The Forrest City times., 1893-12-29


 Years day at the White homestead. and the cousins were saying as they sat around the large open fireplace Tn the old long kitchen now used as dining room as the night closed in:
 Do you rememb Der this reunion? and that reunion?' and as the details of former frolics were recounted the large room resounded with peals of laughter.
 In little hush Aunt Susanna, who was nearly ninety. said: Il can re- member a New Years eve nearly two hundred years ago"
 'Oh, Aunt Susanna!" What a mem ory!' How can that be?'
 ''Oh. have heard so many old-time stories that seem to recall events ever since my grandmother was girl"
 ''Oh, tell us the very oldest story you can think of. Aunt Susanna" they all clamored. and the lovely old gentle woman told 1t after the manner follow ing:
 twill do you young people who are so fond of taking your ease no harm to hear how your ancestors roughed it when the country was new.
 My grandparents moved from Mans field to Dublin, N. a., when my mother was twelve years old. It was in the early spring. and the family walked the whole distance. carrying their few effects and implements in their arms or upon their backs
 Arrived at their destination in the shadow of Mount Monadnoc, they speedily built log house over large fiat rock at the foot of an abrupt ledge that not only formed one side of the house, but with the help of few care fully adjusted stones made natural 6replace and chimney with hearth stone that served as a floor to their one room At first they were very home sick, but as the season advanced they all with the exception of my mother became wonted
 The great gruesome mountain was from the first a terror to her. and she was never able to overcome her dread of it. As the days grew short and cold in the autumn, her homesickness in- creased and all the resources available were brought in play to divert Susanna, or Zanna, as she was called. She had daily lessons in spinning. weaving. knitting and sewing. Every day she learned by heart a portion of Scripture and psalm. and she had lessons from the few books they had brought, for my grandfather was we'll educated for those tin-s and highly prized his few volu.c.,,ss Of history and poetry.
 The early winter was very cold, but no snow fell and game was scarce, so that for a time the family were re- duced to a diet of roasted potatoes and salt and johnny-cake. If only we could kill a bear" the father would say. '"There are fat bears on the south side of the mountain, and Ii we could get one the meat would last us all winter" Perhaps the Lord will send us one." the mother would reply; but no bear made its appearance. and they were forced to be satisfied with an occasional rabbit
 At this juncture the nearest neigh bor. who lived four or five miles away came, begging the house mother to go to his sick wife, and my grandmother took the opportunity to accompany her and at the same time carry bag of corn to mill $.
 Don't let Zanna get lonesome, was the last instruction given the Two boys-'.talkative 'Bia" and silent Aaron" as they were called in the family.
 As Zanna watched the little party of three disappear in the dark forest her heart sank '.There will come great snowfall" she cried, desparingly, and