The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-09-28

THE FIRST PATCH ON HIS ABBREVIATED
PANTS.
Son decklr
Perhaps this is slang way Of express
ing the situation, but it conveys the right
idea very WE'LL and gives the reader the i'm
preston that the writer is still alive and
able to wiggle along in good style.
On Wednesday morning of last week I
left Council Bluffs, crossed the river and
remained in Omaha till after dinner, and
then started on my tour across Nebraska.
| am now about 1876 miles from Omaha,
though have travelled considerably more
than that to get here by reason of being
misdirected and getting on wrong roads
several times. Wednesday evening ! got
all tangled up among lot of prairie roads,
and losing my bearings, was out on the
plains till nearly ten o'clock at night.
admit that was little scared, for after
dark came on | went fully three miles
without seeing house, and not knowing
where wss, the prospect for spending
cold, frosty night out on the "persirry"
began to be just little luminous, when
came along by a house surrounded by big
dogs, and slipping through the lines Id
some miraculous way without getting bit,
found lonely man, who put me On the
right track, and at about 0 AS the lights Of
Elkhorn appeared to my gladdened eyes,
and was saved
| reached Central City, a pretty little
place of 1900 or 1900, Friday evening,
and Saturday | spent in putting the first
ugly patch on my abbreviated pants, darn
ing my bicycle stockings and preparing
newspaper correspondence. / AIN getting
tough now, and bent pin on a chair
would have few terrors for me at present.
Sunday ! spent in quietly resting, and to
day continue my journey across the state.
have yet to travel three hundred miles
through Nebraska, and four hundred miles
before reaching Cheyenne City, in Wyoming
where expect to spend next Sunday.
The first thirty miles in Nebraska |
found quite billy, though after that the
roads we're quite levely, though very sandy
fully one. half the time, making difficult
wheeling, besides having a strong wind to
push against nearly all the way. They
are having on Indian scare in the western
part Of this state; don't know whether |
will Join it when get there or not. 1t
| would be real mean in the "noble red men"
to turn in and scalp my bicycle after l had
worked so hard to come 50 far, wouldn't it1
am now riding through the beautiful
Platte valley. 1t is from five to twenty
miles wide, and is simply lovely. Away
off in the distance, on either hand, is
row OF bluffs that add beauty and grand
eur to the scene, especially as | now have
none Of them to climb. The land Is very
rich, but there are thousands and thou
sands acres that have never yet felt the
pillow, and are only awaiting the hand Of
the skilIful farmer to become rich in fruit
and grain. Thus far I find the
crops in Nebraska have been good this
year. Corn will turn out well, as most of
it is too far advanced for these early frosts
to njure it. Some are already husking.
They have few fences in this state; what
they do have are mostly Of barb wire or
willow hedge. All stock is herded. Towns
are generally small, and there are few that
60 as high as five thousand in population,
and they are getting farther and farther
apart as 60 west. On this account, and
the distance between houses on the road,
travelling is getting "lonesomer" every day.
Every once ina while some kindly disposed
person seeks to cheer my lonely spirit by
looking serious and saying; "Better keep
your eyes open for Indians and COW boys,
young man, for you don't know at what
time they may be after you" But l have
already seen one cow boy and he looked
anything but savage. He came from the
Sucker state; and when he told me of it !
almost wanted to hug him, it seemed so
long since have seen anyone from sold
Illinoy." He gave me some good pointers
concerning my route, and went on my
way rejoicing. | am now following the
emigrant trail across the plains, which
keeps in sight of the U. p. r. II. nearly all
the way to Cheyenne City
Some attention is given to fine stock IN
part of the state, though as yet have seen
but few fine blooded cattle. 1t is to be
hoped that this worthy branch Of stock
farming will be more encouraged in "'rhe
sweet by and by To hear the natives
talk, it is not much Of trick to make