Indiana Palladium, Volume 2, Number 24, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 24 June 1826 — Page 1

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EQUALITY OF RIGHTS IS NATURE'S PLAN AND FOLLOWING NATURE IS THE MARCH OF MAN. Barlow. Volume II. LAWRENCEBURGH, INDIANA ; SxVTURDAY, JUNE 24, 1326. Number 24.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED EY J. SPEXCETl, D. V. CULLET, & to. On vtry Saturday Morning.

From the Sketch Hook of Geoflry Crayoi. RIP FAN WINKLE. A POSTHUMOUS WRITING OF DIEDRICII KNICKERBOCKER. Whoever has made a voyage up the Hudson, must remember the KaaHdll mountains. They are a dismembered branch of the great Appalachian family, and arc seen away to the west of the river, swelling up to a noble height, and oiding it over the surrounding country. Every change of season, every change of weather, indeed, every hour Qf the day, produces . some change in the magical hues and shapes of these mountains, and they are regarded by all the good wives, far and near, as perfect barometers. When the weather is fair and settled, they are clothed in blue and purple, and print their bold outlines on the clear evening sky; but some times, when the rest of the landscape is cloudless, they will gather a hood of gray vapours about their summits, which, in the last rays of the setting sun, will glow and light up like a crown of glory. At the foot of these fairy mountains, the voyager may have descried the light smoke curling up from a village, whose shingle roofs gleam among the trees, just where the blue tints of the uplands melt away into the fresh green of the nearer landscape. It is a little village of great antiquity, having been founded by some of the Dutch colonists, in the early limes of the province, just about the beginning of the government of the good Peter Stuyvesanf, (may he rest in peace!) and there were some of the houses of the original settlers standing within a few years, with lattice windows, gable fronts surmounted with weathercocks, and built of small yellow bricks brought from Holland. In that same village, Sc in one of these very houses, (which, to tell the precise truth, was sadly time worn and weather beaten,) there lived many years since, while the country was yet a province of Great Britain, a simple good natured fel-5 low, of the name of Rip Van Winkle. He Was a descendant of the Van Winkles who figured so gallantly in the chivalrous days of Peter Stuyvcsant, and accompanied him to the siege of Fort Chistiana. He inherited, however, but little of the martial character of his ancestors. I have observed that he was a simple good natured man: he was moreover a kind neighbor, and an obedient, henpecked husband. IndocifjW the latter circumstance might be owing that meekness of spirit which gained him universal popularity; for those men are most apt to be obsequious and concilia ting abroad, who are tinder the discipline of shrews at home. Their temper? doubtless are rendered pliant &: mallea ble in the fierv furnace of domestic tribu

ation, and a curtain lecture is worth alii .r. c , ? ... ,,f . , ,1 'all-besetting terrors of a woman s tongue? the sermons m the world tor teaching the w ir i ii 1 . . c .. , , cr I he moment Yolf entered the house,

A termagant wife may, therefore, in some respects, be considered a tolerable . , 1 n I blessing; and if so, Rip Van V inkle was thrice blessed. Certain it is, that he was a great fa vorite among all the good wives of the village, who, as usual with the amiable sex, took his part in all family squabbles,! and never failed, whenever they talked those matters over in their evening gossippings, to lay all the blame on Dame Van Winkle. The children of the vil lage, too, would shout with joy whenever he approached. He assisted at then .sports, made their play-things taught them to llv kites and shoot marbles, and told them Ion? stories of nhosts, witches. and Indians. Whenever he went dodff - ing about the village, he was surrounded by a troop of them, hanging on his skirts, clambering on his back, and playing a thousand tricks on him with impunity; and not a dog would bark at him thro -out the neighborhood. The great error in Rip's composition was an insuperable aversion to all kinds of profitable labor. It could not be for the want of assiduity or perseverance; for he would sit on a wet rock, w ith a rod as long and heavy as a Tartar's larvce,njnd fish all day without a murmur, even tho'. he should not be encouraged by a singk; nibble. He would cany a fowling piece on his shoulder, for hours together, trudging through the woods and swamps, and up hill and down dale, to shoot a few squirrels or wild pigeons. He would never even refuse to assist a neighbor in the roughest toil, and was a !oremost maa at all country frolicks for

husking corn, or building stone fences.! The women of the village too, used to!

