_n_n_n_rv-n_ 
 
 REESE LIBRARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 Class 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 
 
 COL. IIANKINS, 
 In the Clerk s Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. 
 
DAKOTA LAND; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE BEAUTY OF ST, PAUL. 
 
 AN ORIGINAL, ILLUSTRATED, 
 
 HlSTOEIC AND BOMANTLC WORK, 
 
 Presenting a Combination of Marvelous Dreams and Wandering Fancies, Singuhir 
 
 Events and Strange P atalities, all Interwoven with Graphic 
 
 Descriptions of the Beautiful Scenery and 
 
 WONDERFUL ENCHANTMENT IN MINNESOTA. 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED 
 "A. IROTJND OF IP L 1C A. S TIRE," 
 
 With Interesting Notes of Travel, Maps, etc., and Forming a Comprehensive 
 
 Guide to the Great North -West. 
 
 BY COL. 
 
 <gbitor of " i% Ifcfo fork Dome (gazette." 
 
 ALSO. EDITOU OF THE NEW ILLUSTRATED "JOURNAL OF SOCIETY." 
 
 And Author of "Agnes Wilton," "Maniac Father," "The Apostate Quaker," "The Idiot 
 
 of Che Mill," "The Orphan Dream," "The Banker s Wife, "The Mother s 
 
 Prayer," "The Beautiful Nun," "Hearts That Are Cold;" Be?ide 
 
 Innumerable Serial Productions of Truth and Fiction. 
 
 1868: 
 
 HANKINS & SON. PUBLISHERS, 
 
 .Journal of Society " Office, IN"o. 1 Park IPlace, 
 NEW YORK CITY. 
 
f Xo 
 
 1 
 
 TO THE 
 
 CITIZENS OF ST. PAUL, GREETING. 
 
 AN ACCEPTANCE OF THIS VOLUME, 
 RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
 
 AS A 
 
 MARK OF SINCERE ESTEEM 
 FOR YOU PERSONALLY, 
 
 AND ALSO AS A 
 
 TOKEN OF ENTHUSIASTIC ADMIRATION 
 
 FOR YOUR 
 
 BRIGHT NEW CITY, 
 WILL BE VERY GRATIFYING TO 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
[RAK? 
 
 or THE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 MY first visit to Minnesota was not until the latter part of 
 September, 1867; and then it so happened that I could tarry 
 but twenty-four hours in the vicinity of St. Paul. With the 
 popular disbelief of all strangers to that region, I anticipated 
 the real existence of no very great attractions there, and ac 
 cordingly had made arrangements for returning to New York 
 the first week in October. However, I saw and felt enough 
 during the speedy lapse of that one day, to convince me of my 
 error. And although I could not then prolong my stay, there 
 was much comfort in hopefully promising myself the pleasure 
 of a more extended visit some other time. But the next day 
 after my departure down the river, on board a "white collar" 
 steamer, and while dreamily gazing upon the lovely scenery of 
 Lake Pepin, and musing upon the marvelous enchantment of 
 the Great North- west, I was suddenly inspired with the idea 
 of publishing a Dioristic and Statistical History of the bright, 
 new city which I had so recently seen. And that inspiration 
 eventually terminated in a fixed resolve. For even though a 
 stranger there, I could not fail to perceive how greatly such a 
 book was needed, and also the prospective surety that the pub 
 lisher thereof would be well compensated by its ready sale. 
 
 The result was that I hastened back to St. Paul early in No 
 vember. And on arriving there, the editors of the Daily 
 Pioneer and the Daily Press kindly encouraged me by compli- 
 mentarily noticing my intention. But very soon afterward, 
 they also noticed the similar individual purposes of several 
 native " brothers of the scissors and the quill," whom my com 
 ing effectively roused to a full sense of the " golden opportu 
 nity " which I had in view. And as I prudently declined any 
 rivalry or contest with those who were so much better qualified 
 to successfully accomplish the proposed undertaking, it only 
 
 208888 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 remained for me to " interpret well that meaning cry of Ship 
 ahoy, and into smoother waters quickly steer." (See page 
 3970 
 
 Yet, one pleasant evening before I sailed from the port of St. 
 Paul, the Spirit of " Good Dame Fortune " appeared to me 
 with her charming face all dimpled in a patronizing smile. 
 And, while a sweet, hope-beguilnig expression stole out of her 
 coquettish eyes, she said to me, " Come, disheartened mortal, 
 cheer thee up ! Be of good heart, and listen ! With the aid 
 of my magic power, ere to-morrow s sun goes down, thou shalt 
 have the Key to a Mystery that s been long concealed. With 
 that talisman in thy hand, and the story of the beautiful, 
 golden-haired Fleurette, whom thou know st so well, strange 
 fatalities may be revealed ! Come ; get thee to thy task ! And 
 remember that we shall meet again ! Farewell 1" 
 
 So, having acted upon the Spirits suggestion, I am now 
 vain enough to believe that this Volume of " DAKOTA LAND ; 
 or, The Beauty of St. Paul," will prove both interesting and 
 instructive to every reader who may honor it with a fair peru 
 sal through. 
 
 Dakota Land proper, originally included nearly all the terri 
 tory which is now occupied in part by the States of Wisconsin, 
 Iowa and Minnesota only that distant section north of Ne 
 braska and west of Minnesota, yet retaining the Dakota name. 
 So after all, Dakota Land and the Great North-west are simply 
 different appellations for the same region. The former was 
 chosen for the title of this volume, because it harmonized more 
 pleasantly with the peculiar character of the objects and 
 themes which I purposed treating upon. Whether that choice 
 may have been an appropriate one, the reader will now determ 
 ine unknown to me and regardless of my opinion. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 Journal of "SOCIETY" Office. ) 
 Now York, Aug. 1st, 1868. J 
 
INDEX TO CONTENTS. 
 
 A Synoptical Reference to Scenes and Events of the Volume, 
 
 Necessarily or Incidentally Connected with the Remarkable 
 
 Denouements of " LOST, and FOUND !" 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Solitary Pine ... A Strange Fancy . . . Upon a Lofty Hill ... A Sunset View . . . 
 The Bright New City... Children of the Bois bi-ule... Round Blue Stones... A Cu 
 rious Mound... No More Crimson Hues... A Twilight Dream... Church Spires and 
 Council Fires. . .The Plowman s Whistle, and the Farm-house Dinner-horn. . ..The 
 Red Man s Blood... Enchanted Ground... A Lost Spirit... Theory of the Past... A 
 Weird Sentinel of Time! 17 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Magic Arts. . .The Prophet s Tomb. . . A " Shrine of Life ". . .The Franciscan Ad 
 venturer. ..Cavern of Wakan-tebee...Back Two Hundred Years... The Gospel 
 Missionary... A Temple of Ruin... "Pig s Eye" Pandemonium... Hell of Virgil 
 and Dante... Incantation of the Fiends... Poison for the Aborigine... The Dawn 
 of Light. . .Finding a Lost Key. . .Parrant s Fate to be Revealed. . .Consulting the 
 Stars... The "Angel of Love," and the "Eye of God!" 27 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Northern Wilds... An Ambitious Earl... .The Marquis Dupontavisse...From 
 Paris to Red River... "Morganatic Ties "...A Singular Town... Unknown El Do 
 rado... Beauty Will Facie... History of a Life... Widowhood and Despair... The 
 Fair Adventuress... A Fur Trader s Love... What Jealousy Will Do... Kaskadino, 
 the "Medicine Man "...A Heartless Nurse... Cool Draughts and Poison... The 
 Mother Dies... Hear that Voice! 41 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Grave-Digger s Mound... Marriage a la mode du pays..." No Pedigree, no 
 Nation, no God!"... What Histot Does Not Tell.. .Approach of "The Destroy 
 er". ..Wooing a Brother s Child!... Staking a Human Soul... Marvelous Coinci 
 dence in Life Prodigal Coquettes. ..."God Bless that Man!" Farewell to 
 
 Mother s Grave... .The "Ox-Train" Moving Intoxicating Sounds... Modern 
 Sons of Ishmael... Encampment at Night... A Novelty more Primitive than Tubal 
 Cain! 57 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Imaginary Fears..." Voice of the Bells "...When Graveyards Yawn... The 
 Tavern Keeper s Son... Something About Cats.. .A Country School. ..An Idiot s 
 Love... Village Superstition.. .A Deed of Blood. ..The Haunted House. ..Chal 
 lenge Accepted... A "Million Sighs!"... Journey in the Dark... The Forest of 
 Pines. . .Unearthing a Ghost. . .Did the Devil Enter Swine ?.. .Moonrise in Minne 
 sota. . .An Enchanting Scene. . .The Yawning Chasm ... A Devious Path ! 71 
 
 1* 
 
10 INDEX TO CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Delicious Repose... Flight with Morpheus... Back to the Solitary Pine... That 
 Curious Mound... Presentiment of Evil... Philosophy of Fear... Natural Melo 
 dies. . . An Imbecile Statue. . .The Sohbing of Grief. . .Spell-bound. . .In the Claws 
 of a Demon... A Stygian Imp... Prince of Darkness..." Was it of Woman 
 Born?". ..The Paralyzed Arm. ..A Gorgon Laugh. ..One of God s Creatures, after 
 all... A Wild" Ha, ha!"... The Vision Dissolves! 87 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Hah-zah-ee-yun-kee-win..." Running Injun with Big Moon "...St. Paulians 
 Should all Have Wives... An Old Squaw s Grief .. .Alas, "Me Choonkshee!"... 
 Angry Wakan Stole her Child away... Beautiful Lament... Round Blue Stones, 
 from Minne-in-ee-o-pa... Mystery of the Curious Mound... A Balm for Sorrow... 
 Strange Beliefs. . .The Land where Spirits Dwell. . .Scalps and Love. . .A Mother s 
 Superstition. . .Strange Adventure, and Terrific Fall 1 95 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Shoulder-straps and Champagne... Drawing it Mild... Tea versus Wine... The 
 Two Canoes... St. Paul in the Year 1845... Unexpected Recognition of Parrant... 
 Scene in his Shanty... A Fair Acquaintance... "Go, I want to be free !"..." Give 
 it to me, or you die !". . . A Mystery Unexplained. ..Rescued by Old Betz. ..In the 
 Cavern of Wakan-Tehee!...The Rendezvous... Square Rock below Mendota... 
 The Indian Assassin... Parrant Left to Die! 113 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Kaskadino in Disguise. . .A Death Struggle. . .The Body not Found. . .Friendship 
 of Old Betz... Disappointments all Around... Philosophy of Erratic Love... The 
 "Old Story" That s Often Told... Gone... Other Destinies to Fill... Nuptial 
 Vows.. .A Painful Suspicion... The False Priest... Desertion... Phineas O Brien, 
 the Inebriate Attorney... Uncertainty of the Law... The Grandmother s Affec 
 tion. . .Justice or Revenge ! 125 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Indian Summer in Minnesota... Dreamy Seance of Nature... St. Paul by Moon 
 light, iu November... New York City at Night, in a Storm... Colossal Tombs... 
 Gloom Without; What s Within?. . .Prayers for the Dawn. . .A Girl-Mother and her 
 Babe. . .The Palace and the Attic Room. . .The Gold Screen and the Broken Pane. . . 
 A Heart of Stone. . .Three Common Wrongs... Portrait on the Wall... An Evil 
 Spirit Hovering Near! 139 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The Infant Heiress... Marriage without Love... Love without Marriage... Pre 
 cept and Example for Ambitious Young Girls. . .The Two New Mothers. . .A Bitter 
 Heart. ..The Dark Resolve... Saved by a Picture... Bribes Refused... Everything 
 to Gaiu, and Nothing to Lose... A Housekeeper s Letter... Warning for Rich 
 Mothers... Counterplotting.... Expiation for The Destroyer. .. .More than Re- 
 veuge ... A Cruel Wrong. . . Wonderful Instinct of a Mother !. 153 
 
INDEX TO CONTENTS. 11 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Personal Charms... Beauty and Mind... Belle of the Crescent City. . .Wedded 
 Life. . .Nothing we have or enjoy can ever remain the same !. . .The Unhappy Has 
 band...A Loving Wife. ..The Poor Old Slaves. ..Who Remember Levasseur... 
 The Financier and Ladies Man... Nobles iu Disguise. ..Social Laws... Theory of 
 Love... Marriage Often a Fraud... Festered Hearts and Souls. ..Duty and Desire... 
 The False Go-between. . .The Apostate s First Repentance. . .Searching for his Lost 
 Love. . .Gyneocracy and Divorce ! 167 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The Shadows Falling. . .Torture and Despair. . .The Apostate Warned. . .Marvel 
 ous Daring... Gathering of the Storm... The Stolen Child... Trick and Strata 
 gem... Unconscious Meeting of the Rival Mothers... The Abyss of Ruin... A Dis 
 tressing Scene... The Fatal Truth Revealed... The Destroyer and Avenger face 
 together... The Affecting Denouement of LOST!... A Compact aud the Oath!. ..Be 
 hold the Sacrifice, now ! 183 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The Desecrated Sanctuary... Last Link Broken... The Betrayed Wife... "Oh, 
 let me die!". ..The Adventuress Last Hope. ..The "Beautiful Snow!"... Where 
 
 Cobwebs Grow The Deserted Dwelling... Inquisitive Old Maid "Them 
 
 blasted Niggers !". . .The Chamber of Mystery. . .Something Wrong. . .Bells Tolling 
 Fire... Burning of Levasseur s City Mansion... Me Judas, the Detective, in Search 
 of Crime Concealed I 198 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Satan Panting for Souls.... The Dismal Palmetto Tree.... Jupiter Dim d by 
 Mars. . .Juno in Tears. . .The Siren Spy. . .Potency of Gold. . .Out of Rebeldom into 
 the Union Lines.... A "Consumptive Invalid and her Slaves"...." Hear that 
 cough!"... The Great "Dr. Passion;" a Christian Quack... A Jersey Farmer, 
 whose Dog "Goliah" has an " Opinion "...The Farmer s Strange Suspicion that 
 he sees "Mini," the Convict, who escaped many years ago... Going to Minne 
 sota... The Four Sisters... "O, must she die?" 207 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The Deserted Wife.... Her Slaves Affection "O, when his heart grows 
 
 sad!"... Doom of the Fair Adventuress. . .A Sectarian Asylum... The Poor Little 
 Orphans. . .Those Sad Blue Eyes. . .A Sweet Foundling. . .The Necklace of " Job s 
 Tears"... Something to Love... The Hectic Flush... Old Mortality... The "Two 
 Lands of Flowers ". . .See the Vampire Smile. . .Pure Air better than Medicine. . . 
 Force of Example... Steamboat Captains in the East and in the West... Arrival 
 at St. Paul. . .Dr. Passion in the River ! 223 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 A Piercing Scream... Goliah quickly Flies to the Rescue of Fleurette, and 
 coolly Leaves the Vampire to Drown... A Grand Ovation to Goliah... The Wid 
 ower s Heart... Friends Must Part... Sincere Regrets... San cho and the Quacks. .. 
 Southern Ideas of Cold... Spring and the Blue Bird s Song... Rosy Cheeks when 
 the Butter Cups Bloom. . .The Sioux War-whoop !. . .A Sea of Blood. . .The " Tur 
 key and the Crow!". .."7s there Such a Man*"... The Captive. Girls... Horrors 
 Untold. . .The Escape . . . Poor Goliah. . , Father is dead !" 239 
 
12 IXDEX TO CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Tradition of the " Flood "...The Three Sons of Noah. ..A Chiefs Power... 
 Family Relations. . .Indian Laws. . .Prisoners of War. . .Caligula Outdone. . .Obse 
 quies of their Dead... Marriage..." Plenty of Wives ."...Virtue and Divorce... 
 Utility of Squaws. . .In and Around the Teepees. . .Brutal Feelings. . .Immortality 
 of their Souls. .."Dog Pie "...Mounted for the Chase... Cunning of Wolves... 
 Voracious Gluttons The Blanket "Carryall" The Red Man s Redemp 
 tion! 257 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Anti-Sectariau Germans... Churches Forbidden... The Girl-Captives saved by 
 a Whisky-Keg... Execution of "Bad Injuns"..." Good Injuns" Sent Away... 
 Amusing Interview with Old Betz... Phrenological Inquisition... Kosh-popee all 
 the time... The Marvelous Creature Sings a Song... Indian Etiquette... Ghastly 
 Toys. .. .Plumes of the Brave.... Classic Aborigines. ...God s Handiwork Gone 
 Astray. . .The Dying Squaw ! 273 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Smoldering Ruins... Goliah Not Dead; but Saves his Master s Life... A Joyful 
 Return. . . " We re beggars now !". . .Prospects of the Future. . . A Friend in Need. . 
 The " Scare," and Fall in Real Estate. ..A " Dog-Train" from Red River. . .Farmer 
 Denton s " Sledge " Adventure. . .Worse than Dr. Bartlett s Camels. . .Novel Jour 
 ney Over the Snow. . .Dogs and Wolves. . . " Playing Possum ". . .Canine Hotels. . . 
 The Hunger of a Blighted Heart... An Old Ardor Anew. .." I ne er again^hall 
 wed !" , 278 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 The " Angel Heart " Proves Faithful Still. . .Wooing the " Beauty of St. Paul" . . 
 The Prodigals of Stolen Bliss in Paris yet. . .But God has heard the Wife s Prayer, 
 and at length the Husband s Heart does grow sad... The Grandmother s Affec 
 tion proves a Fatal Curse... Jealousy and the Result. ..A Pleasure Dream of Six 
 teen Years at its End... Darkest before Dawn... The Forsaken, Penitent Man... 
 Sleep of Remorse and Vision of Joy... And then, instead of Love Returned with 
 Life, only a Corpse is Promised to the Wife... Put Flowers on his Grave... Moon 
 beams from Above ! 305 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 "He comes !"..." Ma, dear, God is always near!". ..The Coffin on board the 
 Steamer... Strangers in St. Paul... Hospitality Accepted... A Solemn Scene... 
 Prayer of the "Angel Heart". .."Let our Graves be One!". ..The Dead Alive... 
 Startling Denouement of FOPXD ! . . . " Your corpse ; what of that V . . .The Prototype 
 Beauties !.. .Wonders Multiplied. . .Truth Stranger than Fiction. . .The Joy of " Lost 
 Love Returned!" 321 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 A Speculation... Four Crimson Blushes... The Three Brides... "She s my only 
 boy!". ..Jane " Counted In.". ..Up in the World... Elegance of St. Paul... Nothing 
 Like Money Anywhere. ..The Citizens of St. Paul... Who Live in the Palaces, and 
 What s "Behind the Scenes "...Under the Gaslight Glare... The Distinguished 
 and the Wealthy. . . A long List of Eminent Names in full. . .Smiles of Welcome. . . 
 
INDEX TO CONTEXTS. 13 
 
 Getting into "Society!"... The Same Man Still... Fighting the Cold... A Word to 
 "Consumptives!"... The " Beavers "...Their Habits and Customs... A Curioua 
 Study. . . Real-estate " Financiers !" 33j 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Summer Resorts. . .Pharaonic Apollyons, and Cytherian Decoys. . .Where Souls 
 are Prepared tor Hell... .Wo "Black Crook" in the Retreats of Dakota Land, 
 where Virtue Sweetly Breathes. . .Scenery on the Mississippi River. . .Castellated 
 Bluffs... Mountain Graves. ..The "Lake of Tears "...Traditions of the Past... 
 When the Bottom of Lake Pepin Fell Out, ..The Garrard Estate... Society of 
 Frontenac. . .A Summer Paradise in Embryo. . .The Abode of Happiness. . .Myste 
 rious Boiling River. ..A Terraqueous Problem for Geologists to Solve ! 353 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Winter in Minnesota. . . Consumptives in the " Promised Land " . . .Celestial Phe 
 nomena... Sun-Dogs; Moon-Dogs, and Lumen Uoreafe...Nico11et House, in Minne 
 apolis. .." Louise " and the Author Laughing at Zero... L Hotel de Shantie...T:i\e 
 Mystic Tree... Shivering Romance. ..A Frozen Beauty. ..The " Weeping Waters" 
 Entombed in Ice... A World of Pure White Glass... Rendezvous of the Great... 
 Where Lovers Can Woo... Boulevard of St. Paul... What Strangers Desire to 
 Know. . .Skeleton of Tah-o-ah-ta-doo-ta. . .Po-go-na-ghe-shick On a Spree ! 369 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 Delightful Drives. ..The "Round Trip "...Legend of Anpetusapa... Devotion of 
 Scarlet Dove... Fast Horses. ..Race to Lake Como... A Genius in St. Paul... The 
 "Calumet of Peace "...A Happy Home... Exhuming a Skeleton... The Knife and 
 Pistol... Scene in "Alpine Cottage "...Solving a Mystery of the Past... Bones of 
 Old "Pig s Eye". ..The "Lost Key" Found!... Editor a Playing "Bluff "...Story 
 of Parrant s Ghost... The very Best of Men... Burning of Barnum s Museum... 
 Among the Ashes of Snakes and Bears ! 383 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 The Grandmother s Repentance, and the Granddaughter s Grief... Pursuit of 
 the "Forsaken Husband "...The Beautiful Maniac. .."My child, not hers!". ..A 
 Misspent Life. . .The Self-willed Man. . .Flight of " Irene " . . .The Wife s Prophecy 
 Fulfilled... Memories of the Past... The Dead-house... Fate of Leonore... Dying 
 Confession of the Avenger... The Beautiful Prototype Sisters... One Accursed, and 
 the other a Happy .Bride... Re visiting St. Paul... The Vampire Caught at last... 
 Pity of the "Angel Heart "...The Destroyer s Remorse... A Tomb in Greenwood 
 Cemetery. . .Now, and Forevermore ! ! 405 
 
 ALSO ADDED, 
 
 "A ROUND OF PLEASURE," 
 
 With criticising allusions to the various RAILWAYS, STEAMBOATS, HOTELS and 
 SCENERY occurring between the Eastern Sea-coast Cities and the remotest point 
 of civilization in and beyond Dakota Laud, for the benefit of Strange Travelers, 
 Summer Tourists and Invalids who desire to breathe the delicious atmosphere of 
 the healthiest region in the world. The whole forming a correctly 
 
 Descriptive Guide To The Great North-West! 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Illuminated with over One Hundred Engravings of Descriptive 
 Scenery, Authentic Portraits and Dramatic Tableaux. 
 
 1. ENGRAVED PHOTOGRAPH OF THE AUTHOR (Frontispiece.) 
 
 2. PORTRAIT OF FLEURETTE, "THE BEAUTY OF ST. PAUL" ...(Illuminated Title.) 
 
 3. The " Solitary Pine," beyond the wide river Page 17 
 
 4. Sunset View of the " Bright New City " 17 
 
 5. A Rolling Prairie in Dakota Land 26 
 
 6. View of Upper Fort Garry, on Red River 27 
 
 7. Portrait of " Winneshiek," with his " Pipe of Peace " 27 
 
 8. Old Indian Graves, near the town of Crow Wing 32 
 
 9. Aboriginal method of traveling "On Rail" 36 
 
 10. Portraitof the Sioux Chief "Little Crow" 40 
 
 11 . A Fur Trader wooing " Leonore s" Mother 41 
 
 12. Moonlight View in Dakota Land 44 
 
 13. Lovely Night Scene in the Red River Region 48 
 
 14. Church and Mission School at Pembina 52 
 
 15. The Great "Golgotha" of Dakota Land 56 
 
 16. An "Ox-Train" from Red River to Mendota 57 
 
 17. Fort Pembiua, with Ox-Train and Half-breed Teepees 6 1 
 
 18. An Ox-Train Encampment at Night 70 
 
 19. The Idiot tormenting his Favorite Cat 71 
 
 20. Portraitof Cut Nose," or "Me Good Injun "... 76 
 
 21. Portrait of Ex-Governor Ramsey 82 
 
 22. An Object but vaguely suggesting a " Habitation " 86 
 
 23. Primeval View on Lake Minnetonka 87 
 
 24. Traditional Throne of the Spirit of War 87 
 
 25. An Indian Burial Scaffold 92 
 
 26. Portrait of Old Betz," the Centenarian Squaw 98 
 
 27. Marriage Ceremony of the Chippeways 99 
 
 28. Moonlight View of Burial Scaffolds on Dayton s Bluff 103 
 
 29. A Naudowessian Sibyl, or " Imaginary Witch " 112 
 
 30. TheLovely Ideal of a Youthful Dream 112 
 
 31. Scene on White Bear Lake, near Murray s Hotel 113 
 
 32. A First-Class Hotel, during the Reign of " Pig s Eye " 113 
 
 33. The Surroundings of Fort Snelling 124 
 
 34. Near the Square Rock " below Mendota 12."> 
 
 35. The Assassination of Old Parrant 125 
 
 36. Portrait of " Standing Buffalo " (" Sweet Corn s " friend) 132 
 
 37. Fancy Portrait of " One Good Little Injun Boy " 138 
 
 38. The " Girl Mother "and her Babe, in the Attic Room 139 
 
 39. Cathedral of St. Boniface, near Fort Garry 146 
 
 40. Landscape at " Red Wood," with an Indian Camp 152 
 
 41. Scene in the Rich Wife s Luxurious Chamber 153 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 1 5 
 
 42. A Life Saved by the Eyes of a Picture 153 
 
 43. The " Laughing Water," or Minnehaha Falls 160 
 
 44. View of Fort Abercrombie, on Red River 166 
 
 45. Soire Dansante, in Washington City 167 
 
 46. The Recreant Husband, a Ladies Man 167 
 
 47. City of St. Paul, viewed from Dayton s Bluff, in 1853 176 
 
 48. Pembina Settlement, Mouth of Pembina River 182 
 
 49. The Desecrated Sanctuary 183 
 
 50. Oath of the Apostate Husband 183 
 
 51. Portraitof" Red Iron," an "Ugly Savage" 190 
 
 52. View of Otter Tail City and Lake 196 
 
 53. The Deserted Mansion and the Beautiful Snow 197 
 
 54. Indian Girls Engaged in Useful Occupation 202 
 
 55. The Magic Ferry " across Rum River 206 
 
 56. A Convict s Family, and the Necklace of Bear s-Claws 207 
 
 57. Lake Pepin. with Distant View of Maiden Rock " 207 
 
 58. Rock Island, where the Sioux Monsters are confined 216 
 
 59. Party of Summer Tourists "Camping Out" 222 
 
 60 . The Inside of a New York City Orphan Asylum 223 
 
 61. View of Castellated Bluffs, near Lake Pepin 230 
 
 62. Romantic Scenery on the Upper Mississippi River. 238 
 
 63. A "White-Collar" Steamer at the St. Paul Levee 239 
 
 64. The Dog " Goliah " rescues " Fleurette " from Drowning 239 
 
 65. View at Crow Wing, Minnesota, in 1853. 250 
 
 66. The Widowed Mother, and Her Heroic Boy 256 
 
 67. Mounted Indians, chasm? a Herd of Buffalo 257 
 
 68. View of Pelican Lake, near Otter Tail River 26G 
 
 69. Countless Mounds of the Ancient Dead 1" 272 
 
 70. A Scene During the Sioux Massacre of 62 273 
 
 71 . The Dog " Goliah " Killing the Assassin of his Master. 273 
 
 72. Portrait of a Murderous Indian 280 
 
 73. White Women attacking the Captured Sioux 286 
 
 74. A " Dog-Sledge " Train, approaching at full speed 287 
 
 75. Tourists enraptured at the sight of Red River 294 
 
 76. Picturesque View of "Wild-Goose-Nest" Lake 304 
 
 77. A Sunbeam on the head of the Penitent Man 305 
 
 78. The Dream of Remorse and Vision of Joy. 305 
 
 79. An Eccentric Horse giving his Rider a Bath 312 
 
 80. Wild Scenery on the "Aesonri" River 320 
 
 81 . The Angel Heart " expecting the Corpse of her Husband 321 
 
 82. View of St. Paul and River, as seen from the Western Heights 321 
 
 83. St. Andrew s Church, at Selkirk Colony 328 
 
 84. Tourist* fording the "Calumet" River 334 
 
 85. Fleurette, " The Beauty of St. Paul," riding her Pet Horse 335 
 
 86. A View of St. Paul, looking toward Dayton s Bluff. 335 
 
 87 Spontaneous Strawberry Festival, in Dakota Land 342 
 
 88. The modest " Claim " of Johannes Oberhoffer 351 
 
 89. View of "Devil Lake," where "Little Crow" wns Killed. 352 
 
 90. Bennett, the Red-Wing Artist, and his Sister 353 
 
 91. A Lovely Scene on the Upper Mississippi River 353 
 
 92. The Peculiarity of "Sandstone" Hills 360 
 
 93. A Panoramic View of River Islands 368 
 
 94. The Grand Plaza, in the City of Minneapolis 369 
 
1 6 ILLUSTRATIO XS. 
 
