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Page 98
As he concluded, Captain Patterson placed in the hands of Algernon a
sealed packet, and moved away.[25]
"Well, its all over," said Mrs. Younker, coming up in turn to wish the
young couple joy. "I al'ays 'spected as how it 'ud come to this here.
Goodness, gracious, marsy on me alive! what a flustration they has made
about ye, sure enough, for sartin--han't they? I never seed the like
on't afore in all my born days. Why, it's like you war governor's folks,
sure enough. And my own Ella, too; and the stranger as com'd to my house
all bleeding to death like! My! my!--what strange doings Providence
does! Well, its to be hoped you'll al'ays git bread enough to keep
from starving, and that you won't fight nor quarrel more nor is
necessitous--as the Reverend Preacher Allprayer said, when he married
me and Ben together. Ah!--poor Ben!--poor Ben!--I'm a lone widder now.
Well, the Lord's will be done!" And the good dame moved sadly away, to
make room for others, and console herself by recounting her afflictions
to some patient listener, together with the virtues of her deceased and
living friends.
"I don't 'spect it's o' much account my telling you I wish ye joy," said
Isaac, "when every body's doing the same thing; but it comes from the
heart, and I can't help it. Well, you'll be happy, I know; for thar's
nothing like married life; and I speak from experience. I'm sorry you've
got to leave us so soon; but you won't git far from me; for I've got you
both here;" and placing his hand upon his heart, he bowed, smiled, and
passed on.
As soon as the congratulations were over, Algernon and Ella were
escorted into the cottage occupied by Mrs. Younker; where a sumptuous
dinner was already prepared for them, their relatives, and a few select
friends, among whom was Colonel Boone and Captain Patterson. For the
remainder, long tables were ranged around the common, where the greatest
conviviality prevailed; and toasts were drank, and songs were sung, and
all were merry. After dinner there were music and dancing on the common
and in the cabins: and the coming night shut in a scene of festivity,
such as was but seldom witnessed even in those early times; and which
was remembered and spoken of long, long years after, when many of those
who were then actors in the scene had sunk beneath the clods of the
valley.
Years have rolled away to the dark and unapproachable past since the
transpiring of the events which we have chronicled, and vast mutations
have marked the steps of all conquering time. Our beloved country, which
then weak and oppressed was struggling for her independence against the
most powerful nation on the globe, has since nobly won a name and place
among the mighty ones of earth, and planted her stars and stripes from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and built cities and towns amid dark and
mighty forests, where then roved in freedom the wild, untutored
aborigines of America.
Kentucky, too, has since become a rich, populous, and powerful state;
and her noble sons, by their courage and generosity, have well
maintained that name and fame which was won for them by their fathers,
and which shall go down to future ages all green and unfading. Bryan's
Station--the theatre of many a scene of gay frolic and sanguinary
strife--of festivity and mourning--has long since sunk to ruin and dust;
and on its site now stands the private dwelling of a gentleman of
fortune. But where are they who once inhabited it? Those hoary headed
veterans--those middle aged men--or those fiery and impetuous youths
ever ready for either love or war? Where are they now? Gone! Passed away
like moving shadows that leave no trace behind. Gone out, one by one, as
lights in the late deserted hall of revelry, or stars at the dawn of
day. But very few--and these mere striplings then--now remain to tell
the tale; of whom it may with truth be said, "The places which know them
now shall soon know them no more forever."
Reader, a word or two more and we have done; and in your hands we leave
the decision, as to whether our task has been faithfully fulfilled or
not.
Shortly after their marriage, Algernon and Ella bade farewell to their
friends in the west, and returned to the east, where a long and happy
career awaited them; and where they lived to recount to their children
and grand-children, the thrilling narratives of their captivity, and
their wild and romantic adventures while pioneers on the borders of
Kentucky.
Isaac returned to the farm of his father--rebuilt the cottage destroyed
by the Indians--and there, with his dear Peggy, lived happily to a green
old age, beloved and respected by all who knew him; and there his
posterity still continue to multiply the name of Younker. With him the
good dame, his mother, sojourned for several years, as industrious and
talkative as ever; and at last passed quietly from among the living,
even while in the act of making a sublime quotation on the subject of
dying from her favorite, the immortal Preacher Allprayer.
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