emplov him to run their errands, and to do such little odd jobs as their less obliging husbands would not do for them; in a word, Rip was ready to attend to any body's business but his own; but as to doing family duty, and keeping his farm in order, it was impossible. In fact, he declared it was no use to work on his farm ; it was the most pestilent piece of ground in the whole country; every thing about it went wrong, and would go wrong, in spite of him. His fences were continually falling to pieces; his cow would either go astray, or get among the cabbages; weeds were sure to grow quicker in his helds than any where else; the rain always made a point of setting in just as he had some out-door work to do; so that though his patrimonial estate had dwindled away under Ids management, acre by acre, un-j til there was little more left than a mere patch of Indian corn and potatoes, yet it was the worst conditioned farm in the neighborhood. His children, too, were as ragged and wild as if thev belonged to nobodv. His son Rip, an urchin begotten in bis own likeness, promised to inherit the habits, with the old clothes of his father. He was generally seen trooping like a colt at his mother's heels, equipped in a pair of his fathers cast-off galligaskins, which he had much ado to hold up with one hand, as a fine lady does her train in bad weather. Rip Van Winkle, however, was one of those happy mortals, of foolish, welloiled dispositions, who take the world easy, cat white bread or brown; whichever can be got with least thought or trouble, and would rather starve on a penny than work for a pound. If left to himself, he would have whistled life away, in perfect contentment; but hi wife kept continually dunning in his ears about his idleness, his carelessness, and the ruin he was bringing on his family. Morning, noon, and night, her tongue was incessantly going, and every thing he said or did was sure to produce a torrent of household eloquence. Rip had but one way of replying to all lectures of the kind, and that, by frequent use, had grown into a habit. He shruggred his shoulders, shook his head, cast, up his eyes, but said nothing. This, however, always provoked a fresh volley from his wife, so that he was fain to draw otF his forces, and take to the outside of the house the only side which, in truth, belongs to a henpecked husband. Rip's sole domestic adherent was his dog Wolf, who was as much henpecked as his master; for Dame Van Winkle regarded them as companions in idle ness, and even looked upon Wolf with an evil eye, as the cause of his master's so often going astray. True it i?, in all points or spirit befitting an honorable dog, he was as courageous an animal as ever scoured the woods but what cour'l rn - i i it net n thrt - -i 4 ittiittrc . 1 his crest tell, his tail drooped to the ground, or curled between his legs, he sneaked about with a gallows air, casting many a side-long glance at Dame Van Winkle, and at the least nourish of a broomstick or ladle, would fly to the! door with yelping precipitation. Times grew worse and worse with Rip Van Winkle as years of matrimony rolled on; a tart temper never mellows with age, and a shap tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener by constant use. For a long while he used to console himself, when driven from home, bv frequenting a kind of perpetual club;

of the sages, philosophers, and other idlej cry ring through the still evening air; personages of the village, which held its,"Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle!"

!sessons on n bench before a small inn,' designated by a rubicund portrait of hi: majesty George the Third. Here they used to sit in the shade, of a long lazy summer's day, talking listlessly over village gossip, or telling endless sleepy stories about nothing. But it would have been, worth any statesman's money to have heard the profound discussions which sometime took place, when by chance an old newspaper fell into their hands, from some passing traveller. How solemnly they would listen to the contents, as drawled out bv Derrick Van Bummel, the schoolmaster, a dapper learned little man, who wras not to be daunted by the most gigantic word in the dictionary ; and how eagerly they would deliberate upon public events . some months after they had taken place. The opinions of this junto were completely controlled by Nicholas Veddcr, a patriarch of the village, and landlord

