The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-07-11
A Memorable Journey

i What am about to relate occurred
more than thirty years ago, and as ny
pen is seldom used except in bust
ness way, must ask the indulgence,
of my readers if | prove somewh
garruleus.
Though late in the season, l resolved
/ to carry cut long cherished plan
that of making hunting tour through
! the famous-and then not as wei
known-North woods. 1t was viii
feeling of freedom and excitemen
that al length set out on my journey
At Ogaens5urg / met an old class
mate going with a party of hunters
into the forest, and cordial invitation
| to accompany them was readily ac
cepte,L
1 found them genial, whole-souled
| fellows, whose numerous adventures
/ and narrow escapes formed the subject
of many an hours entertainment as
we sat around our camp-fires, the
star-gemmed sky our canopy. | re-
manned with them two weeks, gaining
new strength each day. A trifiing
matter OF business at that place de
cided me at once 10 start for Montreal
After q short stay there L found il
/ necessary to go to Quebec.
at once made myself and business
known TO the firm, with whom we
were in correspondence, and was cor
daily received by the senior member.
With true Scotch hospitality he urged
me to make his house my home during
my stay; and when declined, insist
ed on procuring quarters for me with
a widow who lodged some of his
friends, saying | would be disappoint-
ed in the hotels, as they were greatly
inferior TO those in the States. This
arrangement proved fortunate, for at
Mrs. McCloud's L formed the acquaint-
ance of young man who was going
to the settlement beyond, whittier L
could accompany him, aud from that
point, proceeding fifty miles further
west, reach fur ra1ing station L de-
sired to visit. AS we were about
starting, all officer from the garrison
came to bid his friend goodbye, and
advised me on leaving him 10 obtain
guide, as the remainder of nv jour-
ney was through a rough country,
which he-though not a coward
would not care to travel alone. His
advice was not regarded, however,
when found on reaching the settle
ment, that it was difficult to procure
the services of any one.
1t was cloudy, bleak November
morning when set off, after receiv-
ing minute Instructions as to the
course should pursue. logged on
without incident until late in the at
tcrnoon, when gradually 1 became
aware of a sound other than the wind
which had borne me constant compa-
ny. Was it the echo of my horses
hoofsS No, it was the tramp of an
other afilnai, which soon became so
distinct that knew my solitary ride
was soon to be interrupted. For
some time the horseman kept far be-
hind me, until prompted by curiosity
to see what my fellow traveller was
like, slackened my pace and allowed
him to overtake me. He also was
well mounted. His age seemed about
thirty-fiye, his figure thick-set and
about the medium size his hair sandy
and curling close to his head /: his COM
plexion was fine despite sun and wind !;
his nose well formed and his mouth
handsome. Altogether his. face was
attractive, combining Intelligence with
Eindliness.
As we rode on, side by side, and in
subsequent events, l found him to be
a man of general information, acquired
in actual contact with the world.
"A dark and stormy night was gath
ering round, and we were numb with
cold. While deliberating whethev it
would be best to light fire aud re-
main where we were for the night, a
far off light caught my eye. Could
there be dwelling in this wilderness !?
AT any rate we would approach the
light and ascertain. We shortly dis
covered among the trees low, ram
bling building, barn like, and forbid
ding in appearance. After some time
we succeeded in finding the door, at
which knocked loudly for admittance
An old woman answered the sum
mons, holding dim rush light, that
did not improve her appearance. Ii
would be difficult to describe the color
of her eyes, unless their evil EXPIRES
sion gave them greenish hue. Her
face might have been good in her
youth, but was now wrinkled and
hideous. L told her our situation, Of
fering to pay her we'll for a nights
lodging. She mumbled something in
reply and motioned to us to follow
her. Cropping along narrow passage
we were admitted into what seemed a
family room or kitchen. At the
hearth, on which some damplog were
smouldel ing, sat an old man, who
looked up on our entrance and ad-
dressed us in foreign tongue.
My companion turned to The old
woman who let us in and said
We speak only English"
I" That's well enough" she answered
i'll a harsh voice. "I'll take care of
you. Suppose you want something
to eat, though what l can give you
will hardly please such fire gentle
men,"
%" We shall be thankful for food,
however plain" said.
She LETT the room, returning with
dried venisop, coarse bread, butter
and two glasses of what she called
cordial. satisfied my appetite, tasted
the drink, but not liking it, left it
standing. did not see my compan-
ion drink his, though his glass was
empty when we left the liable. lie
seated himself OH bundle of skins
near the fire, while | endeavered to
ipterest myself in late newspaper,
though unsuccessfully, for ] soon be-
gan to nod. The man who had been
caring for our horses now came IN,
and making sign to the woman, she
asked If / would like to go to bed. |