The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-01-31
good, like the tabled apples of the Dead sea,
/ filled with the bitter ashes OF disappointment

VI "SaltA dHu ldou4OH, 81 PICfdlGIlb dIiOUg alI
classes Of females Of our land, which deters
many young man in moderate circumstances
from venturing on SO expensive a luxury as
matrimony. A mechanic, for nstance-iust
established in business, with no capital but his
energy and skil-could he find a young LADY
who, in addition TO her charms Of person and
mind, possesses thorough knowledge of do
mestic economy, and loves him well enough to
practise it for his sake-who seeks enjoyment
in the duties of home, and is willing to regu-
late her expenditure BY her income-such
wife, instead Of hindrance, will be an inval-
dable assistant to her husband in his efforts to
| obtain competent share Of good things Of this
life. But alas for him who has been guided bv
fancy in his selection of a wife, and who finds,
| too late, that he has chosen gilded automaton,
possessed only of a few external accomplish
ments, and differing from Maelsel's productions
only in a fixed determination to spend his money
just how and when she pleases. It's in vain for
the unhappy husband thus situated to attempt
to rise above the pressure Of circumstanees.
Where industry and economy are wanting with
in doors, skill, energy and perseverance will
avail comparatively little without. Woman is
the presiding genius Of home, if she is false TO
her trust, no earthly power can avert the evil
consequences of her unfaithfulness
Dark as is the picture drawn, there is
brighter side to it, if the women of our country
can be aroused to sense of their duty and
their highest interest. Correct opinions OH the
part Of mothers, and a judicious system Of fe~
male education, would make the young ladies
Of this generation as practical and as useful as
y any Of their predecessors, without detractng
from the intelligence and refinement which shed
so bright a lustre on female excellence. There
is in the heart of woman, however it may be
pent up by wrong training and perverted SENT,
ment, deep fountain of affection and beneyo-
lence, which, when these artificial barriers are
removed, will gush forth in copious streams to
purify and bless society.
A TRULY AMERICAN SpEcrAcLE.-.NeitheF
Niagara. nor the Mississippi, nor the lakes, NFa
after all the great spectacle to be witnessea in
this country. Morris the sight the most charac-
teristic and American, that Of the Yankee Whit,
ting on rail, nor the Virgnian talking politics
over his saddle-bags, nor the Arkansas citizen
playing at bowie-knives, nor the Kentuckian
offering to bet upon his rifle nor the New York
er living in carved brown stone in the Fifth
avenue, nor the negro sweltering in the rice
fields of South Carolina. 1t is sight simpler
still It is the passing by of the emigfant,
bound for the prairies. A family of Germans
going through our city is the most remarkable
show to be seen in the west. It's, indeed, moth
ing new or uncommon, it is no pageant. No
trumpets are blown to announce the coming Of
this small detachment of the army general.
Probably not soul in the city notices the pas
sage of this poor family. Yetin it was wrapped
up the great American fact Of the present day
the coming in of European immigrants 10
take possession of our western plains. Ifthese
states did not have lands for sale at low prices
to attract the desires of the poor and the op
pressed in all the earth, they would be of little
Importance among the nations. Forcentures,
/ the Swiss have had liberty, but no land, and
have been nullity. But we hold Homestead
for every poor man in Europe, and therefore
for America as the world S land of promise, and
| the only Eden now cxtant. See that family as
they pass.
| The father strides down the middle of the
street. Unaccustomed to the convenience OF
sidewalks in his own country, he shares tie
way with the beast of burden, no less heartily
laden than he. His back bends beneath its
pack In it is, probably, the better part Of his
goods and chattels, at least the materials for a
nights bivouac by the road side. BY one hand
Hc HOluS HIS pdCh, anu Ill tuc uC Cai q
large tea-kettle. His guide-wife follows in his
tracks, at barely speaking distance behind. A
| babe at the breast is her only burden. Both
looking straight forward, intent only upon put
ting one foot before the other. In direct line
but still further behind, trudges on, with une-
quail footsteps, and eyes staring on either side,
their irst-born son, OF one who seems such.
There are we'll towards dozen summers glow
A
badly the days provisions, and slung to his
heavily upon his spirit He travels on brayeIy
and is evidently trained to bear his load. A
younger brother brings up, at few PAGES dis
more of the parental hopes. 1t is the most
precious pack in the party, and Judging from
the size Of the little ones legs not so very much
the lightest. It is sister, l fancy that the
little fellow is bearing off SO gaantly, and very
| comfortably does she appear to be making the
journey.
Watch this single file marching westward,
until they disappear at the end Of the avenue.
They would not stop or turn aside, save for need
full food and shelter, until they crossed the Mis-
sissippi. On the rolling praires beyond, the
foot worn travellers would reach their journeys
emu, anu, IHIoWluS tHeI weary HHlDS upon LHe
fowery grass, would rest in their new home,
rooted by the sky Of Iowa. Before the frosts
Of autumn should set in, the log would be
reared, and their small household gods set up in
it. In due season the sod will be turned, the
seed cast in, and later, the harvest would make
glad all hearts. Years rolling by, the boys will
grow up freemen, and will make the surround
ing acres tributary in wheat and corn as far as
the eye can reach. Forgetting their uncouth
patos, the children will learn the softer Anglo
Saxon accent Of liberty, and take their place
among their equal fellows, in society where
none are bondsmen. The daughters, relieved
of the hard necessity of toiling in the fields,
will gradually grow up in the delicacy of native
American beauty, retaining only the blue eyes
and golden hair OF their German nativity. In
the evening of their days, the brave grandpa
rents will sit in the shadow of vines, sprung
from the seeds piously brought by them from
the Neckar or the Rhine and their sons and