Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-05-16
SELECT TALE.
4 WeAAkng I'm the Gate OF the
Rocky Mountains.

svsre told TO the writer by one OF the persons
.s,sst-.nd are, therefore, true.-They give
: vivid pic ture Of the dangers to which the hardy
,;sueer, Of the Pacific were exposed on their
ea;uful Journey to their home. We copy
from the Democratic Review for February;
On tho evening of the 18th OF July, le4i, two
families Of e,nigrants might be seen tented for
ths night at the "Pacifc Spring." on the main
trail from Missouri TO Oregon and Upper Cali
Ssvpia. They had left indie pc nde nee, the COM
sss point Of departure. and then thousand
miles behind them, in company with much
more hume rOus band. But disse nsions had &C.
CURED, IS must always happen in the absence Of
government, or executive physical force, and the
voluntary organization split into fragments,
which latter, however, continued TO roll up
wards. like tho broken pieces Of a flying ball,
ssdes the impetus of their original projection.
These two families. disguised with the obstinacy
end roious spirit Of their comrades, and deter
MINED 10 advance alone; and being provided with
s4ceiient tea ans, and many loose mules and OK
-. TO rest their animals by frequent chang
- in the wearing service Of their journey, they
had been enabled to reach the first fountain
which mingcs its waters with the western ocean
and hence called "ihc Pacific Spring." some ten
days sooner than the rema nder Of the band
Thus they were in danger Of being surprised
- the Sierra Nevada by the premature fall of
% ausumnal snow, most Dire adful contingency,
which pioneers are most anxious to avoid.
Bat the forward moveme mt of so diminutive a
pasty was hazardous in the extreme. In oil,
they numbered only a dozen persons, four Of
these were small children, and the rest adults OF
opposite scxss. in equal proportions. Their en-
ssgy. prudence and perseverance,. in spite of the
hostile and thicvish savages that lowered around
tbeis way. had carried them safely thus far, half
The distance Of their route Of two thousand miles,
and would probably have borne them to the set
dement's Of tho Sacramento. had not casualty
interviewed. as unexpected it impossible
70 forsseo resist.
In the mean time, the little band, not con-
seieus Of the impending danger. appeared to be
in the happiest mood. cooked their frugal supper
ever = fire Of "buffaio chips" amidst jokes,
laughter. and scraps Of forest songs, and indulg-
Cd the while in the brightest nnticipations as to
"the promised land" before them.
About sunset, u youth aud maiden strol-d
from their camp and ascc nded on. Of those tall
elevations, which overlook and command the
celebrated "South Pass Tho view opened in
Immense plains and measureiess mountains ex-
tended wide as the circumference Of sight. and
the whole gIttercd in the red rays Of evening. as
IL sprimkicd with baptism Of burning gold
But the finest point in the glorious perspective
was the noble pass itself-,hat great gate in the
mountain wall-so easy Of ascent. that rail-
way might be run without excavation, to the
very key Of its gentle arch, aud so exceedingly
broad that all the armies the globe might de-
ploy within its area, and neither wing Of their
mighty limo would touch tho edge Of its enor-
nous gap.
The lovers, (for such they wcre,) looked till
they were lost in emotions Of sub'imty, and in
blended ecstacy and dcvout awe pressed inv oil
unfairly closer to each other. Then their two
hearts throbbcd together one, and tho musical
bcais Of their warm fe-pulses became chime
and choral anthem. for they saw the name Of ma
lures God sculptured on the mute marble Of ten
thousand rocks. What mattered it, that both
were indigenous products Of tho far frontier.
and clothed in smoke tinted leather, and coarse
threaded home-spun' That did not bar them
from love and worship, any more than from dew
and sunshine. He was brave above fear, and
she was beautiful beyond words. Hence their
love was youths necessity--as natural the
emission Of odor from flowers, as the coming
Of flowers at the call Of May.
"What grand couch for our wedding" whs-
pered Henry. rs they gozed down their white
canvass tents. beside 1.-THE Pacific Spring."
whence arose the tinkling melody of mule bells.
and the ringing merrimcnt Of chdren's voices.
Emma's soul in her. but she answered
only in a smile and Il blush.
WYOn phcr youc rvou,;.a Conditioned
Henry. "made one month ago, at the Grand Is
land Of the Platte, to be my bride at the first
fountain flowing towards California. and there
1t H. That sweet spring sends its icy ril to the
Green River. which lower down, is called tho
Colorado Of the Wet. and empties its waters
INTO the pearl producing gulf"
Al tho instant. the lovers started. for both, at
The same time. discovered several dark looking
Objects IN the south, towards that extraordinary
onae, which has since received the name Of "Ja-
eob's Tower" Their frs, thought wa. Of In
dams But nearer approach Of the NOV ing
forms dissiPated all npprche nsion. They sppear-
ed 10 be a herd Of elk leisureiy grazing in the
short wild sage Of the sterile plain. The emf.
grants were ignorant OF the singular fact, tina,
the praric Indians frequently assume the skins
and shapes Of the various animals. and in this
strange mc'amorphosis take the unwary travel
Ter by surprise.
As twilight gradually deepened over the earth
and sky. the youth and maiden descended to their
camp. Supper was soon despatched and all pre-
Paredfor the nuptial ceremony Emma. faith
err Baptist minister. otficiatcd as chaplain. I,
may readily be conceived that few luxur;.. hal
been provided for the occasion. Such occa.or.
are common among pioneer parties. Some de.
iicious buffalo marrow was handed round. and
supplied the place Of sugar-coated cakes. There
were no torches or torch bearers But the rising
moon made an excellent lamp. and tho stars re.
sp'endent candles. The scene had intense ma
'ionai Significance. II was a symbol worthy of
the Profoundsst study; for, il emigration j, the
pivot Of American progress. holy ma,rimonv i.
the handspring Of emigration. Hence. . wed.
4 n - mi Al