The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-02


in the Union Magazine, which are quite suPe
rior TO any descriptions Of wild-woods life tina
we have seen for several years. There is all tn,
freshness and odor of the pine-forests abou
them, and the language flows with as clear anC
sparklinea stream as the mountain rapids down
which the author was whirled in his canoe
The region he traversed is almost entirely un
visited, except by trappers and lumbermen, sn'
his narrative will be new TO many of our read
ers. We have, therefore, made number Of ex
tracts, characteristic OF the life, scenery, an,
soul Of the wilderness.-N. Y. Tribune.
A Settlers House.
Eighteen miles from the Point brough
us in sight of McCauslin's, or "Uncl,
Georges" as he was Familiarity called by
my companions, TO whom he was wei
known, where We intended to break oul
long fast. His house was in the midst o.
an extensive clearing Of intervals, at the
mouth Of the Little Schoodic River, on the
opposite or north bank of the Penobscot.
So We collected on a point Of the shore,
that We might be seen and fired our gun as
a signal, which brought out his dogs forth,
with, and thereafter their master, who in due
time took US across in his batteau. This
clearing was bounded on all sides but the
river, abruptly by the naked stems of the
forest, as if you were to cut only few fee
square in the midst of a thousand acres oil
moving, and set down thimble therein
He had a whole heaven and horizon to him.
self, and the sun seemed to be iourneying
over his clearing only, the live-long day
Here we concluded to spend the night, and
wait for the Indians, as there was no stop
ping place so convenient above. This
house, which was a fair specimen of those
on the river, was built OF huge logs, which
Peeped out everywhere, and were chinked
with clay and moss. 1t contained four OF
five rooms There were no sawed boards,
shingles, or clapboards, about il: and scarce
ly any tool bat the axe had been used in
Its construction. The partitions were made
Of long claPboard-like splints, Of spruce or
cedar, turned TO a delicate salmon-color by
the smoke. The roof and sides were GOV.
cred with the same, instead Of shingles and
clapboards. and much thicker and larger
size was used for the floor. These were all
so straight and smooth, that they answered
the purpose admirably; and a careless OBJ.
server would not have suspected that they
were not sawed and planed. The chimney
and hearth were Of vast size, and made OF
stone. The broom was few twigs of abor
vits tied to stick, and pole was suspend
ed over the hearth. close to the ceilings, to
dry stockings and clothes on. noticed
that the floor was full Of small, dingy holes,
as if msde with gimlet, but which were,
in fact. made by the spikes. nearly an inch
long, which the lumberers wear in their
boots TO prevent their slipping on we, logs.
The Frontier settlers.
About noon we reached the Mattawam-
keag, fifty-six miles from Bangor by the
way we had come, and put up at frequent
ed house. still on the Houlton road, where
the Houlton stage stops. Here was sub
stantial covered bridge over the Mattawam-
keag. built. think they said, some seven.
teen years before. After dinner-where,
by the way, and even at breakfast, as well
as supper-at the public houses on the road,
the front rank is composed OF various kinds
OF ''sweet cakes" in a continuous line
from one end Of the table to the other. 4
think may safely say that there was row,
OF ten or dozen plates of this kind set be-
fore us two here. To account for which,
they say, that when the lumberers come out
OF the woods, they have craving for cakes
and pies. and such sweet things, which there
are almost unknown, and this is the supply
To satisfy that demand. The supply is al
ways equal 10 the demand, and these hun
cry men think good deal OF getting their
worth. No doubt, the balance Of
victuals is restored By the time they reach
Bangor; Mattawamkeag takes off the raw
edge. Well, over this front rank, say,
coming from the s'sweet cake" side, with
cheap, philosophic indifference though it
may be, have to assault what ihere is be-
hind, which do not by any means mean to
insinuate is insufficient in quantity or quality
to supply that other demand Of men not
from the woods, but from the towns, for ven
lson, and strong country fare.
| think that there was not more than one
house or the road to Molunkus, or for seven
miles. At that place we got over the fence
into new field, planted with potatoes,
where the logs were still burning between
the hills; and. pulling up the vines, found
good-szed potatoes, nearly ripe. growing
like weeds, and turnips mixed with them. |
The mode Of clearing and planting, is to
Tell the Trees, and burn at once what will
burn, then cutthem up into suitable lengths. |
roll into heaps and burn again; then with |
hoe, plant potatoes where you can come at |
the ground between the stnmps and charred
logs. for firstcrop. the ashes sufficing for
manure. andFno hoeing being necessary
the first year. In the fall, cut, roll, and !,
burn again. and so on, till the land is clear. |
sd; and soon it is ready for grain, and 20 be
laid down. Let those talk OF poverty and
hard times VINO will, in the towns and cities;
cannot the immigrant, who can pay his fare
% New York or Boston, pay five dollars
more to get here. | paid three, all told
or my passage from Boston to Bangor, $50
miles. and be as rich as he pleases, where
and virtually costs nothing, and houses