The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-15

raw wind caused him actual pain. His hands
were large and muscular, the palm broad, with
II full curve of the outer margin; the fingers
smooth, but neither curved nor pointed, the
thumb long and powerful. His feet were slen-
der and sinewy, and he had a long, elastic
gait, accompanied by a certain sidewise swing
ing of the shoulders. He was a tireless
walker, and of great bodily activity; up to
the time he was forty years old, he could
clear a height of five feet at a standing jump.
His voice, which was low and deep in ordinary
conversation. had astounding volume when he
chose to give full vent to it; with such a voice,
and such eyes and presence he might have
quelled a crew of mutinous privateersnen at
least as effectively as Bold Daniel. his gland
father. 1t was not a below, but had the search
ing and electrifying quality of the blast OF a
trumpet"
Hawthorne's life at Nj. Ripley's celebrated
Brook farm is wildly set forth in a letter from
the romancers own hand. He writes:
BROOK FARM, West Roxbury, May 13, 1S41.
As the weather precludes all possibility Of blowing,
hoeing, sowing and other such operations, l oethink
me that you may have no objections 70 hear some
thing of my whereabout aud whatabout. You are to
know, then, that | took up my abode here on the 18th
ult., in the midst of a snow storm, which kept us all
idle for n day or two. At the first glimpse of fair
weather, Mr.. Ripley summoned us into the cow-yard
and introduced ne to an instrument with four
prongs, commonly entitled a dung fork With this
tool | have already assisted to load twenty or thirty
carts of manure. and shall take part in loading nearly
800 more. Besides, ! have planted potatoes and peas
cut straw and hay for the cattle, and done various
mighty works. This very morning l MIXED three
cows; and milk two or three every night and morn
ing. The weather has been so unfavOrable that We
have worked comparatively little in the ields; but,
nevertheless, l have gained strength wonderfully
grown quite a giant, in faet-and can do a days work
without the slightest inconvenience. In short, l am
transformed into a complete farmer. This is one of
the most beautiful placesI ever saw in my life, and ~
secluded as If it were a hundred miles from any city
or village. There are woods in which we can rambie
all day without meeting anybody or scarcely seeing
a house. Our house stands apart from the main road,
so that we are not troubled even with passengers
looking at us. Once in a while we have a transcen-
dental visitor, such as Mr.. Alcott; but generally we
pass whole days without seeing a single face,
save those of the brethren. The whole fraternity eat
together; and such a delectable way of life has never
been seen on earth since the days of the early Chris
tians. We get up at 1870, breakfast at 6:30, dine at
1890 and go to bed at g.. The thin frock which you
made for me is considered a most splendid article. and
| should not wonder if it We're to become the summer
uniform of the community. l have a thick frock,
likewise, but it is rather deficient in grace, though ex-
tremely warm and comfortable. | wear a tremendous
pair of cowhide boots, with soles two inches thick-of
course when l come to see you 1 shall wear my far
mers' dress. We shall be very much occupied during
most of thismonth, p~loughing and planting, so that
L doubt whether you will see me for two or three
weeks. You have the portrait by this time, l suppose,
so you can well dispense with the original. When You
write to me (which l beg you will do SOON, direct your
letter to West Roxbury, as there are two po%stoHices in
town. l would write more, but William Allen is going
to the village, and must have this letter. So, goodbye.
HAWTHORNE, Ploughlnan.