St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-02
ITASCA: A NIGHT VISION.

Recently / had occasion to look up som of
the authorities on the source of the Mississ
ippi river, and while thus engaged | read a
number of newspaper accounts that have
been published from time to time. some of
which were Somewhat fshy, while others
seemed to be crystallized ehestnuts, at least
thatis the way they presented them selves to
my view.
The several accounts with their various col
erings. foibles and squibbles gave rise to a
train of thoughts which strongly impressed
themselves ON me during the day. aud gave
employment to my fancy during the night. so
that my cogitations were transmitted. as it
were, into a vision or allegory.
I I +
In my vision. methought had closed my
earthly career. and found myself upon a mar
row road, going, L knew rot viii Their. After
Cropping my way through dark and lonely
places, and crossing rough and rugged hiIls,I
finally reached the shore of a broad and beau
tiful river. Beyond the river was a shining
landscape of indescribable beauty. such as
hadsnever beheld before in all my wander
ings up and down the earth. On the river
were numerous light craft with their snowy
white sails. Some were gliding swiftly
toward the further shore, while others were
returning.
+ + +
On the shore, a short distance from where
Istood, there was one of these boats with its
golden PROV resting upon the glittering
strand. and near it stood the aged boatman,
waiting for another passenger. AS / APP
preached it he asked in a gentle voice:
Young man, whence contest thouT' and l
answered, From the capital city of Mime
sota." Looking at me with a compassionate
smile he said in a low tone, as if soliloquiz-
ing to himself. "Ah, many people from the
Twin Cities have crossed here" Then rails
ing his voice and speaking in a frmer tone,
he asked: young man, hast thou ever be-
longed to q historical societY?' This ques-
ton troubled me very much, but | readily
answered that l had not, for while on earth L
had been more interested in genuine fossils.
At this the countenance of the aged boat
man was lit up with a radiant smile, and he
said: young man, thy earthly choice was
well made, and L am ready to guide thee
safely over the river"
Entering the boat, we were soon gliding
over the sparkling waves, and shortly the
PROV grounded upon the opposite shore,
from which point a broad road led to the top
of a gently sloping hill.
On ascending the rising ground above the
river the enchanting scene that presented
itself to my view was grand and magnificent
beyond comparison, so that it is impossible
to describe It'll words that would do it justice.
Radiating in every direction were many
paths, bordered with beautiful flowers, Inc
along which were majestic groves of the most
beautiful trees of every hue and shade. There
were numerous fountains, great springs of
pure water and many shady hooks and bow-
ers scattered here and there.
+ t
Before leaving me, the aged boatman
pointed ont a particular path. and told me to
follow it and 1 would find things, such as
had interested me while on earth. SO, fol-
lowing the path as directed, 1 passed along in
the shadow Of trees of wondrous beauty, in
which were many strange birds with beau
tiful plumage. Crossing streams OF spark
ling water, passing over hills and fowery
plains, the scenes always varying and chang
ing, and ever pleasing to the eye, l finally
came to the junction of two beautiful lakes,
that looked strangely familiar to me-.
One was considerably larger than the other,
and in it at q distance a beautiful island
codld be seen. On the shining shore were
numerous light boats for the use of visitors.
. While admiring the enchanting scene, my
I attention was attracted to a large marble
shaft standing near the waters edge, upon
which in large golden letters were the words,
"Lake Itasca." Turning to the smaller lake
l saw a similar shaft with the words Elk
Lake" engraved upon a brass plate. some
indefinite shading or irregularity about the
letters made me examine this name more
closely, when was astonished to see that it
was a case analogous to the palimpsests of
middle ages. for there were traces of q former
name of six or seven letters. of which. how
ever. only Glxzxxr could be made out.
+ I t pEt5
Over the artificial canal that connected the
two lakes was a fine arched bridge. and just
beyond was a grand monument, the main
shaft Of which was of purest crystal. Cross
ing the bridge to the foot of the monument
found engraved thereon in large letters: