The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-01-28
THE RUINEDI VILLAGE
ON THE HILL.
~ REALISTIC STORY OF CECIL
COUNTY BY j. X. POLK
RACINE
AyJN1JNUED FROM LAST WEEK.


Just before the conclusion of our last
chapter Z had pointed across the street at
old Bull Frog and told my readers that
had very sad story in reserve for them.
And now I will proceed to relate it,
This old relic is where the West Side
stozc was kept in days of yore.
Darkness was lowering up and down
each alley en- either side Of the village on
she hill, and great pail of blackness hung
directly over the little hamlet between.
Te was Joyous Christmas Eve, and the
ha& come to purchase their Christmas cheer,
chisi Of which was common whiskey. The
ardent stuff was dealt out at this store
with lavish hand; in fact, the speciality
uf both stores at the Frog was old rye and
rcoUlm"n whiskey.
A poor man who had labored for many
days owinging his double-bladed axe, at
>cxssirg cord wood, and who had that day
received his hard-earned wages, had finish
ed f1ie evening meal, and was about to start
up tEe hill from one OF the bee-hives at
Perch Cresk to make his Christmas pur
.ohases fol his wife aud little ones at the
iErog.
Now, this story dates back further than
the writer can recollect, and of course
these little ones had no part in chasing
him with showers of stones as that other
generation did much further down the
line.
Will you have money enough, father, to
wife and mother.
IGGn't know, mother, said honest John
Wilson, but will do the best can.
knew you WILL John, replied his wife.
And with his four little ones by his side
lahe father slowly mounted the Southern
Incline to the Frog.
When they had reached the village the
father turned 20 the left to enter the store
,4Hn shat side. And when he saw the big
tegewd CT people all about the front he took
his two youngest children by the hand.
The motley throng in front of the old log
,store house were celebrating the eve Of the
glorious birthday of our blessed Redeemer
by firm, an old flint lock musket
They were loading with over charges of
powder aud tamping the same with tow,
but using nothing else. The father was
gindustriously pushing his way through the
drunken crowd, and he had already picked
up Tiny, Glis youngest darling, and still
holding liBele Mary by the hand At this
u uncture the old ilint-lock beched forth,
and tie fash dispelled the heavy pail of
,darkness hanging over for little while,
and the cannon like report reverberated
throughout the valies containing the
{aEhblng brooks on either side OF the viii
iage on the bill. The father was seen to
ssatagger against the side Of the old log store
house with Tiny, his little darling still
pressed close to his loving breast But
great gaping wound was just above his
right ear and his brain, and life's blood
was oozing therefrom and staining the
pretty face Of Tiny to crimson hue. We
-e9ill drop tradition for little while and
come dCwn to recolections Of the present
Ex.5herff William Z. Boulder, our
worthy townsman, who was raised mile
OF SO below the Frog in what is known as
Back Creek Neck, and whose "reminiscences
arc as bright as the noon. days sun, was an
sEye witness 70 some of the events which
vth;s chapter contains, is kindly aiding the
old scribe in giving these facts to the
leaders OF the CECIL WIG. In 1853 there
Nas living in Back Creek Neck Il man
named George. We will go no further
,m: til bis name, because he has children