The new era., 1860-02-09
Life in the Woods.
No. 5.

f.Ff
gathered when we reached what has
since been designated "the Old Cor
1bett House" we had learned at the
last house, twelve miles back, that al
this place white trader had been mur-
dered by some indians, in drunken
spree. So, although on one account, we
were rejoiced to obtain view ofthe rude
structure, as we had been told our stop
piag place at Sauk Rapids, was but two
and half miles from the same, yet it
was with somewhat of trepidation, we
gradually gained a nearer view of the
deserted tenement. The door, demi-
demolished, was hanging by its lower
hinge. The,window spaces, innocent of
glass or sash, looked to US like the two
great eyes of ghost, peeting into the
darkness. Our pegasus was tired, and
ambulated leisurely. So we had ample
time for a full survey, as well as full
play for our fears. The upspringing
figures of tawny savages, shouting
the wall Of the warhoop, the spirit
unshrived of the murdered victim, play
ed fantastic tricks" with our imagina-
ton. But not word was uttered. As
we passed along unharmed, we began
to commune with ourself:
8
Fie on this first experience. We had
thought-to be so brave, so ready and
willing TO live among Indians now SO
faint-hearted, SO fearful even in passing
where their footsteps have been This
will never do. "A beautiful pioneer we
shall make. Courage heart, courage
and thus we were going on to be
brave and bold as lion. when our ear
caught the sound of paddles. Turning
the eye in direction of the sound, we
spied a boat, in the dusky gloom of ftwi
light, rapidly gliding over the surface
of the river. We could just make out
that it was occupied by three forms clad
in blankets Then our sandy-founda-
toned courage quite crumbled away,
and~ou trumped-up bravery settled
back into its original nonentity. What
Fred was thinking of would be difficult
to tell. We remember Of wishing he
would take that moment to light his cl-
gar, that the careless movements neces-
sary to- that labor might break the
monotonous, underlined terror. We did
not speak, lest he should laugh cat
such folly" Poor simpleton! How
much we have learned since then
Along we journcyed through the fast
thickening darkness. Not star was
visible. At length light glimmered
distantly. We gleefully exclaimed, a
light-a light--we are almost there"
We actually thought Fred's tone had a
shade of spite and qualification in this
reply" No, not there yet-have you
forgotten we were told newly married
Frenchman had just moved up here a
mile this side of the Agency Can't
make the horse go out of walk
shan't get there for an hour yet" Com
forting wasn't it ? The last mile had
seemed endess-and now another in the
pitchy blackness of night-would it not
stretch out more interminahle still.
Weary and despairing. we turned to the
last resource. Ah, forgot fears, indians,
ghost, darkness-for Dream-land has a
bright sky, and all its beings are loving,
fairy-like, beautiful r~ goo
All things have an end !: and an end
came to our first tripto Sauk Rapids.
The windows ofthe Agency House were
all lighted. There were three visible
from front view Happy were those who
boasted of one in that day. We enter
ada hall |; from thence the long, spa
-.cious dining ROOM The evening had
been chilly, and we were cold. How
glorious looked to us that warm stove
the comfortable room, well lighted, ane
most Of all the smiling, happy faces o
those who gave us SO cordial welcome
cannot be told in this place. "Darses
lust before day." was verified in this in
stance, ,saae.; sfMieeaf .sqa4 ,aa lsiQ
However, unwillingly, we had beel
compelled to admit to ourself, that ou
enthusiasm, since leaving st. Anthony
had, subsidized. many degrees. Nor
than once we had queried. silently, bu
seriously, whether or no we had nc
m, made a I'M mistake and ifsome other drea
mer than the milkmaid Of fame. was nc
to see. her castle come down with
crash at her feet. But emerging fror
the darkness of night and decayin
hopes, into the glowing warmth OF tina
cheerful room, and in the midst OF
bappy.- pleasant family group, ever