home,n she objected.
''and there's nobody to take your crItter.
''Never mind You expect him soon:''
Within an hour, 1 guess"
''All right | can take care of my own
horse"
In the stable l found corn, fodder and
prairie hay IN abundance; and | had fed
and cuTrIed my horse before he came back.
When l returned to the house, my hostess
renewed her apologies.
Il most wish hadn't let you stay. |
knew We hainl nothing to give YOU like
whut you We been used to at home"
repeated my assurances that | should
be quite satisfied with what she had. Then
happening TO cast my eye arodnd the
room:
Madame, said |, II thought you said
you Lad no meat in the house, but surely,
these are prairie-fowls, pointing to three
or tour that hung against the wall.
''Oh, sir, SAID she, ''would you eat
pralrle-fOwE Then L can make you out a
supper"
Pray l asked, ''what made you sup
pose dIsliked prairle-fowl."
'.Ab, she replied, IF you had had them
morning, noon and night as We have, you
wouldn't wonder. We can shoot them,
most any day in our barn-yard; but it's all
right.
And so it was He made his appear
ance in time for supper. The broiled prai-
rie-fowl was done 10 wish; the bread was
excellent, the coffee fair with cream, and
the butter and eggs excepuonable. L have
seldom eaten better supper with better
appetite, If it was in Louse where there
was no meat to be had. My hostess felt
quite at her ease when l explained to her
that lived in heavily timbered part of
the country, In which prairie-fowls were
not to be had for the shooting, and where,
in consequence, they were valued as rari-