Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-02-28

withered little danes, in closa cr;u.,
caps, long wasted gowns, homesp',u
petticoats, with scissors and min cpSI
ions and gay calico pockets hanoinanf
the outside. Buxom lasses. almosf9 ~
antiquated az their mothers. excent;s 70
where a straw hat, a fine riband. on nnss
haps a white frock, gave symnfonp :,
city innovations. The sons n sLoout
square skirted coats, with rows If ~,
pendous brass buttons, and their boi.
generally queued in the fashion of H.
times, especially if they could proc,,ro
an eelskin for the purpose, it being az
teemed throughout the country "a z ~
tent nourisher and strengthened Of III
hair. ~"
Brom Bones, however. was tha h..
of the scene, having come to the gatbos
ing, having come to the GATHERING on ~.
favorite steed Daredevil, a creature ILL.,
himself, full of metal and mischief. and
which no n but himself could manaca
He was, in fact, noted for preferring VIC.
ious animals, given to all kinds of tricL.
which kept the rider in constant risk ~
his neck, for he held a tractable. we'll
broken horse as unworthy of a lad N
spirit.
Fain would ! pause to dwell upon thA
world of charms that burst upon the en-.
raptured gaze of my hero as he entered
the state parlor of Van Tassel's mansion
Not those of the bevy of buxom lasses
with their luxurious display of red and
white; but the ample charms of a eenn.
inc Dutch country tea table in the sum-.
tuous time of autumn. Such heaped nm
platters of cakes Of various and almost
indescribable kinds, known only TO OK.
perienced Dutch housewives There was
the doughty doughnut, the tender DIV.
koek and the crisp and crumbling crlI.
Ter; sweet cakes and short cakes, ginger
cakes and honey cakes and the whole
family of cakes. And then there were
apple pies and peach pies and pumpkin
pies; besides slices of ham and smoked
beef, and moreover d~electable dishes Of
preserved plums and peaches and pear
and ounces, not to mention broiled shad
and roasted chickens: together with
bowls of milk and cream, all mingled
higgledy-piggledy, pretty much as |
have enumerated them, with the moth
erly teapot sending up its clouds Of
vapor from the midst-heaven bless the
markl / want breath and time to
discuss this banquet as it deserves,
and am too eager to get on with
my story. Happily, Ichabod Crane was
not in so great a hurry as his historian,
but did ample justice to every dainty.
He was a kind and thankful creature,
whose heart dilated in proportion as bis
skin wasfilled with good cheer, and whose
rose with eating. as some mems do
with drink. He could not help. too, roll
ing his large eyes round him as he ate,
and chuc,Iling with the possibility that
he might one day be lord of all this scene
Of almost unimaginable luxury and
splendor. Then, he thought, how soon
he'd turn his back upon the old school
snap his fingers in the face Of Hans
Van Ripper. and every other niggardly
and kick any ~itinerant pedagogue
ont of doors hat should dare to call him
comrade.
Old Baltus Van Tassel moved about
among his guests with face Diluted with
content and good humor, round and
Jolly Us the harvest noon. His hospitabo
attentions were brief, but expressive,
being confined to a shake OF the hand, q
slap on the shoulder. a loud laugh, anda
pressing invitation TO fall 70. and help
themselves"
And now the sound of the music from
he common room or hall summoned to
he dance. The musician was ar old
gray headed negro, who had been the
.~tinerant orchestra of the ~neighborhood
'or more than half a century. His In
;trument was as old and battered as
himself. The greater part OF the time
le scraped away on two OF three strings,
accompanying every movement OF the
low with a motion of the head, bowling
almost to the ground and stamping with
lis foot whenever a fresh couple were to
tart.
Ichabod prided himself upon his dane
as much as upon his vocal powers
Not a limb, not a fiber about him was