The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-07-26
MIS6lEInlANR0USo
From the Ruul Depository.
A DAY IN ST, LOUIS.
On LEAF FROM THE Journal or
WANDERING Boy.

| was standing on the steps Of the City
Hotel in Chicago, one fine spring morning,
in the month Of May ,perlecllng an arrange
ment with a sage proprietor for Place in
mail coach, that was about starting for
Peoria, when a tall, genleel, and ccmely
looking young man, having The appearance
of an Englshman, and a stranger 10 wha'
we call yankee procedure, came up and
leaned against one Of the massive pillars OF
he porch apparently listening TO our con
versalon. We had been passengers lhe
day before in the same steamer on Lake
Erie, but from the impurlurbabe air Of sad
ness that characterized his department, we
had made no acquaintance, beyond lha, Of
ordinary travellers, such as passing The time
Of day.
He noticing The ncorrigibiity of the
stage proprietor, and The exorbi'ancy ofhlS
price for carrying me to Peoria, advanced
very dignifed in pause Of our CONVERSE
iOn, and informed me Of his having car
|fage exclusively to himself, and if | would
accept his company, it would afford him
srea, pleasure to furnish me seat
| replied 10 his kind Offer by thanking
him for his polIeness, telling him it was
not my intention to be carried to Peoria for
nohins nor was desirous of being impos
ed upon by The exhorbisanl charge of Ihe
stage proprietor.
He assured ne should be welcome to a
portion of bis carriage, and becoming more
lmpOitunate in inviting mo 10 acco npany
him, at last consented In few moments
!bs '2fGGss swiftly over he most 6eadJilu
Of prairies in the surrounding county.
The carriage was spaclOusIy con'rVed
and no! being used 10 travelling 80 comIOr
tably, our drive 10 Peoria bid fair 10 be a..
luxurious treat, as it seemed an affair o'
elegant leisure. All nature looked beaul(u
and as we dashed on over the rolling and
expanding prairie, was raplufed with it
Enchanting scenery, and as'onshed at it.
IdenIike fertility.
This has the appearance, said direct
ing my conversation to my friend, and re-
Herring 10 the prairie that was stretched ou
As far as the eye could extend on all sides
around us This has the appearance ol
hsvirg been once cultivated he making me
no reply, at which being somewhat sur
ptised, | turned towards him, with the in
lenlion O finding out the cause Of his sin
gular conduct, thinking him possibly afiron
led at my Yankee sociabIlly. But hi
temeanor denoted anything beside the hos
uIly Of feeling. his frank and winning
counlenance Of an hour before, was burie
in bandanna handkerchief which he he'll
in his hand and he sobbed convulslveIy.
Considering it mol an overt act on Ell
s queIle to enquire into his iRfallctles, ask
ed him in gentle manner, If he was un
happy
Unhappy he exclaimed in The swet
broguc Of his mother tongue (wipng h
large black eyes that were impearled wit
tears unhappy; yes--yes my God. | a;
broken hearted aud he again buried h
ace Ia his handkerchief
Here nv inquisiliveness stopped, and
was determined for the remainder Of It
Tourney TO Ie, my friend brood over b
secret thoughts end from ihom nothr
would arouse him except the meeting Of
% carriage or the passing through Of Vi
age.
When passing village he would OImOI
in invariably get out and walk into the In
. and on meeting a carriage his manHuverlT
no wss more strange and curionS. indeed
though. he had some understanding wi
l,he driver, for hs horses wonld becon
o = fractious and with a sudden pullup, so
directly across the way, when my frie
would get on, and assist in controlling
ssf reslive animals. The scene indeed son
it time would be very ludicrons, n
ftelnd would be very sedulouSly engag