The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-06
For the +. B M.-Housshold.
From North Carolina Girl out
West.

n mOIc lllIt lOE OuT
turn trip could scarcely have been chosen
than the last night Of the old year. Be-
fore day the wind suddenly shifted from
east to north, snow began to fall and BY
morning it was four inches deep and the
thermometer twelve below zero. Reach
ing Mus ke-gee at seven a. m., we took
stage at eight for the fort. The extra"
as well as the regular hack was filled with
those, who like ourselves had been spend
ing the holiday. in the States" and
were saw Gu route for widely scattered
homes throughout the territory beyond
the line of railroads. A small quantity
Of hay in the bed Of the hacks and lap
robes for those occupying the front seats
were the ample provision made for
comfortable transporta tion Of passenger"
True, all the curtains whose fastenings
would admit of such relation, were care
fully secured, and thanks to friend,
a tiny footstove, filled with glowing Goals
was carefully concealed from view, until
slipped under the curtains to us, just as
we began our long cold ride across the
prairie. Thanks to three on seat, max
ing it rather too crowded for those in
front to take note, our arrangements were
made without detection; the piece of
carpet tucked carefully over the hay and
the stove set upon the lunch box. An
extra shawl was then spread over our
laps which serve most effectuilly the
double purpose of protecting us and
screening our dangerous treasure-tor
treasure indeed we came to regard 1t 'er
our journeys end.
Before going five miles, most of the
passengers got out for the purpose of keep
ing warm in walking This lightcned the
load, but di6 not materially increase our
rate of travelling, the ground being so
rough and frozen underneath the snow
! at last from the brow of the hill we could
! look across the broad sandy beach, over
| the muddy waters of the Arkansas, into
| the clear blue of the Grarde, whose
strong, swift current flowed into it just
above the ferry. Side by side, in one
broad channel, for miles these rivers flow
without mingling their water; the Grande
with its swift and dangerous undercur-
rents on the Cherokee side, and the Ar
kansas filled with beds Of treacherou,
quicksands on the side Of the creeks, here
seem as separate and distinct as the ma
tions they divide, then gradually the for
mer is lost in the muddy and more slug
1 StSH NditlS VI tilS Sti tlSills.
The boat lay drawn high up on the
bank, and while making our way slowly
down to the waters edge, through the
deep sand and snow, all were anxiously
looking for the ferrymen. They finally
put ii an appearance. but only TO say
an attempt to cross the river was out o
the question on account Of the 'musf
ice" with which the river was rapidly
filling upon the Arkansas side. Brides
threats, and entreaties were alike un
availing. and after two hours thus spen
upon the rivers bank. we realized
naught remained but a return to Mus
ko-gee, to await a change of weather
The piercing north-wind-a foretastc 0
? what the return would be.-and
: glimpse of a cabin in the woods as w
ascended the hill, were circumstance
conducive to hasty decision on the par
oi more than one member of our party
a fire only-anywhere sheltered from
such wind, would be preferable to tn
ride back to Muskogee'-such was tn
decision of the seven left by the hack
in front OF the little log house fey
moments later. Consent was most IN
graciously given by the woman Of tn
4, UOuSc lO hCtD even IIlC ItNLIo VI III
! party who had so uncerem oniousl
I sought admittance still, as there wa
: nothing to do but make the best of i
the hacks having left before we enter
! ed, } she.finally agreed to ''do what sh
!, could for us, and the others could see
shelter in an old deserted 10. cabin nea
. bv. build themselves fire, camp as bcS
: they might without food or bedding
! The countenance Of our hostess brigh
! ened at once when told our provisio
= box would furnish at least one meal fC
) the party, and we then learned til
! trouble lay in the scarcity of water, a
: haviu. to be brought by ferry aero.
! from the Grande the Arkansas bein
: not only too muddy to use, but vel
i salty to the taste, and wholly unfit f
all cooking purposes. Secure in havir
!; shelter. we now proceeded to note ot
! surrounding. The house. consisting
:. one log room and shed. had been ust
!. as a stable until deemed unfit to shelf
" animals-was then deserted. and lay
! this condition for year or two. Al
= ! last summer rented for dwellin
~ ~ There was two small windows and
I, large one, the former having ono sa>
: = a piece of glass, and the latter entire
- - open and exposed The openings viii
- = did duty for windows in the shed hi
a thin white muslin tackled over thel
.' There were holes in the chinkll
:. through which you might shake hanC
- -, and the floor consisted OF rough boar'
=. with cracks between them almost equ'
:, ly the space covered. There were
=, few loosely laid plank above. and
- - cats and dogs came in and out at pie:
~ ure from any side of the house.
or TO BE CONTINUED
lst - 49,