The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1857-10-28
M = H q - II .
4 HIGHWAY ADVENTURE.

northern part of the State of Illinois,
I crossed the Illinois River at Ottawa,
intending to strike Rock River at Fos-
ter's Mills. Foster was an old friend,
who had gone out some years before,
and erected mill upon one of the tri-
butaries of the last mentioned river, he
having bought whole township in that
section. 1t was some out of my way,
as my most direct route was very near
due west from Ottawa, whereas this
route took me over sixty miles further
north. However, I had learned that
there was quite good road to Rock
River, and l turned my horses head in
that direction. calculated my time,
and concluded that by moderate travel
ing l could reach the mill in two days.
During the first day my road lay
through country we'll cleared. and was
well travelled but on the second day l
struck into wild region and the way
was little better than bride path
through dense forest. l passed sew
eral clearings, where small huts were
erected, at one of these latter l stopped
aud got some dinner. l found a young
man in charge Of the premises. the faith
er having gone to "the mills" Iasked
what mills they meant, and the old lady
said they were "Foster's Mills"
From these people l learned that Fos-
ter's place was forty miles distant, and
that the only dwelling, after leaving two
near by, between here and there, was a
sort of stopping place kept by a man
named Daniel Groome. They said he
generally kept food for man and beast,
and also had good supply of liquor,
principally whiskey. His house was
twelve miles to the mills.
This just suited me. / could reach
Groome's by six o'clock. and there get
some supper, and rest and bait my horse.
Then l could easily reach Fosters by
nine, as the moon was we'll on its second
quarter.
The good people refused to have any
thing for my dinner, but I bestowed
half a dollar upon faxen-headed urchin
who was trotting around upon his bare
feet, and then set forward again. There
was another hut at the distance of half
mile, and second about mile off.
| saw no more human habitations until
l reached Groome's. l found the trav-
cling full as good as l had expected.
and arrived at the forest inn at just half
past five.
The inn was situated upon a romantic
spot, and to lover of isolated nature
must have been charming retreat
The house was built of logs, the outside
surface hewn, and the seams filled with
cement formed of some sort of fine
tough moss and pitch. There were
three separate buildings to this house,
the principal one being built with the
gable end to the road, and the othet two
upon either side, running out like two
LIS. Then there was barn short dis.
tance off. with piggery Connected
Take it all together, and it was quite q
place for such locality. A small
stream ran close by, so that water was
plentiful.
AS l rode up to the door, Mr.. Groome
himself came out. He was tall, gaun,
man. with fiery red head, and face as
course as it was ugly. But I was sur.
prised when l heard his voice. had
expected tone like the below of bull
but instead Of that his notes fell upor
my cars like the speech of woman
He smiled as he spoke, and l thought te
myselfEow disappearance would deceive
any one, for in conversation he seemed {
different man.
l informed him that / was on my
| way to Fosters mill. and could only
stop long enough to rest my horse and
get some supper. He gazed into my
face for some moments houtspeaking
and finally said
"Ah-yes-humph."
When he turned into the entry ant
| called "lke." Ike came-a tall strap
4 ping youth of one or two and twenty
with a red head and features such Al
could belong to no other but child o
my host. "Ike" took my horse, ant
Mr.. Groome led the way to the ''sittins
room," as he called it. 1t was rougl
but comfortable, and tho furniture con
sisted of pine table, a mahogany
bureau, and four long pine benches
which were set against the walls
there were no chairs, those benches be
ing sufficient to accommodate quite al
assemblage.
Groome asked me if I would lik'
something warm. i supposed he mean
whiskey and / told him no. He said
had better take little-'twould do M
good. But assured him I never use'
it-that l felt better without it.
"But do you mean that you neve
drink whisky ?" he added with elesate'
eyebrows.
"Never - told him.
Brandy, l s'pose or mebby rale oil
gin ?" pursued my host.
"No." I replied" II don't use an,
stimulating drinks at all"
"You don't" burst from his lips Will
he eyed me from head to foot. "Wal
stranger I'd give sum thin for your pic
ture to hang up in my house. Neye
drink! How in marcy's name d'y
: live? How dye contrive when ye 60
; wet and cold p
!, "Why." said I, with smile, II &c
dry again as soon as possible"
"Dry. my sakes, l should thin
'twould be an everlastin' dry Neye
J drink! Wal-here I've lived year i
an year out, goin' on to fifteen years
an you're the fust man l ever seed a
} wouldn't drink bit O. whisky on tn
top Of long journey. Fact-strangc
-'tis by thunder r.
l told him thought it very probable
and he then went out, and heard hiI
leave the house.
II Tn half an hour INV host cas,,o In an