The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-21

We started out under difficulties, and
it is needless for me to say that they
(the difficulties) were our constant COM
panions throughout our entire journey;
for what with head winds, contrary
tides, ETC., ETC., we were delayed greatly.
However, by dint of native energy and
perseverance,, we overcame all obsta-
cles, and arrived safely at the place of
destination on Friday morning, at 10
o'clock.
We were here met by dear friends,
who soon ensconsed US before a ruddy
stove, and otherwise rendered their
bountiful hospitality.
The day 1 spent in visiting with
dear friend of my girlhood, and as
friend, still dearer in more mature
womanhood.
The day waned, and the appointed
hour for the entertainment drew nigh.
We returned to the hotel, where the
happy hum of merry voices gave prom
Use of the evenings pleasure.
Everything being in readiness, the
gladstone sound of tuning violins and
other stringed instruments fell upon de-
lighted ears, and presently our escorts
came to conduct US to the ballroom,
where soon some thirty couples of
neatly-attired ladies and gentlemen as
sembled. Dancing was INDUCED in I'M
til long after the orb Of day greeted US
with his smiling face. All present
seemed 10th to depart from the scenes of
pleasure and mirth, and when we dis
persed it was with the understanding
that we should meet in like manner on
New Years Eve.
must not omit to mention that the
tables were bountifully supplied with
choicest viands, accompanied by fra
grant tea and coffee, fresh and steam
ing from the boilers. We were supplied
with two of these suppers, and what
wonder is it that we were merry and
thoughtless for the time being.
About o'clock A. NJ. our party, con-
sisting of myself, my friend, and our re-
spective escorts, sailed forth into the
clear, frosty air and refreshing morning
sunlight, for a pleasant walk of half a
mile through meadows clothed in crys-
tallized verdure, that greatly enhanced
their natural beauty. The lovely land
scape that met our admiring gaze on
that morning will never be forgotten
while life or memory lasts. The far
away, ever green mountains, with
clearly-cut profile strongly contrasting
with the azure blue; the near foothills
clothed in their usual autumnal brown;
the nearer small, winding streams,
dales, and meadows; the broad prairie,
thickly dotted with comfortable farm
houses; the glorious bright, golden
sun sailing majestically through space,
lighting the whole with halo of glory;
the filmy, fleecy clouds, the many fit
ting and merry-voiced birds, these all,
and many more interesting objects Wed
one with the other, in their natural
beauty, and greeted our eager and ad-
miring eyes. We held our breath, as it
were, and stood spellbound, silently ad-
miring the wonderful fashionings of the
bOunteOus hand of nature.
We soon, however, returned to the
realization of the things of this life, and
discovered that we were greatly ia
! tigued; so, hurrying on, we soon reached
the comfortable and hOspitabIe home oi
our hostess, and, by the way, former
! friend and acquaintance Of your own,
= Mrs. D., where we refreshed ourselves
by taking much-needed rest.
Twenty-fOur hours having placed
> themselves between US and the night o.
the party, we felt quite refreshed, and 8
kindly friend called for us at the gate
whereupOn we gathered together oul
numerous wraps, and joining our frienC
at the gate, proceeded to the home o
his parents, also staunch friends anC
4 supporters of the woman movement.
e Here we were cordially welcomed by
the genial members of the household
and were Hospitality domiciled for tn,
!. week.
I 1 must forbear a description of tn,
: many and various pleasures each day
produced, as it would be tiresome t
o readers, aud l see this communication
has already assumed proportions far il
) excess of the original intention, bu
# suffice it to say that the allotted tim
soon passed among kind friends AM
e genial company, bringing with it th
o eve of the glorious Centennial year.
v Very nearly the same company as
II sembled that had met a week before
e and the pleasures of the preceding even
ing were repeated.
- 1 cannot close this article, althoug
2, now much too long, without saying tina
l. met many of your racquaintances in th
d long ago, who are now your warn
70 stanch friends and political supporter
n Our glorious cause, for which you al
n so nobly doing battle, is not dead i
this county by any means. On the col
trary, it is steadily gaining grount
. which its advocates note with prid,
l. But of that more anon.
10 The hour of leave-taking having al
Il ! rived, we bade adieu to many des
II friends, and turned our faces homewarl