of the inn, at the door of which he took his seat from morning till night, just

moving sufficiently to avoid the sun, and keep in the shade of a lage tree; so that the neighbours could tell the hour by his movements as accurately as bv a sun dial. It is true, he was rarelv heard to speak, but smoked his pipe incessantly. His adherents, however, (for every great man has his adherents,) perfectly understood him, and knew how to gather his opinions. When any thing that was reaVl or related displeased him, he was observed to smoke his pipe vehemently, and send forth short, frequent, and angry puffs, but when pleased, he would inhale the smoke slowly and traquilly, and emit it in light and placid clouds, and sometimes taking the pipe from his mouth, and letting the fragrant vapour curl about his nose, would gravely nod his head in token of perfect approbation. Erom even this strong hold the unlucky Rip was at length routed by his termagant wife, who would suddenly break in upon the tranquility of the as semblage, and call the members all to nought; nor was that august personage, Nicholas Veddcr himself, sacred from the daring tongue of this terrible virago, 1 " 1 1 ' J 1 . who charged mm outright witn encour aging her husband in habits of idleness. Poor Rip was at last reduced almost to despair; and his only alternative to escape from the labor of the farm and the clamour of his wife, was to take gun in hand, and stroll away into the woods. Here he would sometimes seat himself! at the foot of a tree, and share the con tents of his wallet with Wolf, with whom he sympathised as a fellow sufferer in persecution. "Poor Wolf,'1 he would say, t;thy mistress leads thee a dog's life of it; but never mind, my lad, while I live thou shalt never want a friend to stand by thee!" Wolf would wag his tail, look wistfully in his master's face, and if dogs can feel pity, I verily believe he reciprocated the sentiment with all his heart. In a long ramble of the kind on a fine autumnal; day, Rip had unconsciously scrambled to one of the highest parts of the Kaaiskill mountains. He was after his favourite sport ftf squirrel shooting, and the still solitudes had echoed and reechoed with the reports of his gun. Panting and fatigued, he threw himself, late in the afternoon, on a green knoll, covered with mountain herbage, that crowned the brow of the precipice. From an opening between the trees, he could overlook all the lower country for many a mile of rich woodland. He saw at a distance the lordly Hudson, far, far. below him, moving on its silent but majestic course, the reflection of a pur ple cloud, or the sail of a lagging bark, here and there sleeping on its glassy bosom, and at last losing itself in the blue highlands. On the other side he looked down into a deep mountain glen,, wild, lonely, and shagged, the bottom filled with fragmeats from the impending cliffs, and scarcely lighted by the reflected rays of the setting sun. b or some time Rip lay musing on this scene; evening was gradually advancing, the mountains began to throw their long blue shadows over the valleys, he saw that it would be dark long before he could reach the village, and he heaved a heavy sigh when he thought of encountering the terrors of Dame Van Winkle. t As he was about to descendvhe heard a voice from a distance, hallooing, "Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle!"' He looked around, but could see nothing but a crow winging his solitary flight across the mountain. He thought his fancy must have deceived him, and turned again to descend, when he heard the same at the same time Wolf bristled up his back, and giving a low growd, skulked to his master's side, looking fearfully down into the glen. Rip now felt a vague apprehension stealing over him; he looked anxiously in the same direction, and perceived a strange figure slowly toiling up the rocks, and bending under the weight of something he carried on his back. He was surprised to see any human being in this lonely and unfrequented place, but supposing it to be some one of the neighbourhood in need of his assistance, he hastened down to yield it. On nearer approach, he was still more surprised at the sigularity of the stranger's appearance. He was a short square built old fellow, with thick bushyhair, and a grizzled beard. His dress was of the antique Dutch fashion ii cloth jerkin stapped round the waist several pair of breeches, the outer one

of ample volume, decorated with rowsjand provides for a record for the number

of buttons down the side?, and bunches'

