Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-04-17
POWERFUL TEMPERANCE.

|
a narrow fat at the opening of ravine
to the river valley was very welcome to
me after long mountain ride, and the
combined look of curiosity and fear that
would not stop, of man leaning la
zily over the surrounding pole fence
gave promise of a resting place in it for
the night, which was assured by his
warm greeting:
"Howdee, stranger: Light of your
crltter an come in. Hitch yer critter
thar to that saplen an come into the
cabin" which did most willingly.
Take cheer. Git higher the fire.
Right smart cold snap we're havin'.
Tony, git up of the hearth an let the
man draw up" And Tony, small boy,
with red, chapped legs sticking well
out of shift, rolled over, using half
strangled kitten as support to get on
his bare feet with, and stood looking at
me out of very dirty face with great,
astonished eyes, entirely oblivioust to the
fact that the kitten would soon be no
more unless the grasp of his chubby
hand was relaxed. But it is surprising
what abuse a kitten will stand and still
| live. | once heard of a whole litter of
kittens going through a washing ma
chine and not minding it much until
they got to the wringer, which was
rather hard on their eyes.
took the offered chair and seated my
self as invited before the open fireplace,
in which was a cheerful fire of drift
wood. An iron baker stood on the
hearth, reposing on two logs and a
stone, having Ali iron lid with border
around it to hold Goals OH the top for
baking purposes; but tit was at that time
engaged in boiling coffee, and some time
afterwards was in use as a frying-pan
for bacon, and baker Of corn bread and
a potato fryer, reaching its final use for
the day in dish-washing.
Children Of all sizes stood around,
mostly in corners and protective groups,
gazing with eyes that knew no winking,
assisted by mouths propped open with
inquiry. The division of labor in the
family was stamped upon the forms Of
those large enough to perform its sim
pie duties. The girl with the inward
angle In her back and corresponding
outward angle in front, head little to
one side to escape boxes, had the baby
for her share. Her boy assistant had the
angles the other way, but head down
and shoulders up for defense. The care
takers of the yearlings had the same
angles, with the addition Of rounded
shoulders, from more load, and kept
their backs well under cover against
sudden assault and mouths drawn down
at the corners, ready for yelling. The
wood carrier and fire-keeper-who di-
vided his gaze between me and the fire
held his chin we'll up, from constant
avoidance of arm. loads; hands clasped
tightly in front, as though guarding
sticks, and not a button on either shirt
or trousers, from ravages Of splinters; {;
nor were they necessary SO long as his
eel-skin suspenders held to the wooden
pins thrust through the waistband Of
his trousers, which were so hoisted
thereby as to have the appearance of
shoulder climbing.
The next pair in ascent Of age and de-
scent of connubial enterprise was fine,
brown, well-made couple-west Vir-
ginia children always go In couples as
time mates them, probably from close
associations of birthdays, excepting the
last and odd one, thirteen being the reg
ulation numberin completed family
with sturdy legs well seen through
short, ragged dress and what of trousers
doing duty above the knee, their wild,
free, independent, outdoor look, show
ing them TO have charge of the "milk-
ing" which operation is performed
whenever and wherever the cow can be
| found in this most unfenced State in
the Union. The family watcr-carrier
stood In the door-snpple, straight,
solid, the very perfection of form,
strength, health, and elasticity-just old
enough to wear rosy cheeks becoming
ly; to droop her long eyelashes as she
smiled welcome; to wish she had ten
instead of nine yards Of calico in her
dress, for her ankles sake in the pres
ence of company, and likely some
thought OF the additional security there
would be in buttons instead of pins,
"o'er her breasts superb abundance,
where man might bare his head"
If Jacob of old could have seen her,
or any one Of these youthful mountain
water. carriers, coming up the steep
river bank from the spring, stepping
lightly, with the heavy pals hanging
Oh either side by the shapeliest arms,
every part Of the figure standing Out
just where 1t ought, rich In curve and
grace, sound in mind, snre Of step, he
would have retired Laban from the
droving business, without single solid
colored hide to call his own.
The cabin was Of the usual log design
long, low and ,corbutic. The logs were
as intimate as they could be between
the notched corners, under the separat
Ing influence Of crooks and knots
where they were not on good terms
| light and air, cold and rain took advan
tage Of the breaches to enter.
The clapboards forming the roof hat
! ffaan rnif I'm fha a.rnnx af1n and Werj