 95. Tourists enjoying the Round-Trip " Drive , . , 3C9 
 
 96. Suspension Bridge, at the Falls of St. Anthony 376 
 
 97. Portrait of Po-go-na-ghe-shich, or Hole-in-the-Day " 382 
 
 98. A Ride to Lake Como, with Beauty and Fashion" 383 
 
 99. "Webb s" Team distancing "Farmer Denton s" 383 
 
 100. The "First Shanty" erected where the " Bright New City" now stands. 390 
 
 101. View on the Ash-ki-big-isibi, or "Green-Leaf River" 404 
 
 102. Scene in Greenwood Cemetery, New York City 405 
 
 103. The Graves of Zorah and Leonore !" 405 
 
 104. Distant View of Pembina Mountain 414 
 
 105. The Silver Cascade," a beautiful waterfall 426 
 
 106. Impatient " Sight-Seers" Starting on a Tour 427 
 
 107. River-Side View " Where the Iron Horse Runs in Dakota Land" 432 
 
 108. An Ex-Consumptive Invalid, taking it Easy 446 
 
 109. A Hungry Tourist Left Behind 448 
 
 110. Portrait of Governor Marshall, of Minnesota 452 
 
 111. The old Flag-tower of Fort Snelling 455 
 
 112. Happy Tourists HOMEWARD BOUND ! 45!) 
 
 Also, (finely engraved on copper-plate, and nicely colored,) a Large and Accurate 
 
 Map Of The Entire Great North-West! 
 
 ENTENTE CORDIALE. 
 
 PREVIOUS to writing this volume, I carefully read every toooK I could find in 
 reference to the State of Minnesota, to the Upper Mississippi River, and in fact 
 to every part of the Great North-west, so far remote as published travels or histo 
 ries yet extend; but have not .abstracted their contents siifficiantly to acknowl 
 edge or apologise for here. Nevertheless, I will name the following works for 
 the benefit of my readers who wish to learn all they possibly can concerning 
 the most promising State in the Union. 
 
 NeilVs History of Minnesota, is the largest and the best. Bond s Minnesota and 
 Its Resources, Is very instructive. Heard s Sioux War- Whoop, and Miss Bishop s Sioux 
 War-Whoop, each, contains on interesting history of that bloody reign of terror. 
 McClung s Minnesota As It Is, (published cotemporaneously with "Dakota Land," 
 in 68,) offers the latest reliable general information of whatever would interest 
 people in quest of homes, health or pleasure. And Hewitt s Pamphlet, issued by 
 State authority for gratuitous distribution, should he read by all who contemplate 
 settling in that region. There are also other old volumes of Travel, etc., now 
 mostly out of print. By the courtesy of Messrs. Harper & Brothers, I am permitted 
 to use several illustrations originally designed for their " New Monthly Magazine," 
 and Heard s History of the Sioux War. THE AUTHOR. 
 
 Journeymen Printers Co-operntive Association, 
 
 Stereotypes, ALVORTV PRINTER. 
 
 166 William Street, near Beekman, N. Y. 
 
CHAPTEE I. 
 
 
 MY eyes are full yet not in 
 tears! There is magic in this 
 lovely scene, and inspiration in 
 the delicious air that I breathe ! 
 In my veins there is a current 
 of electrical delight, and my 
 heart expands with a rapturous 
 thrill ! My soul is absorbed 
 and my senses are lost in the 
 transport of an enchanting 
 dream, while my tongue is 
 eagerly dancing to utter wild words of joy ! But where 
 am I, and what do I see ? 
 
 I live not here. My home is far away ! They told 
 me of a bright realm of flowers, of beautiful lakes and 
 winding streams, where health and happiness might 
 dwell forever ! Then, with the lightning speed of mod 
 ern travel, I journeyed hither, this paradise to see. 
 
 And yonder, where the gray stone walls and the 
 church spires are gleaming, I arrived a few days ago. 
 
 Away in the distance, beyond a wide river, I beheld 
 a dark bluff towering upward high. And upon the dark 
 
18 , THE SOLITARY PINE. 
 
 bluff I saw a lonely pine ! The people, in their daily 
 rounds of leisure or of business strife, could behold the 
 bluif, and they might perceive the pine. I scanned their 
 faces well, yet saw not one who paused to glance that 
 way. But, musingly, I said, why should they pause, 
 when to them the sight was nothing new ? For just 
 there, the same from day to day, the dark bluff ever 
 reared its form. And as all novelties lose their attrac 
 tion when constantly seen, so the people thought not of 
 what I saw. Thus, how true it is that we often under 
 value or overlook the greatest blessings which are given 
 us to enjoy. Even beauty must be scarce or new to 
 gain notice more than common things ! 
 
 And as the passing multitude strode or rode along, I 
 stood lost in contemplation of the scene. Pensive I 
 was and my heart grew sad. I could not help imagin 
 ing that I saw the giant form of a sorrowful and weary 
 sentinel, who had been left standing there upon the 
 bluff by some strange long-past decree, to count the 
 lapse of time, and then to guard the bright new city 
 which was to be ! 
 
 And how forlorn it appeared to me ! Without regard 
 from any one, for days and nights unnumbered, in sum 
 mer suns and winter snows, there it had been for many, 
 many years ! 
 
 Solitary and alone ! "No comrades near. Xot so 
 much as a little dwarf oak, or a scraggy bush, could I 
 then discern upon the rocky summit where it grew. 
 
 The longer I mused upon the mournful tree, the more 
 I wished to hie me thither and cheer it with a human 
 smile. And puerile as that impulse may seem to other 
 minds, I could not resist it then. We all have little 
 fancies at certain times, which might be sneered at by 
 the world, if they were disclosed without a redeeming 
 
A SUNSET VIEW. 19 
 
 cause. Neither the wisest, nor the very great, are 
 exempt from the general rule. 
 
 But to sympathize with a solitary tree, would sound 
 so silly in adult ears that I quietly resolved to indulge 
 my weird fancy, without consulting any one. Thus, 
 At the close of a lovely autumn day, 
 In " Dakota-land," I wander away 
 To the solitude of a lofty hill, 
 Where the throbbing of life is hush d still 
 And here, upon this bleak and barren stone, 
 Amid the solemn silence, all alone, 
 As the evening shadows, lengthening, fall, 
 I sit and gaze in rapture on St. Paul ! 
 Reclining upon the brow of this gigantic bluff, beneath 
 the solitary pine, with great hill-tops around me, all 
 rearing toward the steel-blue sky ; and 
 
 From doubtful-meaning smiles apart, 
 
 My soul is unrestrained and free 
 To linger sadly with my heart, 
 Or sail out on a pleasant sea ! 
 
 But I came too late for a grand view in the full blaze 
 of day. Even now the sun is disappearing behind a 
 dark promontory which seems to defy the hostile frowns 
 of old Fort Snelling, whose gloomy walls across the 
 river overshadow the " meeting of the waters !" The 
 western horizon is glowing with gorgeous crimson hues, 
 and the little cloudlets are brightly fringed with lumi 
 nous tints of gold, while a pleasant murmur in the soft 
 and mellow air hushes nature to repose ! 
 
 Below the rock whereon I am sitting, 
 
 Away down there, four hundred feet and more, 
 
 Millions of golden ripples are flitting 
 Along the Mississippi s pebbly shore 
 
 Flowing on thousands of miles to the sea, 
 
 Like Time rolling into Eternity ! 
 
20 CHILDREN OF THE BOIS BRULE. 
 
 In the edge of a small forest, further back upon the 
 bluff, a mile or so away, I behold a slender volume of 
 smoke curling up from the mud chimney of a rude 
 cabin. And down in the sloping ravine, near that great 
 spring of water bubbling all the year, I can perceive 
 three objects, half concealed among the bushes. Mov 
 ing slowly around, they presently emerge upon the bare 
 rock ; and now I can distinguish a woman and two little 
 ones. 
 
 An old Indian squaw had a favorite daughter who 
 married the son of a bois brule ; and she is now with her 
 grand-children there upon the rock above the ravine. 
 The children live with their parents in that abode where 
 the volume of smoke is curling up in the air. The cabin 
 itself is in the edge of the forest and scarcely visible from 
 here. 
 
 There they go up the steep, and then down again 
 into the ravine. The old squaw leads the way, and the 
 little ones cling to her blanket as they scramble through 
 the briers. 
 
 She reminds me of a hen quail or a maternal turkey, 
 skulking out of sight to screen her young ones from im 
 pending harm. The children hover each side of their 
 old grandma just as I have seen timid young birds nestle 
 up to their dam, when the hunter and his dogs were 
 near. 
 
 And I can not help fancying that she is actually cluck 
 ing to the little chicks, while leading them through the 
 bushes, up and down among the stones. Perhaps she is 
 cherishing a desire which she can not realize. It occurs 
 to me that she is yearning to entice those children away 
 to the haunts of her tribe. She loves them, and they 
 are fond of her. And impelled by that unconquerable 
 habit or instinct of nature which characterizes her race, I 
 
A CURIOUS MOUND. 21 
 
 imagine her to be wishing within her heart that she could 
 lead them hence and have them all her own. Yet that 
 can never be. Civilization has partly reclaimed their 
 father, and he has taught their mother to live in a man 
 ner less barbarous than she did in the wigwam, or tee 
 pee, of her parents before he made her his wife. But 
 there they go down into the narrow glen, and are soon 
 entirely out of sight ! 
 
 And now I discover an object of much greater interest 
 quite near. With vague conjectures I try to account 
 for the origin of that huge pile of round blue stones not 
 many rods from the edge of the bluif ! It seems to have 
 been the work of human hands. The stones are nearly 
 all of the same shape and size, and evidently heaped up 
 there for some particular purpose and with great care 
 like one of those Indian mounds, but entirely of stones, 
 and to all appearance more recently formed. I have not 
 seen any stones precisely like those anywhere about St. 
 Paul. Can it be possible that they were all brought 
 by the Indians from some distant place and piled up 
 Ljre in such a shape? Really, I would like to know 
 why they were placed here thus. But it is useless to 
 study out any theory for these prairies and hills, and 
 lakes, and rivers, are full of mysterious evidences of 
 the past, which neither history nor science will ever 
 unseal ! 
 
 Again I turn my eyes upon the beautiful city to per 
 ceive that its walls are no longer gleaming. The flood 
 of sunlight that made them look so bright when I first 
 gained the top of this elevated wild, has now entirely 
 gone. Even the lurid fires that seemed to blaze from 
 the window-panes of glass have lost all their glow. 
 
 But what a tranquil scene ! The hush of silence is 
 sublime ! 
 
22 A TWILIGHT DREAM. 
 
 The bright glory of sunset i& dying 
 Upon the gilded expanse in the west, 
 
 And the hawk and the crow both are flying 
 To the far-off hills for a place of rest. 
 
 No more golden hues, nor a sign of red 
 
 The lingering twilight is lost in gloom 
 Silently it mourns for the day that s dead 
 Then softly slumbers in its airy tomb ! 
 
 And now stars bedeck the great blue arch above. 
 But the surface of the river is still in sight. A little 
 archipelago divides the stream lengthwise between ; and 
 the waters resemble a great white ribbon, in the centre 
 all rent and torn, and stretching westward until lost 
 behind the black outline of invisible hills. 
 
 Sharp gleams of gas-light are plainly seen over in the 
 city where vacant space admits a view, and feebler 
 lights are glimmering among the humble abodes down 
 on the plain between the base of this great bluff and 
 the water s edge. 
 
 In the distance, there is a monster light, with many 
 smaller ones spread around. They belong to a packet 
 just coming up the river with passengers and merchan 
 dise. I hear the steam-pipe signal howling fierce and 
 wild, and mark its echoes far and near. 
 
 Would I were among the. throng now gathering on 
 the levee there to see the passengers step ashore ; for I 
 have already learned that strangers least expected are 
 coming hither every day. All the world is beginning 
 to think and talk of Minnesota because it offers some 
 attraction or inducement to every one. But I shall not 
 leave this pleasant solitude yet awhile. 
 
 One night, many years ago, I sat upon Bergen Hights, 
 before Hudson City became a town, and gazed at the 
 immense metropolis across the North River. That scene 
 
ENCHANTED GROUND. 23 
 
 was grand, but then I did not feel the indescribable 
 charm experienced by me now. There never was any 
 thing around New York so peculiarly romantic as the 
 scenery connected with St. Paul. At least I never knew 
 it, if there was. 
 
 New York is mighty and grand, as an emporium of 
 commerce, an abode of luxury, and a reservoir of misery 
 and want while this bright new city seems to be an 
 enchanted rendezvous for the acquisition of joyous health 
 and buoyant hope. 
 
 A new city, because less than a quarter of a century 
 has elapsed since all this region was an uncultivated 
 wild. Just there where the city now sleeps in repose, 
 only rocks and trees were seen but a few years ago. 
 And in the identical spot where I am sitting now, 
 doubtless many a savage sat long before the first pale 
 face came this way. It was but yesterday that the red 
 man s canoe glided noiselessly to and fro upon the pel 
 lucid lakes and the Father of Rivers that beautify this 
 wonderful land. Wonderful, because so unlike countries 
 elsewhere. 
 
 Church-spires are now gleaming in the light of day 
 where council fires then burned at night. Instead of 
 the savage war-whoop " on the prairies and in the hills," 
 we now hear the " plowman s merry whistle and the 
 farmhouse dinner-horn." The scenes and sights of 
 twenty-five years ago nearly all have past away. Only 
 a few tame savages remain prowling hereabout to beg 
 or to steal. The multitude have been sent further to 
 the West. The revengeful Chippeways and the insa 
 tiate Sioux no longer are permitted to fight their terri 
 ble battles here. 
 
 The soil of Minnesota is rich with human blood! 
 Many a thrifty farmer is accumulating wealth from the 
 
24 THE RED MAN S BLOOD. 
 
 products of land made fertile by the carcases of war 
 riors long since slain ! Here it was that a deadly strife 
 between the aboriginal Algonquin and the encroaching 
 Sioux waged incessantly for a period of at least three 
 hundred years ! 
 
 Tradition tells us that the Sioux came hither ten times 
 three hundred and fifty moons ago. From which I infer 
 that their advent had some connection with the con 
 quest of Mexico. When the Spaniards occupied the 
 halls of the Montezumas, a large and powerful host of 
 Indians were driven to the North. And the marked 
 dissimilarity of the Chippeways (who declare that their 
 Algonquin ancestors have been here forever) and the 
 encroaching Sioux (who came from afar), is some evi 
 dence in favor of the hypothesis I suggest. Indeed, the 
 relationship of the Sioux and the older native Indians of 
 Minnesota must have been like that of the Greeks in 
 Asia, the Romans in Greece, the Goths in Italy, and 
 the English in Ireland. Conquest gave them a strong 
 footing. 
 
 Another Thermopylae was here ! 
 
 Dakota land is really classic ground. And though no 
 chiseled marble leaves a trace to mark any spot where 
 heroes lie, innumerable mounds of buried dead are seen 
 to prove that a race far superior to the miserable red 
 man lived and died here in time long since past. 
 
 When I first beheld the great rolling prairies of this 
 region my mind was filled with wondering retrospection. 
 The rich soil is filled with roots of esculent production 
 that have deteriorated in the course of time. Millions 
 of acres are silently waiting for the plow to come and 
 bring forth immense harvests of grain ! And I can not 
 resist the conviction that the timber was removed from 
 the land now forming these immense prairies by a race 
 
THEORY OF THE PAST. 25 
 
 of agricultural antediluvians, or an industrious and, per 
 haps, civilized nation existing and extinguished since 
 the flood ! The surface of Minnesota is found by set 
 tlers precisely in the shape and condition that the culti 
 vated farms of the East might be thousands of years 
 hence, if the inhabitants were to leave them now. Long- 
 continued decay would remove every vestige of houses, 
 barns, fences and walls. All the improvements would 
 crumble to dust and totally disappear. But after an 
 agricultural pulverization of the earth for years and 
 years, the fields would remain cleared of timber to the 
 end of time. With an annual decomposition of spon 
 taneous crops perpetually increasing the fertility of the 
 soil, in the course of incalculable time, abandoned farms 
 would become quite as rich as the land of Minnesota. 
 
 So far as I have seen, there is no doubt of the correct 
 ness of this theory. I am aware that some great schol 
 ars will sneer at my deplorable ignorance of the learning 
 which they pride themselves in. Yet the conclusion 
 here stated, is happily established in my humble mind, 
 and I record it without any fear of unanswerable contra 
 diction. 
 
 But, hark! The stillness in yonder thicket is dis 
 turbed by a voice of complaint. A melancholy owl 
 gives vent to his feeling by an occasional utterance that 
 is very unpleasant to my ear. And. in the distance, 
 other birds of the same leather, and eyes, are amusing 
 themselves with similarly unmelodious sounds. Then 
 from the pine tree-top, high above my head, there comes 
 a breathing of sorrow ! 
 
 In the sobbing of the wind, 
 
 Methinks I can hear the deep sigh 
 
 Of some lost spirit who can find 
 No place of rest up in the sky I 
 
26 
 
 A SENTINEL- OF TIME. 
 
 There is something about this solitary tree that makes 
 me sad. I can not help thinking how long it has been 
 standing sentinel here, cruelly neglected by the living 
 world. And were I of that persuasion who believe in 
 the transmigration of souls, I might imagine that it had 
 been imbued with the spirit of a departed mortal per 
 haps one of that extinct race who lived here and culti 
 vated these great prairie fields long before even the red 
 man claimed them for his hunting grounds. And when 
 my musings wander into a mystic vein, it is quite easy 
 for me to interpret that weird voice of sadness up there 
 among those ever-green boughs, as articulated grief 
 which has not been answered since the hour when its 
 last kindred spirit fled ! 
 
 
 feS 
 
 A Rolling Prairie, hi Dakota Laud. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 ALADDIN S magic lamp produced 
 upon the instant all that his capri 
 cious fancy might suggest. But 
 Aladdin and his wonderful lamp 
 existed only in story. No magic 
 arts, nor charms, nor incantations 
 ever built a city where mankind 
 could live. And that " God made 
 the country, leaving men to build 
 the towns," is a significant allu 
 sion submitted to infant minds at 
 school. 
 
 In the usual course of progress, it requires considera 
 ble time to build a town of only moderate size. Many 
 towns have been building ever since architecture was 
 known to the inhabitants of the world, and a majority 
 of them are not completed yet. Settlements are fre 
 quently made and towns begun in a rude wooden style, 
 which never rise beyond the dignity of their beginning. 
 Numerous cities have been founded in eligible situations 
 and elaborately mapped out upon paper with prodigious 
 expectation. Some of those paper cities continue to 
 exist only in imagination, or with a melancholy display 
 of failure evident at every door. 
 
28 A SHRINE OF LIFE. 
 
 And before visiting St. Paul I amused myself with 
 catechetical exercises of mind as to a repetition of sights 
 previously seen. Hearsay indicated perfection ; but ex 
 perience has taught me not to rely upon all that I am 
 told while different people see the same object and 
 regard the same subject in various lights according to 
 the prejudice of their minds or in conformity with the 
 pecuniary interests they may have in view. 
 
 Invalids came hither to regain their health. I was 
 well aware of that. Many of them found what they 
 sought. Some were doomed to die ! A few continued 
 to reside here after the recovery of their health, and a 
 majority of them accumulated riches in addition to then- 
 worldly store. A number of the wealthiest citizens of 
 St. Paul came to Minnesota with scarcely a dollar left in 
 their pockets, after distinguished physicians had made 
 significant allusion to the certainty of a premature 
 grave. I heard all that some time ago. But seeing is 
 believing; and I am now convinced beyond a doubt. 
 The history of St. Paul could not be written without 
 including innumerable instances of regained health and 
 acquired wealth. 
 
 Devout pilgrims journey to Mecca for the salvation 
 of their souls, to be made certain by prostrating their 
 weary bodies near Mohammed s tomb. That is a pious 
 delusion in Arab-land while here the sick and the 
 needy are sure to find redemption from disease and 
 want by breathing the atmosphere and participating in 
 the rare advantages peculiar to this beneficent shrine of 
 life ! 
 
 Two hundred years ago, a couple of Canadian voy- 
 ageurs paddled Father Hennipin s canoe up the Missis 
 sippi River. Near Lake Pepin the Indians captured 
 him and his men. They confiscated his goods and 
 
CAVERN OF WAKAN-TEBEE. 29 
 
 smashed the fragile bark in which he came. And then 
 he was taken to lodge near the "Lake of Tears," so 
 called because Aquipaguatin, the chief, wept half the 
 night and finally compelled one of his own sons to par 
 ticipate in that recreation until morning. 
 
 Nearly a hundred years later, a venturesome Yankee 
 trader, known as Captain Carver, also came up the Mis 
 sissippi River in a canoe. Carver was the first white 
 man to discover that mysterious subterranean council- 
 chamber, or incantation hall, which the Indians called 
 Wakan-tebee. The unexplored magnitude of that won 
 derful cavern was then said to contain a curious lake of 
 transparent water and a fathomless abyss. It is under 
 Dayton s Bluff, just beyond Trout Brook, a lively 
 stream, fed by perpetual springs and gurgling amid the 
 railroad improvements in the lower suburbs of St. Paul. 
 
 When Father Galtier, a missionary from the Catholic 
 diocese of Dubuque, passed this spot, on his way to 
 Fort Snelling, in April of the year 1840, he saw only a 
 solitary log-cabin upon the site where the bright new 
 city of so many thousand inhabitants now stands be 
 yond the river there with its gas-lights gleaming in the 
 darkness of night. 
 
 Soon after then, a number of families from Red River 
 built their shanties near the solitary cabin; and the 
 priest erected a log-house in which they might worship 
 God. Fancying the need of a powerful protector, he 
 named the new church "St. Paul," after his patron 
 model of patience and courage. And then he desired 
 that the settlement should take the same name. 
 
 But a very baneful influence was retarding the 
 happy results labored for by the priest. Two great 
 spirits were at war in the neighborhood of the new St. 
 Paul s Church. While Galtier solicited salvation for 
 
30 A TEMPLE OF RUIN. 
 
 the souls around him, the inspiration of a fiend caused 
 his labors to be treated with scorn and he found his 
 field a hard one to till. 
 
 One Pierre Parrant, who was in the service of the 
 fiend, opened a temple for his followers to worship in. 
 Parrant was a Canadian voyageur, who acquired some 
 notoriety from a facial deformity not very dissimilar to 
 that of Caliban. Many people believed that he had 
 but one eye. That was a mistake. He had two eyes. 
 But the singularity of defect in his optical expression 
 was so swinish, that even the Indians as well as the 
 whites, unanimously bestowed upon him the derisive 
 title of "Pig s Eye." Yet he cared not for that so long 
 as they were his deluded slaves. He had a miserly 
 heart, and loved nothing better than gold. 
 
 Parrant s temple became a popular resort. There 
 was no sign over the door, nor any emblem of Deity or 
 God to be seen upon the outside of the temple ; and yet 
 it was thronged with Dakotas and pale-faces who 
 thirsted for minne-waJcan which is called " whisky" in 
 our less poetical vernacular idiom. Parrant was a 
 frontier rum-seller. No excise law could reach his jugs, 
 his kegs, or his barrels. Business was lively in his 
 groggery. It was lively during the day, and more 
 than lively at night. 
 
 "Injun love rum !" I heard a Chippeway chief boast 
 ing that. And he added, "Injun s father love minne- 
 wakan great many moons ago !" 
 
 The Dakotas, couriers de bois, voyageurs, bois brule, and 
 degraded adventurers hanging around, soon elevated 
 Parrant to the exalted position of chief liquor merchant 
 in the place. Numerous other white skins, with heart- 
 feelings figuratively darker than the color of their 
 mangy hides, also established groggeries hard by. But 
 
PIG S EYE PANDEMONIUM. 31 
 
 none of them were patronized so liberally as Parrant. 
 And indeed, if the recollection of my informant is cor 
 rect, all the merchants who first opened stores in the 
 settlement, sold as much whisky as they could. 
 
 I may say that whisky formed a great part of the 
 early history of St. Paul ; and for some years after, the 
 place was spoken of only as " Pig s Eye," in honor of 
 Parrant, the rum-fiend, rather than " St. Paul," out of 
 respect to the church there of that name. And the 
 small flock who availed themselves of pastoral teaching 
 were almost hourly shocked by the terrible doings 
 among the groggeries down near the water s edge. 
 
 The drunken Indian hordes, and the inebriate white 
 men, went on carousing, until their own conduct threat 
 ened to exterminate them all together. Their orgies 
 were frightful ! They must get drunk. And Parrant 
 and his brothers in evil were eager to drench them with 
 liquid ruin ! 
 
 Dakotas then called St. Paul the " place where Injun 
 get minne-wakan !" Some would tramp hundreds of 
 miles, in the worst of weather, to procure a keg full of 
 the fire-water, so delicious to them. Without minne- 
 wakan they were unhappy, and with it they were dan 
 gerously savage. If possible, they would be drunk 
 months at a time and, in all probability, until death 
 terminated their existence entirely, if the liquor held 
 out to the end. They would have minne-wakan ; and 
 to obtain it, barter away the very garments they wore 
 just as the miserable drunken creatures in some dismal 
 precincts of New York are doing now while I am tra 
 cing these lines. 
 
 " Big Injun need much minne-wakan. Made to drink ! 
 Must have him now !" And as every Dakota fancied 
 himself big, each one drank all he could get. 
 
\X\3M|<K 
 
POISON FOB THE ABORIGINE. 33 
 
 Savages, when sober, must necessarily become de 
 mons under the inspiration of intoxicating drink. Pure 
 whisky would have been bad enough for them to swal 
 low. But Pan-ant and his colleagues in crime did not 
 always sell even an inferior grade of that. Intent only 
 upon enriching themselves at all hazards, the traffickers 
 in ruin sold the ignorant red men a horrible liquid, 
 which, by its virulent concitation of the mucous mem 
 brane, inflamed all their passions. 
 
 Into an ordinary barrel of thirty-two gallons capacity 
 they placed at least a bushel of rank "black-twist" 
 chewing tobacco, three or four gallons of bad whisky, 
 and a quantity of raw vitriol, with river water sufficient 
 to fill the cask ! After standing some time the destruc 
 tive fluid was served out to thirsty Dakotas, who almost 
 immediately demanded dram after dram to satisfy those 
 cravings produced by the inflammatory corrosion at 
 work upon their intestines and organs of digestion ! 
 And I might add that this " Injun whisky" is still sold 
 to the aborigines wherever they are found. 
 
 I once heard of an old toper who abandoned rum and 
 took to camphene a short time before he murdered his 
 wife and children ! But the juice of rank tobacco, tinc 
 tured with any ingredient like vitriol, is unquestionably 
 worse than burning fluids of ordinary kind. 
 
 Parrant poured out the poison and clutched his pay 
 with an exulting smile ! He sneered at the entreaties of 
 the poor man s wife, and made no reply to the pursua- 
 sion of those who feared the danger that was brewing ! 
 And the wretched inebriates rolled out of his shanty 
 into the mire, when they could find that soft and agree 
 able material to lie in. 
 
