Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1849-01-20

behind me could see good many others
going the same way; and away IN close to
the shore, OH both sides of the river, there
seemed TO be good many going the other
Way--that is, as thought, going up stream.
was kept along in this way till come to
. narrow place IN the river, which | learnt
afterwards was called the halfway narrOws.
Here the current grew very rapid, and /
foated along very fast but ! was so near
the shore could see the folks on both sides
and hear 'em speak.
Presently met man on one side OF the
river footing il along the shore, and towing
a little boat after him, as ! thought, up
stream. AT first, by his STOPPING walk and
bald head, | thought he was too old man
10 be doing such hard kind of work ; but
when he come nearer, see he had fiaxy
hair and a young and almost boyish looking
face. He went straight ahead, with line
over his shoulder, drawing the boat alter
him. and singing a merry kind OF song,
which ! couldn't make out, only one yarse
Of il, which seemed To be this;
Life is real, life i earnest
Things jest what they do seem
Down Sait River thou relnfnest,
o, my Tribune, Ills no dream.
When seen who it was ! was amaZlnly
puzzled. I'd heard a good many songs that
had more truth than poetry IN 'sm, but tins
one seemed to have more poetry than truth.
Any how, it this was really Salt River, that
we had heard so much tell of, couldn't
seem TO make out how | should be sailing
down stream SO fast, and the Irlbune-lnan
be Juggling up stream so hard. This didn't
agree with the election returns at ALL
Something has got twisted round things is
not Jest what they seem. While | was
bothering my head about it, looked over
on 'tother side of the river, and there was
another man with a line over his shoulder,
towing a larger aud heavier boat up stream,
rs | thought. He was tall officer looking
man, with large whskers, aud stood up
straight, and walked strong, as though he
didn't care for nobody. lie too seemed to
hs singing a very merry song. All could
hear OF II was just this sarse:
Old Uncle Sam was Jolly old soul.
And Jolly old soul was he;
lie called for his pipe, and he called for his
bowl,
And he called for Taylor aud me-.
As he passed by me, | sec the name on
the stern of the boat was New York Cour-
Ter and Enquirer. was in great puzzle
insnt these Wing chaps was all so merry,
and yet, ii this was really Salt River, IL
seemed to me they was going the wrong
way, according TO the lection, aud | could
Mt tell what to make of il. As was near
enough To hail the Courier man, thought
wouli call to him and see il | could get any
light on the subject, So, says l.
. Hullo, Colonell" He stopped and turn
cd round, aud answered l." Iiullon
Says l, 81 ask your pardon, Colonel, but
Pm stranger in these parts, and stranger
to you, but know you by your boat. Win
you be SO kind as totell me where I'm bound
TO! For I'm kind OF lost"
"Oh, certainly" says he, "with the
greatest pleasure, my dear sir. You are
bound straight up 10 the head of SHlt River:
you can't miss your way, for there isn't
single path that turns out between here and
there
"Well. now" says |, " Colonel, you or |
must be under some strange mistake. Don't
you see I'm floating down on the current?
Amt the river running down this way, aud
carrying me along with iti''
AT that he laughed outright, aud says he,
al see You are nothing but fresh water
sailor, aud don't know any thing about the
navigation of Salt River"
swell, how shoud H. says I, "for
pever was IN these waters before"
"Well,n says he, +" Sab Rirsr runs Hp
stream jest bear that ia mind, and you'll
find Il all plain sailing"
"Bnt that can't be possible" says
".yeu, nor ], nor nobody else, ever knew a
river 10 run up stream"
"fou may depend upon it," says he " Salt
River runs up stream Rad | suppose that
is the only river in America that does run
up stream"
Ny this umc nad fioated 50 Tar by that
couldn't hear anything more he said. BUT
u wasn't long before | was satisfied the
Colonel was right; for as the current ear
ried me along back into the country, ,he
land kept growing higher and higher, aud at
last J found myself quite up a,nong the
mountains aud when | come to the head
OF the river, the current run my plank right
plump ashore.
found good many OF our friends al
ready here before me, and | understand a
grea, many more are ON the way. Oar an-
psxin' friend, Gineral Cess, hasn't got here
yet, but he's expected now every day. This
Is pretty sort Of a Country up here, after /
oil, and has good many advantages. But 1
J hasnt time 20 give YOU much account OF /
u to-day I'll Try 10 describe i, another 4
time. I've spent considerable time exam
ming and exploring this curious river, and ] 4
think I've learnt more about lt than any b0ay
that's been up here afore. It's different
from all the other rivers that ever see. IL
has no springs or streams running into /; TO
feed il, bur il feeds itself from is own wa
tiers. All The centre Of the river Is a strong
current running up stream till il gets 70 the
head of the river, aud then IL divides and
turns OF each way, and works along down
in eddies and currents ~ each bank Of the .
river I'LL il gets TO the mouth, Snd then j,
turns round regular into the center current
lgin, and up il comes.
This shows the reason why any body tina,
happens TO get into the current of Salt RiT- )