The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-01-16

i
The ring fell from her finger cold;
Weeping. took it, and che breathed:
"rll marry you when am old"
She knew not what abe said, POOR child;
-GQps FIVE hftnxt ring and wait
For an eternal wedding day.
Chamber Journal,
THE TRAPPER'S STORY.
DURING the spring of 1916 our party
was cncamped on the head spring Of
San Juan, 4 region as desolate in its
waste of rocky hills and mountains as
it was fruitful in furS-the object of
our expedition-and the most danger
Gus savages, who held full sway at the
early time of which I write. A para
disc for trappers it was, beyond a
doubt. There were four of us from the
settlement of the Colorado-bold,
strong, athletic, not one below six feet,
full formed and muscular. A rude hut
of logs was used as our headquarters
and depository for the furs, which, from
our success and industry, had become q
large and valuable collection. Within
the hut were rude accommodations
which our isolation from the settlements
made scarce from necessity. Blankets
swung from each of the four corners
served for beds, while in the center of
the room was q roughly constructed
hearth. About this hearth and against
the walls were piled and hung the fruits
of our winters labor. There was much
of real pleasure in the wild, rollicking
style of life that fascinates the trapper,
and the suffering and privations which
he endures only lend charm to the
rowing nature. The season was draw
ing to Il close; the snow was beginning
to disappear in the valleys, and multi
tudes of rivulets were lashing them
selves into foaming furies as they hast
ened down to join the swelling river.
Early one morning I unslung my
rifle, prepared small luncheon, and
started for the mountainous region to
the northward of the camp in quest of
game to supply the larl.er. Hoping to
cross the valley before the warmth of
the rising sun should convert it into an
impossible slough, l fastened forward
to reach the higher mountains. 1
reached them just as the sun began to
flood the valley with all its golden
warmth and beauty. Pausing on a
lofty crest viewed one of the grand
est scenes that inimitabIe Nature had
placed before my wondering eyes.
To the south lay the valley, stretch
ing in its serpentine course until it
disappeared in some low-lying hills, to
the north were the mountains, piled
one above another, till their snow
capped tops lost themselves within APP
preaching clouds. This is only faint
idea of the wonderful beauty which
held me for a moment. had seen
this view many times before; but each
time new beauties were added, and,
with warm spring sun rejecting from
the frosty tops, it was indescribably
beautiful.
Reaching narrow defile that led to
section most frequented by large
game, pushed rapidly onward. The
sun mounted higher in the heavens,
and the beautiful frost-work, SO lovely
when the first rays of sunlight made it
look like glittering diamonds, began
now to melt into tiny streamlets.
By noon the place where most ex-
pected to find plenteous supply Of
game was reached; but to my surprise,
there was not the least visible sign of
any. The most careful survey dis
closed nothing but tracks several days
old. To return empty-handed to my
companions was by no means a pleas
ant idea. 1t did not take me long 10
decide to push to the northeast and
risk the possibility of a nights deten-
ton in the mountain. Mile after mile
climbed over the rough, precipitous
route. How far I had wandered from
the camp was not easy 10 determine;
but as the afternoon was drawing to a
close, and the sun disappeared behind
the lofty peaks about me, sense Of
extreme fatigue pervaded my frame.
was completely at loss to explain
the total disappearance of all signs Of
ways been an abundance; and the only
reasonable conclusion for me to form
was that some wandering band of Nava-
joes had preceded me.
had advanced but a couple of miles
further in this wilderness of mountains
when the oncoming darkness and signs
of an approaching storm babe me seek
some shelter for the night. Halfway
up the steep declivity I discovered q
cluster of trees which promised par
tial shelter and supply of brushwood
for fire. A few moments brought me
to this haven. The trees were scrubby
and afforded little or no protection;
but, thankful for the benefit of that
small favor, l went TO work earnestly
to rake together dry sticks and leaves
for fire by which to roast some of the
bear steak which l had prepared for
my lunch.
With some difficulty the wood light
ed, and, after suffering for some time,
burst into q comfortable blaze. A
couple of spits were soon ready, and
the meat, the only article l possessed,
was blistering away before the fire.
Stepping few yards aside to q heap o.
dead brush to get . fresh supply 81
fuel, to my great surprise and Joy
discovered . large cavity in the rocks
tore away the brush and vines about
the entrance, and made my way into
the new quarters. 1t proved to be q
rough apartment, extending about fifty
feet into the side of the mountain, and
widening from the entrance to the bach
wall. 1t was comparatively dry and
very desirable shelter from the an.
preaching storm. A large pile 81
brush was easily passed into the CAVITY
where I speedily removed my supper
When the feeble light Of the fire il
lumined the dingy place, was not &
particularly at ease As my first impress
sion led me to hope 1 would be. Thu
indications were quite too evident fl,
me to be mistaken. l had usurped th,
abode OF grizzly bear. I was not ther
SO fearful OF meeting this terrible mon
ster - J am now, and ! WAS not ct Il
jncliusd to give II up to bruia; 1t ws'