Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-09-04


STRANGER IN ToEeUEoTEAauB.
A short distance back from q broad,
dusty road stood two-story stone house
: TO which brick addition had been built,
and to this in turn had been added a
smaller frame structure which served as
kitchen. The buildings, no two OF the
same hight, stood gable to gable, suggest
ing the Idea that they might be closed
up under single roof. each sliding into
the other like the parts Of field glass, II
need be. The largest and evidently
Oldest Of the three WAS Of stone, the brick
addition was Of its natural color while
the frame kitchen was white.w ashed. No
vines relieved the parti colored walls but
q few locust trees and naples shaded
from the morning sunshine the evidently
modern veranda, or porch as 1t was uni-
versally called thareabouts, which ran
along the front Of the main building.
Shades Of dark green paper covered the
windows Of the two principal buildings.
Back OF the house at some distance stood
the barn and other farm buildings, while
stretching from the front Of the house
down to the road was what would have
been called lawn had there been any
sign Of appreciation OF grass as an orna-
ment. II was, however, covered with
the stubble of last years clover and come
faint signs Of new crop of the same, and
WAS divided by straight road or lane
into two equal parts and unrelieved by
single tree except those in the group
Immediately in front OF the house.
But despite the entire absence OF any
decoration there was an unmistakable air
Of lazy comfort and absolute repose about
the place as one warm afternoon late in
the month OF April, 1876, gentleman
driving buggy Gas q falling top, one
seat, four wheeled vehicle is universally
called In the Middle States) halted and
looked at the place inquiIingly before
driving through the open gateway. On
the porch, enjoying the heat, somewhat
unusual for that season, sat a woman OF
probably over 80, with her back toward
the road, busily engaged in knitting
while near her in ponderous arm chair
sat her husband sleeping with a news ,
paper thrown over his head to shade his
eyes. He must have slept but lightly,
for the noise Of wheels on the sandy
lane awakened him before II attracted
the attention Of his knitting wife ant he
turned with something of start, excl aim
ing, "What's that, Maria Z"
Without waiting for an answer he arose
and watched the stranger drive up to the
house, his wife turning her chair and
Joining him In his observation.
The man who thus stood awaiting his
coming guest was worthy the attention oi
any admirer Of the male Of the genus homo
and species sdpiens. Over six feet tall and
weighing $50 pounds, he stood the picture
Of massive strength and ruddy health
despite the so years that had thinned
the white fringe Of hair through which
his large head seemed to arise like the
SUMS disk ont Of fseoy clouds. Early af
was the season he wore no coat and his
oollarless, unstarched shirt was un-
buttoned TT the throat and wrists while
his large feet were enoased In carpet
slippers. His neck, fAos aud bald head
were Of an almost fsry red but his some
what ooarse features bore look OF good
nature and easy benevolenoe, though
suggesting at the same time quick and
hot temper. As he arose he grasped {
large palm-lesf fan which he had dropped
during his dozs, and thus equipped sut
shading his eyes with the fan he stood
awaiting the young mans approach, hi
wife meanwhile sitting quietly with hel
knitting in her lap evidently without
thought Of admonishing her spous
that his costume was not precisely ths
in which stranger shonld be received
As the young man drew up in front 0
the porch he asked, tDoes Mr. Lsudstree
live heref''
"That's my name s,sir-won'ty tyou'iightf'
in good-natured though thunderous tone
answered the host, and the strange
stepped down to be Immediately staItle
by . tremendous below Of, "Hello Billy
Il say, you RIlly-hello" whio
certainly could have been heard for
mile. The noise was manifestly nothin
unusual, however, 80 Mrs. Landstret
stood calmly by not so much as raising a
eyebrow in surprise. 1t aceomplishe
Its object, too, for yawning negro can
around the corner Of the kitchen, tV
little negroes peeping around also to 81
who had come, while one OF the gree
window shaies was lifted in the secor
story Of the brick building.
'Billy," said the host, "tske tn
Rentleman's team to the barn and pl
up his hoss." ;,
"oh don't put him up" exclaimed Il
M stranger, "I've only little time to stay
"Anything to hinder ye from stayi
to supper ~ asked the old man.
''Nothing,I suppose" replied the 9th
s'unless II Is that You do not even knt
who am"
tsWbat the DEVILS that got to do wi
II. s'pose you've got stomach. BIZ
mt mn that hoBs. And now strane
this is my wife, Maria, and if you'll at
inside q moment wen take drink
our better acquaintance.
The stranger was evidently no pc
In NJ taa
oepted the invitation, and as he pour
out his whisky the old mau got hin
pitcher of water remarking, 81 b'lieve
The fashion now to drown good licker, /
for my part, / take it straight and do
care TO spile the taste afterwards" a
lifting his glass he said, "here sir's
yer good health and our better acquai
anoe."
Thus prompted the young men 9
aMy name is Richard Csrswell, and
down here looking for farm. My fat
told me II got near here to look you
He's George Carswell OF Boston and l
YOU at the Democratic convention in \
York"
"Wbat 70 shouted Landstreet. Are
his son. TUX to yer daddy powerful.
never was at a national convention bei
that. and | hadn't much notion
Yankee Dimmicrats, but yer daddy
clear grit. he was, aud no d-n nonst
about him. Why do you Know u
actually wanted to nominate Gni
Linooln's Secretary Of the Treasury, 4
Dimmiorstio President, and they'd =
done It, too, Il 1t hadn't been Tor Val
diQham and few more who sprung
seemer on them and put him throt
Your father stood ri ht up to the
along with the rest Of us and fought
Chase men, and tell gou warmed
to him. / never knowed before u
was such Yankees. Are ye Dimmit
too ~
"Yes," answered Carswell.
"I'm glad OF H." said the eld
heartily, "not taat II would MAKE
difference, but I'm GLAD OF 1t. re
that war led s good many youngi
astray, my own son among them, SO
glad to hnd yer true to yer dad
principles" ,,u.z
young man, "but / fought TO pres
the Union, not to destroy the states
posing It,"
eyes, know" answered Landst
"That's what Bob said, but he soon
in for abolition and all the rest OF II,
I'm afeard that among ye, ye pretty
slaughtered the rights OF the states
the oonstitution no matter what
tended. Pm glad ye're still Dlmn
though. wish oould say - mug
Bob. He voted for that d-n Greeie
"Well, wasn't Greeley tne yemo'