The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-08
BpiTaRtAu CORRESPONDENCE.


mouth, and thence up the Columbia to
the Lower Cascades. We must start
early, for the whistles blow at the ap-
proaeh of dawn, aud no idlers are per-
mitted on board. As you enter, If you
are lately from the East, you are sur
prised into an exclamation Of wonder
that such a floating palace could be
sustained among so small q population
and in so new a country. Nor will
your wonder lessen as you ascertain
that this steamer is only one OF many
of its class that ply regularly between
Astoria and Lewiston on the one hand
and Portland and Corvallis on tie other,
making many hundred miles of river
route, that drain millions of acres OF
land, embracing every variety Of soil,
climate and scenery ever known In any
country within the boundaries Of either
temperate zone. At some seasons Of
the year you may start from the humid,
verdant valley Of the Willamette and
in half a days travel reach the regions
Of frost and snow and cold and wind,
quite like that Of Southern Michigan.
At other times you can leave the hot,
dry, dusty Summer air of the valley,
and, journeying seaward for a like Pc
riod, snugly ensconce yourself within
sight and hearing Of the roaring ocean,
where you enjoy a roaring fire as you
are lulled to sleep by the tapping tide.
But we do not seize a pen to-day to
write of things in general; rather let
us chat together for a while concerning
some things in particular.
Here we are, on the Wide West"
bound for the Lower Cascades. The last
time we journeyed together in imagi-
nation over this beautiful route, the
Winter King held high carnival alike
over river and forest, mountain and
vale. His avant-courier, the frost-mad
northwind, played havoc with the
waters aud CONCEALED them into bridges
Of crystal and his icy spouse, the beau
tiful snow, reigned, every inch a queen,
over the smiling landscapes that now
are clothed in velvet verdure aud redo
lent with floral luxury.
Everybody connected with the steam
er is courteous and obliging, and every
thing belonging to her is in perfect or
der. A capital breakfast, a ride in the
pilot-house, and agreeable chat with
officers and fellow passengers, and al
most before we are aware the many
well-known land marks, which always
attract the attention of the tourist, are
left in the distance, and we halt at
the place Of destination. Here the gen.
tlemanly purser relieves US Of the Pill
GRIM" which he kindly carries over to
the neat cottage home Of good Mrs.
Mcdonald, where we find rest and COM
I fort for both mind and body; and,
under the shadow of the mighty bluffs
across the river we gaze. dreaming Of
an Arcadia that is always just beyond
everybody's reach, though always
I eagerly sought after.
Evening comes, and the good citizens
Of the place assemble themselves to.
gether in MofIatt's hall, where we break
the bread Of the gospel OF liberty and
meet with many friends Of our mission
who bid US God speed and bestow sub
stantial compliments upon our labors.
Morning, and we have time ant
strength to reconnoiter. The village oi
Lower Cascades has not grown pereept
IDLY since our last visit, but there il
every evidence of increasing prosperity
among its happy denizens. Mr.. ant
Mrs. Hamilton, whose donation claim
is hard by, aud we believe forms par
Of the village site, have lived here 70
many years, where they enjoy the soci
ETY. of their sons and daughters, nearly
all of whom have settled near them
Messrs. Mcdonald, Mckay, MofIatt an,
Jones are sons-in-law Of this worthy
couple. Thomas MofIatt, a brother o
Walter Moffatt, deceased, Of this city
not only keeps a flourishing store
where he drives large and diversified
business, but he is County Auditor, hal
proprietor and agent on general princi
pies for almost everything and every
body. The other gentlemen abov
named are in the employ Of the o. s. y
Company on handsome salaries. Thei
amiable and excellent wives have tn
good sense to be Woman Suffragists
Notwithstanding their personal libert!
home and the fact that they are capa
BILE women and capital housekeepers /
patent to every one who is fortunat
enough to become their guest. Mrs
Mofiatt is quite literary In her tastes
as the following selection from her man,
poems will prove. We select this on,
because of its fit relation to the sub
ject in band:
THE OLD FORT AT THE UPPER CASCADES.
The old fort stands rock-bound and lone,
Girted around with somber trees,
That are glinted DER by the setting sun,
And sonly famed by the evenings breeze.
: The Cascade Range looms grand and high,
Casting its shadows, Wild and deep,
, Oer hill and dale and dark blue sky,
Far, far as the 'raptured eye can sweep.
The Columbia, too, here comes In view,
5 Spreading awide her silvery sheen
( All dotted DER with islets fair,
Fit domain for "A "fairy queen
The mad, mad falls dash madly on,
I Echoing back from rock and glen,
I once turned aside by Natures hand,
And may be again by hands Of men;
And as they rush so wildly along,
: They bear away on their foamy crests
. The hopes and signs OF many one