The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-07-26
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
From the Rural Depository.
A DAY IN ST. LOUIS.
Or LEAF FROM THE JOURNAL OF
WANDERING Boy.

. | was standing on the steps Of the Cit,
; Hotel in Chicago, one fine spring morning
in the month of May ,perfecIing an arrange
ment with stage proprietor for Place il
a mail coach, that was abou, starting foi
Peoria, when tall, genleel, and ccmel,
looking young man, having the appearance
of an Englishman, and stranger TO wha
we call yankee procedure, came up ant
Leaned against one of the massive pillars o
The porch apparently listening TO our con
versaIion. We had been passengers III,
day before in the same steamer on LAX,
Erie, but from the impurlurbable air Of sad
ness that characterized his department, VIZ
had made no acquaintance, beyond that o
ordinary travellers, such as passing the Tint
Of day.
He noticing the incorrigbilty of The
stage Proprie tor, and the exorbilancy ofhi,
price for carrying me TO Peoria, advanced
very dignified in pause Of our conversa-
don, and informed me OF his having car
lriage exclusively TO himself, and if | wuulc
accept his company, it would afford him
great pleasure to furnish me a seat
lreped to his kind Offer by thanking
him for his politeness, telling him it was
not my intention to be carried to Peoria for
nothing nor was desirous of being impos
ed upon by The exhorbilant charge of the
stage proprietor.
He assured me should be welcome to a
portion Of his carriage, and becoming more
Impoflunste in inviting me 10 acco npany
him, a, las, consented. In few moments
The carriage was in readiness and we were
soon giIing swiftly over the most beautiful
Of praries in the surrounding county.
The carriage was spaciously con'rlved
and not being used TO travelling 80 comfor
tably, our drive 10 Peoria bid fair 10 be a.
luxurious treat, as it seemed an affair o
elegant leisure. All nature looked beaulfu
and as we dashed on over the rolling anC
Expanding prairie, I was fap,ured with
Enchanting scenery, and astonished a. it
Edenlike fertility.
This has the appearance, said .Idirec'
ing my conversation 10 my friend, and re
ferring TO the prairie that was stretched on
as far as the eye could extend on all side
around us This has the appearance o
having been once cultivated, he making M
no reply, at which being somewhat sur
prsed, turned towards him, with The in
len,ion Of finding out the cause of his sin
gular conduct, thinking him possibly affron
ted at my Yankee sociab'lity. But hi
demeanor denoted anything beside the hos
lilly of feeling, his frank and winnin
counenance of an hour before, was bure
in bandanna handkerchief which he he'll
10 his hand and he sobbed convuIsiveIy.
Considering it not an overt act on Ell
quelte to enquire into his infaicities, | ask
ed him in gentle manner, If he was M
happy
Unhappy he exclaimed in the swe'
brogue Of his mother tongue (wiPing hi
large black eyes that were impearIed wit
lears) unhappy; yes--yes my God. J a;
broken hearted and he again buried h
lace ia his handkerchief.
Here ny inquisitiveness stopped. and
was determined for the remainder Of IT
journey to lei my friend brood over b
secret thoughts and from them no'hlr
would arouse him except the meeting OF
carriage or the passing through OF a VI
oge.
When passing village he would a'mo'
n Invariably ge, out and walk into the In
and on meeting carriage his manenserlr
2 was more strange and curlous, indeed
Thought he had some understanding WI
1.-The driver, for The horses wonld becon
n fractious, and with a sudden pullup, slo'
directly across the way, when my frie'
would get out and assist in controlling I
af restive animals. The scene indeed som
it lime would be very ludicrous, n
freiud would be very seaulously engag