Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-08-28
A Trip to the Dells.

account CT a pleasant trip to the Dells.
Eaarly Tuesday morning, July 90,
kind friend who has very prseti-
cal way of remembering past favors1
took us in charge, boat and all, and
landed US safely just below the rapids.
In fine spirits we contemplated our
good fortune, but were taken back
little when we found that our boat was
not safe, even in Still water; it COM
nenced to leak badly, so we hurried
the shore, and hauling it out upon
the bank, patiently pounded in the
oakum, until our leader considered it
safe ; then after dinner, we started on
what we believe to be one Of the pleas
ATTEST trips ever made down the noble
Wisconsin. There is something ex-
hilaratinS in the thought that free
from care one is to enjoy nature and
receive unhihdered day and night her
healthful Influences Would that
many sick and tired ones among your
readers could have this privilege.
Every one, young and old, who lives
by the side of the Wisconsin, must
have looked with pleasure upon it, and
perhaps some have wandered in i'm
agination down its winding course, let
us assure you, kind readers, that the
aoble river is every whit as beautiful
as it promises to be, could you follow
it on fer ninety miles until it reaches
IT'S crown in the Dells. you would find
it ever growing in beauty. No des-
cription can give you an adequate idea
of the trees, that everywhere skirt its
banks, or stand ranged in groups upon
its many islands as you go on they
increase in size and variety, until the
wonderful river is lined on both sides,
by mass of foliage, every branch, and
twig and leaf Of which is full of life
Never look upon the river (of which
we are justly proud) without thinking
of the trees, that all summer long
clothed with living vsrdure, skirt it's
banks and crowd together upon its is
lands, or bend lovingly over it, so that
their shadows play upon it's broad bo-
som. But poetry aside, we acknowl
edge, that there must be a good deal
of hard work at the cars, before you
get down to Barnum, even, which we
all agreed was the longest stretch on
the route. Scarcely had We started
and commenced to take our regular
half hour turns at the oars, when we
spied pleasure party on the bank.
Soon boat put out, and we received
the kind invitation to stop and dine
and take ice cream, but owing to our
delay we felt obliged to decline. APP
preaching one of the many high banks
which we hailed as places where the
water runs swift and deep, We saw an
encampment then
One little Injun,
Two little Injun's
Three little Injun boys
and one Indian brave, climbing sand
bank. When we reached our camp,
each one of the party had his work
one furnished the wood and started
the fire, another found two large blocks
of wood on which our tea pot was
placed, another washed the tin cups
and plates, and one made the tea, put
ting in the tea with vengeance. Our
first nj ght was a somewhat sleepless
one for several reasons. The mosqui
toes were not bad at first, but soon the
few who found us out, brought their
uncles and their cousins, and their
auuts and we were glad to get into
our blankets and run the chance Of
getting smothered, rather than act any
longer on the offensive. Yet as we
lay down we did have an opportunity
to look up into the sky, and we found
ourselves better off than the Irishman
who, through holes in his matched
roof could only see a star here and
there one of our number thought 1.-THE
stars seemed twenty miles away, but
perhaps he was thinking of home.
One was disturbed with dreams about
about the condition of our boat, and
started up in the middle of the night,
saying, Just see it leak, oh 1 have
been dreaming" 1t is long road
that has no turning, so that night
ended at last, but one of the party
said, II have been sick, but that was
the longest night | ever spent"
Among the scenes around our camp
fire, we have a vision of stockings dry
ing in all sort Of places; Another of one
reckoning up his expense account and
saying July is an awful month to
spend money in.' another view of one
| of our party echo answers who. sittin,r