Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-07-31
THE MOUNTAIN HUT,
BY MRS. REBEccA HARDING DAVIS.

David, with his uncle and sister had
ridden far into the Balsam mountains
Of North Carolina one day, leaving the
bridle-path behind them and pushing
their way through the underbrush Of
laurel and rowan, when a storm over
took them
There should be hut on tho bank
of this stream" said her uncle, "if my
memory does not fail me-
Il see it. said David. "But it is
more like piggery than dwelling
for human beings, like most Of the
houses Of these mountaineers"
"These mountaineers are a kindly,
honest folk, whatever their houses
may be, and am never afraid to claim
a welcome, which cannot always say
of those who live in the Cities his
uncle retortcd
The welcome in this case was given
cordially. The hut was built Of logs,
between which were wide cracks; the
rain beat in and ran down the floor.
Il like a plenty OF air said their
hostess, piling UP logs on the hearth.
Her bed was mattrass Of husks it
filled one corner. a rough pine table
another; a heap of sacks full Of roots
lay piled near the door. The cooking
utensils were coffee pot and two iron
| frying pans. The woman stirred SOM
corn meal with water, filled one or Und
pans. put on the lid, and covered it
with hot ashes; the other held a siz
zling mass Of fat pork.
"Yes, we're very comfortable she
said proudly. observing Polly's curious
glance. Got everything snug and
genteel I'd be powerful sorry to live
like some folks"
David followed his uncle out to the
covered shed, where ne sat looking at
the peltng storm. Il never supposed
any human being lived in such soli-
tude," he exclaimed "Why she has
not left the mountain for twenty years
she never has seen a town larger than
the village Of Waynesville-she did
not know there was any larger"
Still it is impossible for any living
beings to shut themselves off from
their kind. If you look a little farth
or, you will be surprised to find how
widely connected this poor lame Great
urc is with the rest Of the world.
This coffee, which is making sucf
comfortable smell just now, came tC
her from the far-or Brazils; black
bearded muattos picked it for her or
the shores of the Amazon; other slave:
in the West Indies grew her the pep
per which she is sitting on the meat
English mill-hands in ManchesteI
wo7o her Sunday calico gown; mild
eyed Chinaman gave her tea; ever
this hen clucking at my feet cam
from eggs from Poland.
There is scarcely State in the In
ion which has not its part in this poor
little hut. Here is an axe; Pennsylya
MIA gave the iron. Connecticut th'
handle Here is sugar from Louisiana
rice from Georgia, shoes from Massa
chusetts."
"The world is very liberal to the ol'
woman SAID David laughing. ">h
ought to give something in exchange
perhaps she does. We will looI
into that presently. | told you TIA
we were all closely bound together
In a we'll furnished city house there !
scarcely country in the world whlc
is not represented il you choose t
search it out. You ask what the Oh
woman sends back. Come, let US as
her. What is in the bag, for example
"Roots ots-Angelica.' promptly T'
spon5ed their hostess. Pays eiga
cents in the pound, delivered in U
village yonder. The doctors use
In the North to cure nervous peopI
That next bag But set up, set VI
dinners ready. Fall to, young folk
there's plenty Of it, such as it is, ho'
pitably urging great chunks Of hot JoT
nycake on them and delicious yeil2'
butter. David and Polly fell to
With good will.
The other bag, you were about
say p suggested their uncle,
"oh yes; ginseng. | gather heal
of that ere. My son takes it to =
store, and it is shipped to New or
and from there to China, Them po'
, heather will pay its weight in gold i
some kinds of ginseng | don't kno
what they do with it though.
Going to China?' David sal
looking respectfully at the sack,