The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-08-12


ferry in an open barouche, and ascending q low hii
found ourselves on extensive prairie, portion OF
what is called the Government Reserve" extending
ten miles either side the Minnesota river. This
green and softly undulatng exranse IS profuseIy COW
cred with tall white, yellow and purple flowers, toss
ed by every breeze at long intervals stand new franz
ed houses ready for occupancy, but without shade Or
water as far can be seen; and here and there an
unfinished Frame or standing boards markeda elaim,'
indication that luatter has selected that por
ton Of land for his abode and intended Improvements.
The trenches ploughed the soil show his boundaries.
The road is smooth and straight; the sweep Of land
scape is varied Only by the rolling Of the prairie, and
tuf Of now and then with the distant border of
fores, land. IL Offers exhiarating view, pa.;..u-
lary when the breeze flesh and cool il Just from It's
play the waste of waters, caTeering it.
Before til, agreeable sense of novelty is over, and
you have done turning from side side to think how
far fom the absolutely grand is such prospect, the
attention is suddenly arrested by new picture. A
line Of bue the edge Of the horizon widens there
is gradual soping of the land and in front lies the
clear and beautiful sheet Of Lake Calhoun 1t is two
miles in length, and mile and half in width; and
with its bordering Of bold bluffs the other side
covered with close garniture of woods, and its
tiers clear as crystal ripping beach of white
pebbles, offers irresistible temptation linger
II for longer time than most travellers have to spare
house on its bank is occupied by Frenchma,-
Mr.. Brssette, who is very courteous and obliging.
His wife is an Indian, hut speaks excellent French,
and he has children by former marriage who lodge
in the vicinity having tent pitched at hand, on the
green grass, il which mattresses laid; all looking
cleally and fresh to give luxurious idea of that
Kind Of lodging. We were refreshed here by some
cold water from the lake, and Mr.. Brissette showed
us bag of comedians and agates he had gathered
from the beach, civy inviting to take what spec-
mems pleased. From this pout drive Of two
nliles brought us within view of Lake Harriet.
Approaching this sheet of water, like the other in
purity and beauty but with shores LITTLE less elevated,
we passed strip of lnxurant bottom land forming a
small prairie. IT had the much desired tall grass
which grows only in moist soil, and waved like field
of standing grain as the wind swept over it, The
outlet Of Lake Calhoun skirts in rather sluggish
stream, which gains impetus, however, as it nears
Lake Harriet, rushing into this with the force of a
rapid. We drove little way into the lake, the white
sandy bottom afotding safe footing, and regaining the
Shore followed the road round the end Of the lake
through the woods.
On the side opposite the outlet, within the shelter
of the woods, cncamped the soldiers employed in
cutting wood for Fort Smelling. Their tents are
pitched around and rude open shed contains their
cooking implements and serves for kitchen. Itwas
comfortable picture Of gypsey pioneer life, bar
ring the dirt and confusion Of the interior Of thes,
canvass houses, out of Keeping with the fragrant
heritage nature provides for their flooring and the
canopy of foliage swept by the bosom of her winds,
and washed 10y rain sent from the '' sweet hcavens!'
Since the days of western pioneers the more self.
this primitive shelter; camping out has been looked
upon as hardship rather than luxury, and though "a
few adventurous young may do it for frolic anv
ladies' who should venture such innovation could
hardly fail to find themselves STYLED "comeouters'
liz the most barlnrOus of the term. Yet if a
few could get up sufficient scfIcancc to undertake
journey through the wilder parts of our country
how great would he the gain in health and pleasure,
know lady in Chicago, who travelled many years
since through Illinois on horseback, sleeping night
Ina, n kn.,,- al l..
the open sky. She is one Of the most accomplished
OF American women, and delicate appearance as If
she had always housed herself according to the pre-
vailin5 fashion. Show the woman now with "A
spirit that will not shrink from the like and will
wear her in my hearts core; for man, a promising
enterprise have we been compelled give up for want
Of more companions.
Returning round the end of the lake, and crossing
an oak prairie by any that proves most couye-
nent, the road is fegained. Through the prairie we
now traverse the stream formed by the outlets of both
lakes, winds, followed by the road. 1t is BRIGHT
swift stream and takes It's way betwixt clean banks
Hinged with u thick growth Of wild grass varcgated
with fiowe;s. A bridge leads it, and in a few
moments 1t is shrouded from view by the trees. Fur
ther on, stand the level Of Llui' 4; and here
we ashted to view Of the most beautiful of Ma
lures works.
Parting the foliage, and descending little wav
downward TO ledge If rock, YOU into full view
of the falls Of Minneha-ha. In the green, shadow
depth Of wild gorge, Gu tanned by thick woods ON
either hand, from the very arms of which il soon,s
bursting, the swift stream above described precptates
itself in unb oxen descent #, should guess some
~ or 40 ftet the waters forming an arch of snowy
fam and spray il their wild leap to the rapids below
None of the falls of Trenton are equal in beauty 1,
tins, and we viewed 1t with more pleasure than even
those OF 81. Anthony. The suddennCss with which
this vision OF beauty bursts upon the sight; the ro-
mantc scenery Of the clct-thc contrast Of the white
leaning waters with the deep green Of the foliage So
close by embracing them, and the da cavern behind
formed 10y the graceful curve they describe; the DELI
cate streaks It light green in the falling mass, the
brilliant sunshine imprisoned in its showcry spray
and the raabows dancing over it; all combine To-
f,Gm scene OF such enchanting lovencss rs takes
the senses captive and sleeps the soul in the pures
enjymcnt this ca tn can afford. With little trouble
may descend to the foot If the cascade and take
seat within reach Of its diamond-lke spsav listen
ing for hours 10 its deep voice of music its eve, list
ins anthem cf praise for being which is not in vain
The meaning OF the Indian name Of this CXurisite
waterfall, is The Laughing Waters - and the rarne
is well applied; for they do laugh---f not liarce,v
glad''-like the wild torrents of Chamoui--n thu
full JOY Of their flashing and sparkling beauty. and
the Ia. Inc echoes the sound of their ubilant exuia-
ton One should pass day at their feet; not amidst
preciptous, black Jagged rocks, whose shattered
fragments tell OF dcsoIaton, but in the lap of one of
NatuTc's most spiIt-st2ang hooks where all around
speaks of peace and smiling content. il is y spot
where we may suppose the delicate genius Of youth
TO have hid himself when he forsook that portion Of
the earth which, as the Italian poet says. growing
old, grows sad; and here h: may ha bor as of yo,e
"Naking sunshine cut of shaden
Passing on, the view opens, and fiom high bluff
Is seen the Mississippi with the wooded heights op
posie, and stretch OF country for miles onward The
distant view OF Fort Smelling, its flag cleaning in re-
lief against the SKY, is statlingIy fine, but the nearer
one after a little rise, is yet more imposing Its
white walls and barracks are clearly defined, with
other neat buildings in the vicinity; and all around
and beyond lies spread the most magnificent panora
mic display on which the eyes ever rested. The
bending Mississippi appears between its bluffs. and
the extensive valley of the Minnesota or St. Peters
river winding near and aGr the village of Mendot,
is seen on the side opposite the fort and the varied
landscape beyond, is bounded by ranges of hills rising
one above another, the highest fading into the misty
blue of the horizon The view is too extensive to be
embraced in single picture to which any artist could
do justice; but the eye take it in and will linper
over it long with increasing delight
Fort Smelling has a commanding position at the
junction of the Minnesota aud Mississippi rivers and
IF tbn Sfrnn milf