ll 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 s