Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-08-27
~ rFrom Col. MArcy'sNs1 Book Of the West.l
f'fie' y "a Prairie Relic. ~,

AS was returning from the plains, after
having explored tue Brazos river 10 its
source in 1854, met, near the most remote
frontier house, tnIee girls, who we're aca
c0mpahied by a yonng man, who were
picking wild grapes beside the road. Il As
we had vacant seat in cur wagon, and as
the party were, ON foot inquired # one of
the yung ladies would not Ike to ride
with us to the house,. On one of them as
sentIig, my companion, a, New York gem
tleman. politely extendsd h s hand to assist
her; but, Instead Of accepting IT. she made
a asutden leap from the ground over the
site of the vehicle, aud laHded directly.
down by his side Sheappeared to beeigh-
teen ears uf aye, with rather masculine,
physique, h,r figure tall, erect, and litheS
but WeIl-rounded and exceedingly grace
full aud 1eminine in outline, theiGcarnation
Of perfect health and vigor. Her face was
thoroughly Drowned by exposure aud ex-
ercise IN the open air, and was constantly
lighted up with a cheerful, happy express
SION, Indicating an oYerfiowing exd erance
Of spirits, winch disseminated an atmos-
phere the fascination of which was irresist-
iOle to those who came within itsibffuence,
and b n laughi..g G dancing blue eyes seem
Ell ever on the qaiUiUe for fun and frolic.
She wore clos ly-titting bloomer costume,
with iuiIty little straw hat on one side of
uCT urdu AdSOFu VI uuuCI buo WIN a
pret y D nix ibbon, and her luxurious nat
ural nair curled in ringleGs all over her
shoulders. She was evidently the reigning
belle of the neignbOrhood, as well as the
favorlte spoiled child OF her family; and
she was Just as free from the absurd con-
venti0nalities of society as the mustang
that roamed over the adjacent prairies. Ny
companion related to her some OF tue most
remarkable iucideuts, of our expedition,
which seemed to interest hervastly at the
same time her credulity appeared 10 be
somewhat taxed, and would occasionally
tiud utterance in such Calculations as, 20 |
gitOut Z" '.YOu g0-LOng ROao!" "LOoS G htDaPt
etc., which seemed the spontaneous out9
burst of her impulsive nature, and rather |
in the character of a sOlilOquy than seri- |
oasly intended TO express doubt at the |
truth of the narrative. In one instance
she became intensely absorbed in my |
friends account of a visit we had received |
from the Comanches, and some, of the Pc
culiar habits OF those people, and gave vent /
to her feelings by administering avioleht \
slap on tue kuee, and at the same time, ex-
claiming: "1he h-e-l-Eyou say, stranger ~
giving particular emphasis to and dwell
lug upon the most objectionable word In
the sentence. She inquired very particu-
larry about our camping arrangement, and
manifested good deal of curiosity con-
cerning the sjlape, capacity, and material
OF ohr tent, She mad never seen one, itap7
peared, and remarked to her that after
ours was pitched, If she would honor us
with call, she would have agOOd oppor.
tunity Of seeing how comfortable we could
make ourselves in camp--Att this she turn
ed round facing me, applied her thumb to
her nose with her fingers extended, closed
one eye. and with her countenance assun-
ing most ludicrouSly severe expresslob,
observed ~ an afraid Of a0oIUes, ole hOss n
As was quiteoumOnciOus of tlaying i'm
tended any disrespect TO the young fady,niI
was good deal surprised at this exhibition
of indignation From the savage express
sion her countenInce assumed, however,
did not feef inclined to pres herfpTenex-
PLANTATION, and changed the subject as soon
as possible.