Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-06-29
MISCELLANEOUS SELECTIONS.
From the Nc01 YO1kcg..
THE ENiIGRANT GIRL.

From the Neaa Yorker.
THE EMIGRANT GIRL.
-----ttT rntllis strange
Stranger than felton,
1t was glorious sunset in the depth
Of August, 81, that we stepped on
board large and stately vessel bound
"Westward-IIo!' Before us Law the
broad, deep waters of Lake Erie, re-
fecting the purpling gold and crimson
of the magnificent heavens smooth as
apolished mirror. Behind we left Buff
falo, the beautiful City Of the Lakes
her shores lined withvessels in full sail,
and steamboats, gaily painted; herroofs,
spires, woods, and hills, all glittering
in flood Of golden sunshine. Truly,
it was beautiful scene; and felt, as
Hooked back upon the landscape, that
had found relief for the emigrant's
sorrow.
And lgloriously, like thing Of life,
did our noble vessel-hcr snowy can
vass spread wide and high-bound of
on the blue waters. All was hustle and
activity on board, for hundreds of hui
man beings trod the smooth decks
There was an animated New Yorker
conversing with Philadelphian; near
by stood an aristocratic-looking Eng
lishman-his stiff, attitude in perfect
contrastwith the Independence frank
and easy manners#of the American:
Poles, with their unpronounceable
names; SWedes speaking unknown
! tongues; e troop of SWISS peasants, sit
ting on one side of the boat-a German
fanhriy smoking philosophically on the
othcr-here, a dozen Green Mountain
farmers and pedlars, betraying the true
Yankee spirit Of endless inquiry-there,
couple of French traders, bargaining
with an old chief, who sat blanketed,
painted, andfmoccasined- learnedl law
yers and doctors, priests, spectators:
middle-aged and grey-haired men Of
thoughtful brows--all mingled in the
scene. It might well have been called
floating mansion, that boat Of. ours.
But to my story.
Among the throng that crowded our
vessel, / remarked one who seemed to
have no feeling in common with the
scene around-who shared not in the
general hilarity and kindly greeting
that passed between all on board. This
was young female, apparently justen-
tering the first summer of her life-not
strikingly beautiful, butfair asthe snow
dop, and like it shrinking from obser-
walton. She wore a mourning robe
closely fitted to form of surprising
grace, and a green travelling calash,
beneath whichaprofusion of golden-co-
lored tresses found their way over her
neck and shoulders It was evident
from her manners, that she belonged
to an elevated class; and from her air
Of habitually calm and silent melancho-
~, and the mingled fear, anxiety and
eagerness, with which she looked for
ward to the end Of her journey, it would
seem that peculiar circumstances had
induced voyage to the western world.
be that as It might, l felt deep and
even aspainful interest excited; and l
gave the lone emigrant girl my immc-
date and undivided attention. I made
and gradually improved an acouaini-
tance, until I wound myself insensibly
into her affections: and we learned to
love each other as sisters.
! found Alice (that was her nancy
a sad, gentle, yet deep hearted girl,
tull of all holy md haaut;f,,1s -, II, I