THE WALK TO EMMAUS. "Sad with longing, sick with fears, And their fears shall soon allay. Ah! and still how many a heart Many a time I've felt indeed That He leaves me ne'er alone. Then Himself He maketh known; Truest Friend, who canst not fail me, When the world would most assail me, I will do what seems Thee best! When I dread some coming ill, And that I am surely His: The "Old North State!" In recalling scenes "whose novelty has survived the scrutiny of years," we hope to interest the younger portion of those who peruse these pages. If perchance one youth may have his attention drawn toward this goodly land, now so white and ready for harvest, may he be waiting, when the Master calls, to cry, "Lord, here am I, send me." Or should there be a maiden who longs for greater usefulness in the Reformed vineyard: one who yearns "To rear the young and tender thought,"-let such hear the appeal from those of her own household-"Come over and help us." Far removed from the dreaded "pines and swamps" of North Carolina, but rather in the upland or mountainous section, lie the "settlements," of which we would speak. Many of these still bear the name of ancient Reformed families, which immigrated thither, principally from Pennsylvania, at a very early date in Carolina history. They are scattered over portions of Guilford, Cabarras, Rowan, Davidson, Lincoln, Catawba and sections of the adjoining counties. Ever famous as have been the North Carolinians for their loyalty during the revolution, no less faithful were these early Reformed settlers to the standard of Heidelberg. They served God first, and then their country. Hence, no length of time can be spent 'neath the hospitable roof of any of their descendants, without having intelligently revived in your hearing, many interesting anecdotes relative to the raising of the Reformed ebenezer. With just pride they were wont to recount the selfdenials, cheerfully endured to that end, in those days, when Christianity and self-sacrifice went hand in hand. With enthusiasm, they would refer to the honorable, heroic deeds of their forefathers, as gathered from histrionic lore. For example, they cherished the memory of their Gen. Ramsaur, not so much because of his relation to their native State, but more than that, he was a son of their Church. PECULIARITIES OF THE COUNTRY. That part of North Carolina over which the Reformed Church extends, is one of the finest sections of the State. The land is fertile and rolling. Many narrow, deep, sluggish rivers. with their tributaries, serve to keep the soil well watered: an item of no small importance to our German ancestors. Having left, as many of them did, the fertile valleys of the "Keystone State," with its magnificent scenery, we wonder not, that those Reformed pioneers pushed rapidly forward, until within sight of the Alleghenies-there pitched their tents, and subsequently erected their "double cabins:" a kind of building generally adopted in those days. Some are yet to be seen, though in most cases, they have been supplanted by the more modern style of architecture. That part of the State yields the same varieties of grain as Pennsylvania. Its wheat crop is probably not as abundant, but for that, there is compensation in its superior corn; especially that raised in the low-lands or loamy river bottoms. It there often attains great height. Cotton may be produced, but it is of medium quality. The warm season is too short to bring it properly to perfection. However, it was grown sufficiently for home consumption. The cotton gin was of use there, though not an actual necessity. Sweet potatoes of the Spanish variety; also, yams, are cultivated abundantly. They sometimes reach an enormous size; far exceeding any which are brought to our markets in the North. This is probably owing to the fact, that they require a very even temperature, in addition to a special mode of storage, else they decay very rapidly. The season being about one month earlier than that of the Middle States, vegetables, in every variety, grow abundantly and mature proportionately earlier. As a fruit country, it is not surpassed. The peach crop is especially luxuriant. They vary in quality, from the wild fruit along the by-ways to that of the most luxurious flavor as a result of careful cultivation. Great quantities of this favorite luxury are annually dried in that region, and many bushels are forwarded to Northern markets. For this purpose large kilns are constructed, by which means great quantities are dried at one time, without injury to the fruit. It is kept from direct influence of the heat by means of the long flues through which it is conveyed to the drying apartment proper, in which the fruit is stored. It was not uncommon for planters to turn their swine into orchards, after first bountifully sup Im plying all neighbors who did not possess peach trees. In March, the country resembled an immense flower garden, and the atmosphere was fragrant from the odor of the peach blossom. Western North Carolina bids fair to be one of the principal wine-producing sections of the country. Some of our highly valued varieties, including Scuppernong, Muscadine and Catawba, may there be gathered bountifully by the occupant of a canoe or row boat, as they grow wild and overhang the banks of the streams in rich profusion. The soil is also remarkably well adapted to the small fruits. Berries are plentiful during the whole season, beginning in May. The cultivated varieties are of fine quality, and require much less labor and care than in our latitude. We might here relate a report, which reached our ears concerning strawberries grown in a neighboring garden, said to be so large as to require slicing before the cook could properly form her pastry. We were not quite