The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-07-10
Ebr The Gazette.
SKETCHES OF TRAVEL.

/ You, Mr.. Editor, who are compelled tc
grind out, weekly, three columns Of editc-
rial, more or less, whether the spirit move
you so to do or not--you, who must receive
the maledic,ions Of those of your subscri-
bers residing at a distance, tho interests Of
whose several localities you do not make
undoubtedly your own, to say nothing Of
those nearer home, who are ready TO elon.
gate, by pulling process, the auricular ap
pcndages Of your head for permitting your
more distant patrons to partake Of even the
crumbs which may happen 10 fall from your
table cditorial--you, who must, week after
week, make yourself target to be shot at
by the corps editorial for every sentiment
you endorse, or publish as your own, which
does not happen to correspond with their
notions Of right and wrong-you, sir, in
short, who must be grnmbled at by all, i
you do not write, and receive the maledic-
tons OF not few for what you do write
the common lot Of all edi,ors-you, surely,
can enter into my feelings, aud sympathse
with me when | tel! you that don't feel 10
humor to wrte-that my thoughts are all
in .'pi," and my ideas ''like angels visits,
lew and far between" have just been
making an almost fruitless search in the
upper story Of .the house | live in, for the
few articles stored away there during this
last trip Of mine up the country; but even
the few have found are SO much damaged
and soiled BY the over,urning Of useless
lumber, aud the falling Of dust upon them,
which latter could not well avoid raising
in my operations, that fear shall be I'M
able to put them TO much good purpose.
No matter--write must--so here goes.
This, as your readers will recollect is my
second tour through the country; and has
occupied period Of nine days. Leaving
Davenport on Monday, the 23d utimo, !
journeyed northward, taking the river
route, along the eastern frontier of Scott
aud Clia,on counties, entering Jackson
county beyond ELK River settlement. some
miles west Of Sabula, until, inquiring the
distance, found myself 10 be sixty miles
from Davenport. was compelled to Jay
by nearly two days--Saturday, because i,
rained, and Sunday, because-it was Sun
day. The roads-but why should speak
OF them? Does not every traveller know
they ore bad? Ifany one wishes TO salts
Ify himself concerning the matter, he can
have his curiosity gratfied withou, leaving
the limits Of our corporation. have often
heard people talk about the STAT Of the
land" applying the remark to the Western
States; and though have lived in the ives,
for fourteen years, must confess never
gathered the full import Of the expression
until within few weeks past. The STA;
Of the land!' why, that means sloughs and
mud holes, to be sure. If these are no,
what you might call the "fat Of the land"
then must acknowledge know nothing
about the matter. Nor is it necessary that
| should speak Of streams-who does not
know that they have been on a Publication
for The last two months, bidding defiance to
bridges, banks, dams, and everything else
that does not keep at respectful distance
from them! Of the Waubsipinicon, how
ever, Twill speak; for il is rather an excep-
ton in the way Of high water. This stream
was slowly yet sulenly retiring to lis bed
when went up, but evidently in no very
pleasant humor for sleeping; for it was
roaring and believing a. great rate, as !
have known stubborn boys TO do on similar
occasions. When | returned, found that
the Waubsi unable longer to retain its wa
ter, was sweeping over the bottom on eli
Their side, in the most fearful manner, Civ
ing il more the appearance Of the Father
Of Waters itself, than of the stream which
forded some three years ago, at the same
point, on similar excursion up the coun-
try.
If this rain ever stops falling, and we
have few weeks of warm dry weather, il
is to be feared that there will be such a
time Of sickness in this region as has never
occurred in the memory Of ''the oldest in
habitant." o dwellers in the land of
Waubsi., wha, grateful music must gree.
your sense Of hearing, during the long sui
try hours Of a mid summer night! and what
shaking there must be among the dry
bones when these sloughs and puddles Of
water become green and putrd from stag
nation!
Here frogs eternal serenade your ears with groans
And everlasting ague shakes your bones
While the fuil-grown mosquito sinks his bill,
And, buzzing, biting, sucks your blood at will
Nor will the Waubsi: region be alone IN
HE -a.naot Tbnro :, .aoao., ~ loi;1nz