Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-21
EMMA. LARSON.s TRIP.
Setting Out Alone from Wisconsin to
Ride ON HOrseback TO California.
From the Oh eyenne Leader.

From the Oh eyenne Leader.
"Hello! how far is 1t 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, 10th and O'Neil
streets.
Mr. Davis looked out of the open door Of his
dining room upon 10th street. He saw there an
unusual picture. A fine, large, sorrel mare,
with q yearlng colt at her side, was standing
by the sidewalk. Upon the mares back sat a
young woman sidewise in a mans saddle She
had on a mans brOad-brimmed hat, q cose-ft-
ting blue and white checked calico dress rough
lace shoes, and on one foot was mans stirrup
yellow rubber coat was tied up behind the
saddle. The young woman was sunburnt, and
travel stained, but sat erect and looked as if she
was able to take care of herself. She was
girl OF about 10 or % years Of aye, having an in
telligent 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 man or woman. and her
lips We're chapped from the same cause. She
had bright gay eyes and a straight handsome
nose
''What town do you want?"
''The next town. whatever 1t is.'
"Where are you travelling to-"
ITO California"
"Alonei"
eyes, alone and camping out. Where can
find good grass?"
Mr.. and Mrs. Davis. like good, hospitable
people invited the young lady to dsmount and
partake OF some supper. She washed her hands
and face, sat down to the table, and talked
about the trip she was making.
''My home is at Kingston, Green Lake county
Wis" she said, where live with my father,
once spent some time visiting in southern
California. but 1t was some years ago. l have
for several years thought of starting in the
spring and making the journey on horseback,
and this year made up my mind that would
it. have been eight weeks on the road.
From my home to the Mississippi river the dis
lance is $50 miles; it is $50 across the state of
Iowa, as travelled, and then 500 and more to
Cheyenne. So have come over thousand
miles on horseback and alone"
"Have you 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 I'll never part
with that mare, She's good animal. has speed
as a trotter, and she weighs as much to q
pound as when 1 started with her. To-day
have ridden twenty-eight miles, but that is
more than generally make. 1 travel mornings
and evenings. and stop long while at noon.
mares back sore. so traded 1t off for mans
| saddle At night picket the mare. and lie
close to the picket. She can't move, but
know it. She got away twice, though. Once
1OllOWeO ner q IOOC more imam ten miles, and
caught her in a herd of thirty horses"
what bedding have you in camping out?"
Nothing but that yellow scker and the
| saddle blanket. l haven't suffered from the
cold. but it gets awful lonely sometimes at
night, when the coyotes are bowling"
"Have you been annoyed by tramps?"
"Not great deal. I 60 back from the rail-
road at least two miles and avoid them. Once q
tramp came upon me in lonely place when
had the saddle off the mare, and began talking.
l directed his attention to some emigrants off at
a distance, and slipped on the saddle. buckled
the fore sinch, and galloped off, But I'm not
afraid meyer think of danger and l carry no
| firearms"
How do you manage about eating?"
"There have trouble. If l 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 l got
used to It, I don't want to travel with emf
grants; 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; sometimes 1 am. But
I don't camp with them"
would you mind telling me your name?"
emma Larson"
miss Emma?'
(AN