The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-19
From the Far North.

Across the rocky desert OF northwest
eru British America during the summer
months scores of wagon trains make their
way southwark, or at least downward,
following the great slopes of the conti-s
nent, each and all having for an objective
point some post of the Hudson Bay Com
pany.
Vast shaly levels are these, broken
into ravines and upheavals, till they
hardly deserve the name of plains, .desti-,
tute Of vegetation save along the water
courses, and with 80 little OF animal Life
that the hunter never expects to find
game unless it has fed into. the desert to-
escape its pursuers. Most of these trains
are laden with furs, the result of the last
winters hunting and trapping in the far
: North. Mink, deer, otter, sable, beaver,
bear and the rest, with here and there
even now ,"green" buffalo hide, are
brought in this manner hundreds of
miles. ....,. .n
The enterprising American wagon
maker, with the marvellously light and
strong products of his shop and its wood
working machinery, has not yet pushed
his wares into those desolate regions. 1n-
deed it would hardly pay him to dc 80.
for the population rarely has any ready
cash to expend on modern improvements,
and moreover it has abundant time on
its hands to whittle patiently away on !;
"fellies" and spokes until q vehicle = {
produced that meets his requirements,
and is in many respects marvel OF in-.
genuity, though somewhat rude when
considered from the standpoint Of artistic
workmanship. 5g.5a
The woodwork is all hewn out in the /:
rough with the axe, and largely finished
oil with the same universal tool. It 10
wonderful how a keen-edged axe In
skilful hands may bc made to do the ].
work of plane, spokeshaye, and adze.
Not that these Northern craftsmen do
not have other tools and know how to !
use them after fashion, but their equip-9
ment, when compared with that OF -
journeyman mechanic, is exceedingly
meagre. If civilized wagon-maker !
we're given set of half breed tools, and
told to make a wagon out Of q log, he
would probably strike work forthwith,
and call on his Union for peremptory
''boycott." !.. ~ E,r,,a q. 5 g
The s.quarter-brcd Indian French,
when they are clad in the height OF
metropolitan winter fashion, wear the
comfortable blanket coats that have
recently been imported with toboggans
from across the border. The harnesses 4
are of rawhide-strong, durable, simple,
and requiring very little expenditure Jn
the way OF backing or other care, Dot.
withstanding the rough usage to which
they are subjected. l'awhfdc Is used
also for many Of the lashings about the I
wagons. s5
A train often contains a large number
of wagons, and stretches for q long dis
tance over the rocky ways that pass for :
roads. The crcaking Of the sc-Jointed
wheels and the shouts Of tho drivers may
often he heard long before the train
comes in sight. -..'. ttnt
. The admixturc of French and indian
blood has produced q tyre that possesses
many of the worst aud some OF the best
characteristics of both races, ,and in
watching the passage Of trsin ono y
pretty certain to see all the different
grades, ranging from red to swarthy in I
Complexion, and from Gaul to Indian in !,
feature. .-LIarper's Weekly. ~