The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1877-09-28
A TRIP THROUGH TEXAS.
New York Obseryer.1

.. New York Observer.l r
early in the morning, at daybreak,
especially when the air is charged with
moisture, some fine effects are produced
in II prairie region. The mists at first
shut in the view, but as their gray cur
tains farther aud farther unroll, the
horizon expands, and now a swell and
anon q group of trees pierces the veil,
looking ut first as though floating in
air. The power of the sun, however,
soon dispels these remnants Of fog, and
the broad plain lies revealed, bathed
in the morning dew, and breathing de-
lightfully fresh and. clear. This breeze
soon dies down, and u sultry period en-
sues, lasting from 6 to 8, when another
and more powerful current succeeds
In leisure moments one can but admire
the tall prairie hOwers-shoWy purple
asters, thistles, beautiful pink bells
similar to geraniums, intermingled
with hosts of Others of every hue, blush
unseen, save now and then when some
contemplative traveller observes their
beauty. The sweet mesquit and coarse
prairie grass, with roots interlocked
and twisted together, form an impen-
etrable mat and render it by no means
easy to turn wild into cultivable land.
We saw one youth with eight oxen
yoked to a plow loaded with heavy
stones, cutting deep into the soil, and
the way in which. he often tumbled
from his unsteady seat showed the
grass was not relinquishing its birth
right without struggle. am told
the nesquit grass, when much brOwsed
upon, dies down and is incapable of re-
newing itself, unlike the famous blue
grass OF Kentucky. Over such a prai-
rie covered with flowers, fording
where we let our thirsty horses
drink, while we take in the beauties
OF the scenery, Warily stepping over
miry clay stOughs, where our animals
sink above the letlocks, and anon rid
ing by clumsy fences enclosing rich
fields and miserable dwellings, the road
winds on, mile after mile. Occasionally
a toll-bridge has to be crossed--fare,
ten cents; these bridges erected by pri-
vate corporations are quite common,
and must be source of considerable
income to the prOprietors. Taxes irk
the people here so much that I suppose
they prefer this method of paying for
necessary Improvements. au1.-
.~ MEsQU1T TREES. ar ts"N
AS we go South, the graceful, light
foliaged mesquit tree appears, much
resembling the Mexican pepper tree,
the former has long pods
when in fruit, instead of clusters OF ber-
ries. On these pods, filled with juicy
beans, the stock fatten, and the oily
nuts of the pecan furnish excellent food
for hogs. When a sloping hillside is
covered simply by these airy nesquit
trees the effect is very pretty SO deli
cate is the foliage that long, shifting
vistas are formed by the branches. An
equestrian is very apt, in his own COM
fort, to neglect his faithful horse, and
as the heat is very oppressive, let us
rein up beneath that spreading live
oak. The herbage is tender, water is
near, and had we only a first-ciass lunch
our rest would be very enjoyable. A
shot soon dispatches an unWary wood
pigeon, and, Crusoe-fashion, we build a
fire and hastily cook it. Yonder is the
chimney of a rancho, and although
averse to asking hospitality, perhaps
to be denied, we yet determined to toll
up the little limestone hill glaring in
the sun, and trust to fortune for success.
built of logs, and picture of dilapida-
ton generally. ALI the windows and
doors were open, so I entered. The
head of the house lay stretched on the
bare floor, alternately playing with his
dogs or half-naked children, while u
young woman was cooking dinner in
the back room. This time, however,
1 had fallen upon real, old-fashiOned
Southern farmer-kind, generous and
blunt. Not only did he insist ON show
ing me his farm, but cordially invited
me to dinner, and when ! declined,
despatched to our camp a liberal lunch,
the very best he had. This gentleman
was one of the kind-hearted planters
before the war, and dubbed, for a joke,
his little negro attendant with tre-
mendously long name. When he was
repeating it, at intervals pausing for
breath, it was hard to tell whether he
or his master enjoyed it most. Thirty
three miles is considered q fair days
ride when on u Journey, and bidding
our host a kind goodbye, we saddle
our hUrses and work slowly along over
a toilsome and-compared with the
preceding country-somewhat uninter-
esting road. The gait here is sort of
half-trot, which takes one over the
ground amazingly, and using this, fire.
quently walking for long stretches, we
accomplish our allotted distance, and
look about for a nights resting place.
a LONELY NIGHT.
Recommended to ranch, we ride
up to the gate for survey. The piazz,