Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-08-18
Postscript.

Dear ReglSter-Verlly .ne Rehediosio'
End the small beer chronicler OF he VII
lage, which latter is myself, must be more
circumspect and accurate in their state
ments or they will be called down and un-
done. II appears that my chronicle did
not do full justice to that famous heglra
of good old Daniel to the sunset land
hence this apology and emendation.
Brooks had long INDUCED the rosy
dream of going TO the west and taking up
the fine fertile farm TO be given him by
relative, but was waiting, perchance not
patiently for his old "mamma," who was
too decrepit to join such expedition, to 90
10 a better land, when he should depart
for that finer country. Finally she died
and he set out hopefully with his family
and household baggage as aforesaid.
But il was not the fierce prairie wind
that blew him back so suddenly. When
he reached his destination he camped out
for the night. A drove OF hungry wild
hogs made vicious attack on his camp,
evidently determined TO Wallow in the
bed of the Brooks. He spent the night
in repelling these marauders, being wor-
ried and disguised that he could lind no
loose missiles to hurl against them, some
what alike Hans, attacked by vicious
dog, when trying to pull up rock lecge
animadverted on ode tam country we're
de rocks yer all tight and der dogs all
loose" Brooks Swore in his wrath that
he wouldn't live in any such adjective
country, where you couldn't find a rock
TO shy at a hog" He returned repentant,
wishing that "old mamma" could pack
I'D and come back alike himself, suspect
ing that her better land was no I'M
proyement on his experience. This
emendation is avouched by Emerson;
not the great philosopher, but one with
the Christian name OF Noble, a painter
apprentice to Uncle Bowen, whose pa
trent soul was sorely veXed by his jour
neyman'S midnight orgies and froIlcS-
going around painting the town red,
and perpetrating unwanted serenadeS,
singing songs, high in tenor voice, but
low in tone of morals. With all his ap-
parent earneStneSS, Uncle Bowen had a
kindly nature which he lavlShed on the
hopeful son of a neighbor in fostering his
genius for painting landscapes, the old
gentleman patiently mixing colorS tor him
10 exploit on his canvass. One morn-
ing Emerson blew in hilariouSly upon
them at their efforts and boaStingly al
firmed: ooh, I'll go ahead OF your pic
ture, Master Johnny; Pm going to paint a
grand view of Shepherdstown and take
in all OF it."
Uncle Bowen turned Solemnly from
his paint slab, where he was mixing some
colorS with a paint knife, and stabbed
him thus: "Well, EMerJ0a, don't think
any one could be better fixed to pant
this town, for TO my certain knowledge
Won scour and Scurry over each Granny
and corner of it ten times every night.
''He done Noble" who pocketed the re-
buke silently and went out, not as advised
by Ralph Waldo to hitch his wagon to astar
but to mitch up Uncle BowenS old sorrel
plug to the paint wagon and HE him out
TO the country there TO inflict his GRIM
son blush of shame and other hues on
some weatherboard shack by way OF
revenge.
The cottage cornices thereof
With lurid stripes he trims,
"While SingingSongs we like whereof
Are not in Watts, his hymns"
ST. |. b.