The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-01-06

! W ss>ASAANs Il AoAAA - PcAooAA%sA A>''~'~
edge of the country, it's rivers and
resources, am well satisfied that u
road crossing at Osakis from the
southwest, northeast via. Wadena,
! Shell Prairie, Leach Lake, and Itas-
ca, would open to the great north
| west, via. Of Benson and in the direc-
tion of Lac que Parle or Nampeska,
the grandest body of timber, both
pine and hard wood that there is in
the whole northwest. OCCASIONAL.
BLUFFToN.
Christmas time has come and gone
again, and the new year has COM
menced. Suppose we are too late to
wish merry Christmas. but all the
same we do wish all the FARMER
folks, and our fellow correspondents,
and also it's readers, a happy New
Year.
The Christmas festivities were
| something new and surprising up
here. On Christmas eve the people
! all gathered at the school house,
! where large tree stood decked out
with gay trapping, and laden with
numerous presents for both young
and old. After short entertainment
of songs. speeches, recitations, etc.,
Santa Claus, in the person of C. NJ.
Maltby, made his appearance, with
all the usual accompaniments Of cap
and bells, etc. After few remarks
he proceeded to distribute the good
things. Then commenced the fun,
peal upon peal of laughter rang
! through the room, and here and there
one might see the tear of thank
| fullness glisten in the eye Of one and
another, who had been pleasantly and
thoughtfully remembered by friends.
The children especially enjoyed it,
and will no doubt long remember the
Christmas of 1880. This is kind of
thing that we hope will never grow
oldfashioned. 1t is good for youth,
and good for age. It leaves 4 bene-
diction all round. for the giver feels
just us happy us the recipient. Long
may the Christmas tree flourish!
A very pleasant sociable was held
on Saturday evening, Jan. lst, ut tho
home of Mrs. c.. NJ. Maltby, where
Il general good time was spent. The
proceeds go towards furnishing the
school house with suitable lamps.
We understand that this is the first
effort Of the kind up here; will not
he the last, IT'S it is proposed to con-
tinuD them weekly. Let :,ll such like
movements prosper. say we.
Mr.. Lowe, Of the Blutfton House,
secured q young lady boarder this
week, who threatens to be permanent.
She only weighs six pounds, but
Lowe feels rs happy as though it was
20. We thought there was something
in the win1 when he started that adj
dition to his hotel.
The Minnesota Northern railroad
question again comes to the front,
with proposition from syndicate
of influential capitalists, to take the
present company's interest, and build
a broad gauge road. on the route pro-
posed, and making it part of a system
that will ultimately extend to the
Black Hills, in consideration of which
they ask Otter Tail county to issue
bonds in their favor, to the amounto of
$3.50, 600, and an additional $500
when said road is completed to the
west State line. A very modest re-
quest this may seem to the proposcrs.
hut we have an opinion that Otter
Tail county tax payers will look twice
before they swallow the bait.
4 road has been, cut ont from Shell
River to Blufiton. Ivy I; courle nf
plucky prospecters. They claim it is
the dryest route yet proposed, and the
easiest Oh which to build I, good s',u-
mer road. Our LoWnsmen are inter
esting themselves in the matter. and
if practical will spare no pains to
open it ont for travel. We are OF
opinion THAT j the county would ex-
pend one fourth th, amount or tn:
wagon roads ne"'lcd.and already ex-
listing. that it is proposed to spend Oh
Il railroad Of doubtful utility to most
of the county. it would DC more sensi-
bic, and furthermore. the county
would have control Of all it would
spend in this way. FACT.