at the knees. He bore on his shoulders a stout keg, that seemed full of li quor, and made signs to Rip to approach and assist him with the load. Though rather shv and distrustful of this new ac quaintance. Rip complied with his usual alacrity, and mutually relieving each other, they clambered up a narrow gull) apparently the dry bed of a mountain torrent. As thev ascended, Rip every now a nd then heard long rolling peals, like distant thunder, which seemed to issue out of a deep ravine, or rather cleft between lofty recks, toward which their rugged path conducted, lie pnused for an instant, but supposing it to be the muttering of one of those transient thunder showers which eften take place in mountain heights, he proceeded. Pas sing through the ravine, they came to a hollow, like a small amphitheatre, sur rounded by perpendicular precipices, over the banks of which impending trees shot their branches, so that you only caught glimpses of the azure sky, and the bright evening cloud. During the whole time, Rip and his companion had laboured on in silence; for though the former marvelled greatly what could be the object of carrying a keg of liquor up this wild mountain, yet there was something strange and incomprehensible about the unknown, that inspired awe. and checked familiarity. On entering the amphitheatre, new objects of wonder presented themselves. On a level spot in the centre was a company of odd-looking personages playing at nine-pins. They were dressed in a quaint, out-landish fashion: some wore short doublets, others jerkins, with lorg knives in their belts, and most had enormous breeches, of similar style with that of the guide's. Their visages, too, were peculiar: one had a large head. broad face, and small piggish eyes; the face of an other seemed to consist entirely of nose; and was surmounted by a white sugar-loaf hat, set oil' with a little red cockstail. Thev all had beards, of various shapes and colours. There was one who seemed to be the commander. He was a stout old gentleman, with a weather-beaten countenance; he wore a laced doublet, broad belt and hanger, high crowned hat and feather, red stock ings, high heeled shoes, with roses in them. The whole group reminded Rip of the figures in an old Flemish painting, in the parlour of Dominie Van Schaick, the village parson, and which had been brought over form Holland at the time of the settlement. What seemed particularly odd to Rip, was, that though these folks were evidently amusing themselves, yet they maintained the gravest face?, the most mysterious silence, and were, withal, the most melancholy party of pleas- . . . j - interrupted the stillness of the scene.

. r , , , 'carnage built as an experiment Milt rnr nmcp rt t!if IidIic t-iii-,i, iviinnfi. .

vcr they were rolled, echoed along the mountains like rumbling peals of thunder. As Rip and his companion approached them, they suddenly desisted from their play, and stared at him with such fixed, statue-like gaze, and such strarvge, uncouth, lack lustre countenances, that his heart turned within him, and his knees smote together. His companion now emptied the contents of the keg into large flagons, and made signs to him to wait upon the compam'. He obeyed) witn tear and trembling; they quatied the liquor in profound silence, and then returned to their game. By degrees, Rip's awe and apprehen sion subsided. He even ventured, when no eye was fixed upon him, to taste the beverage, which he found had much of the flavor of excellent Holland. He was naturally a thirsty soul, and was soon tempted to repeat the draught. One taste provoked another, Sz, he reiterated his visits to the flagon so often, that at length his senses were overpowered, his eyes swam in his head, his head gradually declined, and he fell into a deep sleep. 'CLUDED IN NEXT NUMBER. ABSTRACT OF THE DOG LA IV, Passed during the last session of the New-York Legislature, to prevent the destruction of sheep. The first section imposes a tax of two dollars eg every bitch of six months old or upwards, and five on every additional one, kept by any person or family. The second section provides that when any person or family shall keep more than one dog of age as above, the owner or possessor shall pay a yearly tax of one dollar for the second dog, and three dollars for eveiy additional one;

