The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-11-13
A PLLCKY MISS.
The Successful Fortunes ofa Bufalo Girl
ia Mtchigan. 3D.

We take the following from the Milwau
kee Wisconsin While our steamer Nor.
man lay wooding up at Port Oneida, on the
Michigan shore, there came aboard pleas,
ant, barefooted German girl, with pail of
berries. She wore acheap calico dress,
minus the hoops, with little ginghan sha
ker, nearly hiding her face. She was rather
undersized, with supple figure and an air
of modest assurance that denoted a girl of
genuine stamp, but that told the BOYS to
keep out of her way. All the men about
the boat aud deck seemed to know her. The
stewart bought her berries from her at her
own price The clerk at the Office touched
his hat to her as if in the presence of
Duchess. That's the smartest girl in
Michigan" said the engineer, as she passed
out Of the gangway. The girl gave no
heed to admring glances and compliments
that followed her, but straightway sought
he: little fish cabin, where she was men
ding nets hy the shore.
On inquiry of the old dockman, we learned
that our little barefooted maiden. though
only seventeen, was the oldest of family
OF an even duZen, living in little double
log cabin, on the high bank above the
shOie. Her father had came here from
Buffalo some dozen years ago, went to clear
ing timber, selling wood to steamboats, and
raising stuff on this land. LAME. the eldest
gir, was the 'little Captain" from the start
and showed pluck beyond hel years. In the
winter she would get on her boots and be
out among the woodchoppers, before she
could hardly waddle through the snow. In
summer she would wander off Deriving,
or be down among the nets or fishing boats |
1t was her greatest delight to be on the wa. !
ter, to rock aud toss upon the waves. At
ten, she was trim little sailor herself, and |
would coast off for miles alone At twelve, |
she would allow no boy to pass her with sail
or oar.
For the past three years ''Lanie" has
been master of handsome fishing craft
and set of"gill nets" She puts them out
early iu April, and continues them until
late in the fall. She is out every ~ ,rnng
at daylight, and again in the evening, ex.
cept III the toughest weather. She takes
younger sister along to help set and draw
the nets. She often brings in couple of
huhuiCu nut Idke trOuG duu WutteESn at a |
haul. Size dresses them, tries out the oil,
and sends them away to market. Her
August and September catch amounted to
over $500. Besides her fishing receipts,
she has taken in over Sl70 this season for
berries, picked at odd hours by herself and
sister. All her money goes to her father,
Month after month he packs it away in old
sacks and stockings under his bed night
after night he guards it with sabre and pis-
tol. In all, she is said to have earned him
over $4,000.
Oh course, the old man is proud of his
girl, and tells of her exploits with the live
liest twinkle Of satisfaction. Danger and
hardship seem unknown to her. She will
go out in any blow, and come in with full
rails. Her white mast and blue pennon
are known by people far along the coast.
Boats salute her in passing; boys swing
their hats in proud recognation. Without
knowing it. LAME Borseine is heroine.