The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-01-22

beauty which lay before her. Some prai
rie scenery is tame enough, and very
I wearisome from its monotony; but this
was Of different order.
4 The wooded elevation where they had
fixed their residence was but one of many
other clusters of trees and gracefully roll.
ing elevations which diversified the i'm
mense plain, while they did not prevent
the vision from roaming far away into
endless yistas and over level meadows,
whose prevailing tints changed every day
or two as some new flower sprang into
profusest bloom. Away to the north, SO
far as only to be discernable when puff
of soft air lifted away the purple haze OF
autumn, stretched line Of hills; and be-
tween a break in these hills Alice some
times fancied she could detect CLEAN OF
the waters of the great lake which she
knew was there. Then of the cloudless
sky and atmosphere Of dreamy and mel
low splendor, she never wearied, it was
SO new to her; as were the gorgeous tints
which settled, like cloud of bright wing
ed butterflies, upon every tree and shrub.
Except in moments Of sudden home
sickness, she hardly realized how little
society she had Her babe absorbed her
time in her husbands absence When
she reclined beneath the tree, her fairy
bower, beautiful birds sang to her, and
flowers opened at her feet. She would
put little May amid the blossoms, and
laugh to see her tiny hands grasp at them.
Health, peace, and innocence were all
about; and often in after years, Mrs.
Lancaster remembered with fondness and
pleasure of that season.
As some return for the innumerable
kIndnesses of Mrs. Potter, she had offer
ed to instruct her boys in the elements Of
education which offer was thankfully
accepted, since, as the good woman OBJ
served, Though she had been reckoned
a first rate reader and speller in her
young days, she had no time to tend to
such things now-no more had Peter,
though lie d taught school three winters
when he was a young man to hum, and
did his courtin Sunday nights the last
WINTER, and they was married in the
spring, and moved down to Herkimer
County to his folks, and followed farnin'
there nigh unto eight year, and then
grown tired of trying to do well in the
old place, and moved away out here, and
the children had not had much 'tention
given to their brains, let alone their bodies
since they d come to the new country"
The boys were very obedient to their
parents, and had plenty OF natural intel
ligence, SO that Alice, who found charm
in their queer, unsophisticated manners,
had no difficulty in giving them lesson
every afternoon. 1t pleased her to see
how very fond they were Of the baby;
and, if she left it in their charge while
she performed any household duty, it
was taken the most scrupulous care Of
Never had lady two more bright and ad
mring little pages than she.
About the middle of November, the
two squatters decided upon a trip to Bear
River, Mr. Potter to procure such sup
plies of cloth, &C., as were necessary for
the winter, and Mr. Lancaster to obtain
the remainder OF his baggage, which had
been lying at the hotel there ever since
the middle of July. Mr.. Potter had no
horse of his own, but Alice was glad to
end him hers whenever he wished him
for hunting or other expeditions. They
expected to be gone several days, as they I
thought probable they should have to
walk the most Of the way back, their hor-
ses would be SO heavily laden. They
started upon Monday morning, each with
a sack well filed with dried venison and
corn dodgers; and, as they expected to
camp out, on their return, for a night or
.wo, they carried their rifles, with which
o bring down fresh game for their sup
oers.
The rifle is almost as constant a com
,anion Of the settler of a new country as
he red flannel shirt which he wears. 1t
S that friend in need which is friend
adeed, bringing him food and cloth
ng in peace, and protecting him in dan
ger.
The rainy season had not set in, and
he weather was still beautiful when they
departed. Alice was to stay with Mrs.
Potter during their absence, as she was
90 timid to remain entirely alone. She
watched the receding form of her husband
lntil itwas no longer visible from the ele-
ration where she stood; and then, putting
Ter little house to rights, took her infant
md went over to her neighbors. She
vas to give some useful lessons in needle.
work, and receive, in return, instructions
n domestic economy. 1t was very well