St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-09-27

Their innocent prattle reminds the
weary traveller Of the far. off home.
where sparkling eyes are anxiously
awaiting the arrival of those who
have a weakness for adventure.
There is something about this
mesquite grass that rather aston
ishes me. One-half of Springs
field is now ripe with cow-peas,
pumpkins, melons, etc. and yet
when the horses are turned loose
in the field, they will pass through,
and not touch thing until they
get to the grass.
Yesterday l fully established my
reputation rs an eater, especially
of watermelons 1t was very warm,
and We had to squat down." and
they said l "sweat like negro
trying to vote" The joke was at
my expense and enjoyed it, for |
had seen some of them, in the sum
mer time, with winter clothing, in
that very fix.
This beautiful Saturday morning
we must drag ourself away from
this lovely country, and turn our
course East. Before leaving, how
ever. | will not slight those people
who have. by their ingenuity, Sc
cured comfortable homes for them
selves III the sides of the hills and
mountains. Independent of lumber
and all the lumber interest. These
places are perfectly dry and imper-
vious to all the outside world. The
entrances are guarded by ferocious-
looking dogs, OF species the sight
of which makes your hair kinder
rise, and either n Winchester or a
Sharps rifle, in the hands of a gen.
tleman-Eut rather in disguise
whose formidable appearance sug
gests that it is prudent to make
friends with him us SOON us posi-
bic.
have just learned that the
badger is an enemy OF those saucy
little barking prairie dogs. The
badger is larger than the dogs, and
somewhat Oh the mole order; he
effects an entrance into their dens
and "devours the whole business.
You might suppose there were
no hogs out here, bu. be not de-
ceived. l have seen hogs here that
could stand il.t-footed and eat
acorns off the top of oak trees. Now
don't call me II liar," but come
and see for Yourself
The time Tor our departure hav-
ing arrived, We bill our kind hostess
good bye" She has sacrificed the
home OF her youth, and, with her
noble husband, cast her lot ON the
frontier. with every prospect. in the
near future. OF realizing thousand
fold i'll this worlds goods. How
ever great the sacrifice, they were
equal to the emergency, and in ten
years from to-day they will be able
to count their treasure by the
thousands whereas, had they re-
manned Ill the East, and exercised
the closest economy. they might
have had only few dimes.
We left Springs Ranch at 10 A.
NJ. aud arrived at Merkel, station
on the Texas and Pacific Railroad,
at 2 P. NJ. Here we found good
clear soft water, in wells 40 feet
deep. This is the first and only
soft water l have found, except els
tern water. Merkel now has go
inhabitants. You can stick PIN
down there" rs Black Bills future
home. MIR. j. L. Vaughan, agent,
is an accommodating gentleman,
and takes pleasure in assisting you,
either present or absent, in secur-
ing lots, cit -er for business houses
or residences. The Blue Noun
tains, some S or 10 miles distant,
present beautiful blue appear
ance. Sparkling cool water comes
gushing through the crevices in the
rocks ut the base of these noun
taius. They have no dew nor frost
here. There are number of con-
sumptives sojournins here for the
benefit Of their health. Tle citizens
look healthy, and say they are
never troubled with bad colds.
The cemetery was established FIVE
years ago. and contains only three
graves. l think this speaks well
for the health of the place. which
is destined to become u large town
in the near future. on account of
the water. if nothing else.
Having accomplished the object
of our visit, we left Merkel, at Z P.
NJ, Aug. 81, and arrived ut Alexau-
dria at l2:55 A. NJ, Sept. I'd, where
| stopped two days with kind
friends, for whose hospitality /
shall ever feel grateful. On the
18th inst. left Alexandria, at 1856
p. NJ, and arrived in the Crescent |
City the next day ut II NJ, just in
time to connect with the steamer
New Camelia. and soon landed, |
safe and sound, at not the worst
place b. any means-Covington.
Before closing. must not forget