The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-08-25
THE RGZS.
BEL AIR, FRIDAY, AUG. s5, 1876.
From the Far West.
GRASSHOPPERs

Mr.. EDITOR Last year in Dakota, the grass.
hoppers played Levitc "passed by on the other
side, rendering us no assistance whatever, in
our harvesting. This year, with more than
Samartan-like kindness, they have reaped crop
after crop for us, even extending their care to
the gathering ii in. No that is II little mistake.
The corn they 9athered-rather earlier than we
wished, th0ugh-also potatoes and garden vege.
tables generally, but the wheat aud oats they
left on the field where they had reaped them,
having simply cut off the head. Straw being
valuless in this country, they doubtless thought
it foolish to bother with it, SO left it standing
One could not help eXclaiming, "what harry
est" as he saw the ground covered close with
the ripe heads of the beautiful wheat and oats,
while the tall stubbe looked MS even and nice
rs if the Marsh Harvester itself had done the
work. The corn was carefully topped, bladed,
and cared, the stalk alone being left monu-
ment to their labor. once had very little faith
in the ability of grasshoppers; hereafter shall
believe any exploit that is related OF them.
Now though / have told my story large, don't
think VIC are going to have famine, for though
there is much damage done, there was such n
vast quantity of grain sown that very much has
escaped, some sections reaping SPLENDID harvest,
especially of wheat, for we have had beautiful
season. Indeed, 1t is hard TO tell whether the
damage was very extended or not, for Dakota
newspapers won't publish grasshoppcr stories
At first glance that does not look quite right
much as one dislikes to think i'll of his news
paper-for settlers are constantly coming in
who should know our disadvantages rs well as
the great inducements" we are forever pub.
fishing. But when we reflect how many other
tongues are telling the story of our msfOrtunes,
it seems unnecessary for us TO mention them /;
therefore we keep noble silence.
INDIANS.
But though most of this dark-colored host
has at last left us, there is another dark skinned
race that may visit us at any time, and tedpe us
i'll Il different manner.
Whether much danger need be apprehcndcd
here, within twenty miles OF Yanktou, ! do not
know, but more than once the hum of the
mosquito in the still hour of night has suggest
ed the war-whoop of the savage, and "cod
chlls" have travelled the back of whoever heard
it. Farther up the river, however, there must
be danger, ana much bitter feeling exists at the
lIilliDg policy displayed towards the Indians.
THE CAUSE OF THE INDIAN TROUBLE.
The old root of all evil that strikes its ibrcs
in SO many directions, is the real Indian
trouble
Too much money can be made in various ways
out of Uncle Sans dark son, for his affairs to
be settled as they should be, while on his part,
his good bchaVior-when lie does behave
springs more from policy than fear, or any other
motive. lie does not like to work and were the
paternal hand withdrawn the sweat of his brow,
an article he does not like to dispose of, would
have to buy his bread. Besides no "cities of
refuge" would remain TO each tribe when some
little unpleasantncss should arise between
nclghDors, were they self-dependent. So the
Government and the frontier suffer, while the
indians and others make good thing OF it
However, our fears may magnify our present
danger, though it is certain more troops are
needed IL the savages mean to be ugly in earnest.
DAKOTA FLoURIsuING.
Enough of hoppers and Indians. Dakota,
spite OF all difficulties, is making rapid progress
toward converting her rich prairies into valuable
and fourishing farms. Eastern farmers might
learn useful lessons here though it is the +" far
West" The future is easy TO predict, it is
bright one for DAKOTA.