 And then they quarreled and fought ! They bit off" 
 noses, broke craniums, dislocated spines, gouged out 
 
34 INCANTATION OF THE FIENDS. 
 
 eyes and disemboweled each other with knives ! They 
 went raving mad, and killed each other with guns, bil 
 lets of wood, stones and axes, and burned each other 
 with bundles of blazing straw, and drowned themselves 
 or their opponents in the river ! They died from sui 
 cide, from freezing, and in all manner of ways ! 
 
 The Furies, the Eumenides, Medusa, and all the mon 
 sters of history or fiction, were eclipsed in the frightful 
 exhibitions produced by inebriated men and women ! 
 The hell of Virgil and of Dante was not more impress 
 ive than that created by ferocious passions, boiling 
 with hatred, jealousy, old quarrels, and deadly antip 
 athies in full blast ! Shrieks from women and children, 
 mingled with the yells of demons, and the howling of 
 terrified dogs, added the terrors of hearing to the appal 
 ling sights enacted in " Pig s-Eye Pandemonium !" And 
 it required the strenuous co-operation of the " people " 
 to abate the " increasing cause " of alarm. Finally, re 
 spectable merchants began to arrive and erect stores, 
 and a number of wealthy strangers were looking around 
 for pleasant places. 
 
 And yet the whisky traffic continued until "Little 
 Crow," chief of the Lightfoot band, who occupied the 
 Indian village of Kaposia, on the opposite side of the 
 river, some miles below, was shot by his own brother 
 while in an inebriated condition. The chief did not die, 
 but he began to foresee the terrible danger that threat 
 ened himself and his people, and thereupon solicited the 
 mediation of the Indian agent stationed at Fort Snel- 
 ling, which resulted in establishing a school ! 
 
 And one dark, rainy Sunday morning in July, 1847, 
 the first school in Minnesota was opened by Miss Har 
 riet E. Bishop, a young lady of Eastern origin, who 
 seemed to have been born purposely and educated ex- 
 
THE DAWN OF LIGHT. 35 
 
 pressly for the trying and thankless Vocation of intel 
 lectual and moral preceptress. She migrated nearly 
 two thousand miles from her native home, with the in 
 tention of devoting herself to the task of enlightening 
 the red-skin papooses of the wild Dakota, and also teach 
 ing the progeny of the pale-face who shied away from 
 the approach of civilization, as well as instructing the 
 children of Christians seeking a habitation in what 
 then appeared to be an unreclaimed earthly elysium. 
 She " opened to a slim house," in a little log hovel cov 
 ered with bark and chinked with mud, and previously 
 used as a blacksmith shop. One apartment, ten by 
 twelve feet square, with pegs driven into the logs on 
 three sides to support board seats. Another seat was 
 made by placing one end of a plank in a crack between 
 the logs and then on a chair. This was for visitors. A 
 rickety cross-legged table in the centre, and a " hen s 
 nest in one corner," completed the " fixtures and good 
 will." 
 
 Seven scholars came three whites and four half- 
 breeds, with a half-breed female visitor. One half-breed 
 acted as interpreter. Thus, Miss Bishop not only estab 
 lished the first Sunday school in Minnesota, but she sus 
 tained it for at least one year without any assistance. 
 And from that rude hovel of simple tuition, since then 
 have nucleated countless school edifices which even sur 
 pass those of the older States. A bright future was 
 dawning there. 
 
 The vulgar appellation of " Pig s Eye " grew intoler 
 ably odious to the ears of the better class of new-comers, 
 and even the Dakotas were learning to grunt Sip-all in 
 stead of Im-in-i-jas-ka, which in their language signifies 
 white rock. They had always called the place so because 
 of the white, sugar-like color of a singularly beautiful 
 
FINDING A "LOST KEY." 37 
 
 sandstone which lies beneath the top stratum of grayish 
 rock forming the bluff upon which the city now stands. 
 
 But one night Parrant mysteriously disappeared, 
 and none of his patrons could tell why he did not 
 return. Some said he had made money enough, and 
 wanted to find a place for the enjoyment of his wealth. 
 Others contended that he went away quite poor. Many 
 questions were asked which none could answer. 
 
 Very few cared to know why he went, and some 
 were glad that he had really gone. Singular as it may 
 seem, he had no enemies. All sober or pious people 
 disliked him because of his nefarious traffic, but in other 
 respects he escaped personal malice. In short, he loved 
 no one, and no one loved him. His acquaintances only 
 knew that he had gone. How he went and where his 
 destination might be, never transpired to the knowledge 
 of the pale-faces whom he left behind. And until they 
 read this volume, the people of St. Paul can not tell 
 what became of old Parrant. For now that nearly 
 twenty-five years have elapsed since his mysterious de 
 parture, it remains for me to disclose his singular fate ! 
 
 By the merest chance one day I trod upon a " Lost 
 Key" I always pick up whatever I am lucky enough 
 to find ; and perhaps my readers would laugh to see me 
 in the humble attitude of search for a pin in the carpet 
 or on the floor. However, that key unlocked the mys 
 tery so long concealing Parrant s grave ! 
 
 But what terrible noise is that I hear ? It is like the 
 rumbling of far-off thunder, coming nearer at every 
 growl ! Now a wild scream startles the hooting owl, 
 and it flutters to another bush. Louder roars the noise, 
 and then a double scream, piercing enough to rouse the 
 ancient dead who lie in dust upon these hills ! 
 
 Hah ! It is the wild neighing of an " iron-horse " and 
 
38 ROUSING THE DEAD ! 
 
 the roar of a train of cars upon the track of the Mil 
 waukee, St. Paul, and Minneapolis Railway, bringing 
 the Eastern passengers and mail. Nearer conies the 
 noise. The train is dashing down from Mendota Junc 
 tion, and will presently arrive at its final destination, 
 opposite the city. 
 
 Before the sun went down, I noticed that the depot 
 in the distance was plainly seen from this lofty cliff 
 while now, in the feeble starlight, I can only imagine 
 the arrival of the train. But presently I see the lan 
 terns darting around and bobbing up and down, and 
 fancy an undiscerned multitude of people, all travel- 
 worn and eagerly impatient for their suppers. 
 
 But the iron horse is puffing and snorting again. 
 Perhaps he, too, is impatient to enter his smoky stable 
 and enjoy a night of repose. And by the dispersion of 
 the flitting lights, I presume that the omnibuses, the 
 baggage wagons, the carriages and the pedestrians are 
 now ascending the great inclined bridge to the pave 
 ments of the city. 
 
 There! They have all gone, and quietude prevails 
 once more upon this side of the river. 
 
 The sky is deeply blue and serenely clear. Like soli 
 taire diamonds of colossal magnitude set in a sapphire 
 ground, the planets fairly blaze, and the little orbs of 
 borrowed light intensely shine. I am not addicted to 
 star gazing, but the entire firmament has unusual attrac 
 tions for me to-night. Surely I never saw so many 
 celestial luminaries at one time before. 
 
 Venus is my favorite among the stars. I remember 
 asking questions about her when a very small child. 
 Somebody then told me that the "Evening Star" was 
 the beautiful eye of the " Angel of Love !" The same 
 person had previously impressed upon my infantile 
 
CONSULTING THE STAES. 39 
 
 mind that the Sun was the " Eye of God !" And I also 
 remember how I hid myself one day in a dark cellar, so 
 that " God s Eye " could not see me while devouring a 
 nice mince-pie which I had been tempted to purloin 
 from the pantry in the house of my aunt. And then, 
 when the pie was all eaten, I went out and skulked 
 beneath the arbor vita bushes and the Norwegian pines 
 that decorated the lawn a miserable, trembling thief 
 with a penitent resolve never to steal any more pies ! 
 
 But what is Jupiter now doing so near the " Angel of 
 Love?" I never saw him in such close proximity to 
 Venus before. I wonder if the astronomers will note 
 this fact ? It is certainly a rare phenomenon. The old 
 fellow has gone away down into the southwestern hori 
 zon to meet her there. And he must have left one of 
 his satellites behind, for I can perceive only three 
 attending him now. Oh, if I had a powerful telescope 
 in my hands, what a treat it would be to look at them 
 while thus so near together ! So near, did I say ? I had 
 forgotten that they are yet millions of miles apart ! 
 
 How wonderful are the works of nature the crea 
 tions of Almighty God ! 
 
 Learned astronomers tell us that we can not see 
 more than a thousand stars in the clearest atmosphere, 
 although from the first to the sixth magnitude inclusive, 
 there are precisely three thousand one hundred and 
 twenty-eight actually visible to mundane eyes. How 
 exactly the science of astronomy can estimate numbers 
 and size ! And then, besides the visible stars, there are 
 countless millions that shine throughout infinite space 
 beyond the reach of mortal vision. 
 
 It is also said that those orbs of light emit a vast 
 amount of warmth for the benefit of the planet upon 
 which we live. Without their assistance the heat of the 
 
40 
 
 WONDBES OF THE SKY. 
 
 sun would not be sufficient to sustain either vegetable 
 or animal life upon the surface of the earth. And if we 
 credit the assertion of Pouillet, who has formed an 
 ocular acquaintance with all the heavenly bodies, the 
 heat furnished by the stars during a single year would 
 be enough to melt a crust of ice seventy-five feet thick ! 
 But the pretty stars do not deter me from thinking 
 of the past and my mind again reverts to this sphere 
 of human life. And here I will present a likeness of 
 " Little Crow," the chief whose misfortune resulted in 
 the dawn of light ! 
 
 Tah-o-a-doo-ta; or " Little Crow. 
 
CHAPTEK III. 
 
 A LONG train of Red River " Ox 
 carts" came down to Mendota in 
 the summer of 1845. And accom 
 panying the train were six individu 
 als, actuated by counter designs. 
 Three of them were females the 
 other three men. But before re 
 vealing their intentions, I will men 
 tally review the early history of the 
 "pale-face encroachments" in the 
 Red River region. 
 
 I think it was Prince Rupert 
 who obtained a charter from Charles II., about two 
 hundred years ago, covering the " rights of territory " 
 bordering upon all the waters flowing into Hudson Bay. 
 But the treaty of Utrecht, in 1714, somewhat divided the 
 operations of the English and the French, who had both 
 been competing for the fur traffic with the Indians. The 
 French subsequently turned their endeavors more par 
 ticularly in the direction of " The Lakes," the Assine- 
 boine and the Saskatchewan Rivers, until by the treaty 
 of Versailles, they were compelled to retire with morti- 
 
42 AN AMBITIOUS EARL. 
 
 fication and disgust. British subjects then had it all 
 their own way and in 1803, a wealthy organization 
 was formed to establish a lucrative trade across the con 
 tinent, by way of the " line of lakes," from Montreal to 
 the Pacific Ocean. 
 
 Then followed a savage contest between the Hudson 
 Bay Company and the new Association, which finally 
 resulted in the erection of a fort on Red River and 
 also the establishing of a colony by " Earl Selkirk, a 
 Scotch nobleman of high rank and large fortune " as 
 the flaming prospectus of his scheme at that time stated. 
 But the ambitious Earl was not quite as successful as he 
 anticipated. And yet a great number of Europeans 
 were enticed thither by false representations. Some of 
 the emigrants perished with hunger and cold; others 
 escaped as best they could and if they survived the 
 hardships of a journey to the more hospitable settle 
 ments of " Brother Jonathan Pioneers," their future was 
 generally made comfortable with realized hope and 
 plenty. 
 
 Notwithstanding the sad fate of so many victims, the 
 colony grew, and it became the chief source of agricul 
 tural supplies for the numerous trappers and traders 
 employed by the Hudson Bay Company. The few hund 
 red survivors made concubines of the Indian squaws, 
 and with continual accessions of Irish and Scotch, the 
 population went on increasing, until it now includes 
 some ten thousand. Part of them are British Protest 
 ants, and part half-breed French of the Catholic faith 
 while many of them have no religion at all ! 
 
 Selkirk Colony, with its ten thousand or more inhab 
 itants, is perhaps the most curiously arranged settle 
 ment in the world. It consists of " strip-divided" farms, 
 each having a narrow frontage of only six chains upon 
 
IN THE NORTHERN WILDS. 43 
 
 the banks of the Red River and Assineboine thus 
 extending for nearly a hundred miles ! And those men 
 who are pecuniarily interested in the fur trade, have 
 good reasons for jealously guarding that wonderful El 
 Dorado, which is almost entirely unknown to the more 
 civilized people of the " outer" world. 
 
 But I may add that the British Government is now 
 taking possession of the entire domain hitherto con 
 trolled by and belonging to the Hudson Bay Company. 
 This is of some importance to the people of the United 
 States, who have recently acquired such a vast territory 
 beyond there. The fur-trading grant covers an area 
 of more than two millions of square miles, lying east 
 and west from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mount 
 ains, and north and south from the Arctic Ocean to 
 Canada, and is intersected in every part by large rivers. 
 A great portion of it abounds in agricultural and min 
 eral wealth, and means of communication with the 
 United States and the Atlantic Ocean may be easily 
 established at every point by its numerous lakes and 
 streams. The cession of this territory to the British 
 Crown means the establishment of a regularly organized 
 government there instead of the domination of a few 
 trappers, who of course are only concerned about their 
 own private interests, and therefore have made no at 
 tempt to develop the immense resources of their posses 
 sions. Whatever may be the ultimate disposition of 
 the territory, the people of the United States should be 
 interested and gratified in its development and eventual 
 civilization. 
 
 In its early existence, many ladies of refinement and 
 education were taken to the Colony. Some of them are 
 said to have been quite beautiful. But the most charm 
 ing was the wife of a gentleman having a consanguinity 
 
"MORGANATIC" TIES. 45 
 
 with the Earl. Her husband had been sent out as an 
 agent to look after the interests of his noble relation, 
 and he took her with him. She was also accompanied 
 by her daughter Leonore, and her aged mother, who 
 was called Zorah. A name similar to that of her hus 
 band may be seen in the recently published business 
 directory of St. Paul. 
 
 Madame Zorah, the wife s mother, was of Scotch birth. 
 But she spent the best part of her youth in the gay city 
 of Paris, where her beauty attracted the notice of the 
 old Marquis Dupontavisse. She became the wife of the 
 Marquis according to the rites of "morganatic" mar 
 riage a popular institution among European noblemen 
 who find it inconvenient to assume the responsibility of 
 " cherishing" a beloved or an admired "object" for life. 
 While her noble morganatic husband continued alive, 
 he denied her nothing. But when he died, she had no 
 further claims upon his estate. For awhile she sub 
 sisted upon the fragments of her lost position. 
 
 But as beauty fades from the cheek, so vanish the 
 charms of many a belle who foolishly imagines that her 
 powers of fascination will endure to the end of existence 
 and the morganatic widow of the deceased Marquis 
 eventually found herself nearly destitute in the beauti 
 ful city of pleasure and the frightful city of want. And 
 then she wept in anxiety, how she might also provide 
 for the maintenance of her young daughter. 
 
 Trouble, misfortune, sickness a thousand asperities, 
 were not long in changing her appearance, so that nearly 
 all the acquaintances of her youth and prosperity turned 
 their eyes away. Her effeminate face and graceful person 
 were gradually transformed into a masculine exterior, 
 and finally she was bereft of every charm that might 
 inspire love. The multitude coldly passed her by, and 
 
46 HISTORY OF A LIFE. 
 
 scarcely a smile encouraged her to live. Yet she was 
 not of that desponding nature which seeks to end its 
 sorrow in death. Suicide did not enter her mind then. 
 She would rather fight than die. If her fellow-mortals 
 jostled her rudely, she could try to jostle them in return. 
 When fair means did not avail, other plans might suc 
 ceed. At all events, she existed through the variations 
 of sorrow that is unavoidable to her class and position, 
 with at least one pure and holy feeling ever actuating 
 the best impulses of her heart and that was entwined 
 around her child, whom she loved with almost an idola 
 trous devotion. 
 
 Circumstances induced her removal to London, where, 
 through the patronage of a wealthy family, her child 
 was not only reared and educated, but afterward ad 
 mitted into society as an accomplished and beautiful 
 lady. And almost the first thing she did was to fall in 
 love with and marry a young exile from France. Soon 
 after marriage, her husband ventured back to his native 
 country, and there he died ! 
 
 The Marquis Dupontavisse left two grandsons whom 
 Zorah had never seen. And, unknown to her, one of 
 those grandsons actually married her daughter who, 
 according to the denomination of consanguinity, thus 
 became the wife of her nephew ! But the singular cir 
 cumstance was not revealed for many years after. The 
 fruit of that unnatural alliance was a daughter. 
 
 It seemed useless to expect anything from her hus 
 band s estate for, in the fashion of noble exiles, he had 
 even concealed his proper name and title. There was 
 no clue to aid her in establishing the just claims of a 
 widow, and she finally married again. 
 
 She resided with her second husband for some time 
 in Quebec, Canada. Eventually he became the Earl s 
 
THE FAIE ADVENTURESS. 4 7 
 
 agent to the Red River Colony, and she accompanied 
 him thither. Thus her daughter Leonore was really the 
 grandchild of the Marquis Dupontavisse by a double line 
 of pedigree ! 
 
 On their way to the Colony, they were joined by a 
 lady from Montreal, who expressed a determination to 
 journey thither with them. The Agent was rather 
 pleased to have her society, and so she went along. 
 
 An agreeable traveling companion is not obnoxious 
 at all times. Her name was Florinda. But she said 
 very little about her previous history. Whether she 
 had been married or always single, was a question that 
 she left unanswered, for her new acquaintances to solve 
 if they could. None failed to recognize her accomplish 
 ments and personal charms. 
 
 Madame Zorah did not like her any too well, nor did 
 the Agent s wife. However, they fraternized with tol 
 erable satisfaction to the end of their journey. 
 
 Soon after their arrival at the Colony, the Agent was 
 recalled to Quebec and he persisted in leaving his wife 
 and her daughter, Leonore, to the care of Madame Zorah. 
 His wife begged hard to accompany him ; but replying 
 that he would return in a short time, her tears and en 
 treaties were all of no avail. Cheerfully she would have 
 undergone any hardship or privation rather than be 
 separated from him for a single day. It was love and 
 devotion that induced her to brave the fatigue and 
 the exposure of going with her husband from the com 
 forts of a city residence to a rude wilderness habitation 
 in the centre of America, and surely she would go back 
 with him if he consented. But he positively refused. 
 She must remain in the Colony to weep until his return. 
 
 She wept a long time. Many days came and went 
 without even an affectionate letter to cheer her drooping 
 

WIDOWHOOD AND DESPAIR. 49 
 
 heart. Three whole months passed in expectation, and 
 still her husband did not return. Numerous strangers 
 arrived, but none brought tidings from him. 
 
 At length one of the voyageurs who accompanied her 
 husband, returned to say that he was drowned in Lake 
 Superior. She then determined to leave the wilderness 
 without further delay. Her mother asked how that was 
 possible, when they were utterly destitute of money. 
 She replied that she would borrow money of the factors ; 
 for they were her husband s friends. And she did try ; 
 but without success. Then she wrote a letter to his 
 relations in Montreal. 
 
 It was easy enough to write, but an answer would be 
 a long time coming. She wrote six letters one a 
 month in succession, without getting any response. 
 Then she wrote the seventh, to which an answer promptly 
 came. But instead of getting consolation and relief, 
 she was filled with deeper anguish by a curt intimation 
 that the benevolent father of her deceased husband could 
 not think of acknowledging her claims of relationship, 
 for reasons which he vaguely named ! 
 
 Such a letter very naturally sent her to bed heart 
 sick and nearly bereft of reason. And while her mother 
 and her daughter did all they could to cheer and com 
 fort her, Florinda showed even greater solicitude than 
 previous circumstances might seem to warrant. And 
 those previous circumstances were questionable to a 
 great extent. 
 
 An opulent man named Tashae, connected with the 
 fur-trading interests of that region, after having enjoyed 
 quite an animated flirtation with Florinda, gave unmis 
 takable signs of admiration for the widow, whose hus 
 band had very evidently gone forever. Indeed, from 
 
 the conduct of Tashae, it was evident that he correctly 
 3 
 
50 WHAT JEALOUSY WILL DO. 
 
 surmised or really knew more about the actual position 
 of the grief-stricken widow than she did herself. But 
 his sentimental addresses had been strictly confined to 
 Florinda, until the reported death of the husband gave 
 him an opportunity for transferring them. And as Flo 
 rinda and the widow lodged beneath the same roof, the 
 former was quick to perceive a decline of her influence 
 with Tashae. Then she watched them closely in and 
 out of doors. 
 
 Jealousy does not always exhibit a violent demon 
 stration. In some hearts there lurks a subtile deceit 
 particularly adapted for safe concealment of the direst 
 purposes of revenge. Hence it frequently occurs that 
 an innocent victim is unconsciously fettered in the toils 
 of hate. And thus for some time Florinda had been in 
 dustriously planning evil. Quite probably she under 
 stood domestic intrigue, though it did not appear cer 
 tain that she would succeed in becoming the wife of 
 Tashae. She tried hard enough and it was a very laud 
 able intention for an unprotected woman ; but not proper 
 ly appreciated by a less anxious individual of the oppo 
 site sex. 
 
 The "green-eyed monster" has ever been a prime 
 instigator of ruin alike to the evil and the pure-minded 
 believers in that juvenile god who does so much mis 
 chief with his bow and arrows, and it was not surprising 
 that Florinda should increase her malice toward the 
 innocent widow in proportion to the growing preference 
 which Tashae made no effort to conceal. 
 
 But the widow cared nothing for Tashae s admiration. 
 She was insensible to every feeling save grief for the 
 loss of her husband, and distress from the tone of that 
 cruel letter and therefore did not perceive the alarming 
 exigency of her position. Her only remaining wish was 
 
A FUR-TRADER S LOVE. 51 
 
 to leave the Colony forever. Yet she could not accom 
 plish that without friends or money. 
 
 Despair knows no law but that of self-preservation ; 
 and, counting upon Tashae s friendly attentions, the 
 sorrowing widow reluctantly solicited him to loan her 
 sufficient means to convey herself, her daughter and her 
 aged mother, to any locality within the bounds of civil 
 ization, where they might obtain employment, and 
 thereby earn enough to repay him and eventually re- 
 cross the ocean. 
 
 Florin da was heartily pleased with that proposition. 
 But Tashae did not intend to part with the widow yet. 
 He and Florinda had different opinions regarding the 
 widow s health. Tashae contended that she would not 
 be able to endure the fatigue of an " Ox-cart " journey 
 for thirty or forty days. Florinda declared that it 
 would completely restore her. As a rival, she wished 
 her at the other side of the world and then she might 
 have the field all to herself. 
 
 And even before the period of mourning was over, 
 Tashae asked the widow to become his wife. He would 
 then gratify her every wish. His presumption brought 
 a flat refusal. And still he persisted. Arguments and 
 persuasion were used upon one side, while resentment 
 or scorn was hurled from the other. 
 
 Tashae was a bold, bad man, with plenty of money ; 
 and he disliked to be baffled. He could and he would 
 do whatever he pleased, where neither religious influ 
 ences, nor courts, nor juries compelled a strict adherence 
 to moral laws. But an influence which he could not 
 control was already at work. 
 
 The unhappy widow fell sick, and Florinda became a 
 very attentive nurse. 
 
 Physicians of great knowledge or skill were scarce in 
 
THE "MEDICINE MAN." 53 
 
 the Colony ; and Florinda suggested that Kaskadino, 
 a half-breed, who had some reputation as a " medicine 
 man," should be called in to prescribe. 
 
 The medicaments of an Indian doctor are very simple, 
 and precisely those used by Chiron and Esculapius, in 
 olden time. The half-savage physician may be ignorant, 
 but I have read that when Hippocrates began to mix 
 theories with medicine, its healing powers grew less. 
 And while some sneer at the mummery of the " medi 
 cine dance" and manipulative pow-wows of the savage, 
 I contend that such imposture is not a tenth as bad 
 as the frauds of sectarian " systems " or antagonistic 
 " schools " of materia medico,, as practiced in the midst 
 of civilization. The Indians know of certain herbs or 
 roots that will cure almost any disease they are liable 
 to contract; and with all their unnecessary juggling 
 over the sick, or the " possessed," they maltreat and kill 
 fewer than do our pretending quacks. 
 
 But Indian doctors are sadly ignorant of physiology. 
 They only know that a particular remedy is generally 
 efficacious in certain diseases or injuries. In their opin 
 ion, all maladies are bilious ; and they administer either 
 the emetics or cathartics of their humble pharmaco 
 poeia. External wounds or eruptions are speedily cured. 
 The small-pox is an exception. Some years ago, that 
 horrible disease was sent among them by goods from 
 Canada ; and, despite all their remedies, it carried oif 
 whole bands ! 
 
 A " medicine man " is supposed to possess some mys 
 terious influence beyond the curative power of the phar 
 maceutical ingredients that he may compound. The 
 early French explorers used the word "medecin" for 
 doctor, and since then "medicine" has signified any 
 thing of a mysterious meaning. But " medicine men " 
 
54 A HEARTLESS NUKSE. 
 
 are prophets and conjurers, who claim to perform won 
 derful miracles through charms and incantations. A 
 sick Indian imagines that he is afflicted by the spirit of 
 some animal, or, more likely, by the spirit of an enemy ; 
 and he sends a horse or a blanket for the doctor to come 
 and turn it out. The messenger is stripped to run 
 swiftly, retaining only his " breech-cloth " and carrying 
 a bell. Entering the doctor s teepee, he kicks him with 
 his foot and rings the bell. Then there is a race back 
 to the sick man s lodge. If the doctor overtakes the 
 messenger and kicks him in return, he will keep his fee 
 and stay at home until sent for again. However, Kas- 
 kadino was not summoned in that way to attend the 
 widow. 
 
 Florinda had already agreed with the rascal. She 
 not only suggested his services, but proceeded to act 
 without the delay of consultation, and at once began to 
 administer the remedies prepared by him. 
 
 The grandmother and the daughter were too intent 
 upon the condition of their loved one, raving in delirium 
 upon her bed, to scrutinize the conduct of Kaskadino 
 and Florinda. And if there was a peculiar look of 
 inquiry in the face of the latter as the former delivered 
 his potions, it escaped observation I 
 
 Florinda smoothed the pillow for the sufferer s head, 
 bathed her temples with cold water, and presented the 
 draughts for her to drink. 
 
 It did not take long to wear out a frail remnant of 
 existence with fever and doubtful remedies given. And 
 not even the neighbors were able to interpret the 
 strange flashing of exultation in Florinda s eye as she 
 daily witnessed the ebbing of life. 
 
 The pale forehead became smoother, and the blue veins 
 might be traced under the skin. The eyes grew dim, 
 3 
 
COOL DRAUGHTS AND POISON. 55 
 
 and occasionally wandered with a vacant stare, showing 
 that reason had gone. And the pinched nostrils and 
 the parched lips were drawn tighter each succeeding 
 day. 
 
 One night the dying mother tried to speak, but it 
 was only an incoherent whisper. A convulsion and a 
 shiver, and then a deep sigh announced that her spirit 
 had gone forever ! 
 
 In the brief silence, Madame Zorah bowed her head 
 to weep. But Leonore rose gasping for breath, and 
 frantically shrieked, " Mother !" 
 
 A voice was heard in response. It came from Kaska- 
 dino, the medicine-man, who, unobserved, had been 
 watching at the outer door. 
 
 In a hollow tone he said, " I can do no more !" 
 
 As the dark man spoke those words, a tremor dis 
 turbed the composure of Florinda. She could not meet 
 his piercing gaze ; and with a sign of fear, her head was 
 turned aAvay. When she ventured to look at him again, 
 he pointed at the corpse; and then pressing one hand 
 against his heart, in a significant manner, abruptly quit 
 the house ! 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PAST suffering and endurance 
 for the sake of her darling child, 
 had given Madame Zorah an ex 
 pression of features somewhat 
 older than she really was. But 
 most of her trials were experi 
 enced before little Leonore came 
 into the world to share the love 
 she had to bestow. 
 
