The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-04

From lakes and tributary streams, the va
rious parcels Of logs cut and drove by different
companies issue forth, and form one grand drive
on the main river, where the separate crews
unite, md make common cause in the driving
operation. In other instances, one drive may
precede another making the river for miles one
general scene of logs and river-drivers. Some
times the foremost logs of one drive, unobstruct-
ed, pass on and mingle with what is called the
"tail-end" Of the preceding drive. Under such
circumstances If there be any grudge to graft
fly by the foremost crew, or a substantial joke
to be put such truant logs are run aground, in
to creeks, in meadow land, among the bushes,
and on the shore. crew Of thirty or forty
men will take log belonging to another crew,
and run it up high and dry on to the land
stand it ON end prop il up and leave it in that
position. The rear crew, ON coming up stimu-
lated by the prank, knock away the props and
throw it down SCORE Of pixies pierce lis sides
when they shove it upon the run perhaps TWEEN
ty rods to the river again, amid the most vocif-
erous hurrahs and whooping, enough to give
one quite an idea of the Indian war-whoop.
Some, perhaps, who may trace these lines, may
be curious to know how the logs of one party
may be distinguished from those of another.
The answer is, precisely as one farmer distin-
guishes his sheep from those OF his neighbor by
the particular mark they bear, each differing
In some particular from every other. A repre-
sentation Of these marks, which are cut in the
side of the log, would remind one of the letters
or characters of the Chinese
No employment that am aware Of threatens
the life and health more than riyer-driving.
Many poor fellow finds his last resting
place on the bank of some wild stream, in
xuhn ot.A H. e. r.
was spent; where the wild wood skirts its
margin; where, too the lonely owl boots his
midnight requiem. have visited many spots
that were from facts called up by retrospection,
lonely and painfully SILENT but have never been
80 spell-bound, 80 extremely oppressed with
feeling of sadness, as while standing over the
little mound which marked the resting place
of q river driver on the banks of lonely stream
far away from the hearth of his childhood and
the permanent abodes of civilization The
silent ripple of the now quiet stream, flor the
spring floods were past,) the signing Of the
winds among the branches of the trees which
waved in silence over the unconscious sleeper,
rendered the position too painful for one pre-
disposed TO nreinncholy, When in those Wild
raeions wn have the -ais'crtnPrf 'oAa one ~
our number, after the bo1y is recovered, Ne
place it in coffin composed Of two empty -four
barrels One il passed over the head and
shoulders, the other receives the lower extrem-
tiles, when the two are brought together and
fastened, his grave clothes generally being some
of his common wearing apparel. SeldOm, If
ever, does the voice of prayer rise over their
bier under these circumstances; in silence the
corpse is committed to its rude burial, while
now and then half-suppressed sigh is heard
and the unbidden tears steal down the sun
burnt cheeks of his manly associates Events
of this kind generally come suddenly, though
when in dangerous circumstances are often an
ticipated. After such an occurrence, an air of
sobriety pervades the company; jokes are dis
pensed with, the voice of the song is hushed
and for several days the department of the men
is characterized by degree of cautouspess
unusual, except when reminded by some such
impressive example of the frailty and uncer-
tainty of human life. But with most the i'm
preston soon wears off, and their accustomed
cheerfnlness is regained their exertiOns mark
cd with the same daring as before the accident
or, as though a life had never been lost in the
business.
Lower down the river, in the vicinity of new
settlements, the usual ceremonies on funeral
occasions are practced when an itinerant cler-
gyman chances to pass that way. The follow
ing notice of such an occurrence was cut from
the Bangor Courier
Passing into the town of Passadumkeag
late one evening during the past summer, a
crowd had gathered in the street. II proved
to be the funeral of a river-driver. His body
had been taken from the water and shrouded
in the open air. Many of the sympathetic vil-
layers were there; and pious elder, who
CHANGED that way, breathed prayer over his
remains before they were borne to their final
place of rest"
BURIAL OF A RIvER-DRIvER
They drew him from his watory bed
And shrouded him with kindly care;
| At even his humble bier was spread
| And DER il rose the voice of PRAYER;
His only pail nights sable damp.
| The star of heaven his funeral lamp.
| They bore away that youthful form
And laid it in the humid grave
| That yestermorp with life was warm,
| And launched upon the dashing wave
| With jocund voice, and hopes as bright
| As stirred beneath that mornings light.
His oar with nervous arm he piled,
| Nor shrank from dangers gathering fast
| Struggling against that trcncherous tide
| His stout heart braved it TO the last
Till, spent his strength, and dim his eye,
His oar and skif float idly by.
Far distant lies the home he left
| And side by side aged pair
Unconscious Of their hopes bereft.
| Breathe now his cherished name in prayer;
Their eyes with watchfnlness grow dim;
Oh! vainly will they wait for him
A fair young maid with pensive face,
Looks forth upon the silent night;
Her heart sweet memories doth trace,
| Till future years glow in their light.
| Alas for life's all ehangeful scene,
How soon must perish that fond dream
For him on whom her thoughts do pore
His hopes and schemes of earth are DER
THE PREACHER AND THE ROBRERs.
/ Methodist preacher many wears ago wa.