The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-09-11


get something more substantial out Of you,
my lady waterfall, than the airy n0things'
Of foam-clouds, silver spray and pearly
drops; there viii also be q shower Of green
backs, al Of which VIII fall in my direction y
We remained some time at Minnehaha, and
could scarcely tear myself away; but the
little Hunter was thirsty, and pro-
posed q mint juiep by way Of re-
treatment and IN honor Of the water queen.
30 we retired to rustic arbor In the upper
world, where tables were placed for fati9ued
tourists who had expended too much enthu-
siasm- Our mint julep turned out to be. q
cold whisky teddy, with dash Of lemon in
It, and the little Hunter made some caustic
remarks 10 the youth who oficiated. He
said that the soil in the glen at the foot of
the hill had evidently been designed by an
all-wise Providence for the cultivation of
mint, and it was a direct flying in the face
Of that Providence not to have it. After
leaving Minnehaha, we drove TO Fort Smell
ling and looked up and down the great
river from that high point. What a wild
and beautiful picture Was spread out before
usl The placid Mississippi, glittering sill
very in the sunshine, the masses of dark
foliage covering the hills from summit to
base, the garden-like valley Of the Mime
sofa, and the white cliffs defined against a
background of vivid green, made a perfect
panorama living, breathing, talking pic
ture.
We reached st. Paul at two O'Clock, hay
ing made drive of sixteen miles. After
spending few days at Park Place, the little
Hunter felt call TO 60 to White Bear Lake.
one Of the summer resorts near st. Paul,
where the fishing is fine, and prairie chick
ems plentiful. We went there by rail, a dis
lance Of ten miles, andsin the course of an
hour were settled at one of the several sum-
mer hotels on the bank of the lake. It is
| from one to three miles wide, and from six
to eight miles long, according to the guide
/ book, and surrounded by dense woods. In
the centre of this lovely sheet of water is
a large island, covered with trees-a favor
tic resort for picnic parties. There are
numbers of sail and row boats to be had,
and everybody sails and fishes. Some of
the ladies have become as accomplished in
the art of rowing as the celebrated ''Ellen
Douglas" the s'Lady of the Lake, and
''paddle their own canoes, with great ease
and dexterity. The little Hunter and his
friend DR.. j., were mad after prairie chick
ems, and no power could keep them in bed
after the earliest rooster crowed. They
were up and away in hot pursuit, and never
returned until it was too dark for even the
most reckless and dissipated prairie chicken
to be out. We had prairie chicken served
in every style, until felt game enough for
anything. One day they killed thirty, and
the boarders Jared sumptuously. One after
noon they returned home at four o'clock,
and graciously proposed taking Mrs. j. and
myself fishing on the lake. OF course we
were only too glad to go, and were soon
Swimming over the water in beautiful lit
tie sail boat, guided by an experienced
sailor and fisherman, who was engaged to
do all the drudgery of fishing as bait
ing hooks, taking off and stringing the fish,
etc. 1t was perfect evening, and the lake
looked as If it had been put up in thou
sand shining crimps to be blown about by
the cool breeze. We sailed for a mile OF
two out, and anchored en- the far side of
the island. We soon had our lines out, and
were watching for bites. / caught the first
fish, splendid fiat looking, spotted fellow,
they called a croppy, and didn't he pull
hard2 After his capture, / caught one after
another, until nine beautiful fish lay pant
ing in the bottom of the boat; there were
different varieties, four croppy, two rock
bass, one black bass, and two of the larg-
est sun perch ever saw. They were as big
as tea plates, and perfect beauties, their
scales glittering like gold. The little Hum
ter caught a ''wall-eyed pike" and
several others. Mrs J. caught six, and
the Doctor three. Altogether we had
a fine string, and / had the un-
bounded satisfaction of having beaten
the party, the little Hunter (who likes
mighty well to bragg said that his wall-eyed
pike was equal to all four of my croppies,
but he could not diminish my transports in
the least. We returned to a late supper of
our FISH and prairie chickens, to which we
did ample justice. There are quantities of
lovely white water lilies growing in White
Bear Lake, and the ladies gather them fresh
every day, to dress their hair. Seeing
those pure-looking waxen flowers, with
centres of gold, and broad green leaves,
swaying to and fro on the calm water, re-
called to my mind the beautiful song from
Lucretia Borgia, about the "snowy lilies,
floating on silent waters" and the tender
refrain of 'Lilies of peaceful waters, en-
blems, be mine unchanging," was continu-
ally sounding in my ears. There is a singu-
lar tranquility about the scenery Of White
Bear Lake that is restful, as well as beauti-
full. 1t is place to dream in. The little
Hunter, and his fellow-sportsmal have gone
out prairie chickening again, and this time
they intend staying a week, and expect to
deal death and destruction to the wild
feathered population in their vicinity. !
suppose they viii return flushed with con-
quest, sunburn, and frequent toddies, and
bringing at least a strong game odor with
them, suggestive of slaughtered chickens.
Their ar1or in the cause is something re-
freshing. If they were running after Off
ces, instead of chickens, they could not be
more enthusiastic; and I'll wager anything,
they will get more substantial and satisfying
chicken pie, - than any anxious and hungry
ofice-seeker going, and what is better than
all, Il won't disagree with then-wild fowl,
you know, being remarkably easy to digest.
On their return from this prolonged hunt,
hope to have another pull at the fish in
White Bear Lake, and whenever have the
good fortune to land a fine frisky fish, my
thoughts will fly to the genial and cult.
waited editor Of the STATESMAN, and viii
wish that he could enjoy with me the sport
he excels in, and which he loves so we'll.
Truly yours, Mrs. MARK BYRD.
desperate RncOunser-rexaR DrOvers