 With the anxious solicitude of 
 a mother, she watched the ma 
 turing of her beloved offspring 
 into a lovely woman ; and, after seeing her twice a bride 
 and once a mother, it was hard to look upon that young 
 mother lying in death ! 
 
 She kissed her forehead the last time, when it was icy 
 cold, and then saw the dismal coffin-lid screwed down, 
 before they put it away in the damp earth ! 
 
 The sosurs grises, or " gray nuns," came out of their 
 cloister in the Colony, and assisted in the sad prepara 
 tion of the corpse. They were " Sisters of Charity," and 
 such missions self appointed to perform. 
 
 The obsequies were simple and plain. Only grandma 
 3* 
 
58 THE GKAVE-DIGGEK S MOUND. 
 
 and the orphan wept in mourning ! They were frantic 
 with bitter woe, while other eyes calmly looked on in 
 sober silence, undimmed by a sign of tears ! 
 
 The grave was in a quiet corner of the field of the 
 dead, near the grove at the river side, where many 
 others had been buried before. And when the heavy 
 clods fell in upon the coffin with that appalling sound, 
 the mourners hearts almost ceased to beat, so suffo 
 cating was their grief! 
 
 The old grave-digger reverently heaped up a little 
 mound ; and with his spade he patted the fresh earth 
 into shape ! And then they all slowly turned away ! 
 
 O, how cruel it seemed to leave the loved one there 
 to feed the worms, and dissolve in eternal decay ! 
 
 But Florinda desired not to accompany the mourners 
 when they followed the coffin to the grave. She stayed 
 at home to brood over her crime and to wonder if the 
 living would ever discover the wrong done to the dead ! 
 
 And Tashae did not look upon her with any more 
 favor after her rival s death. He then began to woo 
 the daughter, whose greatest inheritance was her moth 
 er s magnificent eyes. 
 
 Leonore was scarcely sixteen, and beautiful enough to 
 inspire a purer heart than Tashae s with admiration and 
 love. But Tashae could not appreciate such love as 
 Leonore might give. His mind was gross and his heart 
 was cold. Strange that he interested Florinda ! But 
 whether she loved him or not, her ambition was to be 
 his wife. One life had been sacrificed with that object, 
 and another would leave her mistress of the situation. 
 
 Kaskadino quickly perceived her thoughts, and shook 
 his head with a hoarse grunt, which signified a very 
 emphatic " No !" He was a cunning as well as a wicked 
 demi-savage. Well aware that she aspired to be Ta- 
 
59 
 
 sliae s wife, he easily understood why the widow had 
 been in her way ; and it became equally as evident that 
 the life of the innocent daughter was in danger, too ! 
 
 Kaskadino lent his aid in the first crime, hoping to 
 get Florinda in his power. Moreover, according to his 
 theory, what he had already done, should induce her to 
 follow him ever after as his obedient slave. And per 
 ceiving that her regard for Tashae continued as strong 
 as it was before he conspired with her against the 
 widow, he not only grew jealous himself, but firmly re 
 solved that the daughter should not be harmed, while 
 there remained the least prospect of his rival continuing 
 to woo her. 
 
 Tashae and Kaskadino were said to be friends. But 
 I will not believe that any tie of friendship could act 
 ually exist between two men of such widely different 
 origin and position. However, they were not enemies, 
 to judge from the pleasant words exchanged by them 
 whenever they met. 
 
 It soon became necessary for Tashae to visit Mendota 
 in person, upon business of great importance connected 
 with the settlement of pecuniary affairs controlled en 
 tirely at that place. And Kaskadino would accompany 
 him thither. The half-breed was very familiar with the 
 route. In summer, he often traveled it with an " Ox 
 cart," and in winter with " Dog-sledges " and snow shoes. 
 
 From Kaskadino s great interest in Florinda, a stran 
 ger would infer that he was an unmarried man, while he 
 really had a gigantic wife and half a dozen robust chil 
 dren, all living within half a mile of her abode. For, in 
 conformity with an established rule of the Hudson Bay 
 fur-trading interests, all their vassals are required to 
 appropriate squaws and he long ago married a la 
 du pays, just as his father did before him. 
 
60 WHAT HISTORY DOES NOT TELL. 
 
 Kaskadino was only a simple bois brule and a rough 
 teamster one of those mongrel beings of illegitimacy 
 and miscegenation, who have no pedigree, no nation, 
 and no God ! 
 
 If the true history of Selkirk Colony should ever**be 
 written, it would reveal every species of fraud, crime 
 and atrocity that is enacted in a populous city, made 
 hideous there by its isolation from the civilized world. 
 A naturally beautiful region but the unfortunate settlers 
 were controlled by relentless speculators and surrounded 
 by insatiate savages, in the midst of a wilderness, where 
 the summer is very short and the winter so intensely 
 cold that the mercury freezes in the thermometer, and 
 large trees and great rocks are split asunder with the 
 frost ! There is no probability that its history will ever 
 be written. 
 
 It was the middle of summer when Tashae found it 
 necessary to visit Mendota. Of course he would accom 
 pany the Ox-train then preparing to start. Had it been 
 in the winter time, dogs would have taken the place of 
 oxen. 
 
 A week or so before the Ox-train was ready to start, 
 Major Levasseur arrived from Fort Snelling. That was 
 not his real name, but it answered every purpose. He 
 bore the stamp of a gentleman. His cultivated demeanor 
 and distinguished personal appearance commanded the 
 profound deference of all whom he met. He spoke 
 English fluently, though that was not his native 
 tongue. 
 
 Major Levasseur s mission there was to perfect a ne 
 gotiation of commercial importance with the so-called 
 Governor of the Colony. And consummating which 
 almost immediately, he gave notice to his small retinue 
 that he intended to return the next morning. But hear- 
 
PKODIGAL COQUETTES. Cl 
 
 ing that an Ox-train would soon go down, he resolved 
 to wait and join the expedition. 
 
 The Governor referred him to Tashae, through whose 
 courtesy he made the acquaintance of Florinda; and 
 she, in turn, could not avoid introducing him to Madame 
 Zorah and Leonore, the beautiful orphan, who were still 
 crushed with grief. 
 
 There certainly was some strange fatality following 
 in the path of Madame Zorah. One grandson of her 
 noble morganatic husband made her daughter his wife 
 in London, and then away there in the far-off wilder 
 ness of America, the other grandson came to besiege 
 the heart of Leonore ! But Madame was ignorant of 
 that. Had she known the truth, Major Levasseur would 
 have been less welcome. As it was, she hoped that 
 Leonore s beauty might prove their salvation. Should 
 she captivate him, he would remove them from the 
 Colony. 
 
 Levasseur had seen his brother s bride in London, and 
 indistinctly remembered her magnificent eyes. But 
 when he tried to recollect where he had seen such eyes 
 as Leonore s, it was impossible to tell. Little did he 
 dream of their real origin ! 
 
 Florinda went to work again. She seemed to enter 
 tain the most prodigal views of flirtation. In her opin 
 ion, every individual of the opposite gender was legiti 
 mately a fair prize, if she could catch him. I have 
 encountered similar birds of passage in various grades 
 of society. And how unaccountable it is that they so 
 seldom marry. It is also a notable fact that when one 
 of these prodigal coquettes succeeds in nabbing a hus 
 band, the unfortunate individual almost invariably and 
 speedily seeks consolation from celibate companions, 
 who, after ridiculing his folly to their heart s content, 
 
62 
 
 kindly receive him as a tolerated protege for a butt of 
 reference when the bliss of matrimony is brought into 
 question. 
 
 However, Levasseur s skillful address quickly dis 
 armed Florinda. He effectually assumed a strictly 
 paternal interest in the gentle orphan, without the 
 remotest idea that she was really his own niece. But 
 he understood the art of wooing too well to fail when 
 the object was so richly worth the pure love of a noble 
 heart in return. 
 
 The grave held Leonore s mother, and yet it seemed 
 to Madame that she was with her still. Leonore s 
 presence kept that love alive. Nevertheless, the resem 
 blance between Leonore and her mother was noticeable 
 in nothing except her eyes. Those were precisely like 
 her mother s. Perfectly black, and remarkably large, 
 with a melting lustre that the beholder would hardly 
 ever forget. Her mother s eyes captivated her father, 
 and now his brother came to fall in love with hers ! 
 A marvelous coincidence in life ! Not an imaginary 
 position but an actual misadventure in social life ! ! 
 
 Madame was not aware that the grandson of the 
 proud old Marquis Dupontavisse stood ready to kneel 
 at her granddaughter s feet. But she smiled when 
 Levasseur said that Leonore s lustrous black eyes re 
 called another pair he had seen somewhere before. She 
 had no reason to suspect that Levasseur ever saw the 
 eyes of Leonore s mother ! 
 
 Had Levasseur arrived before her mother died, there 
 might have been a recognition. But entirely ignorant 
 of all that, Madame congratulated herself on the proba 
 bility of realizing the scheme which suddenly inspired 
 her heart. She would let the stranger woo Leonore un 
 til he took them back to the civilized world, and there 
 
63 
 
 he must either marry her or go his way, and leave 
 them to pursue theirs. 
 
 Thus the grandmother planned to lose or to win ! 
 In that desperate game she was staking at least one 
 pure human soul ! 
 
 Tashae obliged Levasseur with such arrangements as 
 he required to accompany the Ox-train; and Florinda 
 exerted herself to look captivating. But while merely 
 thanking them for their good nature, Levasseur became 
 deeply interested in the sorrows of the beautiful orphan. 
 He listened to her story, and generously offered to con 
 vey them hence. 
 
 Tashae was sorely vexed when Levasseur made known 
 his magnanimous intention, and would have opposed it 
 if he dared. But he feared to displease a man whose 
 influence could remove him from his position. So while 
 chafing beneath compulsion, he put on a smile of appro 
 bation, and hoped for a favorable result during their 
 long journey. 
 
 The evening before their departure, Levasseur accom 
 panied Leonore and her grandmother to take a last look 
 at her mother s grave ! 
 
 It was a sad picture to see those stricken hearts weep 
 ing over the little mound of earth that covered the re 
 mains of their dear one gone forever ! And when 
 Levasseur raised Leonore from the crouching posture in 
 which she wept with her head buried in her grand 
 mother s arms, and kissed her as a father might a dar 
 ling child, an observer would have ejaculated, " God 
 bless that man !" 
 
 The night passed, and morning came. Already the 
 Ox-carts were moving. One after the other they fell 
 into line. And when the last started, the foremost was 
 far away. 
 

 g 
 
FAREWELL TO MOTHERS GRAVE. 65 
 
 Madame Zorah s hollow cheek was not so pale, nor 
 were Leonore s beautiful eyes so red, when their bene 
 factor kindly and tenderly lifted them both upon easy 
 riding horses. A long and a rough road lay before 
 them but hope urged them on ! 
 
 The sun rose bright and fair, the wild birds were car 
 oling in the trees, and the delicious odor of neglected 
 flowers perfumed the air. 
 
 Adieii, Selkirk adieu ! 
 
 And mother s grave ? Dear mother ! Farewell ! 
 
 Then also good-by to the " land of windmills " with 
 their grotesque wheel-sails whirling upon giant arms, or 
 hanging motionless when there was no breeze to give 
 them motive power. They are a feature of antiquity 
 blended with the other romantic associations peculiar 
 to Selkirk Colony. 
 
 At the junction of the Assineboine and Red Rivers, 
 they passed Fort Garry, floating above the gloomy walls 
 of which a blood-red flag revealed the monogrammatic 
 signum of the Hudson Bay Company. And opposite 
 the fort, they saw the half-ruined walls of the cathedral 
 which was erected many years before and never finished 
 outside or in. The rough stone abutments and facades 
 were surmounted with two steeples. And the heavy 
 chime of bells in one of them seemed to jar the dingy 
 timbers in the open tower with its framework still 
 naked to the eyes of every passer-by. All those quaint 
 objects faded from the travelers sight as they journeyed 
 on in hope of enjoyment yet to come. 
 
 Kaskadino had duties to perform. But while trudg 
 ing along at the side of his oxen, he now and then hurled 
 a revengeful glance far to the rear, where Tashae was 
 riding on horseback accompanied by Florinda. 
 
 That wicked woman had become one of the party 
 
(36 THE RED RIVER OX-CARTS. 
 
 through the skillful exercise of her cunning. She did 
 not want to lose sight of Tashae, while Leonore was 
 near him ; and he acquiesced in her going, for the sake 
 of a pleasant traveling companion on his return. 
 
 The Red River Ox-cart has wheels at least six feet high. 
 Such a great diameter is to facilitate their progress over 
 roads that would seem utterly impassable to a citizen s 
 eye. The shafts are similar to those of an ordinary 
 dray, but extend from the animal s shoulder beyond the 
 rear of the box and rest on a level. Thus, the load is 
 not easily displaced by violent jolting nor liable to dip 
 into the muddy sloughs. The spokes pass entirely 
 through the deep, wide rim of the wheels, and slant 
 out some inches beyond the hub, thus forming a brace 
 at each side of the vehicle to prevent it upsetting. Only 
 a single ox is attached to each cart though sometimes 
 a lazy driver has been known to tie the horns of his 
 patiently toiling beast to the rear end of the cart ahead ; 
 and so on, stringing a lot together in which position 
 their poor necks must suffer at any unexpected jolt. 
 
 The most singular feature of the cart and harness is 
 that not a particle of iron need be used in their con 
 struction. Only ash or swamp-oak wood, roughly hewn 
 with hatchets, forms the vehicle. The harness is similar 
 to that used in more civilized parts of the world two 
 hundred years ago. A buffalo-hide collar, stuffed with 
 moss, supports the names, which are connected with the 
 shafts by short traces of rawhide and wooden pins. A 
 band passes entirely around the animal s body, resting 
 upon a small rude saddle at the back, after wrapping 
 the shafts to keep them from shaking about. The hold 
 back strap passes over the hips and connects with the 
 shaft on each side in a peculiar way. 
 
 Nine hundred pounds is considered a good load for 
 
INTOXICATING SOUNDS. 67 
 
 an Ox-cart, and thirty miles far enough to travel in one 
 day. Every six or eight miles, the oxen are allowed to 
 feed. Prairie grass is the only food they get. While 
 the oxen crop the grass, the people lunch on wild game 
 or pemican. After an hour s delay, they resume their 
 journey as before. 
 
 An army of one hundred thousand crazy soldiers, 
 marching with a calithumpian band, could not surpass 
 the awful noise made by a train of several hundred 
 Ox-cart wheels when in motion. The axle-trees are 
 greased with a composition of lye and buffalo fat, which 
 quickly slushes out, leaving the friction to produce the 
 most doleful sounds ever devised to torture human ears 
 or to demoralize a sensitive mind. A lazy, creaking 
 whine, as if all the imps of pandemonium were singing 
 themselves to sleep after a high old spree. 
 
 At Red River, a cart costs from fifteen to thirty dol 
 lars, and, with proper care, may be used five or six 
 years, providing a new axle-tree is put in every spring. 
 They are employed in carrying merchandise out to the 
 British possessions and bringing in furs. The Hudson 
 Bay Company use at least eight hundred at the pres 
 ent time ; and individuals are running a thousand 
 or so more. Each load is packed under a second- 
 quality buffalo hide, which is first soaked to be tightly 
 drawn thus forming a sure protection against the 
 weather. 
 
 The train that brought down Madame Zorah and 
 Leonore, included nearly fifty carts, and quite as many 
 people. The Captain had his wife, and some of the driv 
 ers had their wives and children with them. At sunset, 
 the flag was pulled down. And then the cattle were 
 unharnessed, and the carts all backed up in a circle 
 around the camp-fires, inside of which they and the 
 
68 THE ENCAMPMENT AT NIGHT. 
 
 people, and dogs and horses, were comparatively secure 
 from external harm. The evening was spent in telling 
 stories and card-playing, or whatever might suit their 
 fancies. After a horrid sleep, the flag was hoisted 
 again ; and they were all up and away the next morn 
 ing an hour before the sun appeared in the sky. 
 
 But as if the " wheel melodies " of the previous day 
 were not abundantly sufficient for the extreme enjoy 
 ment of the organic sense of human hearing, two other 
 styles of music were introduced at night. Purely nat 
 ural, both of them. The barking of prairie wolves not 
 unfrequently deterred the inexperienced travelers with 
 the caravan from sleeping as soundly as they might in 
 bed at home. Indeed, the close proximity of significant 
 growls had some tendency to produce a trifling sensa 
 tion in the minds of the half-breed ox-drivers who were 
 accustomed to such lullabies to intensify their dreams. 
 The wolves not only growled and barked, but they 
 seemed to be carnivorously inclined. And the tradi 
 tional theory of their indiscriminate appetites has been 
 well established by them devouring mankind, regard 
 less of age or sex. The ladies were somewhat alarmed 
 when they heard a retaliative whine between the dogs 
 inside the circular camp, and their uncivilized cousins 
 who prowled hungrily without. Then the exquisite 
 song of the mosquitoes that filled the air in quest of 
 nourishing subsistence, also disturbed the composure of 
 Madame in particular. She violently abominated that 
 species of insectile torments, and mentally vowed never 
 to incur similar punishment by a second journey in the 
 land where they exist at certain, or rather uncertain, 
 seasons to an extent entirely beyond the conjectural 
 scope of people who have not been there to realize the 
 truth by personal experience. 
 
MODERN SONS OF ISHMAEL. 69 
 
 With the primitive simplicity of conveyances, invent 
 ed before the existence of Tubal Cain, the quaintly- 
 fashioned carts creaking, and the bovine hoofs clatter 
 ing upon the trail and with men, women and children 
 in romantic attire, the winding cortege-caravan some 
 what resembled a procession of crusaders foraging for 
 plunder, or a horde of pilgrims in quest of promised 
 rewards that lie afar. 
 
 The captain s authority is absolute when once in com 
 mand, and the multitude all obey. As the pillar of 
 cloud was to the camp of the children of Israel, so is the 
 flag of these modern sons of Ishmael to them. When 
 it is hoisted at dawn, every one must rise and be moving. 
 It flutters in the breeze all day upon the march, and 
 goes down with the sun at night. A leading ensign, a 
 guide an animated signum of life, in the tramp, tramp, 
 over the hills and far away ! 
 
 Hah ! Again my reverie is broken by a startling 
 sound. Now I hear the tolling of a bell beyond the 
 wide river ! The strokes are regular and solemn and 
 I count ten, eleven, twelve ! Precisely the midnight 
 hour ! 
 
 And while the multitude of people in the city are 
 nearly all slumbering comfortably abed, I am linger 
 ing here alone upon this uninhabited hill. An irre 
 sistible impulse brought me up here to enjoy a sunset 
 view, and for seven long hours since then, some strange 
 spell has kept me chained to these rocks. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 ffi 
 
 I AM not addicted to imagi 
 nary fears ; but, at this particu 
 lar moment, a very unpleasant 
 sensation disturbs the usual pla 
 cidity of my nerves. To be 
 candid, I am suddenly and se 
 riously impressed with a vague 
 comprehension of the weird-like 
 scene surrounding me at such 
 an hour. Midnight solitude in 
 a spot like this, does not tend 
 to inspire a common mortal 
 with the most exhilarant feelings. 
 
 The tones of that bell must have produced this 
 strange emotion. I can not tell why, but the tolling 
 of a bell is sure to make me sad. Even those " holiday 
 chimes" in the church towers, sound doleful to me. 
 And then, too, the " merry marriage bells," so often 
 meant for joy, seem to say in my ear, " Come and laugh 
 with us to-day, for perhaps to-night we ll die !" 
 
 What if an inebriated savage, either Sioux or Cliip- 
 peway, should chance to wander this way and ruth- 
 
72 WHEN GRAVE- YARDS YAWN ! 
 
 lessly despoil me of my scalp ? Having " no hair upon 
 the top of my head," might not save me from his san 
 guinary intention. And what if half a dozen aborigi 
 nes, filled with the evil inspiration of mimie-wakan, 
 should surprise me here ? Yet that is not possible 
 now for the "bad Injuns" have all been sent away. 
 
 And then that mournful breathing up in the pine 
 tree-top, is so sadly suggestive of a lost spirit hovering 
 near ! Nevertheless, I am not fearful of a ghostly ap 
 parition. Even when a child, I could not be taught to 
 dread spectral horrors, nor to shun grave-yard terrors, 
 the darkest night in the year. Indeed, I once slept at 
 night upon a marble tomb. 
 
 Strolling through a grand old cemetery on a pleasant 
 evening, I sat down to muse. Sleep overpowered me ; 
 and, instead of a visit from ghosts or goblins, I realized 
 a marvelously romantic dream, in which there was 
 much more truth than fiction. 
 
 Haunted houses are very terrifying to morbidly super 
 stitious people, whose absurd fancies lead them to sus 
 pect that a spiritual emissary of evil is lurking in every 
 dark nook and gloomy retreat. And now I remember 
 a ghost adventure, or rather a ghost hunt, in which I 
 participated some years ago. 
 
 The sighing of the breeze among the branches of the 
 solitary pine, recalls that adventure. It was in a de 
 serted school-house standing at the edge of a small 
 forest of pines. A little edifice of stone, erected long 
 before I came into the world, was standing somewhat 
 remote from any habitation ; but in the midst of a 
 thickly-populated agricultural district, so that it might 
 be convenient to the farmers living in either direction. 
 Not far distant was the shire town with its stores, and 
 its shops, and a particularly shabby tavern. The tav- 
 
73 
 
 ern was all the more unpleasant in consequence of the 
 landlord having a nearly grown-up idiotic son, who fre 
 quently terrified the neighbors and the guests by ma 
 licious depredations or raids of lunatic diversion. lie 
 had, nevertheless, learned to read and write but math 
 ematics he could not understand. 
 
 His favorite amusement was industriously tormenting 
 the neighbors cats. So far did he carry his diversion 
 in the feline community, that nearly all the affrighted 
 Tommies and Tabbies would scamper out of sight the 
 instant he appeared or even his voice was heard. 
 
 This tantalizing propensity of the imbecile, in such a 
 delightful pursuit, won for him the appropriate sobriquet 
 of " Cattey " by which he was familiarly designated 
 among the more compos mentis inhabitants of the town. 
 I believe that all villagers select some particular indi 
 vidual of the community upon whom they unanimously 
 crack their jokes and play their tricks. In conformity 
 with that popular rule, Cattey was made the acknowl 
 edged butt of those who were addicted to ridicule or 
 fond of fun. 
 
 He never killed any cats, but displayed a marvelous 
 talent for devising novel methods of annoying and tor 
 turing them. One old masculine rather disputed his 
 right to " hiss and skat !" and frequently inflicted 
 gashes upon his legs, arms, hands and face, pugnis et cal- 
 cibus. But instead of exasperating the Idiot into a vio 
 lence that might have resulted in his own destruction, 
 the spunky old cat thereby won the admiration and 
 esteem of his foolish tormentor. 
 
 This theme reminds me of the ethical discourse of 
 " one old maid in a thousand," who cherishes an abhor 
 rence for the entire feline race. She compares their 
 characteristics to everything mean in human nature 
 4 
 
74 SOMETHING ABOUT CATS. 
 
 and says, " I hate cats. They havn t one of the virtues, 
 but all the vices. They are deceitful and ungrateful 
 and they ll steal. You can t bribe them to be faithful, 
 nor can you arouse their pride by ill-treatment. Spurn 
 a dog s friendly advances, and it will shy off insulted ; 
 but you may kick a cat out of the house ten times a 
 day, and it will sneak in and pur-r-r-r around you hypo 
 critically whenever it smells cream. It will caress you 
 without any love. It will return to the house you have 
 left because it has been comfortable there. But it will 
 never follow you like a dog does through sickness, sor 
 row and want, and then lie moaning on your grave when 
 your friends have all gone off and forgotten where you 
 lie. I tell you that I abominate them all from the old 
 gray cat squalling out of doors after people have all 
 gone to bed, to the Maltese kitten on the rug in front 
 of the parlor fire." 
 
 The old school-house near the forest of pines, had 
 been managed by a male pedagogue in the winter and 
 by an exemplary " marm " in the summer, from year to 
 year, until eventually a young lady of New England 
 origin filled the vacant chair. 
 
 O 
 
 The tavern-keeper s silly son saw the new teacher, 
 and fell in love with her. He said he was old enough 
 to have a Avife. But she declined his offer of marriage, 
 and repulsed him so harshly that he resolved to seek 
 revenge. She thought lightly of his threat, and went 
 on in the even tenor of her way without the least fear 
 of harm. 
 
 Her school consisted of only nine pupils, all told. 
 Six little girls, two little boys, and Jane, a large wench, 
 made up the number. In Jane, the teacher had a very 
 warm friend. 
 
 The Idiot was frequently seen lurking about in the 
 
AN IDIOT S REVENGE, 75 
 
 pines. But Jane kept on the alert. One day he ap 
 proached the school-house and looked in at the window 
 near Jane s seat. After frightening the little children 
 and winking at the teacher, he wrote with a pencil on 
 the window-sill. Then laughing in a strange manner, 
 he slowly walked off out of sight among the pines. 
 
 When the Idiot was gone, Jane read in the large 
 characters plainly written upon the window-sill : 
 
 " I ll come when that nigger aint here, and fix you off 
 then. If you resist me, I shall take out your heart and 
 keep w it to carry on my watch-chain. My knife is a new 
 one. Yesterday I sharpened it up on father s grind 
 stone. Its edge is as keen as Uncle Josh s razor." 
 
 A few hours afterward school was dismissed for the 
 day, and the children scampered off to their homes. 
 But, suspecting danger, Jane lingered to accompany 
 the teacher. 
 
 They closed up the shutters as usual, and were just 
 ready to emerge from the door, when the Idiot stood 
 before them. His face was distorted with an exulting 
 grin, and uttering an incoherent exclamation he grasped 
 the teacher s arm. 
 
 Totally paralyzed with fear from his sudden reappear 
 ance after what he had written upon the window-sill, 
 she could neither resist nor scream. And with mouth 
 ing, maniacal chuckles, the Idiot dragged her back into 
 the dark room ! The struggle was quickly over ! 
 
 Two blows from an axe and a heavy fall ! A long 
 moan and gurgling sounds ! And then all was still ! 
 
 A stream of warm, crimson blood ran across the floor 
 and gathered in a pool where the light shone in at the 
 open door ! 
 
 " You have killed him !" shrieked the teacher. " He 
 is dead !" 
 
CUT Noss; or " Mo Good Injun." A Tender-hearted 
 
 Sioux Convict, who was executed for Butchering 
 
 Nineteen White People. 
 
VILLAGE SUPERSTITION. 
 
 77 
 
 A long, loud, wild scream came from Jane as she 
 darted out of the school-house, and fled into the pines ! 
 
 The teacher called and called, but Jane did not 
 return ! Flying, whither none could tell, she disap 
 peared forever ! 
 
 A farmer then chanced to be passing along that way, 
 and, lifting the corpse into his wagon, he carried it to the 
 village tavern. 
 
 The teacher s story was believed in consequence of 
 Jane s flight. But after the corpse of the Idiot was laid 
 in the ground, she departed for a distant town. And 
 there was no more school in the old stone house at the 
 edge of the forest of pines ! 
 
 I slept in that miserable village tavern eight or ten 
 years after the school-house tragedy had been performed. 
 Business connected with the opening of a new railway 
 called a friend of mine thither, and I accepted an invita 
 tion to accompany him. While there, a villager related 
 to me the whole story, with a declaration that the house 
 was haunted. 
 
 After the Idiot s funeral it had not been visited by any 
 one. But groans, such as he was supposed to have 
 uttered with his last breath, were frequently heard at 
 night-time by persons obliged to journey that way. It 
 was generally believed that a ghost must be there at 
 such hours, in just the same condition which the Idiot s 
 body was when he struggled in the agony of death. 
 
