Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-09-28

ing on the consequences of wrong stroke of
the oar. But you have had scarce moment
for reflection whilst passing over mile of
rough and rapid water, and your breath is re-
gained when you observe Your craft moving
more slowly along and out of danger. a night
passed in the ssLittle Basin,'' with the earth
for couch, the heavens for its canopy, and
the stars for your watchers-a few nights pass
elk in rude stopping places, where etiquette is
banished and those keen OF appetite and quick
of foot fare best at the table, and the most fa-
tigued first select soft plank for bed-these,
with the joke and the dance and the song,
would drive away ennui and fill up week in
the life of any mortal.
But should you determine upon first trip
beware of the practical jokes which are play ed
upon green hands. and remember that it will
be your duty to drive nail in the side of the
raft to note the rise or fall of the water during
the night; that fatigued though you be you
will be expected to bale the raft on the first
night of landing and that although your hair
may be standing on edge with fright as you
make your maiden trip throughCanawaga falls,
toSyou will be left the delicate and dangerous
task of driving in the forward oar pin.
1t is no uncommon thing for our lumbermen
whilst on their way to market to be compelled
to stop where the coarsest fare is provided for
them at the highest price. But few are the
complaints, for appetite givesa zest. But when
it is served up without regard to taste or clean
illness they wish they were at home where the
wife spreads the unspotted linen and pours out
the invigorating beverage which seems sweet
enough out of her hands. In illustration of
what the ratfsmen sometimes experience re-
cent occurrence might be related. A Gram
plan Hill crew under command OF the owner
of the craft started on unexpected rise in
the river. Want Of time for preparation pre-
vented the owner obtaining the usual supply
of bread. At night the raft was landed at
well known landing place and the crew were
voracious. Among the hands was an Irishman,
who was for the first time on a raft. When
nearing the house where the party must re-
main over night he was not much taken with
the appearance OF things, but he consoled him
self with the thought that despite rough ex-
terror all might be right within. A soiled and
course laole ClOlH Wouiu not nave prevented
him partaking of the food which was loaded
on the table, but when he saw the hostess pick
her teeth with fork which was placed at the
seat that in the rush to the table was left for
him he went supperless to bed. Hunger over
comes many scruples. In the morning he es-
sayed TO partake of breakfast, but before the
task was completed uneasy sensation about
the abdominal region, induced by what he had
seen during the meal, warned him to leave the
room quickly, and he soon was as though he
had not ate. Towards noon of that day he
saw the owner eating some light biscuit and
enquired where they were, remarking at the
time that he was faint and ravenous. On be-
ing informed of their whereabouts he provi-
.ded himself with three, two of which he had
dcvoured before he again approached the own
er. His hunger somewhat appeased he could
then observe that the biscuit neither present
ed the taste nor appearance Of those manufac-
tured by good housewife. He remarked to
the owner that had he not brought the cakes
from home, he should have believed that they
had been purchased at IS. ssAnd you would
not have been far wrong in thinking So" re-
piled the boss, 'sfor bought them at S this
morning. at these words the hand, to use a
common saying, went to New york.
(To BE CoSTISUED.l