The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-05-18
BACkWOODS LIFE.
A Story Of Early Days in Michigan
BY II. II. JOHNSON.

SICKNESS AND DEATH OF WILLIE LA
vERGNE.
Carrie and her brother Julian had
many an excursion in the woods sur
rounding their log house during the
Spring, she in search of specimens of
flowers for her herbarium, for besides
being an ardent lover of the beautiful
in nature, she had, in her school days,
discovered taste and aptitude for the
study of botany, in which she was not
only permitted but encouraged to in
dulge by her teachers, until so far as
book knowledge is concerned, her ac-
quirements as botanist were of no
mean order.
Here in the primeval forest, in direct
proximity to hundreds of species of the
floral creation, for it is q fact firmly es-
tablished by all who have visited the
Michigan forests during the month of
May and June, that the ground is liter
ally carpeted with flowers almost count
less in number and variety. Here she
could commune directly with the floral
world in which she manifested so alb
sorbing an interest, and her herbarium
which, when she left Schenectady was
exceedingly mean in its dimensions,
soon began to assume proportions which
attested not only industry, but trained
intelligence; for each specimen was
classified and correct data subjoined in
regard to its habits and everything else
of interest connected with it.
This herbarium might have been
sneered at by many of the ignorant set
tiers of the woods, but by the educated
and intelligent, it would be esteemed ex-
ceedingly valuable.
Julian always attended her upon these
scientific explorations" as he denomin-
ated them, for he had some fear of per-
uniting her to go far in the woods alone
and unattended. She had seen few
Of the timid, wild-eyed deer, and Of
them she was not afraid; but the whole
family had, several times, heard the
shrill scream of the providing panther,
and the blood-curdling howl of the ma
rauding wolves, and tracks of bear
had been discovered at the spring near
the house and in the moist earth along
the larger stream that flowed through
the forest at no great distance away;
but as yet, none of these animals had
been seen by any member of the family,
still it was evident they were some
where in the woods, and Carrie did not
care to meet them alone.
She had the fullest confidence in the
courage and craftsmanship of hel
brother, and believed that should any
of these wild beasts be met by them in
their rambles, her brother would sue.
cessfully defend her from their teeth OF
claws.
Julian always carried his rifle with
him when he accompanied his sister in
her rambles in search of botanical speci.
mems. He knew the confidence his sis
ter reposed in his courage and skill, and
he often wished that an emergency
might arise in which he could have an
opportunity to display both in defense OF
her and himself; but thus far, all noX-
ious wild beasts had manifested a
wholesome regard for their own lives,
by keeping at safe distance; doubtless
preferring to die from old age rather
than to meet sudden and violent death
by presenting their bodies target for
Julian's merring rifle; or perhaps, as
seems more likely, chance had never
placed the aforesaid wild beasts and the
courageous boy in each others way.
From these Explorations" Julian
never returned empty handed; for
/ wild turkey, a rabbit or a partridge or
some other deliciously edible game was
certain to show itself within range OF
his rifle, and as certain to fall beneath
his unerring bullet; Or fine string of
fish, captured by his hook and line,
would accompany him on his homeward
march, to grace the next days dinner
table.
Thus the Spring and early Summer
passed away, and each day extended not
little the boundaries of the clearing
surrounding the log house; for Mr.. La
Vergne and Pat labored diligently, and
although they were not accommodating
flesh very rapidly, as the severe labor
they were performing was not conducive
to adiposity, they were growing strong
and muscular, and moreover were as
healthy as two bears and pretty rugged
bears at that.
1t would be well to state the impOr-
tant fact before forgetting it, that on
the Sunday succeeding the visit of the
Methodist preacher, all hands repaired
to the designated point in the woods to
hear him preach; and strict Presby-
terians as they were, Mr.. and Mrs. La
Vergne had always been accustomed to
hearing the gospel dispensed by preach
erS who possess enviable and well-earn-
ed regulations for learning and oratory;
yet they we're charmed with this quaint
specimen of the clerical profession and
his unique eloquence.
v There was something in his preach
Ing which did more than please the re
fined intelligence. 1t touched the hear
Of every nearer, and each member O
the congregation was made to feel tina
N Tie prcacher was not only their pastor
Tut their warm, true friend.
Pat, although a strict Roman Catho
Ia. attended the meeting with the 9th
I' xrI oud was heard afterward to EN-
n M (es1ly aslert that II he had not beer
i. !. .