 I laughed at the villager when he related the ghost 
 part of his story ; and a very large, swarthy teamster 
 thought to intimidate me by saying that I was " afeered " 
 to enter the old school-house after night. He boasted 
 that the neighbors dare not go in ; and also assured me 
 that the window-shutters still remained closed precisely 
 as the teacher and Jane had left them. 
 
78 JOURNEY IX THE DARK. 
 
 I accepted the teamster s challenge upon condition 
 that he and some of his comrades should accompany me 
 and point out the location of the house. To this he very 
 reluctantly assented. There was no moon at the time ; 
 and so we started off in the twilight, followed by nearly 
 all the villagers who knew what was going on. We 
 soon came to the edge of the forest, and there the team 
 ster stopped short. He said that I might easily find it 
 by continuing on through the pines, which seemed im 
 penetrable to me. I heard a million sighs among the 
 ocean of green boughs as they responded to the wafting 
 of the evening breeze ! A doleful requiem that would 
 express all the grief in the world ! And the narrow road 
 was shrouded in gloom ! I could not think of groping 
 my way alone through such a dreary place to confront 
 the ghostly inhabitant of a haunted house. 
 
 I spent some time trying to ridicule the teamster s 
 fears, and he finally concluded to " see me through," as 
 he expressed it, if first allowed to " wet his whistle " 
 with the whisky-bottle carried in a comrade s pocket. 
 And when his whistle was in tune, he insisted that the 
 "whole crowd" should go along. They finally con 
 sented ; and we marched on through the sighing pines 
 to the air of Yankee Doodle, which the teamster whistled 
 with marvelous skill. 
 
 But as we approached the far edge of the pines, his 
 whistle grew fainter, and finally ceased altogether. He 
 then squeezed my arm tightly, and informed me in a 
 whisper that the haunted house was not more than a 
 hundred yards ahead. I peered through the opening 
 among the trees and saw a dim outline of some 
 thing. 
 
 Having an axe and a dark lantern, I made them 
 promise not to desert me while I reconnoitered. Silently 
 
UNEARTHING A GHOST. 79 
 
 and cautiously I drew near the dilapidated edifice and, 
 sure enough, I distinctly heard a heavy groan ! But it 
 seemed to me that the sound came from under the house ; 
 and so I very quietly proceeded to walk around the 
 premises with minute inspection. At the rear I discov 
 ered, by the aid of my lamp, an open passage-way lead 
 ing down into the cellar ; and just at that moment a 
 repetition of the mysterious noise caused me to halt. 
 
 It occurred to me that such groans could not proceed 
 from a ghost, or from anything unnatural. I noticed a 
 peculiar cadence that was familiar to my ear ; and at 
 once turned the full light of the lantern through the 
 opening in the wall, to behold what brought a peal of 
 laughter from me loud and merry enough to inspire the 
 trembling villagers with courage to approach. And 
 then the teamster frankly admitted that they were all 
 " darned fools " for imagining the lamentations of swine 
 to be those of an Idiot s ghost ! 
 
 The cellar door was unclosed at the time of the trag 
 edy, and a small herd of " wood-hogs " found therein 
 a very comfortable retreat. And as it is impossible for 
 those eccentric animals to lodge together without a per 
 petual indulgence in piteous complainings about each 
 other s selfish encroachment in bed, the unknown ten 
 ants of the old school-house cellar quite innocently and 
 very naturally disturbed the stillness of the night with 
 their doleful griefs. The villagers all laughed very 
 heartily over their long-entertained supposition of a 
 ghost ; and two or three of them emphatically declared 
 that they never believed in " hants " of any kind. 
 
 While one of the disbelievers was vehemently reiter 
 ating his contempt for the foolish superstition of his 
 neighbors, he suddenly ceased talking and stood petri 
 fied with terror, caused by a nimble scratching up in 
 
THE HAUNTED HOUSE. 
 OU 
 
 the eaves of the house. Instantly every one of the 
 hilarious villagers ceased their blabbering and ran away 
 at the top of their speed. Assuring them that the 
 cause of their alarm was merely the noise made by the 
 claws of a raccoon climbing out of the garret in fright 
 at our presence and the glare of the lantern, they re 
 turned laughing and vociferating all together. 
 
 The wood-hogs (wild swine) "boo-hoo d" and left 
 their stye. Escaping into the pines, we subsequently 
 heard them there in grunting and grumbling consulta 
 tion. 
 
 We explored the cellar, and then pried open the door, 
 which had been closed ever since the last teacher turned 
 the key in the lock that night after the farmer carried 
 out the Idiot s dead body. Everything stood precisely 
 as it was left. There lay the rusty axe ; and when the 
 thick accumulation of dust was brushed away, the blood 
 stains were yet to be seen. The mice and woodchucks 
 had eaten the books. Cobwebs filled the corners, and a 
 dozen scared bats flew down from the walls. 
 
 My friend revisited that neighborhood last June ; and 
 he says that the walls of the old school-house were long 
 since torn down. And a very remarkable fact which he 
 heard in connection with the demolition of the house, 
 w r as that a white man had purchased the stone to build 
 a residence for himself and his " colored wife," in which 
 they now live together ! 
 
 Perhaps that old school-house ghost was really as 
 genuine as a majority of other apparitions, or manifesta 
 tions of supernal or infernal spirits, which are supposed 
 to exist in gloomy or deserted places, where any unusual 
 sound might occur to suggest associations with a pre 
 vious crime or some traditional mystery. 
 
 But, see ! While I am reviewing my ghost adven- 
 
OF THE 
 
 [ UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF 
 
 MOONRISE IN MINNESOTA ! 81 
 
 ture, a paler tint of azure is suffusing all the Eastern 
 horizon ! It comes like the dawning of day, only not 
 so ruddy as a reflection from the rays of the sun. A 
 pleasant glow, softly expanding in brightness, until the 
 twinkling stars totally disappear and the larger ones 
 are scarcely seen. And as the lovely radiance spreads 
 far and wide, a new sensation accelerates the throbbing 
 of my heart ! My feelings are jubilant with an emotion 
 such as might be inspired by a beautiful dream. I seem 
 borne aloft and soaring in the sky ! 
 
 Lost in admiration, I gaze with anxious inquiry for a 
 solution of the bright phenomenon, and presently catch 
 a glimpse of the rising moon ! It is peeping up slowly 
 from behind Dayton s Bluff, all red, and huge in size, 
 strangely unlike what I have seen it elsewhere. In the 
 clear, dry atmosphere on this part of the globe, the mag 
 nitude of the rising moon is wonderfully strange! 
 With its features so plainly defined, I can hardly con 
 vince myself that it is not merely just beyond the bluff, 
 instead of being so many thousand miles away. 
 
 Travelers who have been in those exotic lands where 
 undying summer continues all the year, assure me that 
 the glory of the rising moon is more sublime there than 
 pen can write or tongue can tell. A view of the moon 
 coming up out of the sea, has often inspired poetical 
 minds with emotion which could find expression only in 
 glowing rhymes. I once saw the moon rise amid 
 mountains in a clime where cold winds never blow. 
 That was a beautiful sight ; but the vision I now behold 
 is more charming than any similar scene in my recol 
 lection. A friend told me that the moonlight beneath 
 these skies was beyond my conception, and truly I find 
 it so to-night. In this transparent air, the firmament 
 itself seems nearer to the earth than it does in any other 
 
Hon. Alexander Ramsey, First Governor of Minnesota. 
 
AN ENCHANTING SCENE. 83 
 
 region where I have been. The very stars appear close 
 enough to be reached with the hand ! 
 
 But as the moon ascends toward the zenith of the 
 sky, it turns paler and decreases in size until its color 
 and its magnitude are familiar to my eye. And now 
 the eastern side of the bluffs are almost as light as day. 
 Scattered over that semicircular range of hills, and nest 
 ling among vines and trees, I catch glimpses of many a 
 palacious villa in which wealthy citizens abide, with the 
 elegance and the refinement that distinguish the more an 
 tique habitations of their peers who dwell near cities and 
 towns existing long ago. And down in the bright, new 
 city, among the thoroughfares of trade, I can distinguish 
 the gray stone walls, filled with costly merchandise, and 
 that contain plethoric vaults of undoubted currency, if 
 not silver and gold. Between the warehouses in which 
 busy men traffic during the active hours of the day, and 
 the superb villas grandly reposing along the continuous 
 hill, I behold the undulating outline of variform houses 
 that constitute the great magnitude of the growing city, 
 spread out for miles around. 
 
 And above the river s surface, silver d o er 
 With quiv ring ripples that reach from shore to shore, 
 I plainly see the complicate frame-work of that im 
 mense inclined bridge which reaches from the towering 
 front of the city down to the low flat bordering this 
 side of the mighty stream. 
 
 Great shadows are behind the rocks which surround 
 the lofty cliff where I am sitting, and thin, airy phan 
 toms seem to lie in waiting under those bare-armed 
 bushes above the gorge. The street-lamps over in the 
 city have lost their sharp gleam, and dimly flicker 
 beneath the resplendent brightness of the moon. Even 
 the hooting owl in yonder thicket has ceased to com- 
 
84 THE YAWNING CHASM. 
 
 plain ; and up in the pine tree-top I do not hear such a 
 mournful sighing of the wind as I did before this new 
 light came to smile upon nature in repose. 
 
 The entire universe seems utterly still ! A solemn 
 enchantment hovers around. Experiencing a feeling of 
 awe, I am also at the same time filled with a strange 
 
 S 
 
 delight. I mentally ejaculate as light as day ! But it 
 is not so. For even in this rarefied atmosphere, the 
 smiling face of Luna is but a mirrored reflection of the 
 rays of light borrowed from Sol, whose eternal living 
 fire is now shining down upon our antipodes in China 
 and in Japan, while their enterprising and prosperous 
 cousins in Columbia-land are nestled in the arms of 
 Morpheus, the consoling god of sleep. 
 
 And, behold ! Newspaper print is quite legible to 
 the eye ! for I actually peruse a paragraph of " leaded 
 brevier " type in the St. Paul " Daily Pioneer " at mid 
 night by the light of the moon ! ! 
 
 Removing the paper from before my eyes, I unavoid 
 ably perceive the moonbeams playing amid the con 
 fusion of rocks far down beneath me. At the bottom 
 of the yawning chasm, there is a deep pit, all in dark 
 ness like an abyss of oblivion, over which I have been 
 sitting with my nether limbs dangling in the frightful 
 void, entirely unconscious of the peril of my position. 
 I saw the precipice before the sun went down, and, 
 though its depth seemed immense by daylight, it is a 
 thousand times more appalling now ! 
 
 With a shudder, I very cautiously work further back 
 from the smooth edge of the projecting cliff and, nerv 
 ously and carefully drawing up my limbs, I do not 
 breathe until I gain a safer footing a few yards nearer 
 the solid centre of the great rock. 
 
 When T reflect how manv hours I sat so carelesslv 
 
" I WANT TO GO HOME !" 85 
 
 perched out at the very point of that thin ledge of 
 stone, I tremble with fright. The tiny projection might 
 have snapped off at any moment and precipitated me 
 into the air, to be dashed among the chaos of rocks, 
 down there so far below ! 
 
 Recovering from fright at the dangerous position I 
 unconsciously had been in, I find all my romantic aspi 
 rations absorbed in a new desire. I now want to go 
 home ! I ve had enough midnight solitude in this un 
 frequented mountain. Even the joyous moonlight now 
 seems melancholy. Every object wears a mournful ex 
 pression. 
 
 These reactions of feeling will occur at times ; and 
 now I would give something considerable to know that 
 I was safely lodged in the cozy bed that is waiting for 
 me at the International Hotel. Indeed, most people 
 would say that it was very foolish to stroll away up 
 here among these rugged rocks to spend seven hours 
 alone with Nature, when I might have remained in the 
 city surrounded by gas-light and social companions. 
 
 And now I am somewhat doubtful about finding the 
 right road back to town. It is at best a very devious 
 path. First I must cross yonder glen, and pick my way 
 through the small forest sloping down into the gloomy 
 gorge. Then I shall be obliged to clamber and stumble 
 among the broken rocks to the open lawn, where the 
 low-roofed farm-house stands a mile from here. At that 
 point I shall try to find the wagon-track of a blind road, 
 which, after winding up and down, apparently at ran 
 dom, to shun a rock or to avoid a clump of trees, will 
 lead me to a mountain brook. I crossed the stream 
 with some difficulty before sunset, by leaping from one 
 stone to another ; but now the dense growth of trees on 
 the other side will hide the crossing from the rays of 
 
86 
 
 A DEVIOUS PATH. 
 
 the moon. Doubtless I shall there experience the 
 pleasurable sensation of very wet feet. After ascend 
 ing the very steep hill beyond the stream, and walking 
 half a mile further, I can reach the public highway. 
 Then on, around, down continually around, down, for 
 a mile or so, I shall emerge from the wilderness and 
 receive fresh courage by treading upon a more civilized 
 level of the earth, with a good macadamized thorough 
 fare leading to the great inclined bridge, over which I 
 can cross the river and ascend to the streets of the city. 
 Arriving there, I shall breathe much easier than I do 
 now in this solemn wild ! 
 
 Aii Inexpensive Edifice, called a "Claim Shanty," not 
 unfrequently seen in remote parts of Minnesota. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 i 
 
 MY peregrinations of the day and 
 part of the night are ended, and 
 at length I am once more snugly 
 couched for repose. To an exhaust 
 ed body and a weary mind, I know 
 of nothing more pleasurable than 
 the sensation of a horizontal atti 
 tude upon a cosy bed with the 
 prospect of quiet slumber. And I 
 fully realize that enjoyment now. 
 It is nearly two o clock in the morn 
 ing ere I have attained a recumbent 
 position between these nice linen sheets. It is unneces 
 sary to say that my " carnal " sensibilities are eagerly 
 yearning for beatific repose. After such a protracted 
 reverie on the wild hill-top, terminating with an extend 
 ed detour over dark, rugged and uncertain paths in the 
 night air, I am not at all surprised to experience a 
 " goose flesh " creeping outside, while a chill reaches my 
 very vitals within. However, a few extra blankets 
 piled on top of me will soon dissipate all that. 
 
88 A SINGULAR DREAM. 
 
 Heigho ! Such gigantic yawns ! The shivers per 
 ceptibly decrease, and oscitant wandering lulls me into 
 a pleasant unconsciousness of sleep to dream ! 
 
 And now my spirit goes back again to that great 
 bluff. Entirely forgetful of having returned home and 
 (jome to bed, I seem to be lingering there yet. I am in 
 the same spot beneath the solitary pine, and can plainly 
 hear the whispering sobs and sighs among its green 
 boughs. The moon is calmly smiling, and all the ob 
 jects around me are reposing with the quietude in which 
 I left them an hour ago. 
 
 Receding from the edge of the cliff, I am sensible of 
 the night chill, and give my coat an exl^a button. I 
 am perfectly conscious of all that passed through my 
 mind while here in person, during the evening, up to 
 the moment of my departure for the city. At that 
 point, my double identity has lost its impression, and I 
 am about to start on a devious journey, unconscious of 
 having actually passed through the tiresome ordeal. 
 But ere proceeding ten paces, I suddenly pause with a 
 disagreeable presentiment of evil. Perhaps it is all 
 fancy ; but a voice of lamentation seems to issue from 
 that curious mound of round blue stones which I no 
 ticed so intently in the light of day. 
 
 I experience a numbness in my veins, and then a 
 warm nervous thrill makes my head feel as if the hair 
 all stood stiff on end. What can it mean? Were I 
 awake, such a feeling would scarcely put a tremor in 
 my knees. But I am dreaming and powerless to resist 
 at will. Yet everything appears real. How vividly 
 the past comes up in my recollection. I very distinctly 
 remember never seeing an apparition in all my life. I 
 also recall my juvenile explorations wherever any unac 
 countable manifestation was said to exist or expected to 
 
THE SOBBING OF GRIEF. 89 
 
 occur ; and all without once having realized the coveted 
 gratification of a personal interview with supernal 
 beings. 
 
 Breathlessly I pause to listen. And when I have 
 made up my mind that it is merely imagination, or per 
 haps caused by the breeze frolicking in sadness among 
 the rocks further on, I am suddenly and seriously 
 startled by its repetition. My hair is now really strug 
 gling to get on end, and a distressing weakness is tor 
 turing my knees. Is it possible that I have come all 
 the way here to be foolishly frightened ? I must banish 
 this cowardly feeling. Yet there it is again! Deep 
 and mournful, like the sobbing of .long-fostered grief! 
 
 Motionless I stand, in doubt what to think and afraid 
 to start ! I can perceive no* movement except the gen 
 tly waving tall dead grass and the small bushes. I 
 hear no noise, save only a faint rustling over in the 
 thicket, where the crisp brown leaves are clinging to 
 their dry parent stems, and the soft murmuring of that 
 tiny cascade down in the gorged ravine, which comes 
 up like a pleasant lullaby that might hush angels to re 
 pose. Beside those trivial sounds, which are the purest 
 melodies of nature, whispering their primevous requi 
 ems of sorrow and chansons of joy, all else above, below 
 and far around, is sunk in silence, and seemingly at 
 rest. Surely no spirit of evil can be lurking here be 
 neath the lovely moon ; and I shall not permit any 
 superstition to haunt my mind. I am ashamed of my 
 self for thus pausing in silly dismay, because the wind 
 chances to frolic with audible sound in a cleft or a 
 fissure of those prodigious broken rocks. 
 
 Forward march ! One step two, three, four, five ! 
 Despite my bold resolution, those knees of mine will 
 play the coward ! And that crawling numbness is tin- 
 
90 PHILOSOPHY AXD FEAK. 
 
 gling up and down my back, while the hair on my head 
 feels as if it would dislodge my hat and stand stiffly 
 erect. My breathing is difficult ; and I do not remem 
 ber hearing my heart thump so ever before. Instead of 
 taking courage, I stand like a statue representing the 
 stolidity of an imbecile transfixed with fright. I can 
 not go that way and there is 110 other path ! 
 
 It must be something more than a wind frolic in the 
 cavities of rock ! Such sounds as I now hear can not be 
 tuned by a random current of the wind. And they 
 surely emanate from that curious mound. It is a 
 breathing lamentation emitted from among those round 
 blue stones which I am obliged to pass. An unearthly 
 noise that would startle the nerves of any civilized mor 
 tal who might hear it in a dreary mountain wild like 
 this, at such an hour of the night. 
 
 But I shall not admit a prevalence of anything super 
 natural, even here. The philosophy of only common 
 sense assures me that the indubitable laws of nature will 
 not permit unearthly manifestations where the living 
 can breathe. With this conviction shaming me to 
 action, and really provoked at myself for credence of 
 what could never be, I once more boldly start in the 
 direction of the curious mound. But as I approach, the 
 mysterious noise becomes louder at every pace. 
 
 Facing an open enemy in deadly conflict requires a 
 deal of courage ; but I am inclined to the opinion, from 
 my peculiar sensations at this unpleasant crisis, that 
 undue nervous delinquency would quickly incapacitate 
 me for proceeding any further. But I shall go ! 
 Avaunt there ! Spirit, demon, devil, or mortal of 
 human form ! I still hear you ; but though I feared 
 your wail a moment ago, I am resolved to brave your 
 presence now ! 
 
AN ABNORMAL BEING. 91 
 
 Tramp, tramp. Firm and steady. And at every 
 stride, the lamentation comes plainer to my ear. My 
 heart will throb quicker than it usually does. But what 
 of that ? I am now on a line with the curious mound, 
 out of which the wailing noise seemed to come a moment 
 ago. Hah ! Another step reveals a dark object to my 
 sight ! It is crouching in a heap at the edge of the 
 round blue stones ! What can it be ? A wild beast, 
 surely for it bears no semblance to anything of human 
 form! 
 
 And here I suddenly pause once more ! In fact, if I 
 continue on that way, my presence will rouse the crea 
 ture from its apparently unconscious condition. Thus I 
 tremblingly stand. The moonlight throws my shadow 
 almost to where the dark object is crouching, and I half 
 shudder at the thought of its touching even that. 
 
 Twisting and writhing, with moans and mournful 
 sighs, it sways from side to side and conceals its head 
 beneath its shapeless trunk. A strangely animated mass 
 of life whether flesh, fish or fowl ! I know it lives and 
 breathes, because I can see it move and hear its piteous 
 noise. 
 
 A ghost, if such spirits ever do appear to human eyes, 
 would be too ethereal to utter any sound. A lost soul 
 could not, and in all reasonable expectation would not, 
 inhabit such a hideous material substance as that. A 
 hobgoblin a spirit damned would scarcely be allowed 
 to escape from the mythological regions of conflagrant 
 sulphur in that supposed terra incognita beyond the 
 grave ! 
 
 A beast, a brute, a dumb animal of any species or 
 undiscovered kind, would not thus exhibit emotional 
 distress. And yet a wounded animal might roll in 
 agony of body and utter cries of pain. But a beast has 
 
An Imlian Burial Scaffold, upon -which the Imdies of 
 the Dead were placed to decay. 
 
THE CLAWS OF A DEMON I 93 
 
 a hide of hair or some other external features devoid of 
 the handiwork of art ; while, in the flood of moonlight, 
 I perceive the ends of a textural garment unworn by 
 wolves or bears. And now I discern long tresses of hair 
 streaming down from this creature s head and wiping 
 the dust off the rock. That looks more human ! But 
 can a human being double up into a wad or a ball and 
 execute a vocalism so unearthly dissonant as what I 
 hear? 
 
 But see ! I have done it now ! The crushing of a small 
 stone beneath my foot has produced a counter noise, 
 which the creature hears. And, with a startled cry, it 
 suddenly bounds upright on its hind legs. I can per 
 ceive its wild stare of surprise, and then I hear a hoarse 
 grunt and a defiant snarl. An instant it pauses ; and 
 immediately I experience a chill of horror as it darts 
 upon me, grasping my arm like the pressure of an iron 
 vice. Confused with fright, I have but one distinct idea 
 and that is to escape the claws of a demon ! 
 
 Though all my life averse to believing in disembodied 
 devils, a careful study of the dark side of human nature 
 has firmly convinced me that incarnate fiends numer 
 ously walk the earth with bold impunity among the 
 best of men. But this monster strikes me dumb. In 
 the beautiful moonlight, I can plainly discern its hideous 
 features and they are partly human ! Its hot breath 
 burns upon my face as it stretches its long, lean neck to 
 peer into my eyes, while I am utterly powerless to 
 struggle, much less to resist. To describe my feelings 
 would be impossible. Like a group from the sculptor s 
 chisel, we both stand transfixed and immovable as stone. 
 I cannot speak, and the demon tightens its grasp with 
 out uttering any sound. The terror paralyzing my 
 strength is ngt greater than the revulsion of my senses 
 
04 A DRIED MUMMY ALIVE ! 
 
 from the close contact of the demon s visage which 
 bears a tomb-like deformity somewhat similar to one of 
 those mummies exhumed from the catacombs of ancient 
 Egypt, where they had lain thousands of years ! 
 
 Now the monster smiles a ghastly expansion and con 
 traction of its hard, dry features, from which every par 
 ticle of flesh and moisture appears to have gone ! A 
 repulsive grin not of rage but in exultation at my 
 capture and evident fright. A huge mouth, with harsh 
 cartilaginous lips drawn wide apart, disclosing a pale, 
 sickly front of toothless gums. There may be two or 
 three bodkin-shaped snags in the lower jaw, the remote 
 expansion of which is hinged by a square breadth of 
 angle such as bull-dogs are noted for while but one 
 useless fang is quite pendulous above. Particularly 
 coarse black hair, in cleanliness and texture suggestive 
 of the vertebrate capiliform posterior extremity of the 
 equine or the bovine species, separated into rough 
 stringlets and matted flakes, is dangling before and be 
 hind from the frounced and frouzy vertex of the 
 demon s head ! The wrinkled cuticle of its face is with 
 ered and dry, and tightly drawn across a great Roman 
 nose. It has small black eyes, that glare in the moon 
 light streaming upon them. They are deeply sunken 
 into its head, and each is surrounded with the protruding 
 rim of a bony cavity, not unlike those huge sockets 
 shown in the front of that noted criminal s skull which 
 I have seen among the phrenological specimens on ex 
 hibition at a celebrated academy where they elucidate 
 anatomical wonders ! 
 
 Doubtless those black eyes were large and luminous 
 when the demon was young ; but as all living things 
 must mature and decay, this creature has long since 
 passed its youthful prime. Even a demon s existence 
 
GLARIXG SMALL BLACK EYES I 95 
 
 can not extend beyond a limited span. Though from 
 external appearances, the longevity of this one is very 
 great. I imagine that some marvelous liberality in the 
 usually inexorable laws of nature has permitted this 
 being to retain a vital tenacity and a herculean strength 
 beyond all the established physiological theories of life. 
 And, without any stretch of my already excited imagina 
 tion, I can not refrain from comparing those deeply 
 sunken and fiercely glaring small black eyes to the 
 outlets of some mysterious cavern, where the prince of 
 darkness sits upon his cabalistic throne, with grim ex 
 ultation in mockery of the weeping angel of light, who 
 is a suppliant captive kneeling at his feet ! 
 
 A dingy blanket is wrapped loosely around the de 
 mon s form as far down as the knees, and its slender ill- 
 shaped nether extremities are swathed in what appear 
 to be the shreds of a discarded coat, or a pair of old 
 pantaloons ! Male or female, whichever it is, no out 
 ward indication now reveals. And I should not be sur 
 prised if it had no sex at all ! Was it born of woman, 
 the offspring of man ? Is it a creature of God, or a gor- 
 gon from some purgatorial limbo unknown ? 
 
 In those theatrical representations of Stygian waters, 
 and in the Tartarean realms over which Pluto and 
 Hades rule, I have seen hideous masks to personate the 
 satellites of that Luciferean dignitary who occupies the 
 honorary position of Beelzebub-in-chief but none of 
 them were any more hideous than the infernal visage 
 before me now. 
 
 In this lonely spot, at the midnight hour, under these 
 circumstances, and in such manner, with a great flood of 
 magical moonlight streaming upon its form and illumi 
 nating its horrid face, how could my reason be otherwise 
 than partly overturned ? But I am in bodily pain ! 
 
96 A PARALYZED ARM. 
 
 What a powerful grasp the demon has ! It does not 
 relax in the least. On the contrary, I feel it clutching 
 tighter still ! And as its great bony fingers harshly 
 indent my flesh, a strange numbness begins to destroy 
 all sense of feeling. My arm is unnerved and apparently 
 stiff! The blood has ceased to flow in the veins beyond 
 my shoulder, and I fancy that the entire limb is already 
 cold. 
 
 In the violent clutch of this demon there seems to be 
 some mythologic power that can paralyze living things 
 with a magic spell, at its will. And if my arm is thus 
 withered by its terrible grasp, what else have I to ap 
 prehend ? Will the blight extend any further than my 
 arm ? With that question, a horrible suspicion enters 
 my mind, and a sickening perspiration suffuses every 
 part of my body. What if I should be transformed 
 into a rock or a tree, and so continue to exist through 
 the lapse of countless ages, without volitive animation, 
 and yet retaining all the consciousness of intellect char 
 acterizing a human heart and brain ? Is it possible that 
 I am doomed to stand here ever like the solitary pine, 
 among whose green boughs the moaning of a lost spirit 
 is so often heard in response to the night wind and the 
 evening breeze ? 
 
 Surely there must be some magical influence pervad 
 ing these hills, as yet unknown to the science of the 
 world. That indescribable sensation experienced by 
 every one when they first breathe the intoxicating at 
 mosphere of this wonderful land, is significantly sug 
 gestive of invisible charms which may operate upon the 
 body and even the soul of an individual who sympa- 
 thizingly yearns for a more intimate acquaintance with 
 that psychological mystery connecting the celestial and 
 mundane spheres. 
 
