West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-07-28
THREE NIGHTS.

II Lake Superior. Winter, with its
Winds and deep snows, lad already set il
and instead cf the usual lake voyage, my
Journey to the land IF civilization had e.
be performed in sleigh. Each day
took my way over roads whose uts the
snow had filled, while my horses bells
rang gaIly through the snow clad forest,
whose per dant icicl,s flashed in the SUITS
rays like fruitage of gems
We mad passad LAKE Superior and were
'trcading the forest bordering on Lake
,Huion. when one evening we came 10
better cultivated farm than usual, where
the scraping of fiddles aud the ecboing OF
the music announced one Of those blitb-
some frolics with which the settlers at IN
tervals tighten the monotony Of bsLk-
woods life.
But it soon Appeared that this was an
extraordinary festival, being for the bri
dial Of eur hosts daughter, whom all these
friends, who clme from many miles
around, were 10 accompany TO see the
knot tied on the morrow. What joyous
scene II was.
The sun rose on our unweerled revels,
ushering in the wedding day, and then
one and all-for deferred my journey 10
honor Of the cccasion-prepared TO escort
the bride on her woy.
Through many Of the backwooGs set
Elements, clergymep have never passed,
iaud tro,hs are lawfully plighted before
the nearest magistrate. But, on The prts
.cnt occasion it CHANGED that n clergymen
was visiting his brother in law at a farm
some twenty miles distanC, and the MIR
Iisge was hurried that the bride might
have the advantage of parsons we'd
ding"
My twO-hoIse sleigh b,ing 3he best az
pointed vehicle in the company, placed
it at the brides disposal, and we were
soon speeding through the forest, followed
10y beyy Of sleighs and trains filled with
laughing crowd and while the sleigh
bells rang out the mtrriest of bridal peals,
the young settlers played wild choiusus
upon their horns until thu woods echoed
with their minstrcsly.
About midday we reached cur destlna
ton. Our fair bride seemed almost scar
ed TO find how solemn were the words
which bound her to share the burdens as
well as the joys Of her bridegroom, though
she plighted her vows in trembling but
earnest voice, and seemed happily as he
handed her into the sleigh for the return
journey.
Again we swept through the bush with
laugh and jest. My high-bred horses,
fresh as when We statted, soon far out
sped the heavy steeds of the other travel
ere, and left them out Of sight and bear
ing.
''Let us go by the lake shore, cried the
bridegroom; ''ihen you'll see the tumble,
and we will be home before the others
are
The idea was highly approved by the
new-made wife, and as 1 was somewhat
weary Of The monetopy of the woods,
readily agreed. Between us and the ahore
was winding gully filled with frozen
snow, which soon brought US to the broad
belt OF ice bordering the lard. Beyond
was the lake, which. as far ss we could
see, stresched vast expanse of blue, re-
freshipg 10 the eye, wearied by the uni
yersal whiteness. Troubled by recent
gale, the lake heaved and rolled in heavy
swell, whose very action YVES cheering
among the dead stiffness
Meanwhile we boWled merrily along
over the wary ice, which flashed and
spanked IN Thousand binding and COR
geous rays beneath our horses feet,
AT length deep reverberation snnoun-
ced the tumble-a succession Of foamipp
cascades by which the water Of lofty
river found their way into the lake, and
whose picturesque beauty was enhanced
by the lines OF gliueriDg icicles which
fringed the Over.hangIng rocks, and the
glacior-like cone of ice tie spray had
raised before it.
THIS admired, we passed on, for the day
was fast drawing to clese. AS the Gun
sank behind The pine crest Of distant
beadand, we came to an estuary, whose
further point 1t formed. Beyond was the
farm, end we urged the horses to a swifter
pace, for with the suTs departure came a
greater increase Of cold.
The estuary, some eight miles wide.
stretched deep into the land. and, to save
time, we drove straight across the vast
sheet Of ice that bridged IL. Night fell 20
we proceeded, bu! though the moon had
not yet risen, The misty reflection Of the
snow lighted us on our way. We had
reached the center Of the bay when re-
port ike discharge Of artillery fllee the
air, and, rolling back over the ice, was re-
pcated bY thousand echoes.
Il was tie unmistakable sound Of creak.
ing ice.
Without word put The horses to
their speed.
The next moment yet louder and sbar.
per conclusion broke on the stiffness, fol.
lowed by third, which rounded az If IT
rent the air asuBder
Ny companions peered ca. cry into The
dark. TIE horses stopped suddenly. and
looking before them we perceived a dark
belt # heavy wsters The crack wss too
broad for our norses q leap oil lef, us
tbeTef rc, was 90 turn land ward hurry on
and outsirip The danger. But with cscb
step The gap besides rs widened, until II
rfrrrnf.1nT Ffwrr ord q.