Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-01-12
A Morning Ramble.
BY PAULDING.


ing myself against the bark of
time worn tree; sometimes lingering
on the woody heights looking far
over the surrounding world. AT
other times / recline listlessly by
the side of some clear brook, over
whose ripping way the branches
meet, and form natures choicest
canopy.
Here l indulge my memory ard
imagination in a thousand devious
wanderings. / recall the distant
shadows of departed time, that have
by degrees faded almost into Oblivion
and send my mind on errands to the
future. AT times become SO COM
pletely distracted from the scenes
around, as to forget where l am land
to lose almost the consciousness of
being. l ruminate, / ponder and l
dream.
On one of these occasions, about
the middle of the month of August,
when the dog-star RACES, and all ma
ture sinks into sort Of luxurious
repose, had become somewhat tir-
ed with ramble longer than usual
and laid myself listlessly along the
margin of little twittering stream,
that stole its winding way among
the deep obscurities of the wood diff
fusing GOODNESS, and inviting to re-
pose. Through the arch canopy of
foliage that overhung the little
stream, 1 could see it coursing its
way on each hand among the rocks,
glittering as if by moonlight, and
disappearing after thousand mean
derings. 1t is impossible-at least
with me it is impossible-to resist
the influence of such scene. Re
fecting beings like ourselves sink in
to sort of melancholy reverie under
the influence of the hallowed quiet
that reigns all around. AS l thus
lay in languid idleness along the
stream, as quite as the leaves that
breathed not whisper above me, l
gradually sunk into almost uncon-
sciousnese of all the world and all it
holds. The little birds sported about,
careless of my presence, and the in
sects pursued that incessant turmoil,
which seems never to cease, until
winter lays his icy letters on all ma
ture, and drives them into their in
scrutable hiding places. There is a
lapse in the recollection of the cur
rent of my thoughts at that moment,
short period of forgetfulness, from
which was reused by hoarse,
croaking voice, exclaiming, "Cruel,
savage monster, what does he here ?'
/ looked all around, and could see
only a hawk seated on the limb of a
dry tree, cycling me, as l fancied,
with peculiar expression of hos
tility.
In a few minutes l again relapsed
into profound reverie, from which
| was awakened once more by 4
small, squeaking whisper: II dare
say the blood-thirsty villain has been
setting traps for u.s." l looked again
aid at frst sight could see nothing
from which l supposed the voice
might proceed, but at the same time
imagined that distinguished sort
of confused whisper, in which many
little voices seemed commingled.
My curiosity was awakened, and
peering about quietly, I found it pro-
proceeded from multitude of ami
mails, birds and insects, gathered to-
gether for SONS unaccountable pur-
pose. They seemed very much ex-
cited, and withal in great passion
about something, all talking at
once. Listening attentively, could
distinguish one from another:
''Let us. pounce upon the tyrant
and kill him in bis Sleep" criedga
bald-headed eagle; "for he grudes me
miserable little lamb now and then
though don't require one but once
a week Seel where he wounded
me in the wing, so that I can hardly
get an honest living, by prey.' 4I
- s'Let me scratch his eyes out |"
screamed a hawk, .sfor he will not
allow me peaceably to carry off a
chicken from his barn yard, though
/ am dying of hunger, and come in
open day to claim my natural indis-
pensable right. sN FL ~ f Il
"Ay, ay," barked the fox, "he in
terriers in the same base manner with