The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-02-04

travellers. Between four and hveWe arrived
1t Adsl, whey9 vwe had good supper we'll
cooked, asdss4vsd up = clean tsbls-eleths
by PLEASANT walters. AT Adsl We met Ield
MI. BALDWfs, and when ws told BIN VI
hoped be in Dee Moinss BY ten o'clock
be assured ~ We would miss that calcu-
lation sadly, for he had been from eight
o'clock till four travelling the same road BY
daylight. He was quite sure We would not
see Des MONIES minute before one, and the
result proved him aprophet. Ishould have
remarked, N passing, that the roads, - NJ
came East, had been constantly growing
worse. They have had deeper snow in this
part Of the country than yeu hsd at the
Bluff, and it, melting had kept the ground
muddy, while the warm weather had been
drying Jour roads till they were smooth and
dusty. From Adsl Oh, We found the going
not at all improved, aud to our great cha
grin, nj dusk, II commenced showing rapid
". Tho driver hurried on, as fast ~ posi-
bic, while the roads could yet be seen, for
it was evident that in such storm, two
hours would suf6ce to obscure the track en-
tirely. So it proved, and We left the farms,
and fences, and other way marks BY which
the road could he traced, and struck out on
to the boundless prairies, our hearts quailed
within US. Lost Oh the prairie! The words
had an awful import, which We dared not
contemplate. But we would hope for the
best; we would be cheerful while We could
we said, and 50 we pushed on, the gentle
men looking ont at either window to. soc il
We kept the track, for to Us, faint one was
visible, though to the driver, with the blind
ing snow beating in his face, keeping the
way, were like threading labyrinth with
out the clue.
Unconsciously, we left the road, and soon
became aware by the unesenness of the
ground and tho rocking of the coach, that
we were upon the unbroken, untravelled
prairie. A few rods farther, and the
wind came sweeping 10 at the lee-ward-then
We knew that We had unconsciously turned
half way round, and were slowly but surely
describing that inevitable circle which ever
beguiles the lost teaveler. Here then, we
stopped, not knowing but it would be our
abiding place till morning -while the gen.
men took lanterns and went in search of the
road. To our great joy, they found it only
half mile distant, and better than all,
short piece of fence for guide. So back we
turned, with lighter hearts, and once again
upon the track. Mr.. S. ran on ahead Of US for
four miles md carried light, picking the
way, and guiding US over bridges, and
rough places where we must have inevita-
bly, upset, but for his careful guidance
Commend US ever to such travelling com.
panlons as Mr.. j. SHEPARD. Careful, kind,
and attentive, anticipating our
every want, and withal jovial, light-hearted
and witty. His kind heart would not let US
want, his buoyant nature would not let US
dispair. Long may he live
Now, in our journey, we were at the wood
land, and here the road was easily kept, but
then new difficulty arose, for some awful |
hills were to be trarersed, and the coach |
slid about with the least uneyenness. But
here again our careful guide was not at
fault, and he with the other gents who had |
joined ms at Abel, walked behind or beside |
the coach, as the case required, steadying
it, or pushing behind to help the tired
horses. So passed the time, between al
'erna'e hope and fear, courage and dsuair,
till at last, joy to tell. we drew up at the
Demoine House, at half past Q o'clock, with
thankful hearts, and tears of joy.
NJ. B. NJ.