The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-16
LIFE ON PRAIRIE DE LA FLEUR. No. |.
BY MARY IRVING.
THE INTRODUCTION.
"Cheer up, brothers!
As we go
Over the mountains
Westward hon


Whoever has taken a summer trip in search of
the underlined and unfndsble Wsa" cannot
have failed to pay visit or passing notice to a
seaport town on the shore of one of the inland
seas that dot the once Northwest Territory"
Whoever has racked his lonely wits to relieve the
ennui Of q four days voyage around the Lakes
by some less debatable means than the fashion
able dancing and card-playing, has welcomed with
delight the low svamp-like forest-grted shores
urcv ---~-r -------
respite, il not rest, to the sole Of his foot"
Quabosha fits real name is scarcely more eu-
phonious, having, as its only claim to correct
pronunciation, a memory of the red man who
christened by it the harbor and "creek'1 is a
trading town. scarcely ten years old, struggling
precociously into the dignity of city. No one
questions its right, however, in land where all
things, collectively as well as individually con-
declarations as well as corn-felds, spring up like
Jonahs gourd Of night, by no means to wither
as soon.
You need not pause to take a formal farewell
of the little world in that swaying steamship; its
denzens care even less for you than you for
them, and are busted with their own bookings for
ward. Nod hasy "good Bye to the few real
friends you have found diamonds in the sands Of
that floating island, bound upon this pier, which
the light waves are lashing threateningly-wave
your hand kerchief as the swan-like vessel, with
lungs in full play, sweeps graceful retreat from
your standpoint-and then turn your eyes and
your steps " Westward hop
have pictured summer skies bending over
you, and the brightest of golden sunshine en-
ticing you to stretch your shp-weary limbs in its
grateful glow.
You find yourself in no dreamy nook of this
busy world however, nor are you permitted, just
now, the pleasure Of reverie -Four or five
hackmen have been nudging you while have
taken this time to explain; and now, If you do
not choose to make a selection among their car
riages SO anriously waiting at the further end Of
the pier you must shut your ears to the jargon
Of various tongues" and hurry through their
midst to terra frma.
Here you pass into street, walled by ware
houses of all shapes and sizes, which are barri-
caded by innumerable prairie wagons, Of shape
less variety, and stocked with wheat enough, one
would think, to look Pharaoh man famine in the
face. From this lakeward lane you enter the
main street, comfortably broad, save in the mat
ter of sidewalks, which, at their present breadth
are more than comfortably crowded. Shops and
stores Of various heights and depths, architectu-
raj BEAUTIES and monstrosities In most friendly
comrauionship, stretch away in far perspective.
II you are professor Of languages your critical
eyes may scan the various signs and labels which
their foreheads wear Many Of these stand in
terpreted in English, for the benefit Of the unin-
itiated. IL you are not thus learned In the lin
GUSTS lore, 1t will do you little good to stand
listening to the j,bbering 4 would not speak dis
respec,fullyl Of that knot Of farmers towards
/ which you are turning 30 anxiously. They are
from aVater land which is not your Father
land, and speak with tongue your mother never
Taught YOU. "Quabosha House, stares you in
vitngy in the face, in gilt letters, from the front
of large gray building, which your eye may
noss;bly mistake for stone in the distance. The
shops are mostly constructed Of the same material,
and wear an exceedingly dingy livery. 1t is the
popularity Of the brick OF cur Western country,
TO pass even under the purifying influence Of the
fire, without losing a W it Of its affinity to the
smother EARTH that gave 1t color. The blushine
cities OF Eastern brick quite outshine our modest
mud -colored blocks This House" Is the re-
verse of an asppls Of sodom," fair without, but
bitter within for It's low, dark doors and reserved
piazzs would tempt no foot bat the tired travel
ler's TO enter Yet you may be RECALLED In it'
dim, narrow dining hall, with such fare a you
would look for In vain at the "Delavsn House,
or many an establishment Of greater note. Yet
IL your eyes are tempted by outward show, you
may continue your walk up the hill-as scarcely
psrosptibls rise In tho sand-hsaP on which The
town stands IL styled, and mount the steps Of
this splendid hotel which looks proudly down
upon its humber neighbor roofs
1 aata~s for B--p rseounds from the hall