THE VISION DISSOLVES. 97 
 
 But how strange it is that I can pause to moralize 
 with theory and reflection, while the clutch of this demon 
 is palsying my limbs and evidently depriving me of the 
 natural functions which pertain to life ! Perhaps I have 
 been lost in the hallucinatory imagination of a trance, 
 which is gradually dispelled upon discovering the faint 
 gleam of a smile that now lightens up the countenance 
 of the demon. I certainly begin to feel more like my 
 self. The numbness of my arm is abating with the 
 relaxation of that terrible grasp. 
 
 Hah! and now I see the demon laugh! Nt)t with 
 pleasurable anticipation of devouring me ; but in merri 
 ment at my trembling fear. Its tongue moves ! It 
 speaks ! Thank Heaven ! then it is one of God s crea 
 tures, after all ! But what does it say ? 
 
 " Haugh ! White man fraid of Injun ! Hi-augh ! 
 Tremble at old Injun squaw ! Hoi-augh ! White man 
 big knife, but don t know Old Betz ! Haugh ! White 
 man sick ! Been hurt in head ! Ugh ! White- man 
 lost can t go to bed !" 
 
 At this announcement I am lost in mental oblivion. 
 The bluff instantly disappears, and I grasp at seeming 
 objects that are but empty air ! A wild " Ha, ha !" is 
 ringing in my ears while I pass entirely out of the 
 world. Gone, I know not where ! 
 
 Presently I awake and find myself lying on my back, 
 scarcely able to breathe, with such a great pile of extra 
 blankets pressing upon my lungs I 
 
.That remarkable Centenarian 
 ugular Dream. 
 
CHAPTEK VII. 
 
 4i 
 
 
 
 How strange that I should 
 see Old Betz in a dream! I 
 am not surprised that my spirit 
 flew back to the moonlight 
 scene upon the bluff , after lin 
 gering there such a length of 
 time in meditation. But why 
 did I encounter that centena 
 rian squaw? She is the most 
 wonderful living curiosity in 
 Minnesota ; and I presume that 
 nearly every one acquainted 
 with the North-west, has frequently heard her name. I 
 had been hoping for a personal interview with her ; but 
 did not expect that we should meet in a vision of sleep, 
 or otherwise, at midnight upon a lonely mountain top. 
 
 Ah, well ! Perhaps these dreams are Heigho ! I 
 am much too drowsy for theorizing now. How I yawn ! 
 It may be that is and 
 
 My heavy respiration notifies the little mouse skulk 
 ing in the corner there behind the stove, that I am once 
 more sound asleep. 
 
100 " RUNNING INJUN WITH BIG MOON !" 
 
 After a brief lapse in oblivion, while my weary body is 
 reposing upon this comfortable bed, in spirit I fly off on 
 another excursion. Space is no hindrance to my flight. 
 Instantaneously, without even the trouble of conceiving 
 a desire, I am once more on the back of that invisible 
 genii who attends to this mysterious department of 
 human exploits. He wafts me across the river and 
 again I am in the identical spot where I saw Old Betz 
 awhile ago. Hah ! and here she is now ! 
 
 The moonlight is full upon her face ; and as she tries 
 to smile, I notice the expression of her small black eyes. 
 They seem rather diminutive in size, because incompu 
 table longevity has pushed them so far back into her 
 head. Her smile is a prelude to speech. 
 
 She inquires why "pale-face runs Injun with big 
 moon ?" From which I infer that she is making a sig 
 nificant allusion to my nocturnal wandering at such an 
 unusual hour. And then she wants to know why I am 
 not at home and in bed with iny wife ! Her manner is 
 decidedly blunt. I may very justly accuse her of im 
 perturbable audacity for she quizzingly insinuates that 
 every white man in St. Paul ought to have a wife of 
 his own ! ! 
 
 Again, entirely unconscious of being at home and in 
 bed and asleep, I seem lingering in the identical state 
 of existence while here previous to my first dream. But 
 my feelings are precisely what they were immediately 
 after this marvelous old creature revealed herself to 
 me with that sarcastic allusion to my fear of "Injun 
 squaw !" 
 
 An idea opportunely occurs to me that she might 
 greatly expedite the pedestrian labor which I imagine 
 is yet to be performed. Will she guide me back to 
 town ? But first, what is her Indian name ? 
 
101 
 
 " Haugh ! Me go anywhere ! Big knife got kosh- 
 popee ! Old Betz s name, Hah-zah-ee-yun-kee-win" (one 
 who gathers huckleberries while running !) 
 
 I ask her what she means by kosh-popee, and she sig 
 nifies " ten cents !" She evidently presumes that I have 
 " plenty ten cents " which denominated numeral may 
 be the limit of her arithmetical education. For kosh- 
 popce, she is willing to escort me anywhere. Cheap 
 enough ! If she would contract on such terms, 1 might 
 employ her as a guide for daylight excursions among 
 the thousand lakes, the great prairies and the romantic 
 hills. At that proposition, she gives her uncombed head 
 and tangled hair a quick negative shake, to say : 
 
 "Injun nowhere when pale-face want him! Old 
 squaw be way over there, fore sun come back in morn 
 ing. Can t find old Betz sometime !" 
 
 I imagine not, if she is in the habit of gathering 
 huckleberries while on a run. But see ! she points to 
 ward the west, as if intending to go far that way before 
 sunrise. 
 
 I now inquire what brought her here at this time of 
 night. Not berries, at this season of the year ? 
 
 When I have spoken, she squats down at the edge of 
 that curious pile of round blue stones, with her head be 
 tween her hands, and immediately begins rocking to 
 and fro. What moans and lamentations ! She is re 
 peating the performances at which I at first found her. 
 
 All this seems very much at variance with the charac 
 ter she bears by reputation. Is it possible that people 
 judge too harshly when they speak of her as an old 
 dragon of the female gender ? From her conduct, .,she 
 is evidently mourning the loss of something that was 
 once near and dear to her and that impression is 
 quickly confirmed when I hear her sorrowfully cry : 
 
102 ANGKY WAKAN STOLE HER CHILD. 
 
 " Me choonkshee ! Me choonkshee /" which in the Da 
 cota language means, " My child ! My child !" 
 
 Then the despised old Indian squaw has been a moth 
 er ; and her weary heart is even now full of grief for the 
 loss of a beloved child. I listen to her words ; which, 
 though uttered in her native tongue, are very beautiful 
 in meaning. 
 
 "Alas, alas ! me choonkshee ! me choonkshee ! Thou 
 art gone from my sight forever ! The Great Wakan 
 came to my humble teepee in his anger and stole thee 
 away ! It was a dark night ; and when the full moon 
 rose, thy spirit had fled ! The brightness of the moon 
 was like the sunshine of the day ; yet when thou wert 
 taken from my sight, I saw nothing but desolation 
 around ! Alas ! me choonkshee, my first-born child, 
 who lived here in my heart, which is now old and sad ! 
 My voice is hoarse with that wailing song which I have 
 sung so many moons for the bitter loss of thee ! I have 
 no joy, no comfort, no hope of to-morrow ! The pale 
 face has lost no child and if he has lost many children, 
 he does not mourn for them all as I do for thee ! He 
 can swallow his grief; but poor old squaw s heart must 
 bleed till she dies ! Alas, me choonkshee ! Without 
 thee life is cheerless to me now ! My eyes are dim from 
 weeping ! I have been wandering from the lakes to the 
 rivers, from the bluffs to the gorges in the hills, from 
 the forest to the prairies ever wandering without a 
 warm teepee or home of my own ! But I shall continue 
 to wander on, on, on until I fall into the great boiling 
 lake over which I must pass before I can touch thee ! 
 Alas, I loved thee so much, and thou didst love me so 
 dearly in return ! My people laugh at my grief, and 
 say thou wert only a female child ! Hadst thou been a 
 boy, a strong young brave, panting to scalp thine ene- 
 
MYSTERY OF THE CURIOUS MOUND. 103 
 
 mies, my heart could not have loved thee more ! Long 
 grief for a daughter the Sioux mother is taught to 
 despise and yet I cannot relinquish my sorrow for 
 thee ! Thou wert my light, my life and my all ! My 
 limbs are shrunken from age and constant travel ; but 
 whenever the full moon rises up from beyond the ancient 
 cavern of Wakan-tebee, where lie the bones of the illustri 
 ous Naudowessies, thy great warrior forefathers, here I 
 shall place another round blue stone brought from be 
 neath the singing waters of Minneineeopa, in which, like 
 the young elks, thou didst so fondly love to play! 
 Hither I have brought a stone at every full moon since 
 angry Wakan took thee away for the moon was rising 
 full at the very moment I saw thy warm lips turn to 
 clay ! Many moons have come and gone since that sad 
 hour, and many stones are now piled up here ! Thy 
 bones the bones of my first-born child are carefully 
 hid away in the rock, down beneath this pile of stones, 
 and the ugly wolves cannot gnaw them with their sharp 
 teeth ! Alas, me choonkshee ! I cannot eat when I 
 think of thee ! I have brought thee ofttimes many 
 choice things ! In the spring, young ducks ; in the sum 
 mer, sweet berries ! Sugar I have begged and stolen 
 from the white man s store to gladden thy pretty 
 tongue ! Ribbons of red and yellow, and green and 
 blue, and handkerchiefs of beautiful design, I have 
 pilfered from the white woman s grand teepee ! All 
 these things I have gathered together for thee ! But 
 the Chippeway dogs come by stealth and tear them 
 from thy grave ! All thy playmates have died long 
 ago ! The wild crows have eaten the parched corn I 
 placed here ! Many snows have covered thee o er ! 
 The keen frosts of many winters have hardened the 
 earth, and howling storms of wind and rain have swept 
 
104 A BALM FOR SORROW. 
 
 across the hill with doleful requiems to make thy rest 
 ing-place dreary and wild ! But no grass nor flowers 
 shall mock thy decay ! While I live this mound shall 
 be sacred to thee ; and, like my heart, sleep in sadness 
 that is forever ! Alas, me choonkshee ! I am weary of 
 life, and long to come and lie with thee here !" 
 
 At this juncture, I succeed in silencing her lamenta 
 tion by the offer of a ten-cent currency stamp with an 
 articulation of the word, " Kosh-popee !" 
 
 " Kosh-popee !" she echoes in response. And reach 
 ing out one of her horny claws to clutch the money, 
 with the other she endeavors to wipe the tears out of 
 her eyes. 
 
 What a sudden change in her manner has been pro 
 duced by the acquisition of kosh-popee ! One would 
 imagine to see the complete transition of her mind from 
 the bitterest grief to emphatic manifestations of joy, that 
 kosh-popee was the surest balm for the sorrows of a sav 
 age breast. 
 
 Rising to her feet, she quickly adjusts her blanket 
 and slings back her coarse matted hair, with a vehement 
 grunt, in prelude to a declaration of willingness to do 
 anything or to go anywhere. I take advantage of her 
 obliging humor and suggest how she might at once 
 guide me through the uncertain path to the public high 
 way. 
 
 " Injun no go round ! White man too much fraicl 
 him fall. Injun go down there!" 
 
 She points into the frightful gorge over which I sat 
 so long in ignorance of my perilous position ! She can 
 not mean that a safe descent is practicable through the 
 yawning abyss ? It is nearly five hundred feet above 
 the river ! And yet she insists that I must follow. I 
 assure her that I am very much obliged for the invita- 
 
STRANGE BELIEFS. 105 
 
 tion, but at the same time respectfully decline to break 
 my neck. 
 
 Smiling at my trepidation, she further astonishes me 
 by promptly offering to carry me down upon her back ! 
 The proposition is so very absurd that I try to laugh. 
 But I seldom can laugh in a dream. If I do, it is sure 
 to wake me up. I fancy myself upon her shoulders, 
 while she is climbing down the almost perpendicular 
 precipice at our feet; but the picture is too awkward 
 and thrilling for my contemplation ; and I ask her if she 
 is not afraid of death! She shrugs her shoulder and 
 seems to think the question too trifling for serious con 
 sideration. 
 
 Where does she expect to go when she dies ? Her 
 answer is a prolonged grunt. Has she any idea of God ? 
 Oh, yes many ! She reveres everything incomprehen 
 sible, which, in the language of her people, is called 
 walcan signifying " sacred." She believes that a spirit 
 inhabits every natural object, from the little pebbles 
 strewn along the margins of the lake and the banks of 
 the river, to the twinkling stars and fixed planets in the 
 sky. She believes that articles owned by a man is 
 wakan after his death, but not so with those left by a 
 woman. If she sees any one with the toothache, she 
 recommends an appeal to the spirit of a worm or of a 
 woodpecker concealed within the tooth. A cough 
 comes from the machinations of the sacred men through 
 goose-down or buffalo-hair. It is sinful to run a sharp 
 instrument into a piece of meat, and equally wicked to 
 cut a stick of wood taken from the fire. To smoke a 
 pipe with a black stem would bring evil upon a woman ; 
 and ill fortune would lie in the path of a man wearing a 
 woman s moccasins. And to throw gunpowder in the 
 fire woiild be a great crime ! 
 
Moonlight View of an Ancient Naudowessie Burial Placa, for 
 merly on the verge of that Great Bluff above the Cavern of 
 Wakan-tebee, and overlooking the Mississippi River, near 
 the site of St. Paul. 
 
LAND WHERE SPIRITS DWELL. 1Q7 
 
 I find many strange beliefs in the old creature s heart 
 and head. Instead of only one soul, she imagines that 
 she has/owr/ When she dies (if she ever should die), 
 one of her souls will go with some article which she has 
 worn, until a friend can throw it into the Chippeway 
 country ; one will remain with her body to guard it 
 from injury ; one will enter the form of a child or of a 
 dog ; and one will go into the happy land where only 
 good spirits dwell ! 
 
 She has no fear of punishment hereafter for her sins, 
 nor does she expect future reward for the good acts of 
 her life ! 
 
 That happy land, where the good spirits dwell, is 
 somewhere across a wide lake of boiling water! An 
 old squaw, like herself, is sitting in the sand upon the 
 other side, steadying the end of a slender pole, along 
 which the souls have to climb in order to reach the 
 celestial shore ! Warriors with scars from wounds in 
 battle can easily walk the slender pole. Papooses with 
 blue veins are carried across by the breeze. Many slip 
 off the pole in trying to pass over, and they sink into 
 the boiling water to be heard of no more. 
 
 She does not esteem an honest person any better than 
 a thief and a liar ! But if a woman commits suicide, 
 she will be compelled to drag a pole fastened to her 
 feet and in her wanderings through the happy land, if 
 the pole should break down the growing corn, the spirits 
 may beat her with heavy bludgeons. 
 
 When her parents lost a child, the father went and 
 killed a Chippeway ! When her mother died, he went 
 and killed two enemies ! And when her father expired, 
 their friends came and wrapped the corpse in his best 
 clothes. Then one of them harangued the spirits, while 
 another enumerated all his virtues. Smearing their 
 
108 SANGUINARY AFFECTION. 
 
 faces with a black pigment, they uttered loud lamenta 
 tions, and cut and lacerated their bodies with their 
 finger-nails and with sharp-edged fragments of stone. 
 
 Instead of putting the corpse into the ground, they 
 laid it upon a high scaffold, with the scalps of enemies, 
 and food and other articles, which his spirit was fond of 
 while in the body. When the flesh had dried up or 
 fallen from the skeleton, then it was deposited in the 
 earth, and stakes driven around the spot, to protect it 
 from wolves. She is very communicative, and reveals 
 much that I never knew before. She has lived so many 
 moons that she stopped counting a long time ago. 
 
 Did she ever love ? 
 
 A long sigh implies more than words can tell ! She 
 was once a maiden. To see her now, that would seem 
 almost impossible. The son of a Chippeway chief loved 
 her when she was young, and she loved him in return. 
 But she belonged to the Sioux, who were eternally at 
 war with the Chippeways. There was a temporary 
 peace, and her lover would soon take her to his teepee. 
 He was covering one with choice skins, and when it was 
 completed they would be very happy. 
 
 Then a band of Sioux killed a Chippeway mother and 
 her child ! That was the signal for another war. The 
 Chippeways surprised the village of Shakopee, where she 
 lived when a girl. Her lover was among the infuriated 
 invaders, and she and he met in the conflict. He raised 
 his hatchet, but paused an instant to gaze at her up 
 turned face, while she begged for her life and implored 
 him to make her his captive ! 
 
 No ! he had sworn to kill every man, woman and child 
 among the Sioux ! She must die ! And, without regard 
 ing her cries for mercy, he seized her long, black hair 
 and ruthlessly gashed her forehead in execution of his 
 
SCALPS AND LOVE. 109 
 
 savage purpose. Another instant, and she would fall a 
 bleeding corpse beneath the feet of the warriors who 
 were yelling in delirious fury around them! Closing 
 her eyes in despair, she sank upon her knees to die ! 
 But she was permitted to live. The strong arm of a 
 young Sioux saved her. With a heavy, sharp-edged 
 stone he dashed out the brains of her merciless lover, 
 and then quickly tore the scalp from his head ! 
 
 When the battle was over, and the invading Chippe- 
 ways were driven back into their own country, her pre 
 server brought the scalp that he had torn from her 
 lover s head. It was all reeking with gore, and he held 
 it up so that she could see. Then he told her that he 
 wanted a wife. If she would accept him for her master, 
 and ever after be his slave, she might have the trophy 
 to decorate their teepee ! 
 
 She did not shudder at the ghastly scalp, nor did she 
 recoil from his wooing embrace. 
 
 Sioux maidens never were anything more than sav 
 ages of the feminine gender. This always has been my 
 opinion and when I hear her enthusiastically talk of 
 scalps and love, I feel satisfied with my previous im 
 pression. All those uncivilized maidens of the forest 
 and the prairie, described as angelic heroines divine, by 
 overly sentimental writers who compose epic legend, 
 are after all merely creatures of imagination to delight 
 credulously dreamy minds ! 
 
 Doubtless this antiquated squaw was quite as lovely 
 as the fairest of her tribe, when in the bloom of youth ; 
 and yet she tells me she reached forth her hand and 
 took that ghastly scalp without a pang of grief or a 
 thrill of horror ! And I presume that her eyes were 
 accustomed to seeing fresh scalps dripping with blood, 
 and her ears might have often heard the night-winds 
 
110 
 
 rattling through a string of them all dried with time, as 
 they swung upon a rawhide thong near the door of her 
 father s teepee ! 
 
 She accepted her preserver s offer of marriage. The 
 nuptial ceremony was in accordance with the simple 
 custom of her tribe. Together with their friends, they 
 sat down upon the grassy hill-side, and presently arose 
 united by the formal compact which they deemed bind 
 ing for life. 
 
 It was her first-born child whose remains now lie 
 buried among the rocks beneath that great pile of round 
 blue stones. And now she begins to rock herself again, 
 and to moan, " Me choonkshee ! me choonkshee !" 
 
 I administer more kosh-popee, and she receives it 
 with repeated grunts and a prodigious grin. Kosh- 
 popee is an elixir a charm ! For ten cents, she will 
 forget all her sorrows. But one other balm has more 
 efficacy w T ith her than money. She loves minne-wakan, 
 or whisky, better than anything else ! 
 
 There is one beautiful superstition in her half-savage 
 breast. She believes that a mother s spirit is always 
 with an absent child when it thinks of her, and that a 
 pain in her heart signifies the agony or the misfortune 
 of a child who is far away ! 
 
 She is now impatient to depart, and significantly 
 points down into the gorge, as if to inquire whether I 
 am ready. 
 
 No not down there ! I perceive a less precipitous 
 ravine further along, and perhaps we can prudently risk 
 that. She pretends to know every inch of the rocks all 
 the way down to the base of the bluff. 
 
 But can I trust her? Possibly I can! Yet it is a 
 question of doubt in my own mind. I have been told 
 that she is an inveterate liar ! 
 
AN IMAGINARY FALL. HI 
 
 The moonlight discloses something like a safe foot 
 ing ; and I ll venture down with her. She instructs me 
 how to lean upon her left shoulder, while she goes 
 before. 
 
 There are certain clefts and knobs where I can place 
 my feet. They are all visible to her eyes, and she will 
 point them out as we climb down ! 
 
 Nevertheless, I do not begin the descent entirely free 
 from suspicion of possible disaster. She laughs at my 
 fear, and tells me to " look much big," and follow ! 
 
 Down we go ! Two or three hundred feet without 
 any mishap, and I begin to felicitate myself on a safe 
 performance of the perilous undertaking, when a pro 
 jecting knob which she is standing upon, suddenly 
 snaps off! Fortunately for me, I instinctively hug the 
 rock and release all further claim upon her shoulder ! 
 
 A moment or so she totters on a precarious balance 
 in the air, and then plunges down among the broken 
 rocks shouting out to me as she goes : 
 
 " Old Injun squaw no care much for one big fall !" 
 
 My footing is also giving way ! I feel it going now ! 
 A dizziness comes over me ; and down, down I tumble, 
 headlong to Hah, I awake ! 
 
 Some one is knocking at my chamber door. Who s 
 there ? 
 
 The voice of the chambermaid replies : " Dinner s 
 ready. Are you going to sleep all day ?" 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 , 
 
 THE chambermaid did not 
 jest when she said it was din 
 ner-time. I perceive the sun 
 shining in at my window which 
 faces the west ; and the hands 
 of my watch indicate ten min 
 utes past two. 
 
 Having fasted since yester 
 day afternoon, my appetite 
 craves immediate attention. 
 Twenty minutes is the time I 
 usually devote to toilet per 
 formances for the day, but upon this occasion, the entire 
 programme concludes somewhat sooner. 
 
 "Dinner from one to three!" I mentally repeat, 
 while hurrying to get down stairs. And entering the 
 dining-room, "Luke" produces that indispensable cup 
 of tea, which I would not exchange for the best bottle 
 of wine in the cellar. 
 
 But Brigadier General Festivus, with those extremely 
 elaborate shoulder-straps, sitting in the opposite chair, 
 sipping his champagne, eyes me compassionately and 
 
114 SHOULDER-STRAPS AXD WINE. 
 
 proposes that I shall join him. I respectfully decline, 
 and at the same time wonder why he persists in soaking 
 three slices of roasted venison with a quart of effervescent 
 grape-juice and alcohol, when his object in visiting Min 
 nesota was to recuperate his health. How absurd it is, 
 while complaining of ill-health and incurring any amount 
 of trouble and expense for recovery, to deliberately and 
 persistently exasperate the functions of life, Now, this 
 distinguished military gentleman has been told that he 
 is consumptive ; and his " family physician " recommends 
 a gentle stimulant, a generous diet and a trip to St 
 Paul ! What he wants the stimulant for, I can not even 
 guess. 
 
 How wise some "family physicians" are, and how 
 many patients they fail to cure ! I wonder if the Gen 
 eral innocently imagines that his quart bottle of cham 
 pagne is merely a gentle stimulative ? And I think that 
 gorging three large slices of venison, with an extraordi 
 nary quantity of vegetables, and a perfect load of dessert, 
 may be estimated as unmistakable symptoms of omnivor 
 ous inclination. If such a diet is requisite to eradicate 
 the germs of consumption, it would be entirely too ex 
 pensive for people of ordinary means who are obliged to 
 eat at some of the hotels kept on the " European plan," 
 in New York City. But here at the International, an 
 inveterate glutton may devour all he wants without 
 extra cost. Wine is extra everywhere in the United 
 States. 
 
 And General Festivus really has an ugly cough, which 
 seems to worry his wife, who suspects nothing amiss in 
 the wine. Fortunately, she is not inclined to be con 
 sumptive herself, and therefore eats very moderately and 
 avoids the sparkling liquid of the bottle. 
 
 But now she sniffs the delicious odor of my second cup 
 
THE TWO CANOES. 115 
 
 of tea, and inquires of Luke if she can have some, too. 
 Certainly she can. Whereupon she does not hesitate to 
 express her delight by bestowing upon my humble self 
 a sweet little smile. The General has a charming wife ! 
 
 But I have eaten all I require, and bow myself from 
 the table, while the General is pouring out the last of 
 his champagne, and Mrs. F. sips her third cup of tea. 
 She ll feel happier than her husband an hour hence ! 
 
 Meanwhile I shall go and smoke; and quietly resume 
 the discursive retrospection which occurred in my pro 
 tracted reverie last night over there on top of the great 
 bluff beneath that lonely pine. 
 
 I left the long Ox-cart train, and the male and female 
 equestrians in motion, with their flag flying, at early 
 dawn on the second day of their journey, and might 
 review a great many pleasant and several irksome inci 
 dents which they encountered before arriving at Men- 
 dota but shall reserve all that for similar scenes in a 
 subsequent chapter. At present I shall follow a couple 
 of canoes that were launched near the mouth of the 
 Minnesota River, the next morning after the unique 
 caravan came to its destination. 
 
 Each of the canoes was managed by an Indian squaw ; 
 and one of those squaws was no less a personage than 
 Old Betz, the antediluvian female about whom I had 
 such a singular dream last night. In her canoe sat 
 Madame Zorah, and Leonore and Major Levasseur. 
 The other contained Tashae and Florinda, and jealous 
 Kaskadino. 
 
 After paddling up near the ferry at Fort Snelling, to 
 look at that quaint fortification, they softly glided 
 down the stream ; and in an hour or so, the whole party 
 landed upon the spot where the depot of the St. Paul 
 and Pacific Railway stands at the present time. They 
 
116 OLD BETZ AND LEONORE. 
 
 came down to visit " Carver s Cave," or the Cavern of 
 WaJcan Tehee, which Major Levasseur had heard much 
 about, but never seen. 
 
 But Old Betz insisted that they should first explore 
 the settlement of " Pig s Eye." And, without any per 
 mission on the part of her passengers, she put them 
 ashore. The squaws pulled their canoes out of the 
 water, and with the excursionists walked up hill. 
 
 Old Betz had already attached herself to Leonore, 
 whom she pretended to like because of a very great 
 resemblance (?) to her own daughter, who died a great 
 many moons ago and I presume the same one, accord 
 ing to my dream, who was buried beneath the curious 
 mound of round blue stones upon the bluff. Leonore 
 was not displeased with the affectionate declarations of 
 the old squaw, but on the contrary she really evinced 
 her gratitude by presenting the crone with a little fancy 
 reticule, which her dear mother had made for her and 
 taught her to carry at her waist, in accordance with a 
 Parisian fashion then out of date. 
 
 Old Betz, jubilant with delight, was more eager than 
 ever to become the sole proprietress of every article 
 that Leonore had upon her person. However, as Ta- 
 shae s longing eyes were continually upon the lovely 
 girl, he witnessed the squaw s greed of acquisition, and 
 at once put a veto upon any further bounty. 
 
 " Oh, let the poor creature have this little bit of rib 
 bon," persisted Leonore, completely fascinated with the 
 deceitful crawling and the affectionate grimaces of her 
 insatiate patron. 
 
 "Augh!" grunted Kaskadino. "Give Injun squaw 
 little, and she want all /" 
 
 What Kaskadino said was true. But Old Betz made 
 a sign to him in response, that signified how much she 
 
FLORINDA RECOGNIZES P ARRANT. 117 
 
 would like to have her hard, stiff fingers about his 
 throat. And a frown from Florinda, in testimony of 
 her disapprobation of the half-breed s ill-natured insinu 
 ation, not only gratified the old squaw s feelings, but at 
 once established a bond of friendship between them. 
 
 It is said that Indians never entertain a sincere friend 
 ship for pale-faced companions ; but that assertion is not 
 established by facts, when the latter sympathize with 
 the former in the accomplishment of their revenge. 
 And in the instance here cited, Old Betz was quickly 
 ready to hazard her own life for Florinda, if such serv 
 ice should be required. Kaskadino saw it all, and 
 scornfully turned away with his characteristic grunt. 
 
 Tashae and Madame were ahead, and Levasseur and 
 Leonore followed them, leaving Kaskadino, Florinda, 
 and the two squaws together in the rear. 
 
