The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-03-16
On the Route---Letter from John II. I
Kinnaird, ESQ.

|
avail myself Of the first opportunity that h.
i. presented itself to scribble you page or tw
j. from my journal of travel. We left your bu.
8 little city, as you are probably well aware, O
3 Monday the 7th at IL o'clock, in the midst (
a violent and disagreesble storm. Mycmotior
, on bidding long adieu to the most charmin
spot in which ever dwelt, were suoh as car
not describe. Friends, true and tried, gathere
around US, grasping our hands with vice Xix
tenacity, and pouring down our necks anti
Temperance stimulants sufficient 10 satisfy tn
thirsty Threats Of thousand Dives. In con
sequence OF these frequent potations became
tor the first time since my residence in Iowa
slightly stimulated. Yes, notwithstanding m
strong temperance proclivities, actually fel
the potency of McGregor lemonade, 1 do no
mean to insinuate that was ineb,iated-by u,
means. 81 was ma fou; but just had plenty
"Just drappie in my e'e' In short merely
had enough aboard to convince a REASONABLE
man, without augmentation, that was not 8
rabid teerotaler And who, let me ask can par
from an old friend without drinking him sue.
cess +? Not l, Mr.. Editor, not I. I would say
something about parting from wives and sweet
hearts, but the very thought blinds me with
tears, and must forbear.
At about IL we succeeded in tearing ourselves
away from those we love, and began our march
for the golden Peak. The storm stopped us q,
the FoUR Mule House, where We secured lod2.
ings for the night nice supper. comfortable
bed and charming breakfast, well. compensate
US tor our delay. We we're up at seven. eager
Tor the journey, and prepared for a pleasant
days ride. We had gone but few rods when
sympathy for our burdened beasts induced
Rogers and myself to alight from the wagon
and test the virtues of our Impractical pedals.
The day was damp. foggy and disagreeable.
and the roads were awful beyond description.
but we had read of heroes in our youthful
days, and with light hearts and heavy boots.
We jouneyed on. About twelve We halted in
the centre Of beautiful prairie and RECALLED
ourselves with dried herring; the herring
suggested ginger snaps, bag of which our
kind friend Mrs. r. (may she live thousand
years. had provided for US. so we assisted our.
selves to snaps. As a matter of course the
snaps suggested cherry bounce, and we unani-
n'ously bounced. Thus refreshed We fastened
on as rapidly a. the roads would allow. and
reached Elkader at2. At this point we allow.
ed our animals to dine, while we went around
shopping; the object of our search was a act
OF knives and forks, nm article which, as vet.
we have been unable to obtain. We left the
village at four, and after travelling over seven
or eight miles of as hard a road az YOU will find
this side Of jordan, reached the volga. Here
darkness overlook us, our horses and ourselves
were very much jaded, and the stream vas 40
swollen that crossing was extremely hazardous.
In this extremity VIC betook ourselves to house
hard by and requested accommodations for the
night The proprietor came to the door-ve
represented to him our condition, and besoupht
him to shelter our animals if he could not IA.
But, would you believe it, Mr. Editor, "tbis
man-mankind beg your pardon this worm
little animals forgive the insult :'-absolute.
~ refused to sell US one-half bushel Of corn.
although he had seventy five bushels in his
crio' We offered him double price, but in
vain. he would not part with pound Tins
disappointed there was but one alternative left
ue our horses were almost exhausted. NIGHT
was upon us, and we must cross the Volpa.-
Amsden feiled a little sapling (the aforesaid
OF the corn standing by and rethon. |
strafir." oil H. i.s We I
'io'ated our wagon box about eighteen inches,
md on we drove into the turbid stream. The
current wac rapid as lightning. and as it bore
as down We thought that Pharaoh's fate was
'urs' but our noble horses struggled for their
'ves' and bore US safely through. It was in.
Iced, a perilous undertaking, and one which |
would not venture again for the temple of
solomon The man who refused to assist US
weary travellers, and who stood on the banks of
me stream as we crossed, knowing that, in 60
crossing, the chances of life and death were
about equal, is named M,NAAdARAu!-
de is' beyond doubt, the meanest man on
the Continent, and respectfully commend him
10 the tender uercies of the Deva.
Safe across, we hurried on through the dark !
ness for . mile Or more, when We espied by the
roadside snug little cottage
"And said II there's peace TO be found In tb.-
nesrt that 10 humble might hope for It hcrs.,
The proprietor proved to be generous, whole.
souled Irishman, and treated us with : ofr.
diality shall never forget a good supper and
glorious feather-bed wera among the accom-.
nodations We found here. A night Of swseter
rest never enjoyed before, and should live
. thousand years. shall never forget nv Irish
friend M'DERNoTT.
At early rnorn we were up. dressed and ready
Tor embarkation-ResEas and myself on FOOT.
and AHsDES at the helm. We reached Straw.
berry Point at noon. dined, enjoyed . siesta Of
couple OF hours, and resumed our journey
AT 1--WE we cast anchor on high prairie and
we were fortunate in being near
the residence of Mr.. Paxton, Who sbeltered
our horses and kindly offered US every .ssis.
TANGO In his power, but we were qrite indie.
pendent, and proposed to accommodste our
selves. As matter of course supper VAS the
frst thing in order; having implicit faith in the
oid aoage 100 many cooks will spoil the broth,
sssetched my wsaried limbs on an old niece
Of wes tarpsnlin and quietly permitted Rogers
y Amsden to prepare the repast. widths hall
IN nour supper was announced. Ham. hard
bread, potatoes and coffee, constituted the bill
OF fare. and ] assure you We relishsd these
prosaic dishes with as much gusto - though
they had been prepared ct big hotel with up-
ineligible French and Italian names. Pota.
toes Ia Pixies Peak, are just a. good - pots.
toes la Vienne.
supper being over, we ensconced ourselves
in the wagon for the night. / fsttsred myself
that "tired natures sweet rcstorcr" would soon