Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-01-09
Life on the Frontiers.


murder by the Indians has been so
widely and deeply lamented, embed.
les one of bis experiences in the fol-
lowing extract from one of his latest
letters home:
In thJ summer of 1871 weary
traveller might have been seen rid
ing through the verdurous lanes at
Ovens Valley, California.
The scenry about him was unques-
tionably heightened in the extreme.
To the right the Sierra Nevada, with
its snow-capped peaks and purple
sides, stretching its slow length
along like a needless Alexandrine.
10 the left willows were seen lining
the fertile meadows and the musicN
al ripple of innumerable mountain
streams, engaged in irrigating just
as hard as they could, was heard.
The traveller could not be called
handsome. His complexion was
black and tan his hair, short and
spiky, was admirably calculated to
defy the attempts of any Indians to
secure his scalp; while his beard
flowed ia luxuriant but irregular
masses over his chin aud neck. In
Justice to the rider. however it should
be remarked that his attire was not
calculated to enehance any personal
attractions he might otherwise have
been credited with. A blue-scarlet-
and-green.fannel shirt, much faded
and shrunken, and entirely destitute
OF buttons, EMBODIED his throax, and
was itself partially covered by a tat
tered vest. whose lining fioated in
shreds behind him in the breeze
The brim of his hat had apparently
suffered mastication, while the crown
presented OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES as
pect. One suspender held on his
blue army trowsers, on the cerculean
back ground of which material stains
and black thread could be discern
ed. Yet this man was a youth of
promise with a rising literary repu.
tation and q liberal education. In
his pocket was found pencil and a
note book, and on his brow a shadow,
which might have been care or which
might have been contrariness.
"Come, get up, Evil Merodoch, The
cried, addressing his mule in an en-
ergetic manner, with forcible Ian
guage. "fOr we have long way to
go before we reach camp Halo,
there's a rancho Perhaps L can
get some milk there. He spurred
his mule forward until he reached
the gate. A small girl, apparently
nine years of age, appeared at the
door.
Have any soldiers gone by here?"
he asked.
Yes, said the child sand they're
in camp about mile from here"
"Theu, said the stranger, dismount-
ing, 81 can wait q moment. Is
your mother in ?"
"No, sir" said the child. 81 don't
have her around here, you bet"
well, is your father in ?" asked
the stranger again.
No, sir" said the child, "This
rancho amt the old mnn's, no way.
1t belongs to Baxter-Jabez Baxter,
Esquire"
"Well, is Mr.. Baxter in, then? ?"
"No, be amt"
"Well, is his wife in, then ?"
Eyes, sir. am her"
"What!" said the stranger.
'I'm Mrs. Baxter" said the little
girl.
MRS. Baxter" said the stranger,
chow old are your"
"Going on ten," said Mrs. Jabez
Baxter,
"And how old-Mra. Baxter, do
you read the newspapers ?"
"Once in o while, said Mrs. Bax-
ter.
Baxter, then, suppose, does not
take one? ?"
"No, sir" said Mrs. Baxter shut
he borrys one sometimes"
"Well," said the inquisitve strang-
err, ~ want to interview you. Have
you any objection to being inter-
viewed ?"
I-don't know" said Mrs. Bax-
ter, slowly, and with an embarrassed
air, as if she scarcely understood
what the stranger meant: ''does it
hurt much p
"Not as rule" said the inquisitive
person, taking his note-book out.
"Well, say, said Mrs. Baxter, II
amt going to let you do it for moth
ing,'you know"
Certainly not, said the inquisitive
person. "How much do you want?"
"Well, should say four bits would
be about right" said Mrs. Baxter.
"Give me a glass of milk" said
the stranger, "and answer some ques-
tions, and you shall have four bits"
''Go ahead them" said Mrs Bax-
ter, concisely.
Tell me" said the inquisitive per
son, show you came to marry Mr..
Baxter"
swell" said Mrs. Baxter, "women
was scarce around here, and Baxter
wanted some help, and be won't have
Chinese around bossing when he's
away. Me and him's down on them
fellows. So Baxter and dad, who
was old partners, determined that
I'd better marry him, as | was the
oldest. I've got a sister-she's only
seven. She wanted to get married
too; but marin said she war'nt go
ing TO have it, no child of bern
should be married before she was
eight years DID,.
"Your mother must be a nice wo-
man," said the inquisitive stranger,
writing. | should like to know your
mother"
"Ohl she'd just as lieves," said
Mrs, Baxter. She amt no ways
particular, she sin't."
"And-it's a delicate question
but are you in love with MIR. Bax.
ter ?" asked the rising journalist.
81 guess So" said Mrs. Baxter
HE treats me pretty well, and let's
me go for them Chinese that he