New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15

formation that these could he produced in New
York State. 1t was supposed that tar could be
made from the white pine. The Palatnes were
to do the work under a control that vas very
like slavery The plan was. of course. unsuc-
cessful. White pine valueless for such
purpose
Meanwhile the Germans were intent upon get
ting to that paradise which the Mohawks had
offered them. They wanted farms of their own
and the privilege Of filling them. But by the
time the wearisome effort to make naval stores
had been found useless many were too much
worn TO venture into the wilderness Others
found farms near the scene OF their frs. labors.
The majority, led by devoted chieftains, pressed
on to the Indian country, and were allowed TO
settle Schoharie Creek. 1t was the land
which the Mohawks had promised them. and
the name had been their lips daily since that
time. 1t was sylvan paradise, and they ap-
pear to have loved the place from the moment
they saw it, But it was one thing to get lands
from the Indians and another to secure title
to il under the laws of the colony. The Pala-
tines knew nothing Of this. While they were
thanking the Indians others were busy getting
legal possession Of the land. The potters were
aided in this by the resentment OF the Gov
ernor OF the colony. who had impoverished him.
self In the business Of the naval stores and
thought the stubbornness Of the Paatines was
the cause Of his losses The result was long
and greNogs struggle in which the Paatines
sent representatives. to England in vain, While
the Governor. on his side. equally unsuc-
cessful in getting repayment FOR his expendi-
lures But the falatines left their mark on
Schoharie Creek and the neighborins reaches
Of the Mohawk II the injustice to them was
never remedied it was at least confessed. Some
OF them managed to hold their ground. but
many turned to new regions and Pennsylvania
pronted by their discomfort. They had made
name for themselves. The men whose advent
WIS thought alarming had proved themselves
good citizens and sturdy defenders Of the bor-
der Mr. Cohb's book is a straightforward. SIM
pie and charming study Of curious incident In
colonial history.
Mr.. Riddle has apparently kept too near the
truth to make a good novel. His book is really
a history, but little disguised, Of the od-fash-
toned school system in a hackwcods district OF
Pennsylvania sixty or seventy years ago His
illusions to the Mierite superstition fix its date
I'm one way while his old squire with the buck
skin knee brecches of the Revolutionary period
fix Il in another. The story is evidently that OF
one who shared the experience which he mar
rates Ii traces the evolution Of the village
school from the times Of those old masters who
were expert in arithmetic. II nothing else. and
were often men OF learning Their saddest de-
feet not much dcplorcd in their time. was their
love OF whiskey. In states west OF Pennsyi-
vanla some Of this class survived till within
half century Memory recalls one who always
gave his school vacation at Christmas. Some
times il would be weeks before he returned 10
his tasks and the interval can be- imagined BY
those who are reminded Of similar cases. But
this expert with the old Western
Calculator" Mr. Riddles old masters are per-
haps more sedate. He dismisses them with re-
greet and he seems 10 hint to the young teach
ers OF to-day that the march of intellect may
leave them behind. too in their old age.