The new era., 1860-07-12
Life in the Woods.
.No.aI9.'

chapter was our initiation into the order
of "Brave and Fearless" Thencefor-
ward our Imagination was put under
strong rein, and Judgment and Reason
made TO- do double duty. We nevel
again feared the innocent, faithful
clock, nor ghosts, nor Indians. And
then, we learned for the first time how
strong is the power Of the Will over the
Fancy as'44 70 iaasae Foi fiaaoJ .
1--WE spent many nights alone after
that. On one occasion, while Fred was
at St, Paul, there suddenly came up, in
the evening. a thunder-shower. Re-
solving to pass through it bravely, we
retired to rest, and by counting humid
reds after hundreds, had fallen asleep.
A knock on the dooraroused US
To the question, "Who isit?" a voice
replied. "Mrs. S. sent for youto go
down and stay with us, ifyou are afraid ;"
"Oh no." we returned "not afraid at
all-thank you''-and the steps retreat
ing, we again mentally declared that
thunder and lightning should not ter
rify us, and fell to wooing slumber
again by a continued repetition OF the
numerals. And go passed oblvious-
ly the night that, but for strong ex-
ercise of will might nave been "night
Of terrors." In the morning we were
cheated out Of breakfast, and here. is
the why and the wherefore. Every
thing edible was in the cellar, the de-
scent to which was by trap-door, that
opened from the kitchen. The rain had
descended in torrents through the leaky
roof, and so swollen the door that no
feat Of personal strength could move it
an atom. How long we worked and
tugged at that door deponent saith not,
but the sun was very high in the heav-
ems when we arose from hearty cry
over that obstinate celar-door. and de-
termined to 20 down to Mr.. SIS forl
breakfast We can truly aver, that
bread and butter and coffee nsrer in our|
lifetime possessed for US such relish,
as that which was spread before US on
that memorable occasion. "Why ,ciH
you stay alone there said Mrs. S..
"Don't you know that you arc perfectly
welcome here?' Yes, we knew it, and
did stay very often with the kind friend
who never wearied in kindness and hos
pitality. More than once we spent a
few days with Mrs. B., who lived a half
mile away. She was q young French
woman of eighteen, just married, and
could speak but few words Of English.
She was very amable and kind dives
now on the orposie side of the Missis-
sippi. Called on her three days ago.
A little group of black-eyed boys and
girls, five in number, perfect pictures of
health and activity, cluster around, call
ing her "ma chere mere /" And she is
just the same cheerful, girl-ooking
IudtTOu dS OCiOIC luCbO dQuSQ years duQ
cares
As we have before said, Spring opened
early, and Fred sat about clearing up a
space for garden. We felt so much
interest that we could not keep in the
house-nor withhold helping hand
So we gathered together the brush in a
heap, and with peculiar satisfaction,
watched it burn into ashes. Then
when all was ready, Mr.. r. 5 breaking
up team was bespoken, and the plow
by eight oxen, cut the ground into fur.
rows. We cannot understand how this
particular region Of Minnesota woule
ever have had a beginning had it moi
been for the conveniences and aids af
forded by this oft-mentioned Agency
establishment. Did any desire tempo
rary food and lodging, they found then
there. Did any want teams for haul
ing, ploughing, berrying or what not
they found them there, and only there
and always at their service. Their
never was a more obliging person, il
this respect, than Mr.. r., proprietor o
the House and all that thereunto per
tained. Every thing that could accom-
rmodate new sottlers-and render then
contented and pleased with their ne'
homes. was done by him cheerfully
even selfdenyingly. ssald ed'F
I'VE were wont to go with Fred. fol
lowing the Indian trail, down on tn
bank Of the river, near Benton City
and bring up cedars, with young tree