The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1901-05-31

graphically Described.
The following p~ostical pen picture OF
the Elkhorn river from the pen OF Ham
Kaufman Is not 30 bad and can be read
with pleasure some OF these nice spring
days when the wind does not blow says
the Atkinson Plain Dealer
Over tho fertile prairies, among the
hills and glens, along grassy and wild.
lowered banks the Elkhorn winds its
way like q silver ribbon. The wind
stoops in its flight across the undulating
valley, leaving n mantle of dimpled ruff
ties on the rivers surface and scatter
ing.a leafy benediction down from the
occasional group of trees that stand up.
on the bank Of this tinsel strand. The
prairies stretch for miles and miles on
either side, and across their wide *
panse through the year come floating
down q thousand echoes and the fra
GRANGE Of countless number of prairie
flowers. At times from a distant
height a tieet-footed deer or antelope
may be seen, or the yelp of a coyote
heard to mingle with the snap Of the
cowboys whip as his herd sweeps down
to the river to drink of its clear aud
nourishing waters. In the summer
when twilight gathers over the hills, a
rutiied roll is heard from every side.
Prairie chickens, with heads erect and
planes outstretched, strut in lordly
manner upon their native heath, and
with r~ustling wings and proudly swell
ing Threats fill the air with re-echoed
bOOmings. In the S ring, sand hill
cranes, whose forms loaf far up toward
the heavens, circle slowly over the river,
their occasional cries sounding faint and
afar off as if from a spirit world. In
the autumn jack.rabbits scamper
through the dead grasses and by their
speed put to shame the ~tleetest of dogs.
On the dead limb Of n tree the yellow
hammer sits in grave contemplation,
and above him the woodpecker beats n
steady tattoo that enlivens the heart Of
the horny handed ag%riculturist. The
river glides smoothly along, and hardly
q ripple is heard from its placid current.
So still and regular it flows that it seems
rs if n spell had been laid on its waters.
Although the echoes and voices whisper
morning and evening to its listening
spirit the river moves noiselessly along
with hardly n murmer in response. 1t
il the type Of all that is grace and
beauty, the queen of rivers. Repose is
written in the air above and around it,
side. The roll of vaulted thunder falls
as lightly on its breast as the whistle of
the golden plover. Turtle doves COO to
their mates in the branches of trees,
and in shady bends the wood duck
bathes his brilliant plumage, while the
graceful pickerel in countless numbers
can be seen darting through its crystal
water. Under the summer sky, the
the dainty wild roses blush and emit
their sweetness in the glance of the
molten sun, or under the winter dark
} ness. when its icy barriers are dotted
} with rabbit tracks, the river softly flows
clear, calm and patient, so steadfas'
and true. and leaning upon the protect
: ing arm of the great prairie aud wood
land, Elkhorn gathers the sweep O
shimmering waters in a liquid train anC
gently glides away to the Platte, anC
the poet might well sing Of
1.-The wild gaAelle with silvery feet,
, Give to thee for a playmate sweet"