River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-06-01

We print by permission the following
interesting letter from Mrs. G. Smith of
West Superior to Mrs. r. s. Freeman of
this city.
CONCORD, MASS, May s. 1899.
No Dear Friend
| think wrote you line a few days
before ] left home to say / was comming
East via Canadian Pacific and would
have to leave River Falls ont of my trip
this Spring. Yes indeed You have all
been soskind to me tbct feel | have a
place in your hearts and a welcome in
your homes at all times. And how much
| appreciate such friends.
At last one of my dreams has come
truel I've been in Boston. We Master
John is my travelling companion) are
not staying there-we go in for few
hours at a time; when tired, run back to
our nest to rest. For the sake of econ
omy, rural surroundings. and rest, we
came out to historic and literary old Con-
cord to find our temporary home.
We arrived on the 18th of April mot
l775) and spent the first night at the same
Wright's Tavern where the British con-
gregated on that memorable day l24
years ago; and where Major Pitcairn
boosted, in the morning, that he would
stir the Yankee blood as he was then
stirring his to-day. He did. And the
Yankee blood was full of fire he little
dreamed of.
The next day, Master John, who has
his wheel with him, wheeled to Lexlng-
ton, chasing in inauguration, the re-
treating Redcoats on their disgraceful
flight to Boston. On his return he ac-
companied Paul Revere on his midnight
ride until he came to a great granite
tablet on lonely hilltop, which records
the fact that Paul Revere was on that
lonely spot captured by two British SEN
tinels. When he had read that, my
young hero(?) thought he would like to
nestle in his Aunt Mary 8 arms and 1t be-
came his turn to tiee-but-towards Con-
cord.
Within walking distance-even for
me-are the homes of Emerson, Haw-
thorue and the Alcotts. There are Sleepy
Hollow, Walden Woods and many other
places of interest. One of our most en-
ioyable little jaunts was an afternoon in
Sleepy Hollow. How can describe it to
youl So quiet, 80 restful, SO beautiful
with its picturesque "ridges" surround
ing its sunny dales and its really and
truly sleepy hollow. John summed up
his admiration i'll my goodness, Isn't
this nice, wish / was buried here! One
does feel quite ready to be already ouri-
ed for the sake of staying in so lovely
place. AS fingered under the signing
pines which grow over the graves OF
Hawthorne and Thoreau, l just longed TO
stay-to linger and dream whole days
away.
Another "red letter. day was the one,
a part of which we spent at THE Way
side" We were shown oyer the house
and grounds by its present owner. Mrs.
Lathrop-"M Margaret Sidney"-authoress
of give little Peppers" The Little Maid
of Concord" and other books. 1t was
hard TO tell which interested us most;
the queer, rambling, new-old house, OF
the charming lady who was so kindly
telling US about it. Without doubt 1t was
the lady who captured Johns heart.
There we're the little winding stairs
which the Little Women" used IN play
ing "Pilgrim's Progress, and we climbed
up the long steep stairs into Hawthornes
Tower and looked out over the "rlcn
green meadows and gentle eminences,
in which, Hawthorne says, there is
"ouiet peculiar charm" with outlines
forever new, because continually fading
out of memory" Out on the hillside we
walked up the path like an Indian trail
to HaWthorne's Seat on the mount OF
Vision" Here were probably penned
many of his pure and lofty thoughts.
Our first day in Boston was very inter
esting. We dropped into the oldest part
and enjoyed ourselves wandering around,
getting lost in its quaint, narrow. crooked
"lanesh and "places" and after awhile,
without anyone directing us finding our
selves back again at our starting point.
It's fascinating! Then it is great fun to
find, by the side of some magnificent
pile of granite and marble, quaint old
building like the historic old State house
or "The old corner book store"
But here am at the bottom of the
page and it is time to stop. Come and
see me when l get home and I'll tell you
all about my dream come true" With
much love to all my friends, your family
and yourself.
am yours sincerity
MARY HAW SMITH.