The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-01-12

clouds here and there that were painted Ill
beautiful colors by the rising sun The sharp
north wind now lulled into gentle Breeze
had frozen every thing solid.
"A happy Christmas 10 you, Clara cr'c'
Allie as she entered the dining room for break
fast. "Oh what Il lovely day for our skating
party," She continued. "Who would nave
thought it, after such II dismal day as yeS,er
day. Every thing locks as if covered WIN
diamonds
"Thqnk You, Allie" returned Clara, ana
may You have pleasant day, for had almost
dcspaired Of You going out at all
Allies friends at West Falls had determined
to have some fun Turing her stay 'Nd rs kat
ing was excellent, no better 1ay ;..l '"iS couIu
have been appointed. Breakfast being over
both Clara and Allie met the little party in the
reception room, as they came in one by one
Many were the kisses bestowed upon the later
as she met friends who had grown douDiy
dear to her from long separation. The place
selected was none other than the Smoolh-sur-
fully equipped for the drive, Allie appeared so
mufed and wrapped that her
friends declared she looked more like iur
trader than one Of a sleighing party. Aiter
hard persuasion Clara had concluded to JON
them, though she had agreed only on account
of Allie. But in after years she never regretted
it, for that bright day seemed to renew her
strength for the agonizing night that was so
soon to follow
As they glided noiselessly along the snow
crystals glstened like gems in the sparkling
whiteness the antique mountains that wound
in graceful curve along the rivers edge Scat
tered here and there, clinging to their sides,
grew picturesque cedars, all hung in icicles,
that vibratcd in the breeze, rejecting all the
primary colors On their left roared in thun-
der.like tones the falls, over which hung log
from the continually rising vapor
so, what "A sublime sccnc!" cried Allie Den
ton, as they neared the falls and she cast an
earnest look at the vast descending columns OF
water. 1T would take Raphael to paint this
second Niagara, and even then the picture
would fall short OF the original, just think,
for ages and ages this clear stream has poured
its waters over that precipice, and yet no fail
ure in supply, or appreciate wearing away OF
the stony bed. Often, no doubt, in the dim
past, has the savage warrior stood, all painted
in fantastic colors, gazing in wonder and adj
on the curling yapor as it mixed with
the smoke of his humble wig wan. Then,
little further down the stream of time, we find
the hardy pioneer growing too strong for the
worshipcrs of the great spirit, and as they fade
westward, he in turn stands awe-stricken at this
wonderful work of nature
"Yes, Allie, agree with you responded
Clara rs if waking from reveric. 81 have
always regarded this point on the river as the
most romantic spot | ever witnessed. Every
thing seems Just as wild as on that day when
primeval man first looked upon the beauties Of
nature. | have often stood for hours watching
bits of wood, that seemed to pause moment u:
if on the brink of eternity, then dash headlong
into the boiling abyss only to be torn in pieces
by the treacherous rocks beneath. Fitcmblem 4
is of human life; for how often do we find pool
morals glide smoothly along lite'S insidlou'
stream, little thinking Of the dangerous reef
lust below, until too late their cry for help i:
lost in the foaming waters
The days pleasure had filled the highest an
Iticipations of ALL Allie Denton enjoyed thu
skating immensely, making all around he
laugh at her prodigious blunders, which re
suited every now and then in heavy thuml
upon the ice: but the more falls the better 81
long us no one got hurt. Clara enjoyed thu
dav better than she had anticipated, although
the sight of The lake refreshed in her mind in
cidents of the past that now sat in strange con
trast with the present. The ancient elms will
their stout, thick branches looked just as the,
did when she took the boat ride, save winter
contrast to spring; and while pausing mo
ment To gaze on their venerable forms, sh
unused within herself: "Would that had beer
| firm rs yon old tree, capable OF resisting III
tierccst storms Then would hail each IT
turning spring with delightful welcome, ant
be just as happy as the little birds that nestl
within their summer foliage for protection
But no as Il tender flower at their roots grey
until II dark, subtle fate claimed his victim
and |, a poor frail woman yielded TO hi
treacherous touch, and was swept away into
fearful gulf Of disappointment. o. that
could lay peacefully down beneath your branc'
es and sleep oil the dreadful past"
As Allie sought her for some new anus
Imcnt, Clara turned aside TO hide her emotion
But time sped away and the setting sun foun
them at home once more and it really iii
look brighter than usual TO Clara, for Ali
shed rays of tender light that even penetrate
the dark gloom of the West Fall mansion
l.