 Standing near the path was a shanty where whisky 
 could be had, and Kaskadino dropped in to get a dram. 
 Florinda looked to see whither he was going, when sud 
 denly she beheld something which caused her to stop 
 short and stare into the shanty ! She appeared greatly 
 astonished at what she saw, and held her breath in won 
 der and doubt. 
 
 Old Betz misinterpreted her emotion, and kindly in 
 quired if she was thirsting for minne-wakan. Florinda 
 made no reply, but kept her eyes bent upon some object 
 inside the whisky-shanty, until Kaskadino emerged 
 with a grunt of contempt and proceeded to ascend the 
 hill. By that time Florinda was ready to speak ; and, 
 pointing within the shanty, she asked : 
 
 "Who is that man?" 
 
 Imitating the "boo hoo" of swine, Old Betz jocularly 
 closed one of her fiery black optics with the pressure of 
 her thumb. 
 
THE WHISKY-SELLER SURPRISED. 119 
 
 " No, no !" pettishly exclaimed Florinda. " The man 
 there behind the bar. The slender man with light hair. 
 Who is he ?" 
 
 " Boo-hoo !" repeated Old Betz, with a chuckling at 
 tempt at laughter and two or three sharp and decisive 
 nods by way of an emphasizing assurance that what she 
 endeavored to explain was really true. 
 
 "Bah!" snarled Florinda. "I allude to the man 
 with a defective eye !" 
 
 " Augh ! Squaw mean one-eye, too !" 
 
 But Florinda could not understand Old Betz s an 
 swer ; and, after a moment s thought, she motioned for 
 her to " go on." 
 
 The whisky-shanty was seldom empty; but just at 
 that moment the customers were all absent, leaving the 
 proprietor entirely alone and Florinda slowly but reso 
 lutely walked in, with her eyes fixed searchingly upon 
 his face. Raising his head, their gaze met. 
 
 The man was seriously startled ; but, quickly recover 
 ing his natural placidity of demeanor, he tried to say in 
 a careless voice : 
 
 " Well, ma am, what can I do for you ? I can fill a 
 bottle for you. My jugs are all gone." 
 
 "You do not know me, then?" sneered Florinda, 
 while advancing close to him, and thrusting her face 
 very close to his. 
 
 " Look again, sir ! The sight of your good eye was 
 sharp enough when you held " 
 
 " Yes ; I believe I do know you now !" quickly inter 
 rupted the man. There was a slight tremor in his 
 voice and doubtlessly a thrill of emotion, perceptible 
 only to himself. " But I thought you were dead !" he 
 added, with stammering articulation. "They told 
 
 OFTHE 
 
120 A MYSTERY UNEXPLAINED. 
 
 " No matter what they told you," interposed Florinda. 
 " You see me here now ! And, considering the cir 
 cumstances, I am resolved that you shall loan me a 
 little money. I presume you understand what that 
 means !" 
 
 " I don t think I can no how. Money is awful skerse 
 in this here part of the country." 
 
 "Then I shall denounce you! I need not suggest 
 what the result will be." 
 
 The man was frightened pale at her words, and in a 
 husky voice meekly replied : 
 
 " Believe me. I don t lie any more. I m awful poor ! 
 He s rich, and always got plenty ! Ask him /" 
 
 " He is dead ! I need aid from some other source 
 now. It is very fortunate that I have discovered your 
 hiding-place just at this time. Come, the money !" 
 
 " Hah ! He is dead, hey ! Then I don t care a cent ! 
 I can snap my finger in your face ! Ha, ha ! He^s dead, 
 and nobody ll believe you /" 
 
 And the man did snap his fingers. He was highly 
 elated at the death of some one. " Go go !" he con 
 tinued, with a suddenly assumed dignity that was entire 
 ly unnatural to him. " I want to be free ! You clear 
 out ! You re nothing to me, no how and you can t 
 harm me in no way at all now ! Go ! This is not a nice 
 place for sich ladies as you ve been !" 
 
 " Not so fast, if you please !" retorted Florinda, with 
 increased determination. " Your memory is still good, 
 I presume ; and it is scarcely possible that you have so 
 
 soon forgotten the existence of . Ah ! You are 
 
 changing your expression, and do not look so defiant 
 now. A brave man you are, to quail at the mention 
 of so trifling an object as that. I once told you that I 
 intended to remind you of it some day when you least 
 
AN UNUSUAL CONFLICT. 121 
 
 expected. I have carried it with me ever since and 
 can produce it any time !" 
 
 " Let me have it, then !" he roughly demanded, and 
 approaching as if he would take it by force. 
 
 " I am not a fool !" sneered Florinda, unconsciously 
 pressing one hand against her bosom and involuntarily 
 shielding the object of contention. 
 
 " Ah, I see where it is ! In your dress !" exclaimed 
 the excited man, fumbling desperately in his pocket. 
 " This knife will open the way ! Let me have it, or you 
 die !" 
 
 They were already in conflict when the great, horny 
 fingers of Old Betz, who had been listening outside the 
 door, violently grasped the man s hair from behind, and 
 threw him sprawling upon the floor. And then, with 
 the simple ejaculation of "Hugh!" she urged Florinda 
 to go away. 
 
 "Not yet," cried Florinda. "I must have three 
 hundred dollars from him before I go a step !" She 
 then slammed to the door and bolted it to prevent 
 intrusion. 
 
 "Will that satisfy you?" panted the fallen man, 
 completely vanquished and eager to embrace a sudden 
 gleam of hope. " If I give you all that much money, 
 will you leave this place and never come back here no 
 more, long as you live ?" 
 
 Florinda thought an instant, and then said: "Give 
 me the money, and I will surely leave on the steamer 
 going down the river to-morrow. But I shall keep that 
 to remember you by !" 
 
 "Your life may be shorter n you xpect," he mut 
 tered but not quite loud enough for her to hear. 
 Upon regaining his feet, he audibly replied, " You shl 
 have the money. I can t give it to you now ; but meet 
 
122 
 
 me there by the square rock, below Mendota, at sun 
 down, and I ll bring you three hundred dollars all in 
 gold every cent of it sure s I live !" 
 
 Leonore s voice was then heard calling, and Florinda 
 left the shanty, after agreeing to the man s proposition. 
 Old Betz followed; but not until she had obtained a 
 drink of whisky, which she demanded of the crest-fallen 
 proprietor in ratification of the treaty just concluded 
 between him and Florinda. Then shrugging her shoul 
 ders, and uttering that inevitable grunt, she joined the 
 party as they were descending the hill. And when 
 they repassed the whisky-shanty, to embark in their 
 canoes, the proprietor hid himself from sight. 
 
 And then the excursionists floated down to the edge 
 of Dayton s Bluff, where they once more stepped ashore. 
 They were then near the entrance of the great Cavern 
 which Levasseur desired so much to see. Old Betz 
 seemed perfectly familiar with the interior of the won 
 derful place. The mouth was about ten feet wide and 
 five feet high ; and she led them through into the grand 
 chamber, which extended a considerable distance over a 
 floor of beautiful fine sand, to a lake of transparent 
 water. The Major threw a stone into the lake with all 
 his might, and, from the loud noise it made splashing in 
 the water, he imagined the expanse of distance to be 
 very large. But the darkness deterred them from see 
 ing far. 
 
 Xear the mouth of the cavern, they could perceive 
 many curious hieroglyphics of ancient origin, some of 
 them almost entirely concealed with growing moss. 
 And the cabalistic designs were inscribed upon walls of 
 a peculiar stone, which might be easily dug out with a 
 small knife. The singular formation was more like 
 pressed sand than solid stone. 
 
P ARRANT LEFT TO DIE! J23 
 
 Old Betz said that the bones of her ancestors were 
 lying in a mound above the cavern ; and she took them 
 around to a path by which they ascended the bluff and 
 there saw the old cemetery of the ancient Naudowessies. 
 She pointed out the resting-place of several great chiefs, 
 and particularly designated the exact spot where the 
 remains of her own father were laid several generations 
 ago. For that information the covetous old guide 
 wanted extra pay. Indeed, she expected additional com 
 pensation at every turn. But then a mere trifle at a 
 time would appease her avaricious craving. 
 
 It was after sundown some time, and the evening 
 twilight would soon fade in darkness, when the whisky- 
 seller landed from a canoe half a mile below Mendota, 
 and seemed to be waiting for some one. He finally en 
 sconced himself in a sandstone gorge of the bluff, and 
 sat there quietly until an Indian, with painted face and 
 soft step, emerged from concealment in the bushes a 
 short distance up the stream. 
 
 The Indian stealthily crept to the spot where the 
 whisky-seller was crouching, and suddenly pounced 
 upon him ! 
 
 A brief struggle and then the Indian left his victim 
 to die ! 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 PEEHAPS Kaskadino was an 
 unseen listener during the inter 
 view between Florinda and Par- 
 rant, in the shanty at Pig s Eye 
 landing. And inheriting the 
 stealthy cunning of his aborigi 
 nal " ancestoresses," it was quite 
 natural for him to make the 
 most of an available opportuni 
 ty. Therefore, while the whisky- 
 seller was ambushed in anticipa 
 tion of success in some design 
 upon Florinda, the half red-skin pounced upon him to 
 get possession of his gold. Rascal and rogue both 
 struggled desperately together. But the assailant was 
 vigorous and strong, and his victim at best rather feeble 
 in muscular strength. The result was fatal to the lat 
 ter ; and the former unintentionally left him for dead ! 
 
 Kaskadino then concealed the gold under a broken 
 rock, and hastened to wash his face in the river, intend 
 ing to immediately alarm the camp by an announcement 
 that he had just found the body of a murdered man. 
 
 
126 FRIENDSHIP OF OLD BETZ. 
 
 And as Tashae, his rival with Florinda, actually passed 
 that spot a short time before, he would boldly accuse 
 him of the crime. Such an accusation would seem all 
 the more probable when Tashae s knife might be found 
 with the body. 
 
 The rascal had stolen Tashae s knife only yesterday, 
 and accidentally lost it in the struggle with Parrant. 
 But there was a witness to the whole transaction. Old 
 Betz had restrained Florinda from a consummation of 
 her rash intention, by proposing to go alone and bring 
 either the gold or the Avhisky-seller himself into the 
 camp. 
 
 Florinda was naturally shrewd ; and yet, while the 
 experience of her life had been calculated to sharpen her 
 sagacity, she frequently allowed herself to be outwitted. 
 She might have surpassed Madame Zorah in deceit ; but 
 the latter was one of those dauntless women whom we 
 sometimes read of and very seldom meet in the every 
 day walks of life. 
 
 Personal fear never deterred Madame from confront 
 ing anything in human form. And her recent acquaint 
 ance with the savages and half-breeds of Selkirk Colony 
 had thoroughly familiarized her with rude and treach 
 erous people. Even Leonore, the beautiful flower of 
 sixteen, possessed more real courage than a dozen city 
 damsels all put together. But Leonore was not inor 
 dinately brave or daring by nature. And though cir 
 cumstances were tutoring her to combat with and to 
 resist the harsh realities of life, her manner was grace 
 ful, her voice soft, her touch gentle, while her laugh rang 
 in that silvery tone which rouses all the enthusiasm of a 
 susceptible heart. 
 
 Old Betz saw Kaskadino surprise Parrant ; and after 
 he hid the gold, she stealthily took it away. Hastening 
 
A LITTLE CONFUSION. 127 
 
 back to the camp, she gave the alarm herself, and also 
 declared that she had seen Kaskadino kill a man behind 
 the rocks. But upon leading the excited traders to the 
 place where the supposed murder had been committed, 
 she was made a butt for all manner of sarcasm and 
 verbal abuse, in consequence of no corpse being found. 
 And Kaskadino actually produced several witnesses to 
 prove that he was with them all the evening at a place 
 which they named, on the other side of Mendota. At 
 that time lying was common there. I can not say how 
 it is now. 
 
 Kaskadino was completely foiled, and Old Betz also 
 failed in her revenge. What then ? 
 
 Parrant s body disappeared; but not in his own 
 canoe ! The next day, when Kaskadino could not find 
 the gold, he immediately suspected Old Betz of taking 
 what he had stolen. And she gave the entire amount 
 to Florinda, who went away the following evening in 
 company with Levasseur, Madame Zorah and Leonore, 
 on board a St. Louis steamer. 
 
 Poor Tashae was left in the lurch. Having brought 
 Florinda down to Mendota at his own expense, purpose 
 ly to have a pleasant companion in the tedious journey 
 back to Red River, he was perfectly amazed when she 
 suddenly departed on board the steamer, without pre 
 viously intimating any such intention. He was mad, 
 and Kaskadino wild. 
 
 There seemed to be nothing reliable in Florinda s 
 affection, even after the perpetration of crime to ap 
 pease her jealousy. Perhaps moral philosophers are 
 wrong when they say that the affection of a woman at 
 thirty-five or forty is much stronger than the love of a 
 girl but half that age. And yet many occurrences of 
 peculiarity might be adduced to confirm the plausibility 
 
128 UNAVOIDABLE RESULTS. 
 
 of their theory. Observation has revealed to me a spe 
 cies of infatuated insanity a spasmodic manifestation 
 of love or affection sometimes remarkably intense, and 
 generally quite blind, which unmarried females of un 
 certain age and very sentimental predilection, are more 
 or less subject to. I have also noticed that an incipient 
 paroxysm of their untamed passions may suddenly be 
 come a perfect volcano; and then unaccountably and 
 prematurely ripen into an iceberg or a hypochondriac 
 simoom, to finally dissolve in the sea of despair, or van 
 ish on desert air. 
 
 However, in all probability, Florinda s past history 
 may not have been any more interesting than that of 
 numerous other adventuresses of the same class. She 
 certainly had a particular object in going to Selkirk 
 Colony, and subsequently made a desperate effort to 
 get a husband. And though deplorably unsuccessful 
 in that attempt, she rashly involved herself with Kas- 
 kadino so as to render the safety of a protracted sojourn 
 in the community where he lived somewhat precarious. 
 Under such circumstances, perhaps she acted prudently 
 in seeking a home elsewhere. 
 
 And thus the old story of social depravity was re 
 peating itself in connection with the early history of 
 civilization in the vicinity of that beautiful spot where 
 the populous city of St. Paul now stands. I shall not 
 attempt to estimate the quantity of maledictive vitupera 
 tion generated in the usually obdurate bosom of Tashae, 
 the fur-trader, by the total loss of both Florinda and 
 Leonore. Nor need I dwell upon the subsequent con 
 duct of Kaskadino, which clearly demonstrated his fixed 
 resolution to be revenged on Old Betz, if not on any 
 one else. 
 
 Half-breeds are sure to inherit some of the direst pas- 
 
LOVING AXD BELOVED. 129 
 
 sions of the Indian race but the venerable squaw was 
 full-blooded, and she displayed a greater degree of cun 
 ning than Kaskadino ever possessed. She could not be 
 outwitted by any number of Kaskadinos; and conse 
 quently he went back to the bosom of his family at Sel 
 kirk Colony, a wiser and a far more disagreeable hus 
 band and father than he ever was before. Tashae also 
 journeyed home again in a very melancholy humor. 
 
 Meanwhile, Parrant, the queer-eyed whisky-retailer, 
 disappeared from the vicinity of Im-in-i-jas-ka. And he 
 would never return ! 
 
 Madame Zorah and Leonore were going each to fill 
 one of those remarkable destinies which are at variance 
 with the course of common events. The future seemed 
 full of promise ; but the " boy god " still had plenty of 
 arrows in his quiver, and at least one more innocent 
 would eventually be added to the Golgotha of love ! 
 
 Major Levasseur, that polished man of the world, who 
 took them from the Colony, could not deny himself the 
 pleasure of possessing Leonore s confiding heart. But 
 her grandma counted on good fortune, and, regardless 
 of past experience, rashly allowed the tempter to ap 
 proach. 
 
 Levasseur was no amateur in the art of wooing. He 
 thoroughly understood the female heart; and erelong 
 the beautiful girl worshiped him more as a god than a 
 man. So handsome, so kind, so noble and so good ! 
 How could she help giving him all the pure love she 
 had to bestow ? And her grandmother spoke no words 
 of warning until it was too late. 
 
 They found a temporary home in St. Louis, where, for 
 
 a time, Leonore seemed very happy. Levasseur was 
 
 there, and she asked for nothing more. His caresses 
 
 banished all else from her mind. They were soon to be 
 
 G* 
 
130 NUPTIAL VOWS. 
 
 married ; and then she would be his wife. To-mor 
 row not to-day ! But Madame said it was dangerous 
 to wait. He offered one excuse for delay, and then 
 another. Marriage there was to be but what of the 
 marriage-day ? 
 
 Madame felt ugly and sour, and said something un- 
 unpleasant for Levasseur to hear. They nearly quar 
 reled, and Leonore threw her arms around his neck and 
 kissed him very sweetly, with words of persuasion that 
 he might gratify grandma. Pure, simple girl she did 
 not then fully comprehend the ultimate necessity of such 
 a ceremony in the light that grandma did ! Her educa 
 tion had been very imperfect in many particulars. 
 
 He could not refuse her so trifling a favor ; and one 
 evening a priest came to marry them. 
 
 Madame witnessed the ceremony, and then signed a 
 paper which purported to be executed in evidence of 
 their union. 
 
 Some months elapsed, and then Levasseur went away 
 on a journey, waving a kiss for his pretty one to be of 
 good spirits until he returned to caress her again. 
 
 They imagined that Levasseur s journey must be a 
 very long one, for he did not return. Days and weeks 
 passed, and still the idol of Leonore s heart remained 
 away ! While she sighed and wept, her grandma was 
 absorbed in deep meditation. Madame could not weep. 
 Her tears were exhausted long ago. Yet her brain was 
 alive. Full of thought, one day she sat like a statue, 
 gazing intently upon the floor until the wrinkles in her 
 face seemed to expand with the intensity of emotion. 
 What she was thinking about Leonore did not know. 
 But at length some fixed resolve inspired her to move. 
 
 Madame was not yet aware that Levasseur s pedigree 
 went back to the old Marquis Dupontavisse. She un- 
 
A FALSE PKIEST. 131 
 
 suspectingly saw the grandson of her deceased noble 
 morganatic husband take her grandchild for a bride ! 
 And by that marriage, what a strange confusion of re 
 lationship was begun ! A genealogist of great percep 
 tion and skill would be required to elucidate the con 
 sanguineous position of Levasseur and Leonore after 
 their matrimonial union ! 
 
 As if moved by a presentiment of something wrong, 
 Madame felt ill at ease when the brief and simple mar 
 riage ceremony was over. A vague comprehension of 
 the technicalities of law suggested that the husband 
 might not be effectually secured, after all. Yet she 
 kept her own thoughts to herself; and when Levasseur 
 did not return, she began to inquire of those who were 
 supposed to know whither he had gone. Her inquiries 
 were useless. And then a suspicion entered her mind. 
 But Leonore must not know what that suspicion was. 
 
 Without even the encouragement of a friend s advice, 
 Madame went forth to pursue her inquiries almost every 
 day ; and at length she was recognized very oddly by 
 a man in a state of intoxication, who sneeringly exulted 
 in her face. 
 
 " Where s your daughter ?" he stupidly hiccoughed, 
 with his arm wrapped around an awning-post in the 
 highway. " I say, old lady, why don t you reverence 
 the holy father who made her and the man she loved 
 flesh of one flesh and bone of one bone ? Come hither, 
 and receive my blessing. But first, you must confess ! 
 And if you ve got any loose change, I ll not decline a 
 respectable fee. A priest can t save your wicked soul 
 without remuneration. Ha hie ! No !" 
 
 His last articulation terminated with a violent surge, 
 that loosened his arm from the awning-post ; and a de 
 scending gyration rolled him at her feet. " Here s my 
 
TA-TANKA-NAJIN; or "Standing Buffalo." A Sioux 
 
 Chief, and friend of " Sweet Corr ;" both of whom 
 
 opposed the Massacre of 62. 
 
THE INEBRIATE ATTORNEY. ^33 
 
 card," he muttered, after gaining a comfortable position 
 in the gutter ! 
 
 Madame snatched the card from his nervous hand, 
 and read " Phineas O Brien, Attorney at Law" office 
 in such a street and at a designated number. 
 
 " Is this yours ?" she emphasized, without noticing 
 the presence of several persons who stopped to witness 
 the deplorable scene. 
 
 " I am the son of Michael O Brien, and I practice law 
 in the State of Missouri. Come and see me day after 
 to-morrow. I shall not go home till morning. Business 
 with the municipal police department may detain me 
 longer than I want to stay. But the majesty of the 
 law must be respected, even by those who live from its 
 frequent violation. I say the law must be respected !" 
 
 A policeman came up and accorded with O Brien s 
 declaration, by hoisting him off to the lock-up, without 
 even a word of explanation. 
 
 " You see I m wanted," jocosely hiccoughed O Brien, 
 with a parting leer at Madame, who stood transfixed 
 in mental confusion. " They ve sent for me now. The 
 case is that of the Municipality vs. Phineas O B. Call 
 day after to-morrow, and we ll see what can be done. 
 The law must be respected !" 
 
 Madame returned to Leonore ; but said nothing about 
 O Brien. She was chafing within, yet smiled to cheer 
 her drooping grandchild. And, pretending that she 
 expected to get intelligence from Levasseur in a few 
 days, she waited as patiently as possible until, in accord 
 ance with the inebriated lawyer s invitation, she called 
 at his office, and found him in. 
 
 Phineas was quite sober by that time, and received 
 Madame with evident confusion. She referred to his 
 awning-post declarations, and exhibited his card. At 
 
134 WORDS PLAINLY SPOKEN. 
 
 first he prevaricated just enough to rouse her metal. 
 She eyed him contemptuously, and then said : 
 
 " Mr. O Brien, do not trifle with a desperate woman ! 
 Aid me in obtaining justice, and I will not only over 
 look your complicity with that bad man, but guarantee 
 you a handsome reward 1" 
 
 Madame looked very resolute, and spoke with an em 
 phasis that he could not misunderstand. Pretending to 
 arrange his papers for a moment or so, he concluded to 
 receive a client in anticipation. 
 
 " Bad man !" quoth he, with a severe shrug, and push 
 ing back his chair. "We need not argue that point, 
 while he is so abundantly able to compensate those 
 who serve him. I fear that your reward can not equal 
 his." 
 
 " Mr. O Brien, you are aware of the penalty incurred 
 by personating a priest. And if I tell you that there is 
 a witness ready to identify you, perhaps my proposition 
 will be accepted." 
 
 " A witness ! That is impossible !" 
 
 " Very well ! In an hour s time we shall see ! Good- 
 by, Mr. O Brien !" 
 
 Madame instantly rose to depart, and Phineas ex 
 pressed a desire for her not to be in too much of a 
 hurry. 
 
 " Will you assist me, then ?" 
 
 " You forget that I might compromise myself in the 
 undertaking. He is rich, and you are poor. His money 
 can baffle justice itself. And who would believe your 
 story ?" 
 
 "Mr. O Brien, open the book before you, and see 
 what the law says in reference to that act of villainy on 
 your part. One witness beside myself, and the evi 
 dence of Leonore, who can identify you by that cast in 
 
 
THE TRUTH AT LAST. 
 
 135 
 
 your left eye, will be sufficient to insure your convic 
 tion. Where is Levasseur ?" 
 
 " Gone ! He is now entirely out of your reach !" 
 
 " I ask whither he has gone." 
 
 " To the City of New York. He is there with his 
 wife !" 
 
 Madame was unprepared for that announcement of 
 O Brien ; and she struggled to hide the sensation it 
 produced in her brain. After recovering, she inquired 
 how long he had known Levasseur. His reply was an 
 evasive shrug. She then asked when he was married, 
 to whom, and where ? 
 
 " Major Levasseur married the daughter of a wealthy 
 banker in New Orleans, at least six years ago !" 
 
 " How do you know all that ?" 
 
 " I was a clerk in her father s office at the time of their 
 marriage, and also witnessed the ceremony, in the 
 church of ." 
 
 " What church ?" eagerly demanded Madame. 
 
 " I do not remember," drawled O Brien. 
 
 " The banker s name ? You have not forgotten that !" 
 
 " My memory is very poor, and I forget many things." 
 
 " Villain ! Give me Levasseur s address in New 
 York." 
 
 " That is out of my power. I can not acquaint you 
 with what I do not know." 
 
 Phineas O Brien did put on the robes of a priest to 
 marry Major Levasseur and Leonore. There was some 
 thing between the rich man and the tippling lawyer. 
 A secret divulged might deprive Phineas of the com 
 mon privileges of a citizen. In St. Louis were many 
 dark-skinned slaves, whose masters could barter them 
 the same as common merchandise without any violation 
 of the laws. And Phineas claimed to be the son of 
 
136 
 
 Michael O Brien ; but his Creole mother was included 
 among the goods and chattels inventoried as part and 
 parcel of the estate of Levasseur s father-in-law, who 
 x died in Xew Orleans soon after the marriage of his only 
 daughter. Michael O Brien, Phineas father, was a 
 negro-trader, who made money and spent it, until his 
 temporal existence ended in a pauper s grave. 
 
 Phineas was born a slave ; but being a likely lad, and 
 very nearly white, he received an education fitting him 
 for the duties of a clerkship in the banking office of his 
 master, where he diligently occupied his leisure hours 
 in studying law. In Phineas, Levasseur found an in 
 strument adapted to his wants ; and, after taking the 
 banker s daughter for a wife, he negotiated for the vas 
 sal s freedom. Phineas subsequently practiced law in 
 New Orleans and finally established himself in St. Louis, 
 where he did a prosperous business until tippling ruined 
 his expectations. 
 
 When Levasseur arrived in St. Louis with his proteges 
 from Selkirk Colony, Phineas was quite out at the 
 elbows, and ready for participation in whatever might 
 promise a reward. His services were required. It was 
 not difficult for him to personate a priest. He could 
 adapt himself to almost any emergency when not mud 
 dled with strong drink. Money he would have for his 
 deception, and at the same time obey a command. 
 Obedience was necessary for one in his position. He 
 had been freed from bondage as an assessable chattel 
 but forgery, adroitly executed, was the price of his 
 liberty! From legal bondage he passed into the 
 clutches of the law. Levasseur could explain how the 
 transfer was performed, and who profited most there 
 from. Therefore, detection was to be dreaded in accord 
 ance with the ill-will of the master. But, debased as he 
 
 
REVENGE BETTER THAN LAW. 137 
 
 was, Phineas O Brien would have gladly exchanged his 
 present bondage for that which he had been liberated 
 from. 
 
 Madame was satisfied that Levasseur had deserted 
 them ! And then she went home to Leonore with a 
 heart full of conflicting emotions. And though it 
 might be utterly absurd to expect that the confiding 
 girl would ever realize her pleasant anticipations of 
 being a happy wife, the destroyer of all her future pros 
 pects in life should be made to suffer in some way, if 
 possible, for such a cruel wrong! The law seldom 
 reaches the villain who thus despoils the unsuspecting 
 and the pure. Madame knew that ; and she put no de 
 pendence in the law. She had long since learned that 
 only the rich and the influential can rely upon legal 
 issues. Her wits were trying to fix upon a scheme 
 more reliable than the law. 
 
 Revenge is sometimes very sweet to a malevolent 
 heart. Circumstances have ever been the incentives to 
 evil. But Madame was not of a malignant nature. In 
 girlhood none of her playmates were kinder to her than 
 she w r as to them. Yet that was a long time past ; and 
 the circumstances through which she had been living 
 and enduring since then, eventually made quite a differ 
 ent being of her in the autumn of life. Those whom she 
 once loved were false or in the grave. Indeed, the grave 
 held all her best love, save that for Leonore and she 
 would cheerfully re-endure the bitterest of past trials, if 
 to spare her. All the world to Madame was centred in 
 Leonore ! 
 
One " Good Little Injun Boy," elaborately Costumed, 
 
 and then Postured with some care, expressly 
 
 " to have his Photograph taken." 
 
