Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-04-03

does resemble its father.' AS YOU enter ven
| will be astonished at the comfort and cozi-
ness OF that humble home. Every nook and
corner made available for use and conven-
fence, as for instance, dirt was thrown out
from the wall of one side of tire
room' leaving space in height,
| ana depth, sufficient for pantry of
good size, neatly papered throughout,
corresponding with that on the walls, and ali
guarded with as scrupulous care as are those
OF tastldious city housekeeper, whose walls
are hung with artistic gold leaf, or oalci-
mined with some delicate tint. So oleanly
and inviting is everything that king might
eat at their table.
The latter part of the journey in question
toward home, between daylight and dark,
(though nearer dark) and a regular "bliz-
zard IN prospect, was made with consider
able trepldation of spirits, especially as our
eldest boy OF II years had that morning with
nelghbor gone to town to replenish our
supply of groceries. Here I viii say that we
are nine miles "to lemon" The guiding
star on our homeward trip was a claim
shanty, looming up against the threat
ening sky, distant few rods from
our own, which is down on q
side hill and less conspicuous from the
north, the direction in which we had come.
The strain on the eyes, assure you, was
trying enough, keeping that mark in view,
fearing we might lose our way, and at the
same time peering through the settling dark
ness down the road, hoping to see the team
returning that had carried away our boy.
When within hearing distance, and We could
only discern a small, dark object on the brow
OF the bill beyond, our hearts were gladdened
to recognize the familiar voice and to feel
that he would be safely sheltered from the
prospective storm.
"bllzzard!' If one can imagine any,
thing on prairie more to be dreaded, then
DO you fail in compromising its full
| meaning? I had, a few weeks ago,
little experience in that direc-
ton, though it did not prove to be serious
one. You see I am leading you on from a
walk to ride. Well, if walk is a ia igue-
ing one then is ride sometimes one full of
perils. had occasion to take a trip to Fer
gus Falls to see to tour land" and as a
gentleman friend of one of 'our neighbours
happened along on his way to the same place
and on the same GRAND gladly did we accept
| his generous offer-the privilege of accom-
panying him. The distance from this point
to that of Fergus Falls by travelled road is
forty miles, and on a cold though not very
windy morning Ghe winds being what we
dread most out here) we started, Intending
to get through the same evening which We
successfully did, stopping only for dinner
and to rest and feed our horses at Pomme de
Terre, twenty miles north, and just half our
journey completed.
A walk on the prairie, though always fa
tiguing, is not usually cold one, as the ex-
ercise in walking will keep one warm. But q
ride, facing the north, and what wind there
was being in that direction, was more to-
dious and severe than we can we'll describe
Just after the people of that fourishine
town had lighted their lamps for the even
ing, giving to the place an attractive and in
viting appearance, did we enter, glad that
one-half our journey over the prairie was
accomplished.
On the following morning, or rather about
noon, after business at the land Office had
terminated, our homestead having been
made secure to us, did We turn our horses,
heads homewerd, with even better day in
prospect than the previous one
all things. After returning as far as Pomme
de Terre, which we call the "half way house, ,
and resting and feeding ourselves and
noon, which in the winter is late, began ou1
journey of twenty miles homeward.
Never having had experience IN Minnesota
the least sign of one; thought it only little
| cy,Cy hot oa la
eating dinner, not suspecting it would ter.
inmate in anything serious.
Well, we started, and when about two
miles out, and the storm on the increase, the
gentleman who held the reins remarked that
| the hotel-keeper had said he had been out on
these prairies more than twelve years, and
there was not money enough in Minnesota to
| tempt him to start out, with such a storm in
prospect. But we were we'll on our way
and so must bide the consequences. Having
previously learned that our companion had
had considerable experience in driving over
prairies in all sorts of weather, courage did
not fail us till we lost our way. Mistook an
! old trail leading to the river for the regular
| travelled road.
When finding our mistake, all we could do
was to start through the storm across the
prairie, in search of what we had lost.
After a ride of perhaps half an hour OF
more, we struck the road, to the great de-
| light of one heart, assure you, for to say
that little feeling of nervousness was ex-
perienced during that ride, would not half
express it. And when about half past nine
in the evening, with our journey ended. We
drew up around our comfortable kitchen fire
and related to the boys how We lost our way,
and so came near losing ourselves, happy
were we in the thought that We need not
take that journey again in seven years.
| JENNA.