Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-07-28
The Sons" nn-Route.
STEAMER MhwAUklr, July %, 1855

Eu. EMpIRR--A nights rest and fresh
toilet have effected decided improvement
in the appearance Of our party, and having
myself taken good breath Of fresh air, and
made out our bearings | am prepared to
give you few notes The transition from
the cars, which at this season are necessa-
rily unpleasant, but in this case especially
so from the clouds Of sand which poured
in upon us, to the boat, was altogether agree
able, This was effected not without some
pushing, crowding and shouting, as the
whole town seemed TO have come out to wei.
come or rather embarrass us. Two boats,
which fred a salute at our arrival, were
sufficient to accommodate the party, at least
so far as sleeping on the floor and plenty to
eat, could be called accommodation, The
boats were neatly trimmed with branches OF
evergreens, and docked with banners, the
stare and stripes alternating with uncouth
insignia of the Sons Of Malta. Whereas,
hitherto we had possessed scarce single
evidence of their presence among us, now
we had quite superluity, not only in tn sse
banners, but also in the sporting Of similar
badges and the display Of various other en-
blems and parAphernalia, so that now there
was no occasion to inquire "are the Sons OF
Malta among us27 This latter expression
seemed to have more siguifcanoy with the
initiated than with us, iadging from the
frequency of its repetition, and the would
be intelligent look accompanying it. With
firing and music the Light Guard Band Of
Chicago accompanied US, we left our moor
ings and started up the river in the quiet of
a clear moonlight night A long enjoyment
Of the beauty around and above was pre-
vented by the cool stiff breeze which the
rapid motion of the boat accustomed, and
soon oil were gathered in the cabin or had
retired to their state rooms. The morning
dawned on us far up the river, and those
not already stirring were aroused by the
music and firing, us we halted before sun
rise at La Crosse. This is 6 large villa, or
would be called 80 East, and is increasing
rapidly, which may be said of many other
places up the river some Of which are very
neat indeed, altogether inviting The ems
tire scenery of the river is essentially diff
ferent from the ideal had formed; far more
varied, picturesque and pleasing than had
supposed. For beauty of form and feature
never have seen it excelled, while its ex-
ceeding freshness and primitiyeness unS
marred and unadorned by art, rendered it
still more attractive Could have Invested
myself Of the conscious presence of others
and standing on the PROV of the boat, could
have supposed myself alone in some slight
vessel, | could have imagined myself diSOOv,
erer, and that never yet had these hills, and
forests, and gliding waters, met the eye of
civilized man, as they never have felt the
power Of his desolating and moulding hand.
''The sight Of my eyes pleased my hear" :"
most asBnredly, and as the day was 80 plea
SAINT, though little cool on the boat, all
seemed to enjoy the ride and feel in their
merriest mood. We saluted the towns and
''woke the echoes of the wilderness" with
our music and firing till all were filed with
enthusiasm and patriotism.
p. S.--St, Paul, Friday Eve.-As we
neared our place Of destination there seem.
ed to be some incompleteness in tho arrange.
ments, so that we tied up to tree, while a
consultation by the wise oncs--probably
"the council of tcn"-was held, which in-
terval was improved by the unoceupied in a
little dance. After due deliberation we re-
newed our course and headed our approach
with guns and whistles without numEer,
until we heard the answering gun from st
Paul. The two boats being lashed together,
there was a free interchange of conversA-
ton as we'll as passengers, until we reached
the dock, where the entire city with shouts,
banners and torches, had come out to meet
us. 1t was DOW 9 O'Clock, we having been
but 23 hours in making the trip, 302 miles,
including stops and detsntions. The Sohs
of Malta of ST. Paul appeared to escort their
brethren 1--WE know not where) while the
rest of tho party hurried away to find
such quarters as they might be able. You
may suppose that / succeeded well, which |
promise ell would not say, else you would
not have received this addenda. b.