Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-24
MISCELLANY A N Y,
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE.
BY PERCY B. ST. JOHN.

Some wears aro, when the American Fur Company and
the Hudson Bay traders carried powerful opposition to
each other in The wild and rocky territory Of Oregon, sew
ea little forts were erected in the interior, whence the
commerce in peries was made with the lnlians. One OF
these to which our tale refers planted IN green So
uded valley where pasture for cattle and comfort Tor man
were as much as possible combined with security and safe
ty little stream bordered with cotton wood and aspens
afforded constant supply of water; while in the grand and
moonfcent valley of the Bayou Salade, great dis
tnce pastured in nexhauStbe thousands the buffalo and
the elk its rivers aboundng moreover, with the beaver
whose skins principally induced the hunters to tempt the
dancers of the great American wilderness. In this spot
known as Spokan Fort dwet James McPherson the own
or and governor Of the wild locality. Mcpherson was
Scotchman who in early days had left his native country
poor lad and now by the exercise Of tha, perseverance
characteristic of his countrymen had attained the position
of we'll TO do merchant Of an enerprSns disposition,
he had penetrated into the interior in search of further
wealth aud having for years settled himself at Spo-
KAN had there driven thriving trade with the Indians, do
spite the impediments thrown in his way by his rivals
Nothing can equal the excitement of this precarOus COM
crce 1t is the constant effort the part Of opposition
companies and traders general each other to mutual
~ blind their opponents as to their destination aud pans
NANA'S
rise to almost superhumau exerOns aud tend to sharpen
the wits of all parties in very sensible manner lie who
shows the greatest knowledge Of Indian tastes, and Of the
hauns Of the beaver and buffalo, of the time to move and
Of the time to 90 into winter quarters is to make the
most successful campaign McPherson was shrewd and
cute and these qualities serving him in good stead his al
fairs advanced in a very satisfactory manner.
1t was ABOUT two years after the establishment OF the
fort and when all were in active hustle, that Edward Ray
young LOuisianian, obtained appointment under the
owuer and, travelling the whole distance from New Or
leans had conveyed cargo OF merchandise for the use Of
company In addition to this, he had taken up, to ron
her father Miss Mcpherson and female attendant. So
peculiar and so long journey had thrown the young peo
pie much togeher and without any reflection with regard
To difference Of position, mutual affection had arisen be-
tween them Under these circumstances the voyage up
ne ,,isssspp and across lie vast interior rn7 was OF
mos agreeable character Both fingered upon deck to ad-
mro the bluffs and grassy plains, the vast n'er@naole
;ries and never earied of their gaze. The desert even
t,J charms and when the Rocky Mountains burst upon
them in all their sublmity, their pleasure was compete
A,.oo,b however. they arrived their journeys end
Raw became clerk and Miss McPherson presided over
the establishment the daughter oil the owner was In du-
~ bound to do Whatever might nave been the ladys
feelings, the poor clerk sought not to learn 'hem lie ie
the difference o station and shrinking from any manifesto
ton OC MS aspiring hopes, attended to his business hones
aud diligently, but without ever showing the slightest en-
lhsasm m the avocation. Under these circumstances ne
was considered useful his way but failed to excite me
notice which might have led to his advancement Reserv
cd and acurn his mistress thought herself deceived
in him. With the excitement of their happy journey, all
his energies appeared to have departed The truth was,
that Ray, who of sanguine disposition, saw no
means of rising to level with his master and allowed de-
spondeney to unnerye his spirit.
About three months after his arrival the time approach
ed when the annual interview with the various Indians
,ook place. meeting of much Importance, as then the
whole fortunes Of the year were decided II was usual 10
appoul place for the natives to camp with their beaver
aud other where the rival leaders then repaired and
whoever offered the best price, obtained ready aud profit