The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-06-09
tSeleet SSliseellaaly,
A LEAF FROM PIONEER LIFE
BY CAPT. NJ. D. ALEXANDER, U. S. A.


Lionel Gardner started, sometime in
the year 1910, from the State of New
York, to find a home on the western
frontier. He had heard much of the
BEAUTIES of the western forests, of the
prolific qualities of the broad prairies, of
its placid lakes and fertiEzing rivers
and, won by the accounts, to mako the
journey himself, he finally persuaded his
| wife to give her consent to a removal -
They had but two children at the time;
the eldest of whom, boy, was to remain
at the cast until his education was some
what more advanced.
One bright and cloudless morning in
May, the Wagon of our emigrant halted
beside the Missouri, in what is nov called
Nebraska. A mild face was thrust out
upon him from the curtains, and gen
tie voice eDquired,-
Are we to stop here, Lionel p
well wife,, was the reply, perhaps
we nigh as well. This seems to be |
fine country, and as the old adage runs,
we might go farther and faro worse So
pass out pussy, and let her run around a
little. The POOR thing must be awfully
cramped by this time. Twelve hours
riding is not very refreshing. Come,
puss +
Hereupon a sweet little girl of about
ten summers appeared in front of the
wagon, and shaking the sunny locks back
from her sparkling face, sprang into the
,rms of her fond father.
oh, what pretty place. she cried,
with glee, as her proud father lowered
her from his caress. Come, mamma.
come out here and see how beautifully
.he sun shines on this river, and SEQ the
ish darting all around, catching flies =
Jim pretty little dears, pussy will feed I
he little darlings.' This was said to t
he fish. Soon she was busted in finding a
worms and other food for them, while /
he clapped her hands in wild merriment a
o see the speckled beauties dart to the fl
urface, and sometimes beyond it, to il
atch the tempting morsels. g
Mrs. Gardner stood for moment ga
ing upon her child, partly in admiration W
her beauty, and partly in pity at her 6
,ndition. Il
Poor Amyp she thought, you are t;
20 frail flower to transplant to the IL
ilderness; but there is no help for it cl
ow. We must make the best of the y
ortion that Heaven designs for u.s. Il
She soon was busted in removing some ci
the utensils from the Wagon, and pre- m
lriDg their first meal in their new homo. &C
-eanwhile Mr.. Gardiner had surveyed RI
e spot, selected site for the erection
their cabin, and struck the first blow "
his axe into the bark of an old tower.
G denizen of the forest. The sound VI
7oke strange echoes. AS they listened III
the reverbations feeling of awe crept to
er them. They were miles and miles WI
ray from their kindred, perhaps from pr
cir race-alone with each other in the
ep solitude of natures rural home- w
J the smoke of the first fire assembled W y,
the venturous pioneer, taking 80
land of wife and child in either of his
n, knelt upon the rich soil, and i'm. --'
'red protection and happiness from o'
m, who guides our destinies in the .'
ACE or.hut, populous city or silent ~ ~,
d. d-wood. oul
Here then, it was decided that they on.
'uld remain. Here would be their 70,
ure home! In few days log cab int
was reared for their occupancY.- +;s
is seemed to be the very height of bo,
le Amy's ambition. She had read Of ,o,
1ghing it in the bush,' of log cabins lati
forest life, and this was the realiza- IVA,
of tho dreams she had formed of it. hin
IN she assisted her father in planting {
he carrying the seed for him, and in wit