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

llley would food, under the delusion that
large quantities will more speedily and ei-
lectually produce a cure. The reverse is the
fact, and il IL sometimes dangerous to trust
a patient with more than single dose.
From this family, was called TO visit
lady, the wife OF one Of the emigrants who
had been i'll for several weeks, Of an inter-
miltenl fever. She had taken large guam
titles OF medicine, and her strength and con-
stituiion appeared to be SO much exhausted,
that | had no hopes Of her recovery, unless
the company TO which she belonged could
suspend their march fer week or more,
and give her rest. This communicated to
her husband, and left such medicines, and
gave such advice in regard to nursing, as |
thought would be the most useful in her case.
A young man applied to me for relief, who,
after had examined hirn, believed to be
laboring under a disease of the heart |
told him that could do nothing for him.
That the journey might effect his cure, but
that no medicine which possessed would
have any other than an injurious effect.
After visiting some four or five other per-
sons more OF less indisposed and prescribing
for them, by invitation Of Col. Thornton,
walked from this encampment to his, about
three-fourths of mile distant Col T., it
will be Tecollected, was member Of the
Oregon party, which separated from us about
two weeks since. In crossing the Platte
bottom to his encampment, We forded two
or three small streams flowing into the main
river. Their waters are brackish and Bit
ter with saline and alkaline impregnation.
On our arrival at Col. rs. camp, my old
acquaintancts and late fellow travellers were
rejoiced 10 Ste me. They evinced their plea
sure by many kind and cordial manifesto
tons. Mrs. thornton a lady Of education
and polished manners, received me in her
tent as she would have done in her parloI
at home. was most Hospitality and agree
ably entertained, by these my respected
friends.
Between eight and nine o'clock in the
evening, was invited 10 attend wedding
which was to take place in the encampment.
The name OF the bridegroom did not learn,
but the bride was a Miss Lard, very pretty
young lady, who doubt no. will be the
ancestreSs OF future statesmen and heroes or
the shores Of the Pacific. The wedding
ceremonies were performed by the Rev
MIR. Cornwall, and took place in the tent o
her father. The candles were not Of wa,
nor very numerous, nor were The ornament,
OF the apartment very gorgeous, or the brida
bed very voluptuous. The wedding cake
was not frosted with sugar, nor illustrated
with matrimonial devices after the manner
of confectioners in the settlements" bu
cake was handed round to the whole party
present. There was no music or dancins
on The occasion. The company separated
soon after the ceremony was performed
leaving the happy pair to the enjoyment o
their connubial felicities. This was the
first wedding on the Journey, at which
had been guest.
After We eft the bridal tent, in lookin.
across the plain, | could see from the light
OF the torches and lanterns, the funeral pro
cession, sha. was conveying the corpse o
the little boy, who ! saw expire, to his las
resting place, in this desolste wilderness
The faint glimmer OF these lights, with {
knowledge of the melancholy duties which
those carrying them were performing, pro
duced sensations of sadness and depression
While surveying this distant funeral scene
a man arrived from another encampmen
about mile and a half distant, and inform
ed me, that the wife of one OF the emgamt!
had Just been safely delivered of son, anC
there was in consequence Of this event, grea
rejoicing. ! could NOT but reflect upon tht
singular concurrence Of the events Of III,
day. A death and funeral, wedding and ,
birth had occurred in this wilderness, within
a diameter Of two miles, and within two
hours time; and tomorrow the places wher,
these events had taken place would be de
serted and unmarked, except by the grsv,
OF the unfortunate boy deceased Such ar,
the dispensatons Of Providence Such tn,
checquered map Of human suffering anC
human enjoyment.