so unsophisticated as to credit the story; yet, it goes to show what a variety exists in the art of "putting things." The soil, in places, is of a white, sandy, formation. Comparatively speaking, the yards, lawns and forests were destitute of grass, save where it was specially cultivated. For this purpose, the Kentucky blue grass" was a great favorite, and as highly valued as was a bed of pinks or violets, because more rare. Shrubs of all kinds flourish, however, as do flowers generally. It was no uncommon thing to be refreshed in February by a winter boquet, culled by hands, eager to bring the first floral donation, in way of a tempting surprise. mense tracts of heavy timber land, utterly void of grass or undergrowth, could be seen in every direction. The white sand presented an everpleasing contrast with the leafy boughs above. Particularly was this the case when the moon shone, often reminding us of a remark made by a D. D., who had been educated at Chapel Hill. Said he, "Nothing short of Italy can compare with the moonlight nights of North Carolina." A peculiar charın characterizes the sky when unclouded-this, in conjunction with the effect produced by the soft rays of the moon on the white sand, forms a combination which is pleasing indeed. To those of us who are accustomed to seeing every nook of ground carefully husbanded and cultivated, the "old fields" of that county were truly a barren scene. Planters, having large tracts to till, were in the habit of "turning out" whole acres to recruit, after having first exhausted its strength. This was done by simply removing the fences, with which a restored "old field" would in turn be enclosed. As no enriching material was used, it would sometimes require a long time before such ground could be again taken up. In the meantime, a wild, harsh, stubble grass, called "broom sedge," from its resemblance to broom splints, springs up sparsely over the commons. It is sometimes made up into a sort of whisp, and used as such. This had the effect, in many instances, of leading strangers to under-estimate the soil, as it certainly gave plantations the appearance of a great want of fertility. It was not well adapted to grazing purposes. As a consequence, juicy sirloins, and nice, rich butter were less abundant than with us; where such rich meadows and fragrant clover fields are the precursors of these table luxuries. We have said corn was largely cultivated- -as a consequence, it was customary to raise swine extensively. It was not unusual for families to slaughter as many as fifty for their own purposes. Bear in mind that provision was then made for many servants. Their mode of curing pork differed materially from ours. The meat was salted and then packed in huge piles on the shelves in their smoke houses. There it remained until ready for the smoke. Then they had what might be designated beef hams-that is, they were in the habit of drying in one piece entire, the half-quarter of a beef. Their pork was excellent in quality, while the beef was very inferior. Did space allow, mention might be made of lands rich in minerals existing in Western North Carolina. Suffice to say, a member of the Reformed Church was largely interested in the "Gold Mines" of that locality. The old, laborious mode of drawing water by wheel and chain was still universally practiced. So partial were the inhabitants to water thus secured, that no other means were thought of. The wells were often deep, and the water thus obtained was in its greatest purity. Were such cisterns still in use by us, we fear "help" would soon become extinct. THE BUILDINGS. The Yellow, or pitch pine, was used generally for building purposes, although brick or "rock" houses did sometimes meet the eye. brick being made of a sandy clay, they lacked firmness, while stone, or "rock," as they were then called, were very scarce. As a matter of economy, pine was preferable, as it abounds in the locality. When carefully constructed, it makes decidedly the dryest, healthiest dwelling. For inferior houses, they seldom dig a foundation, but simply perch their building on four blocks of huge dimensions, as "corner stones." By that means, they argue, that they always have a free current of air beneath, keeping the house cool and dry. It must be remembered, that persons farther South are prone to make fresh air a hobby. It were well for us to imitate them in this most praiseworthy feature. As might readily be supposed, it was necessary to guard well the gates and fences. Where such did not exist, swine, poultry, cats and dogs made the open space a general rendezvous, much to the chagrin of the housewife. The abodes of many, sometimes including families of wealth, were totally void of paint or paper, to say nothing of extra embellishments of the modern dwelling. Occasionally one might enter the dwelling of a "well-to do " farmer, in which there was not a pane of window glass. Clumsy shutters offered the only barrier to storms. At other times, the "fresh air" was most desirable. To this end, the outside doors of private dwellings, stores or public buildings are seldom closed during the day, not even in the winter season. A merchant, not yielding to this custom or sign of welcome, if you please, would certainly give his more thoughtful neighbor the advantage, so universal is this silent invitation to "Come in." During the cold season, a large, open fire was always the cheerful centre, around which the family circle were wont to assemble. The general re-union apartment was a sort of sitting-room and parents' bed-chamber combined. Of the enlivening influence of the "fire on the hearth," we need not speak. Of it, authors have written and poets sung. We sometimes query if much of the stolidity and selfish isolation of some |