The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-09-12
Coz rcspOndcnce Of the Times.

Friend Times - 1t has been said, and
think truthfully, that "Americans are the
most practical people on the face of the
globe" was reading, not long since, an
article in the Wyoming Times, a paper
published weekly in my native town in the
western part of the State of New York,
which confirms this belief.
Silver Lake is beautiful sheet of water,
once famous as being the abode of the great
sea serpent, or as it was at the time called,
the "Silver Lake Snake" of whose exist
ence there you have probably heard-and
for particular account of which I would
refer you to the columns of the Buffalo Re-
public of the Summer of 1866, every word
of which is an Infamous Justification, and
tends to throw great discredit ON the 'snaik.
Suffice it to know, was reared within q
mile of this samo Silver Lake snake, and
have often sailed on the smooth surface Of the
''classic waters" of that beautiful lake, and
have caught many a shining and tiny fish
out Of its depths, which is enough; if l had
been Roman could not have dated from
a more famous locality. never saw the
monster myself, though l am acquainted
with several who have, which is doubtless
satisfactory. This lake is only short dis
lance from the pleasant village of Perry,
and is the resort, in summer time, of nearly
all the pleasure parties, pic-nics and rides,
and is, withal, famous place for catching
fish.
A new attraction has lately been added
to it in the way of beautiful steamboat
bearing the name of 1.-THE Wyoming"
which was built, it seems, expressly for a
r,ls0 hpOf h,,t
has suggested that it be put to some useful
purpose, viz = that of carrying the mail
back and forth, and thus be made to pay
though the owners are abundantly able to
support such an institution whether it pays
or not But Jonathan must make even his
playthings useful, else he may as well fling
them behind him.
1t is wonder the Falls of Niagara have
not been made the motive power of number.
less mills and manufactures. We wonder
what our nation would do with Mont Blanc
If they had it! Place an ice cream frcez.
ing establishment on its summit, probably
or tunnel it Ia Thames and settle Yam.
kee colony within. We shall next expect
that Mammoth Cave has been partitioned
off into apartments to let to small families
Rooms containing stalactites, extra charge
as in such cases clothes-pins would be un.
necessary. The truth is, We would make
death and eternity practical if We only
knew how.
Last Monday we took short trip through
the country as far as New Oregon. The
day of our exodus from home was remark
able for nothing but being extremely warm
and dusty, but during the night it rained
just enough to lay the dust, so that Tues
day, the day of our return, was one of un.
expected sunnyness and softness, cool and
clear. There were along our way some Of
the loveliest situations for building l have
ever seen anywhere. shall never forget
one cozy little house, nestled down in a
green nook among the hills. The sweet
shades Of domestic happiness seemed to
guard the spot, and the golden light of ro
rnouS ftS VI Iutr irt tuttagr sprung up
in my mind and looked over into the gar
den to see, tripping among the flowers, the
delicate and white -gowned mistress of that
charming little house-when 10 ! and be-
hold, how were my sensibiities shocked, t.
see standing in the doorway, a sturdy dam.
sci, minus crinolne, sans shoes and stock
ings, and as for howers-alas! there wer,
none Of those sweet superauities Of nature
those Improbable drinkers-up of the dev
and sunshine, those radiant "cumberers o
the ground'-though there were plenty o
cucum6ers mellowing and yellowing in tn
sun and growing fat and seedy, like an oil
liner-out. There were no beds Of violets
but the onion beds promised an abundan
crop; the royal rose was wanting, but ther
was no lack of that vegetable so nearly lik
| il in shane that IL mipht well take its nlac
III the ,boddice of giantess-that plan
dearest to Dutchmen and tailors-the cat
bage.
If I may be allowed, before closing thi
letter, would hc.c briefly acknowledg
the reception of Harper's Magazine from
kind friend, and would fain speak the CRATE
full feelings it awakened. 1t is very pleasan
to be thus remembered by absent ones
where no tic Of relationship exists.
Ad,eu. NELL.