of dogs, to be kept by the assessors, and

for the collection ot the tax. The third section provides that the owner or possessor of any bitch or dog liable to a tax, shall deliver to the assessors, within six months after the passage of theacr,a description in writing of every bitch or dog owned or possessed by him, under a penalty of three dollars for every neglect. The fourth section provides for enforcing the payment of the tax in case of refusal; and any person sutiering a dog to remain about his premises for twenty days shall be deemed the owner of such dog, and liable to pay the tax, and that he may kill such dog if not claimed by the owner within twenty days1. The fifth section provides for the payment of the money collected (except c per cent to the collector) to the county treasurer, to be applied by the supervisors to remunerate individuals for any damage they may sustain by dogs killing or injuring sheep, and the residue, ifany, for the support of the poor The sixth section provides that when any person shall sustain any damage by dogs killing or hurting sheep, he may apply to 2 fence view ers of his town, who shall examine &, certify the damage he has sustained, which certificate shall be a sufficient voucher to the supervi sor, to obtain remuneration out elan" monevs belonging to this tund, unless the owner of the dog shall be known, in which case the damage to be recovered of such owner. The seventh section provides that if any person shall refuse or neglect to pay the tax for thirty days after demanded, any person may kill the dog for which such tax has not been paid. West. Sentiuch Nxi'spzpers, The Dumber of newspapers published wiiLiu the United States, in th?)eajr 1S23, was 503; as follows: Id Maine, 12; New PampsLire, 11; Massachosttts, S5; Rhode Kind, 9; Connecticut, 23; Vermont, S; New York, 137; New Jersey, 8; Pennsylvania. 110; Delaware, 4; Maryland, v2$ Virginia. 35; North Carolina, 10; South Carolina, 12; Georgia, 14; Ohio, 43; Indiana, 12; Illinois, 5; Missouri, C; Kentucky, 18; Tennessee, 15; Mississippi, 7; Alabama, 10; Louisiana, 8; Michigan, 1, and District of Colombia 8. The number of copies circulated in the year, by these journals, has hi-en estimate at 30,000. In Great Britain, in 1821, with 20.000 people, the number of papers was estimated at, 234, and the copies printed in the year, 23,000; and in the whole of'.rontin ental Europe with a population of 1GO,000 inhabitants, it is not supposed that one half aS many papers arc printed as there are within the United States; where the nurr.br noW printed may be little, if any, short ol'7f0. Del. Guzttte. From the Troy Sentinel, May 1C. Stcnm Carriccc. A Mr. Steven? of Hoboken, JN. Jersey, has had a trnm . . ... - . . i It haSjust been completed, and the editor of this paper was one among the hundreds of persons who, on Saturday last, crossed over from New -York to Hoboken, for the purpose of witnessing its operation. W;1V ftn . . u . n . . Air Stnvpnc nn nrnvhiuiir hiiilr n-rnil perhaps thirty-five or forty rods in circumference. On this railway the carriage was placed, and was carried round by the power of steam at the rate of six: miles an hour. Our party were very civilly invited to a seat on the carriage and the additional weight of three or four persons, with a half a dozen already seated there did not diminish its velocity The engine and carriage weigh less than a ton, whereas those now in use in England weigh from eight to ten tons. The. wheels of the steam carriage rest on their tracks, at the usual distance of wagon wheels from each other. Between the two outer rails, on which the weight of the carriage rests, there is stiil a third rail of timber. To this are fixed plates of cast iron, filled with cogs or teeth, into which a wheel with corresponding cogs, and connected with the engine, is made to work; and in this manner the wagon is impelled forward. The English railways have not in general, this centre rail. The rows of cogs: are laid along the outside of one of the outer rails, and on level ground, it is' only in ascents, that they are absolutely necessary. Belling the Be!h. The Polish ladies arc very vigilent over the conduct of their daughters, and intrigues arc not so eaM ly carried on here, as in England; and and in some districts, (which is perfectly ridiculous,) they are forced to wear lit tie bells, both before and behind, in or der to proclaim where they arc and what they are doing. Why don't they Mop them up with straw? Our twirls would