Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1845-07-18
PRAIRIEDO1I.

Much has been said and much written Of
the great beauty Of the Texan priaries, but
no arrangement Of words can picture them
with that truthtulness which brings their
rich vet quiet charms home 70 the mind
After crossing the Brazos, ~ more partic-
ulary after the traveller finds himself on
the western side Of the Colorado, do these
flower gardens Of nature spread themselves
before him at every mile Of travel. Imag-
inc a gently unduiatng prarie, studded
here and there with cool groves, and SKIRT
ed hy the green fringjngs Of timber which
border the innumerable water courses of
the country. At one time the wayiarer
comes upon a parterre of gorgeous yellow
flowers, of co oring 50 rich that the eye ia
dazzIpd and made weak by their very spIer-
dor; soon his way leads him through fields
of buffalo clover, with its blossoms OF mode
est blue relieving the sight, and lis rich ira
GRANGE loading the air with choicest per-
lume. Then comes he to some bed OF va
riegated flowers, where species innumera-
hle are all struggling, as it were, to rear
their heads above their fellows, and where
the blending of all forms a picture than
which nothing can he morc 'eauu1.-
The raudy yellow blossom is subdued by
the modest violet, the dazzling scarlet isre-
ieved by the quiet pink, the brighter pur-
pie is soltpned by some azure neIghbor,
while cha-tening influence is thrown a.
round by some lily-ke flower, whose AMI
bilious stem HIS shot its blossom high over
all. Nor ,an the most cunning disposal OF
cooring hv the painter give to canvass this
melIowed richness, nor can the most eIabo-
rate handicraito Of the weaver blend and har-
monize aught to compare with the carpet-
ing which natures horticulture has spread
upon what Willis would term prairiedom,
Nor is it the richness and variety of sit
covering alone that give beauty to the prai-
res. Now the traveller sees a knot of red
deer quietly feeding on some gentle slope;
anon the large rabit of the section Jumps
hurriC dly from its form and leaps with
quckened pace to seek some covert OF rank
grass or weeds. At one time the Entire
face OF the prairie is lit up by universal
sun light; the next moment, as some cloud
crosses the face of the orb Of day, huge
/ shadows, assuming shapes the most gro.
, tesuue and fabulous, are seen coursing a.
cross the valleys and up the undulations,
t losing themselves as the cause which produ'
i ced them passes away. Quas are f1utter'
= ing off as the traveller iogs onward, rising
r from beneath his horses feet, so tame are
Q they the sneaking wolf sits watching him
q on yon knoll, or else trots steathiIy away
!. as he deems his steps are leading NM
!. nearer than his coward caution thinks Pru-
- dent. Mayhapa gang of wild mustangs
are circling with rapid strides in the dis
! lance, their names streaming IN the WlnG'
! their nostrils expanding, and their heads
:, tossing proudly os if conscious OF their
own powers Of fight and then, as the way
!, farer nears he timber of some water course
, a flock of wild-tmkeys, whose quick eyes
have discovered approaching danger, ara
seen scamppring off to their shady covert. .
Such are the scenes, such the feauties
which the traveller witnesses as he jour-
neys over the fertile prairies Of western
Texas, nor is it in the power of our poor
pen to do any thing like justice to the SUBJ
I iect,--.NeW Orleans PicGyune,