The new era., 1860-02-02
LIFE IN THE WOODS.
a M a atr nr

| Il was the autumn of 1851. St. Paul
had then a. population of twenty-five
hundred. She had grown within brief
space miraculously, like the twins, whom
their nurse buried in the ashes every
night But St Paul was not our desii-
nation. We had resolved that our
home should be at the City OF the Falls
where the rush of the waters should
make melody for the ear, and the en-
chanting scenery should give pleasure
to the eye. So we hurried through the
busy. bus.ling city Of magical growth,
as though we had no business there
and as we journeyed on by stage, thro'
delightful, undulated country. was
fancying to ourself the quiet, little,
uninhabited city to which the Journey
tended. We had been assured that it
contained hotel, and schoolhouse,
and knew, regretfully, that some noisy
mills we're shouting out their discords,
amid the music of the Falls. Arrived at
the hill, which overlooks the whole
scene, what was our surprise to find
miniature city there too Neat white
cottages dotted green surface miles
in extent; church spires, glittering like
minarets of mosques that we read of.
lowered lohily. The splendor of the
natural view so charmed us, that we
were not, at first, sensible of a disap-
pointment; but as we whirled along,
past dwelling houses, artisans shops,
stores by the score, offices by the doz-
Of Blackstone and Esculapius, voice
found itself.
A new country-this new country?
A look of centuries upon its face:
burden Of beeuty and bloom upon its
bosom Where are the unbroken for
ests, the log hut of the 'emigrant, the
rude abode Of the Indian? To all ap-
pearance, this sanity city had been for
ever innocent of any such primitive ap-
pointments. We became sensible of
hearty disappointment. What seven
miled city we exclaimed, becoming
impatient at length with the intermina-
bic Main Street, and thrusting our head
out Of the coach window, unfortunately,
just in time for our wondering and
abashed eyes to meet the gaze of doz-
en- loungers standing on the piazza of
the st. Charles, to which Jehu, at that
moment with Il great flourish Of whip
landed US at last To st. Anthony we
had come, and it never occurred to us
but that at ST. Anthony we must stay
Fred bought house, in one part of
which we wero to commence our reign
as housekceper, in the other was to be
his law office. 1t was not, however, to
be vacated for our use until several
weeks, during which time was ample
opportunity for perambulating the coun-
try, which was decidedly as charming
and romantic as could be desired. 81
might just as well have staid at C.,
sighed Fred one day There were bat
nine OF I ;S; ny profession, while here is the
goodly number of TWENTY-FIVE, while at
St. Paul, nine miles distant, is the ter
rife host Of forty. If people here are
not unconscionably wicked, one score,
at least. Of these will starve. have
mind to 60 up in Judge Ms District.
There's not lawyer in all Benton
County. which includes ground from
Ramsey to the North Pole. more or
less "By all means, we chimed in.
animated with the sudden hope of see
ing Indians and wigwams and log houses
after all. "Why didn't you think of it
sooner. Let us 60 and see. any how"
SIS he called in Judge NJ, who was
a boarder at the St. Charles. to join in
our consultation. He opened wide his
eyes at the proposal; and to our ques-
tion of why he Gid not in the beginning
advise usto 60 to Sauk Rapids, he re-
plied-"Why have proposed to so
many lawyers to become residents of our
County, whose wives took it as an in
self, tnat confess dared not venture
to say word about it.. But | must tell
you, you will lead lonely life. You