River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-01-29
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OUT AMONG THE CHANGERS.

might be mentioned. but we forbear.
OUT AMONG THE CHANGERS.
Again, Messrs. Editors, the heart
and thought have been gladdened by
a flying visit to Milwaukee and the
State Grange. Two years ago the full
moon shining on the snow favored me
in my night trip to see and distinguish,
scenes and objects in the interior of
the state familiar to the eyes in early
life; the places where now stand
lourishing cities and villages; Lisbon,
Mauston, Kllbourn, Portage; even the
very rocks among the Dalles of the
Wisconsin river, where life in times
of high water has often been sorely
imperiled, flashed out in plain view as
we sped swiftly over the way, bringing
back in successive twinklings recol-
lections. like unto dreams, of the past,
when Wisconsin was yet hut a strip
ping territory and this interior Il
wilderness.
The river, TIL rocks and hills and
shore, are eternal but where are the
faces of thirty-three years ago? And
these eternal sentinels of time, an
swer mockingly, where are they!-
gone | ween, many one, beyond the
confines of mutable things where
no menacing perils beset the pathway.
On this occasion the lmpracticable
moon hid her light, unwilling to graf
ify the longing eye with it's hoped for
feast; but the minds eye, oh! how it
reveled in thoughts Of friends and
incidents of early days; sometimes
sadly, then again with a joy that was
almost pain" flashing over the wires
of imagination. up and down, and far
way, until three o'clock revealed the
lamps of the city glimmering cheerily
out to bid us welcome to Milwaukee.
Then as we laid up for an hour or two
and try for nap before breakfast,
still thinking and thinking,-for the
mind was on visiting rampage and
would not down with the body, so we
thought of the old times, and of the
new; of the days when we travelled on
foot hundreds of miles, step by step,
one foot before the other, two feet at
4 stride, with thity or forty pounds of
grub" and blanket, swung on a
stick across the shoulder, waging along
in the ''honest way of pioneer
through the unsettled wilderness,
camping at night at the foot of a
ledge or tree, or on the bank of pond
or stream; wading streams or crossing
upon RATS OF drift wood hastily put
together; and how the world had
moved forward to produce our present
comfort and business facilities.
BY the swift winged railroad L had
just been transported entirely across
the state in comfortable carriage in
fifteen hours. According to the prIm-
tive mode of travel this trip would
have taken near two weeks of the very
severest labor. Who can say that we
are not under obligations to bestir
ourselves and lend a helping hand in
these opportune days of mental and
material progress? And who can say
that the grange and the farmers move
is not a necessity in accord with the
advancing current Of the human mind.
The principal purpose of the grange
is to make better and more worthy
and useful men and women of its
members, 50 that they may be qualified
to do their part. and all true determ.
ined patrons hold the success of the
organization as sacred as religious
duty.
/ believe none ever enter our gates
and go out dissatisfied with our prin-
ciples. We have been sorely tried
with enemies inside the gates, as wei
as out side, but are being purged, and
some day we hope to be able to con-
duct ourselves as becometh just and
upright people.
This eighth annual meeting of our
State Grange was more numerously
attended than any yet assembled since
the representation was cut down to
the present form; the average intelli-
gence seemed to be very fair, far ahead
of other days when the farmer had
not learned business.
Two hundred or more, including
nonvoting members, were in attend
ance; thirty or forty ladies, farmers
wives and daughters. were also among
the number, and the business of the
session was transacted with the usual
degree of harmony.
The Secretary's report shows that
we have nearly held our numbers for
the last year The Treasurer's report
shows over fifteen hundred dollars
cash on hand; a trife above that of
last year, and enough to pay all bills.
Master Sherwin's address was very
good, but it was too long. The 'Bul-
letin is to be published twice month.
All the old officers were reelected
but the master. Chas. d. Parker, of
st. Croix, is the new master.
OSBORN STRAHL.
Troy, Jan. 20, 1880.