The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-06-27
seleet MliseelIanp
HOW I TOLD MY LOVE.
BY EDWIN F.. ROBERTS.

Oh, the glories of a>sleigh-ride in the spark
ling bracing air of a Canadian winteri Thesky
clear and exhilarating -keenly bright, but with
different degree of lucidity from that of a
bright summers day. Broad expanding plains
the city receding behind US, as the horses,
leaping onward to the music of their Ginning
bells, make for the broad, boundless country.
The fir forests are clasped in shadowy, ghost
ly slumber. Far away on our right are those
pathless funeral groves where the wolves con-
gregate in hundreds. To the left lies a ridge
of hills sloging down to the river, which is
locked up in the iron manacles of the Winter
King. Ahead, and right before us-8hithnr
we are bound-over waste, and plain, and clear
ing-lics snugly-sheltered village, the head
quarters of the "lumberer" and Uoyageur.
Our destination is not quite SO far.
This said destination is broadly-spread,
low-lyiDg farnstead, with its almost number
less outhouses, consisting of cattle sheds and
dairies, corn-stores, roofngs for winter fodder,
wood stacks, and other concomitants surround
ing the dwelling; all palisaded by zig-zag
fences, as so many outworks to protect the
comfortable citadel. Within it, warm fires
blaze and sparkle from the huge and odorous
logs cracking on the broad, bounteous hearth.
In the great common chamber, raftered and
picturesque as an antique gothic hall, are warm
hearts and flashing eyes. Bearded men and
strapping young hunters, who have just sha-
ken the snow off their furs at the portals
Despite the stern, yet musical baritone of the
singing wind, as it goes by, singing cheeks,
biting noses into purple, and making the blood
tingle, shouts of mirth and laughter rise above
the boreal blasts; and our leaping sleigh, gil
dins-fying along rather-to the music ofthe
soft musical bells, is fast, fast approaching its
terminus
ain the meantime" asks the reader, 'swho
occupy this sleigh?' hasten to answer.
First, there was your humble servant, the
narrator, Dick Harding by name, but few
months back from the banks of the Isis, with
the "bar" in prospect, my governor" having
snug interest in the Indian House. l
add few of my personal items. Rather good
looking; a fair shot; stunning "stroak-oar;"
can hit with wonderful vigor straight from the
shoulder; am five feet ten and-growing; can
play the fiddle, game of pool, and have the
temper of an angel. I had been one of par
ty Of venturous sportsmen, "going In" for
something worthy of Alexander, and, with
fishing tackle, spears and shooting irons, had
done no inconsiderable execution among the
denizens of the Canadian woods, and sound
ing ''rapids,' and hunting the bear in his bold
and picturesque fastness.
Enough of myself Now for my compan-
IONS
Pzuce auz DANES, therefore-for, nesting
by my side, wrapped up IN rugs and worm
furs, is Lota DArville-a bright eyed, rosy
Tipped laughing Canadian, as lovely girl
woman of seventeen as glance of man ever
rested complacently upon. The Canadian
| mother and the French father were expressed
in her name. Her playful eyes had exercised
their sorcery upon me ere this; and the modu-
/ lations of a voice unequaled for its low, soft
sweetness, completed the young Syren's tri-
umph. This by the way, for we had exchang-
ed no confidence as yet on subject very near
to my heart
We were bound to merry sleighing party
at Windg-gap Farm-ostensibly to hunt upon
| a vast scale, which accounts for my two rifles
! and ammunition lying in the sleigh, and for
the noble deer-hound, the third "individuap'
who had curled UP his great body at our feet,
and aided to keep them warm. 1 had known
her BROTHER young officer in the Canadian
riAes-had killed "bar' at the "Saft-fcks"
with him; had met L3ta and her family on
board st. Lawrence steamer, and was now a
| guest at their house, enjoying their frank and
bounteous hospitality.
0Hurrahl" Through the keen, sonoreus air,
sleigh and horses bound alongI "CIing-clang!"
oo the Ginning BELLS ~Crick-crackp goes
the long-thonged whip, with sharp cheery
significance. nv mMadawasko Cariole," a
sleieh which is the perfection of locomotion,
Is not less perfection than the fiery steeds,
With their sinews of elastic steel, which now
drive. .s..5l,
IN the world, when you are used to it. was
,,e.aher Of the seTandem Club" and reckon
Il q araek hand-a af ennHse-4-1 exlzited IN INV