The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-05-06

ourselves navigating the st. John torpleasure,
but unlike us clothed in robe of gl,ttering
sheen, where the sunlight played IN gold and
purple and green tints; or majestic eagle
sweeping down to the surface of the water,
selzlng the hapless fish with lightning flash
IN his strong claws and rising again on out.
spread pinions with swift yet graceful stroke
which proved him to be indeed prince OF the
upper air. At long intervals the pilot called
our close attention to certain gray stamps pro
truding from the waters edge, and looking
intenlly we saw the most celebrated citizen
OF these parts, the alligator. He had stretched
his scay length along the log and lay there in
luxurious enjoyment of the deliciously hot
sunshine, with eyes closed IN solemn medita-
ton. He was not beautiful; no artist will ev-
er rave over his perfect form, no poet dedicate
sonnets to the charms of his expressive face
but his appearance was both distinguished
and striking, and he possessed that essential
qualification OF good speaker, a large mouth.
Like the eloquent speaker, also he was said
to be In the habit of opening his mouth wide
ly when he wished to impress his audience
with feeling of his superior power.
Alone in the river St. John stands an island
around which gathers thrilling interest as
the burial place of several hundred soldiers of
the late war, brought there and buried by the
government. No marble shaft rises above the
spot, but like the lonely sepulchre of Moses
Nnhn Inv hao hnrn fnrr al pnrf,
nels to guard the precious dust The long
green grass waves over their graves, the glow
ing leaves of tropical trees untouched by frost
or snow, throw loving protection over the
sod the fairest of all skies Overarches 1t in
sweet benediction, and the waters of the great
river as they flow by moan IN sad, solemn but
most lovely music their ceaseless dirge
At Astor, the clean and attractive little start
ing place of the st. John & Lake Eustis rail.
way, the Bird was to lose large portion OF her
freight and passengers. The boat rounded up
to the landing and meekly submitted to the in
dignity of being tied to a huge post with a
very thick rope, and the business of unloading
began. The purser stepping on shore unrolled
his long bill of landing and with trained eye
began to inspect the articles as they were
brought into the depot and to compare notes in
q thoroughly business way with the consignee.
The colored gentlemen In the gayest Of spirits
rolled the loaded trucks to and fro at break
neck speed, and soon many bales of pressed
hay, the piles of machinery, the packages of
orange trees and the army of nameless boxes
were resting IN their transient home and we
had glided on.
Four more landings had drfted by, prepare.
tlons for dinner were actively going forward
and the tables looked very inviting. We were
plying the passengers who must get off at the
next station now rising very distinctly before
us. Though aware that we had entered Beres-
ford Lake we labored under the deluslon that
it was Blue Spring where the bride and groom
terminated their journey and woke in dismay to
find that it was Beresford landing and that our
pity had been wasted as we ourselves were the
victims. From that tempting dinner, from
the last bright glance of the brides blue eyes,
gentle goodbye and good wishes, from the
warm clasp of Mrs. SIS hand and her NOV.
ed and fervent farewell, 81 am mighty sorry to
see you Co." we turned to the uninvltlng and
deserted landing, for it seemed both to us at
that unwelcome moment. The captain and
purser accompanied us on shore, fingered for
q few moments to assist us IN finding con.
veyance out into the country and make the
moments of waiting less lonely, then stepped
on board the Bird and floating out on the ra.
diant waters Of the lake slowly vanished from
our sight leaving us to stand guard over the
banks like second Robinson Crusoe on
lonely island.
We had been frankly warned that the Bird
was little and old and slow and possibly she
was, but like the nightingale she hid host of
attractive qualities under her plain coat. May
she again on some cloudless day of the future
bear US with untiring wing over the sunlIt
waters of the river st. John.
LYDIA STRAwN.