Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-04-16
MI 5 c L. LLAN y Y .
A LEAF FROM PIONEER LIFE.
nv carr. w. D. ALr1lNDER, u.s.A.

nv carr. N. d. ALEXANDER. Z. :. A.
Lionel Gardner started, sometime in the
year Of 1910, from The State of New York,
TO find homc on the western frontier. lie
had heard much ol the b,iutic. Of the west
crn forests. OF the prolific qualities Of the
broad prairic', Of It's placid lakes aud fcF,il.
iling rivers; aud won by the accounts to
make the journey himself. he finally per.
suadcd his wlfc to give her consent tn a re-
moyal. They had but two children at the
time, the cldc., cf whom, boy, was to re-
main at the east until his education was
somewhat more adsanccd.
one bright and clrudlrss morning In May,
the wagon Of our cmisrAni halted beside tho
Missouri in what Is now called Nebraska.
\ mild face was rus, ou, upon him from
the curtains, aud q gentle voice inquired
e" Ar, We to stop here, Llonel?"
"well, wife. was the reply, perhaps
we might as we'll This seems TO be a tine
country, and as the old adagc runs, we nigh,
20 further and faro worse. 81 pass cut
pussy. and let her run round little. The
poor thing must be awially cramPcd by this
time. Twelve hour, riding is not very re-
ircshing. Come, puss!' ~
IIcrcupon a sweet Little girl Of about ten
summer. appeared in front OF the wagon
and shaking the sunny locks hack from her
sparkling face, spraus into the arms Of her
fond father.
"Oh, vhn, pretty place." she cried,
with glcc, as her proud father lowered her
from his carcss. Come, mamma, come out
here and see how beautifully the .un shines
ON the river. and 500 the h,h dAriins all
around. catching the flies. Come, pretty
little d,ars, pussy will feed the little darl'
ins.." This wa. .lil to the fish. Soon shc
was busted in finding worm. aud other food
ior them, Will, she clapped her hands in
wild merriment to see the 'Pccklcd beauties
dar. to the surface, and sometimes beyond
il, 10 catch the tempting morscls.
Mrs. Gardiner stood for a moment gazing
upon her child, partly in admiration OF heF
beauty, and partly in pity at her condition.
Poor Amy" sho thought, "you arr
too frail fover to transplant to the Wild
erness but there is no help for itnow. We
mu.t have the bcs, Of the portion that Heaven
designs for us"
She was soon busted in removing some o
the utensils from the wagon. and preparing
her frst meal in their new home. Mean
while Mr.. Gardiner had surveyed the spot,
selected site for the erection OF their cabin
and struck the first blow OF his axe into the
bark Of an old towering denIleh Of the !orcst
The sound awokc strange echoes. AZ they
listened TO the rcyerberations u feeling o
awe crcpt over them. They were mile
away from their kindred, perhaps IRON thei'
race-alone with each other in the deeT
solitude of natures rural home. rs th'
smoke OF the lirst FIRE assembled cloudward
the yenturous pioneer, takinga hand o
wife and child in either Of his own, knel
upon the rich soil, and implored protection
and happiness from Him whO guides o0'
destinies in the palace or hut, popnlods city
or silent wildwood.
Here, then, it was decided that they shonlC
remain. Here would be their future home
In few days log cabin was reared fol
their occupancy. This seemed to be the very
height Of little Amy's ambition. She haC
read of " roushIng it in the bush, Of 10;
cabins and forest life, and this was the real
ilation OF the dreams she had formed OF 1t
Then she assisted her father in planting
carrying the seed for him, and IN a dozer
ways making herself indispensable and he'
parent happy.
"Ah, puss" he would say. "you arc
little Jewel aud what could mamma and
do without you p
"Ia am sure don't know perhaps yo'
would send for brother. Then you wouldn'
miss me much"