Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-02-16
A Backwoods Elopement.

Backwoods Elopement.
There amt nothing here but the woods,
:, tho river. n a few shiftless neighbors,
but # YOU ken stand ii, we should like 10
Lsve Won stay," remarked Mrs. Savage,
when Marianne and l proposed spending
= month or so 81 her hospitable mansion
A winters trip into the pine woods re-
zion had inspired US with desire to visit
= when il was green, instead of white, and
os Nsrisnne was somewhat of an invalid
his sDriuc. and believes in pine breezes,
We started. on the last day of April, for the
same obscure spot.
Ne left the east winds and the sea fogs
behind US: We found clear skies, fresh
breezes. srbutus blossoms, and May par
ues which are still N vogue in this part of
the country. Not the fOrlorn, paper
Wrestbed. bare-headed, shIvering affairs
winch are plentiful in the suburbs of the
l.rger New England cities, on the first of
the fowery month, but merry tramps after
srbutus flowers, the parties composed of
Young men and maidens, as well as
children.
Dinner is usually spread in some vacant
logging camp, or, If ii be warm enough, IN
der the trees outside, while last years
leaves fall into the drinking cups, and a
grsat deal Of fun and jollity prevails.
We encountered many Of these gypsy
parties on our way from Bangor upward,
and each one seemed merrIer than the
last.
Dusk was creeping like mist over the
little hamlet, cut like IN oval from the
midst OF the forest, when we reached there,
after our long days ride. 1t was three
mlles away from the scene of Our winters
visi, and q more picturesque location.
The river, not long released from lis prison
Of ice, was singing the widest of spring
sOncs Pale green birches, only in the
bud as yet, were shiveung against the dark
velvet background of the pine woods.
Frogs were calling tragically from every
direction, and as We alighted at Mrs. Saw
ages door, We could smell the odorous
bresih Of kline, and hear the pleasant sound
Of The dripping milk into full pals. The
TlilsrnAld. ssSN. ai-aAlSad- s4svuu-IHceQ slrl,
rushed from the shed near by, pail in hand,
while Mrs Savage herself stood on the
doGrsteps to greet Us.
''Hurry, Phebel" she admonished the
milkmsid; ''supper's all ready now, and l
expect nothing but what these ladies Is
half starved.
The cheer Of a woodfre revived our
somewhat dropping spirits. The voices OF
frogs and extreme WEAKNESS are enough TO
depress the stoutest souls
ars. Savage, ''Phebe, my darter," and
my son, john compose the family
Mrs. Savage wears her hair short, and looks
IS determined as cheerful. When bot
about her Homework, she makes log cabin
quilts, and hooks rugs. Phebe has straw
co.ored ringlets, she is nineteen years OF
age, she sweeps, washes the dishes, and,
when John Is busy, does the milking John
looks manly, but seems quite overcome by
shyness. tie wears red shirts, is employed
In getting out lumber in the day time, and
IN courtlng in the evening. All this We
learned before noon of the next day, and
We also learned that the first of May Is
rather early i'll the season in the back
woods, if there are no east winds, and the
skies are clear,
ksrly the next morning we took little
tramp into the woods. We found the pic
turesque ruins Of an old camp, its crum-
oiIng logs beautifully draped with moss, a
loVely little, round pond, blinking brightly
under green fringes, aplenty of the pinkest
afouius blossoms, and q drift Of white
moosewood buds and delicate ferns. We
heard the low. sweet, long song Of a bird
uiAl We had never heard before, but the
woods were wet, and the air was so chilly
and damp that We were glad to make our
way nome In a very short space Of time.
am interested in Phebe and her weep
lhs, SAID Marianne. After all, human
nature Is more interesting than any other
Alhd, at this season of the year, especially
WHO love nature much as sinners can,
Love her where she most grandeur shows in
man"
Iquoted- Mrs. Savage said the elder
vas coming tonight, and | am anxious to
see MN. Isn't there some connection be-
"een this expected event and Pnebes
weeping?'
In agined that her tears were evoked
y ,ne pathos Of the New York Ledger, +"
sau Marianne. Il saw them dripping
p,oiusely over the first page, while she
pilea the dish-cloth this morning."
we went home to find the house as redo
M Hu' Vi spices as on Thanksgiving Day, and
De, pl oa'age In perfect hustle OF cookery.
ne Heoe red cheeks were quite blistered
"i'n teaFs' anu she was beating eggs with
oil ar OF martyrdom.
ine elder, he's as fond of sweetmeats
,s - . cnlo, and Pm trying 10 git up some
ing tnst he KIN eat, though Phebe's ac-
n3us put me all out, and ] hardly know
r;.r,t 80 1 N DONG Of. Who ever heard OF a
sn gu cying the hull enduring time, for
- ~ W three days, COZ her beau was a
Hln1g' .n1Ig' sad the elder LADY.
ne amt my beau, no morn'n another
% 1 won't have him for beau" as
se'eu The fearful damsel. Whining her ewes
bs - aatt Her apron, land think you would
..S.d as.-ailed TO call him that before folks. II
anse mat girls never will know wien
mn - &c =, we wei oa. The elders the genteelesi
rri,;lole ,i ~ sne county. 10 say nothing of the
sneaL e Vl marrying into the gospel. SO to
me n, NJ. AN Phebe reckons she's put upon
msrrn ~Ots' Aind, coz | kalkerlate She shei
bnSbsnl liln- He'll make an awful good
J"Iu' ~ ~ . he's as fond Nv her as ken be. ;
band,;a snoqid think he was, gasped Phebe,
yengaa-. .s hef egg-beater like a weapon Of
rhs 1oiaes Tain't me he likes, n al
property hlmself.m n' '
ing abon, =, Zane Savage, what air you talk
fnl ro.G " ssperation. IF Won ain't kcer
o,y, sTu L lose him after ali. There aim
sHi round here but who, nonld ;,,,', :,