The Russellville Democrat., 1892-05-19
AN OLD sTAoER.
4 Tale Of Imigrapt Travel Forty Years
 Ago.


 Ago.
 Forty years ago, before the Penn sylyania railroad crooked and sidIed, worTned and climbed it's way among the Alleghanies, a famous stage route swept over hill and dale from Harrisburg to Chambersburg, and thence up and down, up and down, over the six great parallel ridges to "the wilds ofthe Ohio" ]"
 Late one aft4v-.Jon in autumn the stage stopped before 1.-The Travellers Rest, tavern near the foot of Laurel ridge. The tavern was dsnked bv the stage company E stables, for here the travellers were to change horses for the long night climb before them.
 A boy with manly face and sturdy figure stood by the watering trough betting dark lay mare, and feeding her from his hat with apples.
 "That is rather dainty food fer a horse, my boy" remarked Mr. Martin, one of the dismounting passengers.
 "OId Kate deserves it," replied the boy. "She is an old stager, and is going to help the two regular horses drag the stage up to the top of Laurel ridge to night. Ishall go, too, and ride her back in the morn ing. She is uncommon fond of these little lady apples, and I've stuffed my pockets for her. /"
 The tourists, dusty and weary, continued to descend from the stage. They had ridden for two days and nights, and were glad of the oppor- tunity to stretch their cramped limbs, if only for a few moments. A huge sign swung in numbering fashion between two heavy posts planted opposite the inn. The travellers read On this sign the greet ing: nWelcome to the West"
 Ut seems like special word of cheer to us, Robert" said tired looking little bride, the only lady in the party.
 "Um, yes," replied Robert, re- hectiyely, "but it sort of seems to me that when l came after you, that signboard was just as sympa- thetic as it is now. l almost felt as if it was letting out the secret of my errand to all the company, for it shouted out to me Welcome to the East, as knowingly as if it kaew who was in the East waiting to vel come me. v
 "T'hat is a curious sign, if what you say is true,, remarked Mr. Martin.
 Tisn't so very curious as you seem to think" replied the boy. They've painted Welcome to the East on the west side of the sign, to face all the east-coming passengers, and Welcome to the West on the other side to encour- age the pioneaters and emigraters.
 "Emigrarits and pioneers, my boy" corrected MT. Martin.
 of you'll walk into the dining room, sir, reckon you'll agree that they are pie caters"
 Mr, Martin laughed, and stepped in to do justice to his supper. The low room had a home-like look, and was sweet and clean. The dining room windows were hung with small half-crrtains of turkey-red; through the open door he caught a glimpse of an orchard, and bowls of spiced apple butter were ready for delicious bread and eager mouths.
 It was not such an aristocratic inn as Longfellow describes, and yet in many points it resombled it, and Mir, Martin thought of this tavern when he read, years after, the kind. ly poets description
 ''As ancient is this hostelry
 Az any In the land may be-,
 A kind of old Hobgoblin hall
 Now somewhat fallen Co decay
 With weather stains upon the ball, And siaifways worn, and erazt doors, And creaking and uneven hook And ehimnsys huge, y.& siied and tall. 1"
 As Mir. Martin, after his supper, came out into the kpen air, he saw .hat old Kate was M{nessed by the 4 ,e of the team, ana Vhat the boy, sh0se name he had lear4 ed was Joe Hartley, had curled hp' aelf up on