The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-02-27


of Thistleton. To an observer it was ap-
parent that some great event WAS about to
transpire as the villagers, young and old,
were on the alert-eager to gain seat in
the old Meeting House. This was some
thing unusual in the Sabbath day manners
of the villagers, who had Of late years so
far forgotten their puritanical habits, as
to absent themselves from the sanctum
sanctorum whenever their old elder"
held forth. -....
Notice had been given out by the "old
SENTRY" at the conclusion Of the afternoon
services, that esquire Cushman," who
had just returned from his travels "Out
West" would entertain the villagers with
an account of his rambles--and, as it was
sacred time, the lecture would be of a
moral nature, revealing the habits and
characteristics of the Western people.
By the way, it may be we'll to add, that
this lecture was to be the first of a course,
and this the first attempt of the Squire
at lecturing.
At the appointed time, the Squire was
found accupying the pulpit in company
with the Elder. who, after having made
a prayer, introduced Bother Cushman,"
as one who would favor them with an ac-
count of the moral condition of the peo-
pie in the Western States.
So far it was all right but it was diff
ferent thing to face an audience as lee
turer, than the Squire had anticipated
Thus, after many preliminary "hems"
and "haws," the Squire commenced his
lecture, which savored more Of scenery
than moral philosophy.
The Squire was soon in the middle of
an oak forest. Said he: Friends and
neighbors, the State of Ohio is noted for
its oak forests. | have travelled for fifty
miles through one of those tracts of wood
the growth ofcenturies--splendid wood,
hundred and sixty cord to the acre-to
say the least! Old oaks, hundred and
twenty feet in height, and as straight as
arrows
This description was exciting to an old
wood chopper, who sat in one Of the front
pews, and forgetting the sanctity of the
place, and time. he was on his feet in a
moment with the following queries:
Il say, Squire, can you tell a fellow
what kinds Of woods are the thickets in
Ohio? And what fellow like me
would get cord for chopping that ERE
word ?"
Gas to that" said the Squire, ''the
growth of wood in the regions travelled,
consisted of beach, birch, and maple but
principally Of fir, spruce and hemlock -
And as to wood -chopping, fellow couldn't
earn his salt at the business"
The old Elder was getting uneasy; al
ready satisfied that the Squire's reckless
manner Of going into wood lots savored
but little of morality. Thus, he suggest
ed in whisper to the Squire, that prob
ably the audience would like to hear Of the
spiritual wants Of the people in the regions
he had travelled.
Eyes, yes, Brother" said the Squire,
81 am coming to that presently"
Continuing his letter, he said "One
great evil noticed in travelling Out West, !"
especially in Illinois, is the want of good
water. That procureable, being at best,
Of an indifferent quality. One thing to
attract the notice of a stranger is, the as
tonishing depth of the few wells the peo-
pie have already sunk. Why 1 recollect
of coming upon a gang at work one day
in sinking well, and made the inquiry
of the head workman Of how deep they
had gone into the earth. and the answer,
as near as | can recollect, was to this ef-
feet: