Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-09
Emma Larson. Trip.

Cheyenne Leader
.Hellol How far is it to the next
town."
These words greeted the ears of Mr..
W. w. Davis and family as they sat
at supper yesterday evening at their
residence, Sixteenth and O'Neill
streets.
Mr.. Davis looked out OF the omen
door OF bis dining room upon Sixteenth
street. lilo saw there an unusual pic
ture. A fine, large sorrel mare, with
a yearhng colt at her side was stand.
ing BY the sidewalk. Upon the mares
back sat young woman sidewIys in a
mans saddle. She had on a mans
broad brimmed hat,a close fitting blue
and white checked calico dress, rough
lace shoes aud on one foot was mans
stirrup A yellow rubber coat was
tied up behind the saddle. The young
woman was sunburnt and travel
stained, but sat erect aud looked as il
she was able to take care of herself.
She was girl of about twenty Years
OF sge, having an INTELLIGENT face. with
comely features. Her hair, which was
brown, was cut somewhat short and
banged. Her complexion was Of the
hue that wind and sun PUTS on a man
or woman, and her lips we're chopped
from the same cause. She had bright
gray eyes and straight, handsome
nose
What town do you wapt?'
The next town, whatever it is
Ivy here are you travelling tor
TO California. "
"Alone?'
Yes, alOne, and camping out; where
can l find good grss p
Mr.. and Mrs Davis, like good. hos,
pitsble people, invited the young lady
10 dlsmount and partake Of some sup
per. She washed her hands and face
sat down to the table and talked about
the trip she was making.
MY home is in Wisconsin, she said
where live with my father. | once
spent some time visiting in Southern
California, but it was some years ago.
have for several years thought of
starting in the spring and making the
journey on horseback, and this wear |
made up my mind that [ would do il.
have been eight weeks on the road.
From my home to the Mississippi
river the distance is 1870 miles; il is
800 across the State of Iowa. as |
travelled, aud then 800 and more to
Cheyenne. So | have come over a
thousand miles on horseback and
alone"
Have you a good horse?"
Indeed | have. They wanted me
to give up my trip at Kearney. Why.
some folks there grew real angry with
me because | persisted in going on.
They wanted me to sell my mare and
colt and take the money to pay my
passage. But | do not need money
and Ill never part with that mare
She's a good animal, has speed as z
trotter, and she weighs as much to a
pound as when l started with her.
To-day have ridden twenty eight
miles, but that is more than | gener
ally make. | travel mornings and
evenings, and | stop long while at
noon. | started with a side saddle,
but it made the mares back sore.
50 traded it off for man s saddle
At night | picketed the mare and
lie close to the picket. She can I
move but know it. She got away
twice, though. Once | followed her
afoot more than ten miles, and caught
her in herd Of thirty horses
What bedding have you in camp
ing outP"
Nothing but that yellow slicker
and the saddle blanket. | haven't
suffered from the cold, but it was
awful lonely some times at night when
the coyotes were bowling"
Haven't you been annoyed by
tramps?"
Not a graat deal. 60 back from
the railroad at least two miles, and
avoid them. Once tramp came upon
me in a lonely place, and began talk
ing. directed his attention to some
emigrants of at distances and slipped
on the saddle, buckled the fore sinch
and galloped of. But I'm not afraid
never think OF danger, and | carry
no firearms"
ing2"
There | have trouble. If | don't
strike station at meal time | get
nothing to eat. Why, I've gone all
day often without eating-two days
sometimes. 1t was hard at first, but |
got used to it. | don't want to travel
with emigrants; there's no glory in
that. | have set out to do this trip
alone. have been:the last day or
two travelling at about the same rate
with some emigrants to Washington
Territory, Sometimes they're ahead;
sometime am. But | don't camp
with them"
Would you mind telling me your
name2"
Emma Larson"
Miss Emma2"
"Yes, sir"