The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-07-15


two! the boat was leaky, and began to
fill. | put back as fast as could, but
padding with broken oar was slow work
and | was obliged to stop occasionally,
and take to baiIing with my hands,
When within jumping distance to the
shore, L tried the leap, and landed with
both feet immersed to the boot tops.
These little mishaps dampened my
spirits somewhat but tho recounting Of
them at the breakfast table afforded SO
much amusement to the whole family,
that it began to dawn upon me that it real
ly was, if | only knew it, first rate
sport.
After breakfast, took pole and line,
and went fishing, but caught no fish,
Discovering that angling was an absurd
employment l abandoned my piscatorfal
implements, and went gaming, but shot
no game. A little discouraged, set out
for ramble, and this time succeeded-in
getting lost. Forty times l was sure that
the gables | saw through the opening TO
liage, belonged to the house of my friend;
forty times was unacountably mistaken.
AT last | came upon little, narrow, ro-
mantle stream. This, said /, empties into
the lake. If | follow, it will lead me in
the proper direction. I did so, but in the
immensely of my wisdom, wentup stream,
instead OF down. 1t did occur to me that
the stream got narrower and shallower,
but these facts | attributed to the eccentri-
city of little streams in that locality. 1t
will widen presently, said |, and | shall
come out upon the lake unexpectedly
But it didn't. Indeed it got so narrow,
and wild, and full Of cascades and rapids,
that l stood still in my perplexity-untl
suddenly it burst upon me in flood Of
light, that the cascades were falling the
wrong way! The astonishment which
tbs discovery caused me is beyond des-
cription. Is it possible, thought l, that l
have been so stupid as to come up streaml
| had better, so my cogitation continued,
ga back to New York at once. 1t is very
evident that I don't know anything about
wood-craft or stream-craft. 1t would be
well for me not to confess this blunder.-
l should never hear the end of it. I
think, hereafter, that will stick to law.
1t is all am fit for.
After duly upbraiding myself in this
fashion, l resolved to strike across the
country to the first house met, and there
learn my whereabouts, and obtain
guide ifpossible. put my resolve into
effect. After an hours walk, saw
lovely little cottage, nesting amid trees
and shrubbery and flowers. I got around
to approach it properly in front. AS l
turned around small hill, into the green
by-lane which camo up to the house, quite
a pleasant little picture presented itself
consisting ola horse, and boy, and two
dogs assembled together bya little matched
clubhouse Of the cottage. The horse was
saddled for lady, and one of tho dogs
was unmistakablya lady's pet. stood
looking ct the group, for law experience
had not quite destroyed once quick sense
of the picturesque, when out from the cot
tage and across the lawn, there came
tripping one of the most exquisite crea-
lures ever saw-blooming and radiant
with floating curls from under country
sunhood, and a rustic, simple sort of dress
evidently designed for free scarnper
through by-paths, and unfrequented lanes.
She ran up to the horse with merry
laugh, patted him affectionately upon the
neck how l envied him } jumped upon
horse block at hand and before l could see
how it was done, she was mounted, and
her reins gathered up. The horse was a
fine, plump, beautifully made creature,
such one as Landseer would have liked
to paint-full of spirit, and proud of his
burthen. AS he felt her weight upon his
back, bis ears pricked up, his eye lighted,
and his whole figure grew animated. His
rider, with merry word to the boy,
turned his head in my direction, and was
about putting him to gallop, when, for
the first time she saw me. She involun-
tarily drew in the reins, blushed, and then
would have passed on; had not I lifted
my hat, and with an apology, begged to
be informed of the proper direction to Mr..
Woodward's house.
"Mr. Woodward's," said as musical
voice as ever | want to hear: "dear me!
Why, it's full five miles,"
SIS it possible?" said /, determined to
prolong the interview: II am sojourner at
Mr. Woedward's-"
"Mr. jackson ~ interrupted she, with
an interrogative bow.
| fairly stared. She knew my name.
Who could she be9
"Pardon me, you are right but you
have so much the advantage ofme-"
"Oh, | am frequent visitor at Mr..
Woodward's. like them all so much
But you have lost your way, l think, and
am riding very near to Mr.. Woodward's.
Won't you rest in the cottage until they
can send carriage for your
"Pardon me, miss" paused
with the hope she would fill the blank,
but she took no notice of my attempt to
draw out her uame, and / was compelled,
awkwardly enough, to resume. 81 will
not trouble you SO much said |, 81 am
not fatigued, and once upon the proper
road, 1 shall reach my destination easily
enough"
"Oh, sir, then follow this rosd to the
right. 1t viii lead you directly to Mr..
Woodward'e house, and touching her