Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-11-15
THE FEHRYMAN,S DAUGHTER.
A RHINE SKETCH.

THE EERRYMAN,S DAUGHVEN.
A RHINE SKETCH.
Susannah Reisacher was one Of those har.
IL, straight forward, strong built, and sober
minded children that we meet with now and
hen; and at the first glance we assure our.
,elves that, be their condition what it may,
hey will inevitably make the best of it, and
thrive progressively through life, without any
other distinction than that Of always doing
heir duty. Susannah fully bore out the pro-
mise of her countenance. She was one of the
most diligent and orderly scholars Of Sachach
school, the most attentive to household affairs,
and steady beyond comparison in those she
owed to her old father and her elderly aunt.
She was twelve years old when she first at
tracted my notice; and her father had been
ferryman Of Sachach, in the district or parish
of Bfeisach, for more than double that number
of years. And it must be confessed that old
Reischer had the appearance Of one who had
been blown about ~ the east winds of life.
He looked more wornthan his thread bare jack
ct, and yet there was an air of economy and
precaution about him, that promised an unu-
sual length of days both TO himself and to his
wardrobe. He was vas the oracle Of his viii
lage, and remarkable man in his way. He
could ascertain when dog or COW had been
looked at by an evil eye, and if invoked, would
counteract this spell by burning certain with
cred leaves at midnight, in the presence ofthe
afflicted quadruped. He could, moreover, stop
the gaping mouths ofinsignifcant wounds, by
the mysterious utterance of two or three seu-
fences, which no one overheard; and these,
when assisted by cobwebs of certain chewed
leaves, had been known to produce miracu-
lous results.
But must not trust myself with the precise
detail Of his many superAuous accomplish
ments. Let those already mentioned suffice;
and let him stand outin my picture as part
and parcel Of group in which he does not
form the principal hglre---and an adjunct Of
that deep rolling river on which my scene is
laid, in which he enthusiastically gloried, from
conviction that he somehow, he knew not
how, belonged to itor it to him. He often
used to say, as he locked on it in its angry
moods, that it was eiistHch schon,' which is,
being interpreted, horribly beautiful and
such it certainly wa, on the day that forms the
epoch Of my sketch.
1t was within few minutes, more or less,
just four o'clock, IN the 18th of September,
1881, when resolved to cross by the Sachach
ferry, and resume my walk on the other side
of the river; for the midday meal had been
long over, and, like all eaten bread, soon for
gotten. But on approaching the well-known
boat, lpaused to observe the innocent appro.
prialion of the hour on the part of my old ac-
quaintance, and his young attendant. There
stood Susannah in the middle of the boat.--hel
fee, and legs unconscious Of shoes and stock
ings; aud there sat old Johan, at one end Of it,
indulging in all the garrullous greetings com.
mon to the proprietors Of wrinkles and grey
hairs. The coffee jug, which he at times APP
piled to his lips, seemed to liquidize his ina
gnation, and from his smiles and gestures, l
could fancy him in diluted state of feeling al
together amiable. The schDarzbrod remained
beside him for graver discussion. But Just at
this moment was fortunately perceived, and
the meal came 10 an untimely end.
With all the ready hustle Of one who wisely
and habitually considers his business as Of
more importance than his ease. friend Reisa.
cher rose from his seat, laid his hands on the
oar, declared himself ready with his usual OBJ.
stinate activity; and on my stepping into th7
boat, he proceeded to make his angular tran.
sit, against and with the current, with geome.
trical precision; and in five minutes we were
at the opposite side of the river, which moved
on in sulIen swell, rejecting the dark and hea.
Wy autumn clouds that rolled slowly above.
During these five minutes had succeeded ir
tempting the venerable connoisseur to accompa
ny me to the village, not quite half league
from the ferry, for the purpose Of looking a,
awood-ranger's horse, which, making liberia
allowance for the errors Of its education ane
its potatoe diet, was very much the sort of al
animal | had mind 70 purchase.
To ask the opinion Of John Reisacher OF
such matter, was to bind him to you forev
Ter. But scarcely knew what unlucky pro
phesy or abortive i,nprecation might have fol
lowed the rejection Of his advice if once soil
cited. There was self-opinionated stubborn
ness about him, that never forgave aslipht OF
feTsd TO his judgment. But ] am again dip
ping into his character when it 10 his dau III
teI's conduct want 10 describe.
.Susannah, child said the old man, .kee,
the boat here, shall be back in three It'll
half hours. Let no one persuade you to cross
for the wind is rising, and the current is very
strong, and the weather seems upon the change
] feel that we shall have squally evening
But shall be with you in time TO take 20,
home, and excuse you from your good aun
Lena's scolding for staying out so long, An,
saying, he drew up, coied the rope round I
tree hard by, and away he went; the weather
seer carefully avoiding to look up at the SIX!
(which could have told any fool that bad wealth
q was a.coming) lest his atmospheric sagaci
y might appear more profound than he mean
to believe it.
SusaDnah took out her blue worsted stock
ing. and multiplied its parallelograms, com
fortably Indifferent to the cold gusts that swep
across the valley.
But sitter time, the heavy cloud which oil
keisacher preferred not seeing, and the chill
ing wind which his daughter seemed determin
cd not 70 feel. began to burst and hiss, and
sudden stopput 70 one Of my companions vail