The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-12-08
NUMBER I3.

down the few adventures, or rather
want of adventures, that befaIl the
wearied travellers.
The country through which we are
passing is very level, uncultivated, and
in most parts uninteresting. A success
sion of barren fields, followed by pine
forests-a few small settlements scat
tered among the "clearings"-then fields
again, with the forest following in their
wake, and so the panorama continues.
A very noticeable feature of Southern
houses is, that they are mostly built
with their chimneys outside, and one
can readily imagine the effect to be
truly ugly.
Our numerous little stations at which
we stop are crowded with the ''colored
folk" and amusing it is to watch the
little ragged children, with coverings
so patched that scarce trace is left of
what was once the first garment, but
with eyes brimming with happiness,
and mouths wide open, showing rows of
little teeth glittering in their dark
mOuntings, and with faces so contented
one could scarcely believe their homes
were "cabins of logs" not to be COM
pared to the shelter of many a Northern
COW.
We stop at every wood-pile, and so
obliging are Southern conductors that
verify do 1 believe they would delay a
whole train to regain anything acei-
IDENTIFY dropped from the window.
So truly are we among the "pines," I"
that as yet we have seen but few trees
with any foliage to remind us of our
nearer approach to warmer climes.
Now and then a fine old oak appears,
covered with the hanging moss, SO
weird and dreary, so famed as one Of
the wonders of the South.
Our colored porter gave US his little
history last night, beguiling the time
while we, in the center of dense forest,
waited for our engine to return and take
US farther on our journey, for the coup.
ling having broken, the engine with 8
long train of freight cars wended slowly
on its way for some distance before be-
coming aware of the loss-it is said t.
be usual occurrence in this land o
anything but "rapid transit"-and We
half-dozen people, with lights too din
by which to read, and glad to have
thoughts taken from so desolate stu
alton, encouraged our porter in his littl,
"reminiscences, and truly listened will
interest as lie recalled his early life
When but "child of four years" hewa
taken from his parents and, fortunately
sold to the kindest of mistresses, 70
whom he seemed to have the stronges
attachment. And he spoke with mucl
pride of being always the companion Q
her little children, even on all thei
+ pleasure excursions-truly tone G
them" Through all the privation
and hardships which his masters fam
lily had to endure, he clung to them an
remained faithful to their interests un
til peace was declared"-so said hi
warm letter of recommendation whic
he proudly showed US.
Ourridei in the sleeping car was far fror
} delightful, poor k never closed he
eyes and L only dozed, so troubled wa
I with creeping chills making me thin
my journey was feally towards the pc
t lar regions instead of the "burnin
? South" We took our breakfast at sue
5 queer little place, so primitive in styl
} but being regaled with good ''gridd
] cakes" we enjoyed quite hearty mea
have been with my head far out
? the car window looking down upon
D trestle bridge, over which we have bee
e passing for at least three miles. 'Twi
S over marshy ground and small rivulet
o and being between thirty and forty fe
b high, it looked, and was very DANCE
# Gus, aud the creaking of the timbers b
meath us was not pleasant to hear.
e Truly summer is at last appearin
/ for our porter has just presented US vii
+ lovely bunch of yellow jasmin
II plucked by the way-side while the ira
je was resting at another village.
g The distant lights of CharlestC
IS glimmering through the trees, and Il
d hustle of preparation, warns me we a
nearing our journeys end. K.
Ie On the wing, March u, 1876.
"A
lr A PATHETIC PICTURE.-George '
C.nrkin .,ninntn tho M - hni nj