Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-16
MISCELLANY.
An adventure in the Bush,
From the New York CiIizen.I


only myself but others very nearly, they
could not only be related uLder the veil
of an impenetrable incOgnlty.
In the wear IS / came To Canada
from England, chargable with the ex-
ecutiOn of some government business.
/ was twenty-five, belonged to IA good
family-nOt rich, but had expeditions
and was altogether fair representa-
tive of England's gentle sons. Rather
vounos / might he deemed for a govern
mental trust: but the matter in hand,
connected with the clearing and settling
of land, was not very momentous; and
moreover, / was accredited with more
than ordinary steadinoss of character
for my years.
1t was i'm the month of November
when / reached my destination. aud
without undue loss of time / reported
myself at headquarters, aud there learn
ed-to my dismay, cOnfess.-that my
duties would render 1t incumbent on me
to pass the greater part of the winter
In the very heart Of the ''bush, occupy
ing little house which had been erect
ed for my special accommodation. My
informant suggested that we should ride
over that afternoon 1.-THE weather was
st II remarkably beautifully aud take a
Ieep at my future abode. / assented
IN rather a detected way, for / was in
fact appalled, at the prospects of being
immuTed alive In the SHOWS of Cana
dian winter.
At tine hour appointed, however, we
mounted our horses, and two hours
smart canter brought us to the spot. a
nice little house enough. but standing
quite alOne-nOt the smoke of a Chin
ney within two miles-and all closed
In, except "A narrow pathway, by the
dense underground which they call
s'bush."
Enchanting prospect this. | said as
we rode back. Something of a con-
trast to London life.
''Geta house keeper, my dear fellow"
my cOmpan ion said eaily.
~ housekeeper" / answered rather
sullenly. IAN old crone to make the
solitude hideOusp'
met necessary an old crone," he re
piled, with slight quizzical smile; and
we struck into a gallop for the rest of
the way. As we neared the town he
said:
Now if you think Won can find your
way to the hotel / will leave you here
for the present, as / have an GRAND in
another direction.
Asserting with bow and smile, he
turned into a side path, and / walked
my horse slowly into the town, gazing
curiOusly with my lately-imported eyes
al the petite mansions, almost huts of
the habitdats In the door of one of them
a girl of some thirteen or fourteen years
was seated. and standing 10y her, lean
ing against the doOr-pOst, idle-perhaps
dreaming another girl of some
eighteen or twenty summers. She wore
the coarse and unattractive dress of the
Canadian Idbiffmts, but there was nat
ural grace in her posture and move
ments, aud a sweet, virginia. mOdesty in
her face. / stopped my horse and ask
Ell the little one If she would give me a
glass of water. She brought 1T ont.
DO you live here?' / asked in
French.
''Oui. Monsieur
rs that Your sister?'
''Oli. Monsieur"
Father and mother live here?":
My Father, Monsieur; my mother is
dead"
"Ah! and your sister keeps house?"
"Oui, Monsieur 4"
threw nv horses bride over post,
alighted, and went in, followed by the
child. The Young girl retreated from
the door at my approach, and allowed
me to enter without word.
In a corner near the stove sat the old
man, Le pere smoking pipe, habitdnt-
fashion. HerOse:
sMadeleine, chair for Monsieur"
he said; and after l sat down resumed
his seat. Somehow, his figure-except
that he had an honest though rude face
the poor hut, and the beauty of the
girl, reminded me strongly Of the first
scene CT ERNEST Maltravers;" though
indeed the repressed vivacity of the
girls face had nothing in common with
Bulwer's almost half-witted ''Alice."
Once fairly seated, L found myself at
loss to understand why had entered.
There was In fact no definite purpose In
my mind; 1t was sort of undercurrent
"a hsSSez dller which obeyed-and so
l Numbered on.
Il was stranger" / said, ''going to
winter in the ''bush" some two or three
miles out; had no family, and did not
Ike the idea Of living there alone; would
he let his daughter come and keep house
for me?'
The old man looked down gravely.-
Madeieine was poor, but honest; her
eonfessor would never permit any such
thing.
L fastened to explain. 1 meant no
wrOng-wOnld do none. / should be
absent many hOnrs each day. / want
ed some one to take charge of the house,
preside at the table, enliven the solitude
no more than this.
The old man still shook his head
There was Dame Patience in the village,
good old woman with more expe-
nences who wOnld suit my purpose bet
ter. My anxiety of course increased.
Dame Patience would do very well
Tor my cOOk-my servant-but it would
De impossible to make a companion Of
her. Madeleine's salary should be lib
eral, and IN pere shonld receive it. i
would attend to.her wants; would teach
her, too, m my leisure hours; would
act towards her in ell things honorably.
Monsieur u pere was-silenced. Amer
while he said, Madeleine might go on
these conditions if she liked. and
thoaght her cOnfessOr would not object.
madeleine drew little nearer her
father, stole glance at me with her
large, dark eyes, through long dark
lashes, and faltered at last that she would