The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-03-30

one OI luc SVdullCu diiu iiiuuS1ilOuS
young farmers of Pioneer. We were
pleased to note the many evidences
of industry to be seen on his farm.
The road from Mr.. LIS to Lake River
is muddy, but our horses trotted
along briskly for an hour, when, from
the summit of hill, we obtained a
fine view of
THE LAKE RIVER COUNTRY,
which, at this season, has an abund-
ance of water. The grass on the bot
toms is green, the cottonwoods ditto,
the Columbia, full to the brim, winds
away northwest, with st. Helens and
Columbia City in the distance. The
COW homes of the farmers, dotted
here and there, and the herds luxuri-
ating on the tender grass, altogether
constitute beautiful picture ofrural
peace and loneliness. Among these
homes are those of Capt. Fails,
Stephen Shobert, Mr.. Shepherd, Hon.
NJ R. Hathaway and others. School
is taught here by Miss Melissa Hath
away. The building is small but
comfortable; the pupils, plainly, but
neatly clad, look contented and hap
py, and are making rapid progress in
their studies. We were ferried over
Lake River by two of Mr.. Shepherds
young sons, proceeded up the bottom
and halted at Mr.. Hathaway's, where
a hearty welcome awaited us. Here
everything is carried on after the most
improved methods of dairy farming.
Mr.. H. has the deserved reputation of
being the best butter and cheese
maker in Washington Territory or
Oregon. He has over six hundred
acres in his farm, some of which is the
choicest land on the river. At pres
ent he is making butter only, the
most Of which is bought at his land
ing by the rich men of Portland, who
not only know which side their bread
is buttered on, but also where to get
the best butter to put on their bread.
Mr.. H. has quite family of sons and
daughters, who inherit the intelli-
gence and industrious habits of their
parents. Happy is the traveller, who
is permitted, for an evening, to make
one of this joyous home circle. Sound
discourse, enlivened with music, and
sallies Of wit and fun speed the hours
rapidly away. Reluctantly we take
our departure Tuesday morning and
mount the pony for long ride
UP THE RIVER BOTTOMS.
The Telegraph Company are putting
in new poles for Their line through
this country. The old ones, suffering
from decay and general dilapidation,
caused by the floods, are about worn
out. The water is coming up and we
are advised that the sloughs may be
too deep to ford; but the. morning is
bright, and, dismissing our fears, we
urge the pony to brisk trot through
the mud. Cattle are feeding upon
the ridges and look we'll, much better
than usual in the spring season. The
bank of the Columbia reached, we are
RECALLED with the fragrance of the
balm buds, the leaves and flowers of
the hawthorne, wild cherry, wild goose
berry and the willow, arrayed in the
first garb offspring and exhaling per-
fume more delicious than the spicy
groves of tropical island. Farmers
are blowing every foot of land which
will admit of cultivation, anticipating
a prosperous year because of the
prospect for lower water this summer
than usual. May their hopes be real
lied.
Home again, muddy and some tired.
Sanctum table covered with papers
and letters, the latter containing