Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
WAVERLAND
Ely MARIE SARAH BRIGHAM
CHAPTER XI.-AMERICA.


The land of heroes! Land of Gods plant
ing! The beacon light of hope! A land of
free churches, of free schools, and free
men! Would my grand ideal be realized?
Would find there all the noble aspirations
of nation fulfilled?
When reached my lodgings in London,
I sent word to the Duke of MelvOrne that
was at his service and ready whenever
he wished to start on our western tour
The answer came in person of the Duke
himself.
you were in earnest" he said, giving
me cordial hand shake as he spoke.
eyes, sir" l replied. 81 want to see the
land whore man can make q million in a
month or two"
Our preparations fo1 the voyage were
quickly completed. Our passage was Sc
cured on the "Fulda," and soon we were
blowing the waters of the deep, leaving
behind us a line Of white foam, soon lost
in the distance. | thought how like our
life is this path, very real and full Of life it
seems at first and then it is lost and for
gotten.
The docks were crowded with a gay COM
pany Some were going home, after years
of absence, to greet the dear ones waiting
to welcome them. Others, like myself
were going for a first look at the new
world. Our voyage was made after the
president Of the United States had issued
orders for the great cattle companies to
take their herds from some of the Indian
reservations A cOrpulent old man was
maxi 2 himself very disagreeable over the
news which had just reached him.
"Why are you SO veXed with the presi-
dents order.
eff it is carried out it will cost nearly all
my cattle are worth. They are not in a
marketable condition." he said, grumb
ingly.
Glow did you obtain permission to put
your herds there?" inquired.
eve got leases from the Indian chiefs -
he said
''Why, l thought the Indians were wards
of the nation, and had no right to sell or
lease their lands"
$50 they are thought to be. But through
the secretary of the department we OBJ
tanned the lease for a large tract of the
best stock raising country in the west.
Plenty of good water, grass in abundance,
and Il mild climate" he said, warming Up
with his subject
''There is a man with his toes pinched, -
/ said to the duke few moments after, as
we heard the old man still grumbling
when any one would listen to him.
Yes" said the duke, that order of the
presidents will pinch good many toes if
it is carried out. But it will not be en-
forced There is too much money il it.
The order amounts to nothing. L is only
blank cartridge fired for effect"
"Then yOu think delays will be winked
at, and at last nothing will be done 20 ell
force the orders
81 find, IS Il rule my young friend, that
money wins every time" said the duke,
looking me full in the face, with an
amused expression on his handsome face.
''What fine looking lady that is sitting
yonder watching the sunset, with the
young lady at her side" remarked the
duke, changing the subject abruptly.
81 wonder if they are Americans?" l
asked, as we strolled along the deck.
"HaVe you met them?"
Eyes, to both your questions. ! have
met them and they are Americans. The
elderly lady is the mother. The young
lady is one of the finest ViOlinists Of her
age in the world. They are now returning
home from Europe. The daughter has just
completed her course of study and will
now begin to reap her reward us an artist. "
81 hope she will favor us occasionally
with some of her Skill" said as we
passed in to supper.
Evening on shipboard is usually de-
Gghtful time Every one is willing to be
agreeable. There were several good must
clans on board who kindly favored us with
music. And glee clubs were formed from
the merry company. Some paired off for
quiet game Of whist, the only game al
lowed on board by order of the captain.
just at sunset on the third night out, a
cloud gathered in the west, and we saw
old Neptune dashed into fury by a most
terrific thunder storm. The great ship was
dashed from side to side like a toy. Their
| found that sea sickness is one Of the USu
al penalties for crossing the ocean. Brac
ing myself with my umbrella, | was ready
to surrender all, even to my boots. Al
night heard something on my cabin flOol
rolling to and fro as the great ship rolled
from side to side on the mountainous
waves, but | was too sick to care to eX-
anime what it was. When morning came
and the storm without and the tempest
within had subsidized, l saw my beautiful
new silk hat (and what Euglishman is
ever without onc0 with the rim worn of
and minus n crown. 1t had fallen to the
floor and was ruined. A storm at seq
makes one feel very helpless. A terrible
storm on land is u trial to peoples nerves
but there you are only threatened wild
danger from above. At sea you are like al
atom tossed about, rs helpless us IL leaf il
the wind. | thought OF the philosophy
of SamUo when he said, "Ef de cabs run
Off Gle track, dab We is; eff de boat goes t
pieces, whah is YEP"
1t was grand sight that met our view
as the sun rose over the black cloud tina
had just passed over us. Tle waters were
rolling mountains high and every wave
seemed determined to engulf the ship
That was the only storm we had during
our voyage. After it was over | was glaC
of having had the experience of seeing thu
mighty ocean when maddened into fury
One evening a call was made for the
young violinist. While she is not gushing
ly beautiful, she has a bright look that is
very attractive. She has clear complex
ion tinged with the rosy glow of health
dark eyes, an expressive mouth, and slight
ly Roman nose. As she took her position
she was greeted with hearty cheers Max
ing a slight bow of thanks, she held he
violin in her white, tapering fingers anC
with their skillful touch and the graceful
movements of the bow she sent forth tn,
most delicate melodies selected from he
favorite operas and some choice gem
from the old masters she rendered with al
ease and skill that Ole Bull himself Nigh
have tried in vain to surpass. l thought o
Stella, how she would have enjoyed thu
treat. But where was my lost friend
Was L leaving her behind or would fine
her in the new world scattering sunshin