Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-05-28
Superior Correspondence.


SUPERIOR, May 7th, so
EDrroR TELEaRArH;
The promise of the Spring to visit us at an
early day, was an unfulflled one Instead Of
april showers" we had continual snow-storms,
and even an occasional patch of white de-
notes where some epSrmous drift had raised it's
aspiring head. Not until the fifth of the pres.
ent month did the ice in the St. Louis river be-
gin to break away-and even then Dame Ma
ture in most ungracious mood, unwilling tn at
we should witness so joyful scene, concealed
the whole beneath an impenetrabe fog. When
after three days the veil was slowly lifted, we
gazed upon an open Bay and Lake, and afar
upon the waters was an advancing steam boat
Then came on one of our famous "uorth-easters"
returning the icy masses to the shore and wedg-
ing the steamer close between them until two
miles of ice lay between her and the open water,
and four between her and the shore. By the
aid Of glasses we ascertained it to be a Chicago
boat-the Lady Elgfn. Yesterday two of her
passengers came ashore at Portland Minnesota,
having walked the broken ice by the aid of
planks to assist themselves over the chasms be-
tween. They were eleven hours in performing
the journey, and so exhausted and chilled when
the land was reached, as to be unable to stand
alone. This morning they crossed the Bay
bringing us the news that at Copper Harbor
they had taken the freight and passengers of the
North Star, which had then returned to Cleve-
land.
Several of our returning citizens are upon this
floating prison house, among them lady who
left us two years ago, bride, and who was re-
turning fond and happy mother to her parents
roof But the infant had sickened and died up
on the boat and there are they, the stricken
pair, with home in sight, and yet unable to reach
its shelter and claim the sympathy of those they
love- Not until the wind subsidies can the
steamer make her escape from "durance vile >
and still it blows without a sign of exhaustion
Most probably she will return without another
effort to reach our port, and land her freight and
passengers at some point below until the "Star"
comes up again the latter part Of the present
week.
Meanwhile we Superiorites amuse ourselves
as best we can. Wild ducks and geese in fleets
sail over the open water, tempting the sports
man skill, and the fnny tribes below have al
so due share of attention. Uncle Sam, in his
poverty, has reduced our tri-weekly mail service
to weekly one, thus intensirying the excitement
consequent upon the arrival of his servitor-
Oar long-headed citizens have voted themselves
an enormous tax, in order TO make non-residents
feed our poor and bodies of Irishmen are, by
this means, employed in grading, ditching, and
laying new plank walks, improving much the ap-
pearance of our still ambitious town. Then
there are gardening and house-cleaning, and tea
drnkings, and sewing circles to employ us femi-
nines-but after all it is weary, tOeary time
from the cessation of winter amusements and
employments until the opening of navigation.
This confession is most humiliating one
when we come to scan it closely, for it goes to
prove the mental state Of the present age COM
paratively undeveloped one We are emphati-
cally money-seeking people, and the labor
which is requisite for its attainment is necessi-
ty to our happiness. We are sensual mercena-
ry selfsh-and our souls grow stagnate and
foul if we are at rest from earthly cares. And
yet the very leisure which is our present dread,
is indispensable, If we would attain to riches of
the mind Time for study-time for thought
time for converse with the mighty dead--these
must all be ours, would we make any great ad-
vance morally, intellectually or spiritually. And
how we pass these golden moments by, pleased
with rattle tickled with a straw p
But the sorry picture has this one redeemiug
light. Every age has had its mission-this is
ours. Even this condition is an advancing step
in the grand progression of a world. We are
stores Of wealth which shall give
release from worldly care to those who by and
by shall Gil our places here. No fears for daily
bread-no fears of cold or famine shall haunt
the generation soon to come. With the magic
talisman Of gold, will they summon around them
the ponderous tones which bear condensed the
wisdom Of the past, and amid the eIegancies of
art and the luxuries Of every cline, the human
intellect shall attain strength aud brlliancy and
grace, of which we may not even dream.
Sunday May l5@ The Norh Star early
this morning, came pear enough to discover the
field of ice which still hOVers along our horizon
and, discouraged by the prospect, has returned
By passing along the Northern shore she might
have come safely, for there are miles of open wa.
ter. The Elgin might have come in if she had
made the effort. Her passengers were landed Oh
the north shore and have arrived in open boats.
The passengers Of the star have probably re-
turned to Lapoint or Bayfield,, To express our
indignation aud sorrow, all language would be
inadequate, therefore ] bid you adieu Mo.n