The Worthington advance., 1879-04-03

Nth Her Ttc0 Young l30Vs, Is CssltjVnetnO
u MiMMes0t0 Prairie
GRANT COUNTY, Minn., March Is, 1s79.-
There is Significance in the following SEN
tence, "a walk on the prairie;'' and those
only who are not yet the fortunate possessors
of "horse-power," and so have to exercise
their own plodding ones in perambulating
through unburnt prairie grass, covered with
snow, and into new breaking and old, can
fully understand or appreciate it.
Into new breaking. That just expresses
it, for, it is in and out, down and up, till your
breath is almost gone, or if sufficient left,
you find yourself putting and blowing some-
thing akin to steam engine just returned
from trial trip of speed. If, before the
end of your journey, you have not "stormed
the earth works. of half dozen or more
gophers, to be gobbled up and
"pocketed'' away by those cavernous
ANNALS, you may consider yourself for
tunate pedestrian.
But l must not get ahead of my story, for
would have you continue a walk with me of
half mile to my nearest neighbors, there to
rest while, and then ready to start to the
home of our next neighbor, that of the
young couple occupying the 'dug out. +"
There had been a ''new arrival and We were
anxious to offer congratulations, etc., and did
not omit the usual compliment of, show it
does resemble it's father.' AS you enter you
will be astonished at the comfort and cozi-
ness of that humble home. Every nook and
corner made available for use and conven-
ience, as for instance, dirt was thrown out
from the wall of one side of 9
room, leaving space in height,
and depth, sufficient for pantry of
good size, neatly papered throughout,
corresponding with that on the walls, and all
guarded with as scrupulous care as are those
of fastidious city housekeeper, whose walls
are hung with artistic gold leaf, or calci-
mined with some delicate tint. So cleanly
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 trepidation of spirits, especially as our
eldest boy of IL years had that morning with
neighbor gone to town to replenish our
supply of groceries. Here will say that we
are nine miles ''to lemon.' The guiding
star on our homeward trip was q claim
shanty, looming up against the threat
cning 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 tho 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 hill beyond, our hearts were gladdened
to recognize the familiar voice and to feel
that he would be safely sheltered from the
prospective storm.
A "blizzardv' If one can imagine any
thing Oh prairie more to be dreaded, then
do you fail in comprehending its full
meaning? had, few weeks ago,
tion, though it did not prove to be serious
walk to ride. Well, if walk is a ia iguc
perils. I had occasion to take trip to Fer
gentleman friend Of one of ''our neighbors''
happened along on his way to the same place
and on the same errand 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 cold though not very
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 q cold one, as the OK
ercise in walking will keep one warm. But a
ride, facing the north, and what wind there
was being in that direction, was more te-
dious and severe than We can we'll describe.
Just after tho people of that fourishing
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
had been. But how uncertain are
all things. After returning as far as Pomme
de Terre, which we call the 'shalf way house, ,
and resting and feeding ourselves and
horses, We again at o'clock in the after
noon, which in the winter is late, began oul
journey Of twenty miles homeward.
Never having had experience In Minnesots
blizzards, We really did not know there wa.
the least sign of one; thought it only little
snow storm that had come up, while we vert
eating dinner, not suspecting it would ter
inmate in anything serions.
Well, We started, and when about two
miles out, and the storm on the increase, tn.
gentleman who held the reins remarked tha
tho hotel-keeper had said he had been out OF
these prairies more than twelve years, an6
there was not money enough in Minnesota tt
tempt him to start out, with such a storm i1
prospect. But We were we'll on 9ur way
and so must bide the consequences. Having
previously learned that our companion hai
had considerable experience in driving ovel
prairies In all sorts of weather, courage die
not fail US till we lost our way. Mistook al
old trail leading to the river for the regular
travelled road.
When finding our mistake, al We could de
was to start through the storm across tn,
prairie, in search of what we had lost
After ride of perhaps half an hour o.
more, We struck the road, to the great de
light of one heart, assure you, for to 90.
that little feeling of nervousness was ex
perienced during that ride, would not hal
express it. And when about half past min,
in the evening. with our journey ended, v.
drew upafound our comfortable Kitchen fir,
and related to the boys how we lost our way
and go came near losing ourselves, happ!
were We in the thought that We need no
take that journey again in seven years.
JENNA.
Miss Louisa Rymer il = young lady still il
her teens, who bag carried off chess prize o
the Birkbeck Literary Scientific Institutiou
London, from many masculine competitors.