The new era., 1860-03-08
Life in the Woods.
No.. g.

Ii was DfiSnt morning III OctoDoA'
Birds were singing as if they had aban-
doned any notion they might have en-
tertained of southern flight. The Grim
son and golden vesture of the Autumn
wore softened velvety appearance, In
the mellow sunshine of the balmy, glo-
rious Indian Summer. 1t was univer-
sally decided by the inmates of this
Agency House, that the day was made
for enjoyment So the carriage was
ordered, and soon stood at the door. A
good, substantial wagon 1t was, with
three or four seats, cushioned with
Buffalo robes and Indian blankets. Up
on the front seat was perched Mac,
literally gray-with age, with Palinurus-
like honors, and with garments ill fitting,
and greyest of all. He grasped the
reins stoutly, and surveyed his steeds
with look of pride. We'll he might.
Judging from appearance, they could
have dated an existence contemporary
with his own =; and they gave evidence,
even in a stand-still posture, of having
attained the human virtues Of meekness
and patience. Mr.. and Mrs. R,
Mr.. and Mrs. s., Miss N -, four
chidred in all, with Fred and Minnie,
found places, at length, and were whirl-
IL Il 70 nf w
miles an hour. Past the mouth of the
Sauk, and the musical Rapids-past
stately Indians, followed by bevies of
squaws and papposes-past scrub oaks
and miniature wildernesses of brIsh,
and hazle- bush-past singing birds, and
frightened gophers, and timid prairie
chickens, our vehicle dashed along in
the most approved fashion.
At Benton City we landed, Here
: was one log house, where family had
spent the summer now gone. Near 1t
was the store house, large two-story
frame building, where was stored all the
goods for the upper country, brought to
this point by the little steamboat +" Gov.
Ramsey" Here, as frequently by the
wayside, all up and down the country
) were skeletons of wigwams, woven il
such manner as might have served g
good purpose for the ladies of the tribe
had they been disposed to adopt the on
/ fashion of the day now universal.
This goodly city, of which Gov Ram
sey was one of the proprietore, has ;
good location, and might have been tht
r centre of fourishing town, by prope
outlays, and well-sustained interest
These being wanting, Benton City re
\ mains unto this day, IN statu quo. 1t i:
t but mile from the Rapids, is the high
: est point at which steamboats, land, ant
> is opposite Upper st. Cloud, a yer.
! thriving town on the Western shore G
y the Mississippi AT that time, however
: there was no vestige of St. Cloud. Tn
e land was owned by Indians-and wit
= the prairies beyond, formed their vas
4 hunting grounds.
= OF st. Cloud we will speak in futur
number-now we will return to the topi
= of the ride.
Id From Benton City, we drove acros
r to the " old Corbett House," the seen
a !, of our former fears 1t is needless I
ir say, that by daylight, it was disarme
ra ofits formidable and ghostly appearance
d, Through creeks and briog geless streams
r over eminences and through vine an
,d brush entaEgled Wales, our ancient dri,
t. er guided his willing beasts, with ii
s. utmost pride and precision until
ne length upon the bluff that rises opposil
!, the mouth of the Sauk, at word
I'M command, he drew the reins.
Never shall we forget how glorious
''u beautiful Minnesota seemed to us as v
gazed around upon the scene. TT
ed view of the Grand River was fine i
ID. indeed, dotted here and there with
a, forest covered island, and stretching
Nv Nv and down for miles, then losing it's
,oI L among thick-foliaged points. to reappe
IN in broad bands of silvery sheen. 6 ~
Nv Now, Minnie, choose you two |,
her in Sauk Rapids where shnll they be
vo- said our good friend. '2a
Ugh I" Right here, /" said we :. this is t
.ne m very precise spot that we came to M
:. nesota for" 1jF lE89ifsifgE
ese What ! on this bluf,-it will be c.
pom here in winter-the wind will have
hee terrible sweep-will have to go ds
here for water-won't it be fatiguing