The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-02-04
Written for the Union Banner.
The Midnight Ride.
BY EDWARD A. BARNES.

| One cold winter evening, in the month
Of December, party Of rough, joyial
men, were seated in the bar room OF
the only hotel Of which the village Of
S-could boast. The fire, well sup.
Piled with logs ofhickory wood, burned
brightly, sending forth genial warmth
through the apartment, while ever and
anon the merry click Of glasses could
be heard mingliny with the boisterous
laughter Of honest mirlh. The princi-
pal amusement Of the company was
story telling, they beng backwoodsmen
and therefore were amply supplied in
that line OF amusement. The most i'm.
portant parsonage Of this assemblago
was benevolent looking gentlemen
who had arrived few hours previous
by the mail coach. From his personal
appearance it was evident that he was
above his companions in wealth; ye,
he entered into their !jcvial mirth with
feelings which hid all pretensions OF
pride and stations. AT length the good
na,urel landlord approached him, and
laying his hand upon his shoulder, said:
,'come, my good friend, yon have lis
tened to our stories and now it is your
turn to tell one. Give us one Of your
city adventures -
"Not so, my kind host" replied the
gentlemen .but your tales OF back
woodsman's life have awakened in m,
memory romatic incident that hapen-
cd to me several years ago, and which,
fit will be acceptable, you shall have
/, by AL means.'
"Ict IA have il - exclaimed several
voices a. once. and immediately que
stiffness prevaaed the room willie each
settled himself in comfortable position
and listened with interest, while til.
>trauger related the following incident
to which have given the above title.
"When | was a young man, nv fa.h
purchased large trac; of lard in the
western country, which was an nncul
,iva.ed vii lerncss. My father male
ne a proposition to 90 QUITO tie west
survey his purchase, and make sucl,
arrangements for its proper cultivation
as was necessary, which offer accept
ed.
"As railroads did not extend in tha;
direction as far as the present day, anl
chcrishing a strong inclination for the
character Of a hunter, | proited by this
opportunity, and equipped myself with
all the implements for such journey
"Bidding ad;eu to my parents, and
to the loved one Of whom [ was The
afliancel husband, started upon my
journey. / reached my destination in
due time, and transacted my business
sooner than l expected. During nv
journey homeward I was osertaken by
severe storm, and was obliged to
seek shelter beneath the first roof tina,
I reached.
81 was welcomed with true hoapitali.
ty, and every comfort which the house
afforded was rendered to me with
great kindness. tMne host l found to
be AL intelligent man, whose pecuniarv
entertainments had led him to leave
the home Of his birth and seek enc in
the depths of the western wilderness.
"liis family consisted Of himself, wife,
and one daughter, ofninc,ee summers.
"My time being at my own disposal
| concluded to spend few weeks in
this interesting family, and enjoy the
freedom Of the forest and participate in
the dangers Of a hunters life. This
resolution was seconded by the kind
solicitations Of my generous host. l
found Mary to possess an amable dis
position and mind Of no ordinary
culture, being well versed in nearly
every branch Of study ana literature.
"She was also familiar with the ex.
citing plcasurs Of her secluded home,
often accompanying her father upon
his hunting excursions. which to her
was a source Of great pleasure yet, in
tho domestic circle she was the beanti
tul and atiec,ionate daughter. These
qualities, together with the sweetness
and modesty Of her dcmeanor, made
her charming companion.
"rhns weeks passed by, and Judge
of my surprise when found that my
coming had awakened IN tho heart OF