The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-08-20
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 90 1862
Correspondence.

myself early one morning snugly ensconced
in carriage, with pleasant companion,
speeding away at rapid rate. Long had
| anticipated this promised trip as change
from the wearisome routine of home duties,
and was not disappointed. The cool
bracing air vas delightful, having been
freshened by recent showers, and the pear.
ly drops were still glistening on myriads of
leaves. 1t seemed to send a new vigor
through our being, making US feel as tho
we were breathing purer atmosphere, and
entering di ffcrent cline. Such changes
produce new emotions within us, and i'm
part new stimulus to life. Objects
look more bright and beautiful. All ma.
ture seemed rejoicing, from the little morn.
ing doves along the roadside, to the CHEEKY
bob white piping its morning song. We
passed some pretty cottages where
"yines love o'er the cottage to twine."
As We reached the summit of a gentle
rise of ground between five and six miles
from home, most glorious sight burst up
on our vision. All ye who have seen the
beautiful prairie for the first time, know
the feelings they awaken. Thousands of
acres OF waving grain, wheat, oats, corn,
&C., all the iaimitable tints of green from
the darkest to the brightest yellow. From
the distance one might imagine the ocean
with its huge pillows. As far as the eye
could reach, one mass of waving, living
green.
The soil is very rich, and vegetation seems
to flourish almost in its primitive wildness.
Why should it not? 1t is but short time
| comparatively, since man has cultivated it,
and it then had been enriched by its own
vegetation's decay and growth for success
sive years. In its own solitarlness had it
been preparing for mans future use, and
now with but little effort on the part Of the
farmer, mammoth crops reward his labor.
There are no rocks to cucumber the soil,
no trees to be felled, (only an occasional
belt of them skirting some farm land, }
just gentle undulating wave-land, unri-
vailed in its richness, revelling in its own
unchecked breezes, its free sunshine, its
plenteous showers. To an eye unaccustom-
ed to these resplendent sights, they look
as though they were fresh from their
Creators hand, famed by His breath,
sustained by his lifc.giving showers,
and crowned and encrcled by His smiles.
like, may We call it; for it certainly
is. BY man entered sin in this world, but
no transgression of his can contaminate
Natures branches.
Here also do numerous herds of cattle
Craze, wild fowl of many kinds, here find
undisturbcd retreats for the building of
their nests, and little quadrupeds Of vari-
Gus sizes, (forms and faces unfamiliar to
me) frolic III sunshine, loving their prairie
existence. The bright beautiful flowers
spinkled here and there, add much to en-
lvening the sea of green.
| Full many flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness the desert green.''
The little village of Clermont, % miles
from McGrego,, is pleasantly situated. 1t
contains or 600 inhabitants. The build
ings are chiefly built of brick, but L regret,
ted to learn many Of them were heavily
mortgaged. There are three hotels, one
large Touring mill six stories high. This
little village is situated on the Turkey riv
er, which is clear shallow stream with
banks Of solid limestone. Twelve miles
from Clermont is West Union, certainly
one of the most quiet places ever visited.
The streets seemed quite deserted. We
stopped at the U. S. Hotel and were most
politely treated, the accommodations were
excellent, and feeling much refreshed we
proceeded toward Fayette, ten miles further.
The last named place is located on the riv-
er Volga. The largest public building it con.
tains is the Seminary, which occupies quite
prominent place.
The next morning, six a. m, We started
homeward. Objects seemed less bright
than the day before, for the eye had become
accustomed to them somewhat, but they
still looked beautiful. The atmosphere of
home seemed doubly pleasant after our
short absence, and again VIC resumed home
duties, feeling much refreshed by the
agreeable change. +. II. B.
McGregor, July 80, 1852.