CHAPTEK X. 
 
 MY childhood was passed 
 in a latitude not very remote 
 from the Tropics, and I recol 
 lect the month of November 
 there as always connected 
 with associations of inclement 
 weather. How different it is 
 here in St. Paul ! During the 
 lapse of that autumnal period 
 of the zodiacal calendar, I am 
 exuberantly enjoying the most 
 delicious atmosphere ever breathed by man ! 
 
 Indian-Summer occurs after the green foliage has been 
 seared by early frosts, and is then a brief and delightful 
 prelude to the season of inevitable ice and snow. It 
 appears like a dreamy seance of the elements of Nature 
 in sorrow for the smiling: summer that is dead and in 
 
 O 
 
 prayer for a safe transit through the gloomy Hades of 
 the winter to come. It is universally loved and praised 
 by all people who have an opportunity of realizing the 
 enjoyment of its sweet yet mournful smiles. But in no 
 
 
140 INDIAN-SUMMER IN MINNESOTA. 
 
 other land on the face of the globe, does it produce 
 anything like the enchantment experienced from it 
 here ! 
 
 Were I under the influence of opium, or mag 
 netized by that queer stuff sold in fancy drug stores 
 to create dreams of intoxicating bliss, my senses could 
 not realize emotions more delightful than those expe 
 rienced by me in my pleasant wandering to-day. But 
 while the sun shone intensely bright, and no clouds 
 darkened the sky, a luminous haze gently softened the 
 tranquil light. I was perplexed to understand how the 
 atmosphere could remain so perfectly pure and dry. 
 
 Here in Minnesota I perceive none of that irksome 
 inclemency which produces an unpleasant compromise 
 between arid heats and stormy chills so peculiar to more 
 Southern climes, and so intensely disagreeable in all 
 localities contiguous to the sea. Rain seldom falls in 
 November for when the summer solstice has been 
 attained, the clouds evaporate and become thin, and 
 almost entirely disappear, until they return in Decem 
 ber heavily laden with snow. Thus the earth is left 
 clean and dry after the sun recedes from the northern 
 pole, and, remaining in that condition, it forms a hard 
 bed for the snow-flakes in their fall. 
 
 To-night now in the third week of November I sit 
 writing, with the window of my apartment thrown wide 
 open ! And this is what they call Indian-Summer in 
 Minnesota ! The gas-light glare within is actually pain 
 ful to my imagination, while the beautiful moonshine 
 without seems as bright as day ! 
 
 The bell in a neighboring clock-tower tolls eleven; 
 and it is time that I should lay aside my pen. (I m sure 
 to hear the bells.) But I must look out through the 
 open casement a moment or two before going to bed. 
 
MOONLIGHT IN ST. PAUL. 141 
 
 First I will turn down the gas, so as to enjoy the lovely 
 scene all the better. 
 
 The tumult of traffic and the hubbub in the thorough 
 fares have died away, and, externally seen, the entire 
 city appears to be wrapped in slumber. Now I hear 
 the rumbling wheels of a belated omnibus passing in a 
 distant street, and presently even that sound does not 
 reach my ear. At intervals, a solitary pedestrian is 
 heard " tramping the planks " while homeward bound. 
 And the wakeful dogs are noisy to-night. What they 
 are all barking at, is a difficult conjecture. Possibly at 
 their own shadows, or perhaps at the seemingly prodig 
 ious moon. Dogs are very numerous in St. Paul ; and 
 sitting here, as I do now, their incessant noise might 
 annoy me, were my kind regard for them less. Let 
 them bark. For while the bells are so saddening, they 
 make me glad ! They are the only dumb creatures 
 whom God has imbued with a devoted affection for 
 man ! I have had good cause to appreciate their 
 sympathy and devotion, and never pass a respectable 
 individual of that species without desiring to salute him 
 in some friendly way. 
 
 I sit at the open window and contemplate the inter 
 esting scene until my eyes relinquish external vision, 
 and I gradually lose present consciousness in dreamy 
 retrospection. My mind wanders back through dim 
 and through vivid memories of the past, and fancy re 
 calls two remarkably coincidental events that occurred 
 in the City of New York just twenty years ago, and at 
 this very hour of the night ! 
 
 But instead of this clear sky and this balmy air, with 
 the moon shining sweetly upon the city in slumber, as 
 it now does here, a cold storm was then raging there. 
 The rain pattered upon the pavements with audible 
 
142 NIGHT IN A STORM. 
 
 sound, and splashed in the puddles and pools formed 
 where the flagging was low. A mist dim d the way 
 side lamps, and the atmosphere above seemed to be 
 smoky and red, as if all illum d by some distant fire ! 
 The green bottles in the druggist s window shed a sick 
 ly glare, suggestive of misery and woe. Gusts of wind 
 and rain swept around the corners and moaned among 
 the chimney-tops, while flapping awnings and banging 
 loose window-blinds and rickety doors ! It -was a" 
 cheerless night in the great metropolis. Few people 
 were to be seen in the gloomy streets, and the muffled 
 watchmen hugged their drenched garments about them 
 as they .slowly paced their wearisome rounds. 
 
 I know of nothing more dismal to a stranger than 
 the silent streets of a large city at midnight during the 
 prevalence of a storm ! The lone heart is depressed 
 with a sense of utter desolation, as if walking among 
 colossal tombs ! And though thousands of living peo 
 ple are breathing in slumber within the sombre walls so 
 near, a solemnity of feeling calls up imaginary visions 
 of eternity in death. 
 
 The scenery of an impenetrable forest, or of a track 
 less mountain wild, does not inspire such emotions as 
 those arising from a sight of the deserted highways of 
 a sleeping city ! Nature in repose may give rise to 
 thoughts sublime, while a contemplation of the works 
 of man, devoid of his presence to infuse them with life, 
 leads the beholder to a melancholy inference of ruin and 
 decay ! 
 
 The healthy and the prosperous were enjoying all the 
 comfort of life in-doors, little caring for the cold pelting 
 storm that was raging in the outer world. Love nes 
 tled in the arms of love, and affection dreamed of the 
 past and of happiness in store for to-morrow. Infants 
 
PEAYEES FOE THE DAWN. 143 
 
 reposed upon their sleeping mothers breasts, and pleas 
 ant smiles played around mothers lips, revealing the 
 joy they felt to have their sweet darlings there ! 
 
 Storm-beaten walls concealed the luxury and the hap 
 piness the misery, the want, the sorrow, and the pain 
 experienced within. Palaces yonder, and garrets there 
 and damp cellars beneath the town ! For where so 
 many breathe the same air, the rich and the poor must 
 be very near each other. The greatest and the proud 
 est are but mortals even there ! And as time continues 
 to come and go, not all the wealth in the world can 
 keep the ills of human kind from the proud millionaire 
 who scorns the penniless beggar. 
 
 And the storm-wind howled among the house-tops 
 while the rain drops continued to fall upon the great 
 city, where lights dimly shone from windows that told 
 of sickness and constant watching, and of prayers for 
 the dawn of day. 
 
 Through the casement of a mansion where the affluent 
 are wont to dwell, an unusual light poured out between 
 the elegant lace curtains draping the gold-trimmed 
 screen. Then a carriage dashed around the next street 
 corner, and drew up before the mansion-door. An 
 eminent physician alighted and rang the bell furiously 
 for admission. The door opened and he disappeared 
 within ! 
 
 Down in the city, another unusual light was seen at a 
 miserable tenement house on a shabby street. From 
 out the dingy attic window in the rear, a feeble ray of 
 light scarcely made a shadow upon the opposite wall. 
 But no carriage, nor even a humble physician, hastened 
 to that wretched abode. The occupants of the attic 
 room were too poor for indulgence in the expense of 
 medical skill. 
 
144 GIRL-MOTHER AND CHILD. 
 
 In the corner of the room stood a cheap cot-bed. An 
 old woman sat beside the cot, anxiously and tenderly 
 nursing a young girl who had just become a mother. 
 Anon the girl-mother fell asleep. 
 
 And then the old woman sighed and murmured : 
 "It s all over now! Poor girl! How cruel it was for 
 one like thee ! And to think that I am to blame for all 
 thy suffering and thy sorrow ! Oh, w T hy did I so play 
 the fool?" 
 
 Silently pondering a while, with her eyes fixed upon 
 the bare floor, and mechanically swaying her body, she 
 scowled. " There must be some way for revenge, and 
 I ll try and study it out ! He is rich, and we are here 
 in want !" 
 
 A slight movement of the sleeping mother silenced 
 the old woman s tongue. But all was well. 
 
 " Poor girl poor girl !" she mused. " If I thought 
 the fate of thy babe would be no better than my own, 
 or thy mother s, or thine, I d strangle it while asleep, 
 and not let it live to see the light of day. Ah, me ! 
 This is a hard world to some ! Yes, yes ! But what 
 can we do ?" 
 
 Then the old woman sank into a quiet reverie again 
 swaying her body, and occasionally breathing a deep 
 sigh, with frequent glances of anxiety toward the girl- 
 mother and her babe, who continued in slumber. 
 
 A violent gust of wind startled her, and blew the 
 stuffing out of the broken window-pane. The rain 
 splashed in upon the sleepers faces, but did not waken 
 them. She quickly reclosed the opening and relapsed 
 into an audible expression of what was passing in her 
 mind. 
 
 " If there is any mercy for the poor, we sadly need it 
 now. They may send for me to-morrow, to-night this 
 
"BETTER THAT THAN STAEVE !" 145 
 
 very hour ! And I must leave her here alone, to go and 
 nurse some rich and happy wife. But that is our only 
 chance. Oh, how cruel it is ! Yet we must have 
 money ; and the compensation that I shall receive from 
 the rich lady for nursing her, will provide food and 
 shelter for this poor, deserted girl ! Better that than 
 starve !" 
 
 A loud knocking terminated the old woman s solilo 
 quy, and startled the slumbering girl-mother and her 
 babe! 
 
 " Good ebenin ! Oney Sancho dat s all !" said a 
 well-clad and extremely courteous mulatto man, who 
 stood at the door when the old woman opened it with a 
 trembling hand. 
 
 "Missus taken suddenly bery ill, an wants de nuss, 
 right way now, dreckley !" 
 
 " I was fearful of this," muttered the old woman to 
 herself. And then she said aloud to Sancho : " Wait 
 and show me the way." 
 
 " Sartinley ! Do dat wid tic ler pleasure !" replied 
 Sancho, looking round for a chair. But, seeing none, 
 he slowly shook his head with a look of compassion, and 
 glanced inquiringly at the cot. 
 
 The old woman hurriedly put on her shawl to accom 
 pany Sancho, and whispered to the girl-mother that it 
 would soon be daylight, when probably some of the 
 lodgers on the same floor might look in. She would run 
 back the first moment she could get away ! 
 
 With kisses and tears she murmured, " God bless you 
 and watch over you until I return !" 
 
 Sancho escorted her to his master s mansion. It was 
 the same that the physician entered a little while 
 before. Presenting her to the housekeeper, he said : 
 
 " Dis am Madum Zoree !" 
 7 
 
A DESPERATE RESOLVE. 147 
 
 Madame Zorah was her name ! And the girl-mother 
 whom she had just left in the attic without a nurse, was 
 her grand-daughter Leonore. 
 
 They had very little money left after arriving in the 
 metropolis, and securing a comfortable lodging. Three 
 rooms, snugly-furnished, made them a tidy home. They 
 did not stop at a boarding-house. Madame entertained 
 an unconquerable aversion for that style of living ; and 
 so became housekeeper in a small way. 
 
 Meanwhile she sought revenge for Leonore. A wild, 
 mad resolve for a poor old woman in a great, populous 
 city ! Yet desperate as it was, a powerful incentive 
 urged her on; and she solemnly vowed that the de 
 stroyer should make amends or bitterly rue the wrong. 
 
 Major Levasseur s name was not in the published city 
 directory, and she found no one who could give her any 
 information of such a man. Their slender purse was 
 getting more so every day. But Madame persevered 
 in the search until her hope seemed entirely gone. 
 
 Down in the world, and nearly buried with despair, 
 she was unable to make a satisfactory return to the 
 agent who called on rent-day for the monthly sum in 
 advance. Poor people in New York are required to 
 pay their rent in that way. Cash down in advance was 
 not particularly objectionable to Madame, while she 
 had the money in her purse. And old as she was, with 
 all the experience of so many sharp vicissitudes, en 
 dured with more or less suffering and distress, she 
 hoped that the agent would wait a few days longer. 
 Something might turn up to-morrow. When she found 
 Levasseur, he must make them comfortable, if nothing 
 more. Perhaps he might ! But how long would she be 
 finding him? 
 
 House agents are not addicted to leniency. And 
 
148 A HEART OF STONE. 
 
 why? Ask landlords house owners. Perhaps they 
 can tell ! Their code and practice is pay or go. Mad 
 ame endeavored to explain, and then she implored : 
 
 " For Heaven s sake, do show us a little mercy now !" 
 
 But the agent never gave himself any concern about 
 the place which she mentioned. His better feelings 
 were dried up before Madame offered her prayers. He 
 had seen beautiful girls turned into the street without 
 a home, and he had shut his ears against the moans of 
 infirm women crouching in corners, hungry and cold ! 
 Prayers and entreaties had no more effect upon him 
 than the dissonant sound of the fish-man s horn. His 
 business was to collect money. 
 
 Leonore s beauty and Madame s wrinkles were all the 
 same to his eyes. Neither joy nor sorrow met a feeling 
 response from him! A deceitful, Bringing smile with 
 the bill, and a sickly obeisance when the money touched 
 his palm, or a half-fiendish grimace when the money was 
 not there ! 
 
 Madame must move herself, or the merciless agent 
 would call in the constable, who was anxious to come. 
 She did move into a miserable attic room. But even 
 that could not be accomplished without money; and 
 the no less unfeeling furniture-broker took nearly all 
 they had at his own price. Perhaps not a third of 
 what it should have been. 
 
 Intelligence offices ! Well, what of them ? They are 
 all at best very delusive institutions. The cunning 
 managers generally receive remunerative compensation 
 from both employer and employee, and sometimes make 
 it convenient to swindle one while deceiving the other. 
 Madame had dealt with similar mediums in Paris and 
 also in London, but under different circumstances then. 
 Necessity now drove her to one again. She desired a 
 
 
COMMON WRONGS. 
 
 149 
 
 position as nurse. References would be required, and 
 she had none to give. 
 
 "I might accommodate you with everything," sug 
 gested the manageress of the institution to which she 
 applied. " I suppose I could do such a favor, if you are 
 willing to pay for it. I have a number of excellent rec 
 ommendations in my possession. Applicants left them 
 here, and forgot to take them away. You can be 
 trusted, I presume ? Should the matter come to light, 
 my reputation would suffer. I am very careful of my 
 reputation. Most of the fashionables rely upon my 
 word in matters of this kind. Say five dollars for an 
 engagement, and ten for testimonials you understand ? 
 Fifteen dollars down !" 
 
 The pawnbroker ,loaned precisely fifteen dollars on a 
 valuable ring that Leonore inherited from her dear 
 mother. It was all they had to pawn and then, if the 
 intelligence office failed, Madame might well ejaculate, 
 " Heaven help them !" But, luckily, a great lady ap 
 plied that very day. The lady was not much acquainted 
 in the city, and trustingly sent out her housekeeper to 
 engage a nurse. 
 
 Housekeepers are not always sincerely interested in 
 the welfare of those from whom they receive pay to 
 serve. All the better for employees seeking a place. 
 Consequently, the matter was arranged without any 
 questions asked or reference given ! 
 
 Madame was duly notified that a lady had engaged 
 her. The lady s name was not mentioned, and she did 
 not think to inquire. She was very glad to get the en 
 gagement, and it made no difference to her whom the 
 lady might be. Her services would be required at any 
 moment. She must hold herself ready to attend with 
 out further warning. 
 
150 FLORINDA S NEW HOME. 
 
 And Sancho, the colored man, did summons her while 
 she sat watching over Leonore, whose babe was not yet 
 an hour old. But when Sancho announced her name to 
 the housekeeper, there was a mutual surprise ! If the 
 arrangement at the intelligence office had not been so 
 loosely perfected, an unpleasant meeting might have 
 been avoided ! 
 
 Very unexpectedly, Madame stood face to face with 
 Florinda, the Canadian adventuress, who exulted in the 
 death of Leonore s dear mother at Selkirk Colony. But 
 Madame did not know all that. She never suspected 
 anything criminal in the conduct of Florinda and the 
 last she had seen of her was in St. Louis, where they 
 parted, after voyaging together down the Mississippi 
 River. 
 
 Madame simply manifested surprise, and really expe 
 rienced much pleasure in meeting some one in the great 
 metropolis whom she had at least seen before. Florinda 
 was no less surprised ; but at the same time exhibited 
 confusion and alarm. She evidently wanted to prevent 
 Madame going up stairs ; and her wits were already at 
 work inventing a ruse to get her out of the house en 
 tirely. But at that moment the physician s voice was 
 heard impatiently inquiring if the nurse had come ! 
 
 Madame hastened up stairs into a luxurious chamber, 
 and stood at the bedside of a beautiful lady with a 
 newly-born babe, leaving Florinda speechless in the 
 hall. 
 
 " You are the nurse ?" said the physician, looking 
 wisely over the top of his heavy gold-framed glasses. 
 " Quiet very quiet ! She is dozing now ! You have 
 been tardy ! Ahem ! This powder will make her sleep 
 again when she wakes. The brown powder not the 
 white ! Allow no one to enter the room until I return 
 
POKTEAIT ON THE WALL. 151 
 
 in the morning. Much depends upon your experience 
 and attention, as well as upon my skill. She is nerv 
 ous ! Very!" 
 
 The physician moved out of the chamber with an air 
 of conscious distinction. His carriage was waiting for 
 him, and he demurely rode away. 
 
 Then Madame bent over the unconscious lady and 
 gazed some time upon her beautiful pale face. What a 
 contrast in the position of that great lady and the con 
 dition of poor Leonore ! Madame felt it all. The easy 
 couch, with its fine linen and its orange-colored silk 
 counterpane. Pillows of goose-down, with deep lace 
 border. A magnificent canopy of blue silk drapery 
 fringed with gold. Costly rosewood elaborately carved, 
 supporting all. Rich velvet carpet, noiseless to the 
 tread. Elegant cabinets, colossal mirrors, and decora 
 tive works of art. Pictures aye, and a large portrait 
 in a massive frame over the mantel. A portrait of 
 whom? 
 
 Madame s eyes wandered from one object to another 
 until a sight of the portrait caused her to start with 
 intense wonder and surprise ! Her features relaxed, her 
 chin fell, and her eyes gleamed strangely wild ! She 
 seemed to be overcome with a dizziness, and, wiping the 
 cold perspiration from her forehead, she appeared older 
 by several years ! Choking a moment, she groaned, 
 " Levasseur !" 
 
 And, like an evil spirit, Florinda was lurking outside 
 the door, which stood slightly ajar; and a derisive smile 
 relaxed the compression of her lips when she stealthily 
 perceived that Madame already recognized the portrait 
 on the wall ! 
 
CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 Two babes were born at the 
 same hour ! One in a palatial 
 mansion, the other amid poverty 
 and want ! Lady Levasseur be 
 came a mother, and so did poor 
 Leonore ! But the lady s daugh 
 ter would be an heiress, and the 
 orphan girl s child must be un- 
 blest with a father s name ! 
 
 The rich mother lay sleeping 
 upon her luxurious couch, while 
 Leonore s bed was a miserable cot. 
 And was it any wonder, then, that Madame began to 
 hate Lady Levasseur, the beautiful wife of the man who 
 deceived and deserted her grand-daughter ? 
 
 She bent over the sleeping wife, and sat for a time 
 absorbed in meditation. A train of thoughts came up 
 in her mind. She had found Major Levasseur at last ! 
 But where, and how? Did he love his wife? Was 
 his wife s love for him equal to that of Leonore ? Could 
 the elegant lady love as devotedly as the simple girl ? 
 Perhaps she did not love him at all. Many rich hus- 
 
154 MARRIAGE WITHOUT LOVE. 
 
 bands had wives who returned them no love ! It was 
 customary for a lady to marry the wealthiest gentleman 
 she could get. Indeed, husbands were frequently of 
 less importance than their wealth ! Any rich man not 
 already married, was a desirable object to catch ! 
 
 Madame knew all that. She had been only a mor 
 ganatic bride; but the experience of an eventful life 
 taught her lessons never dreamed of by an unloving or 
 a devoted wife whose marriage was sanctified by holier 
 rites and maintained by law. Mothers educated their 
 daughters for a market. They were instructed how to 
 be attractive, and thoroughly schooled in all the mod 
 ern arts of flirtation. Maneuvering mammas diligently 
 assisted in conjugating the active verb catch, without 
 any consideration whatever for that necessary little con 
 junction and, which joins it to the more important sub 
 stantive keep. 
 
 * No matter about love ! That might not realize dia 
 monds and costly dresses ! Love was not reciprocated 
 in every fine mansion ! Pretension frequently brought 
 much more luxury than that awarded to the purest 
 love! 
 
 Madame believed that love was seldom found among 
 the rich ! She never experienced much aifection for any 
 one except her daughter, who was dead, and for her 
 darling Leonore. She had seen a great many married 
 people who pretended vastly more than they ever estab 
 lished by their questionable habits of life ! Her opinion 
 of society was extremely prejudiced from early associa 
 tion and disappointment in after years. Others have 
 adduced a similar conclusion by even pleasanter evi 
 dence than hers ! 
 
 Madame s heart was very bitter! She hated all the 
 world. All except Leonore, and her babe that was just 
 
 
A DESPERATE RESOLVE. 155 
 
 born. She almost devoured Lady Levasseur s beautiful 
 features as the latter lay wrapt in slumber. How could 
 she destroy that beauty, and wean the Major s love en 
 tirely from her all for Leonore ? That babe would be 
 rich, and Leonore s poor ! There must be some way to 
 rob her for the sake of Leonore ! She would shrink 
 from nothing that might accomplish Leonore s ascend 
 ancy over the wife. A thousand undeveloped thoughts 
 flitted through her half-delirious mind. 
 
 If that wife was dead, would Levasseur take Leonore 
 back again to his arms ? He might ! Well, what 
 then ? Madame glanced furtively round the elegant 
 chamber. Her dim eyes gleamed with some sinister 
 intention. She was meditating evil ! 
 
 All alone ! Quiet ! Very still ! The storm beat 
 against the glass in the window, and a faint moan went 
 up the chimney with the heavy draft from the bright 
 grate-fire ! The breathing of mother and babe was 
 audible to her ear, and the ticking of the mantel-clock 
 went regular and clear ! 
 
 Holding her own breath, she rose as if in a dream ! 
 Placing one hand to her forehead to ease a painful 
 throb, she convulsively twirled the other hand and 
 twisted its fingers. Staggering to the marble edge of 
 a costly escritoire, she took up one of the tiny papers 
 of powder left there by the physician before he went 
 away ! Opening it, she smiled just a little, and stood a 
 moment to reflect. But gradually raising her eyes, 
 they alighted upon the portrait of Levasseur. His look 
 seemed to divine her thoughts, and she dropped the 
 tiny paper, spilling the white powder upon a satin-cov 
 ered chair ! Still she kept her gaze riveted upon the 
 glowing canvas, as if petrified by his discovery of the 
 wicked design just then in her heart ! 
 
156 SAVED BY A PICTTJKE. 
 
 Florinda, the housekeeper, was meanwhile hovering 
 near. After disappearing from her first position, she 
 went into the dressing-room by another entrance, and 
 there availed herself of the keyhole in the door com 
 municating with the chamber. She must have been 
 greatly concerned about Madame s unexpected entrance 
 into the Levasseur mansion else why did she act in 
 that strange w ay ? 
 
 The exciting circumstances attending Madame s expe 
 rience of the night, prevented any inquiries on her part ; 
 and thus far she remained totally ignorant of the means 
 by which Florinda gained the position of housekeeper 
 for Levasseur, while she and Leonore had been de 
 serted ! 
 
 Madame really had no distinct idea of anything ex 
 cept that she was then in Levasseur s house alone with 
 his wife and her babe who were reposing in luxury, 
 while Leonore and her child lay upon a comfortless cot 
 in the squalid attic, unattended by nurse or friend. 
 She keenly realized the wide contrast ! And with bit 
 ter contemplation of the extreme difference in their 
 position, she was almost immediately transformed into 
 a fiend ! Nearly delirious with the intensity of anger, 
 jealousy and hate that were surging in her heart and 
 whirling in her brain, from the complication of events 
 which had taken place during the last hour, she rashly 
 thought of poison ! But casually perceiving the picture 
 against the wall, she was terrified by w T hat seemed to 
 be the living eyes of Levasseur. Their piercing stare 
 went to her heart, and the powder dropped from her 
 hand! 
 
 At that instant Florinda softly entered through the 
 communicating door, and with aVhispered hush took 
 her by the arm. She was very much bewildered, and 
 
 
BRIBES REFUSED. 157 
 
 mechanically followed Florinda into the dressing-room, 
 where they remained some time whispering together. 
 Florinda proposed that she should resign her engage 
 ment before Lady Levasseur awoke. Her compensation 
 should be doubled and tripled, if she went quietly away 
 and did not return ! There were good reasons for such 
 a change. The Major would probably come home from 
 Washington the ensuing day, and if he should find 
 Madame installed in his connubial sanctum, a hazardous 
 denouement must be expected. 
 
 Florinda argued the case with a great deal of cunning, 
 but instead of inducing Madame to withdraw, she only 
 roused suspicions against herself. And then Madame 
 wanted to know how Florinda came to be there in the 
 position of housekeeper. But that question was not 
 answered quite clearly. And so Madame decided to 
 remain precisely where she was. If Florinda chose to 
 betray her in any way, she comforted herself with the 
 possibility of some severe retaliation ! 
 
 Leonore s wrongs demanded reparation, and if the 
 lord of the mansion did not acknowledge her claim, his 
 wife should know all. Madame included that desperate 
 alternative in a new resolution instigated by the anxiety 
 of Florinda. Instead of meditating harm to Lady Le 
 vasseur, she would be used to circumvent her own hus 
 band. His conduct should guide Madame s course of 
 action ! If he denied the claim of Leonore woe betide 
 him then. 
 
 Florinda and Madame were becoming enemies. They 
 spoke pleasantly to each other, and both endeavored to 
 conceal the animosity goading them within. But ulti 
 mately their mutual deception would not succeed. 
 However, their interview was terminated by Lady Le 
 vasseur waking from sleep. And as Madame felt the 
 
158 A HOUSEKEEPER S LETTER. 
 
 awkwardness of her position, she asked Florinda for an 
 introduction. 
 
 A very unusual scene but apparently correct. Only 
 a faint smile welcomed Madame. No matter ; she had 
 a bold game to play, and resolved not to wince until 
 the stakes were entirely lost. She really had nothing 
 to lose, and everything to gain. In any event, she 
 could not worse her own condition or that of Leonore. 
 
 Madame began the duties of nurse, while Florinda 
 went to her own room and wrote a letter to the Major, 
 who intended to return from Washington as soon as he 
 received notice of the event in expectation. Florinda 
 had been instructed to notify him by telegram. In that 
 she was then complete master of the situation. 
 
 Levasseur was pushing a negotiation with the Gov 
 ernment, and did not wish to leave the capital until he 
 attained the desired ultimatum. Florinda had familiar 
 ized herself with his affairs sufficiently to warrant her 
 in taking more liberty than an ordinary housekeeper 
 would dare attempt ; and she wrote him a very business 
 like letter. It ran thus : 
 
 " My lady has presented you with a little daughter. 
 But I am sure you will pardon me for not telegraph 
 ing immediately when I tell you that, through some 
 unfortunate fatality attending the engagement of her 
 nurse at the intelligence office, old Madame Zorah, Leo- 
 nore s grandmother, has been sent to wait upon my 
 lady ! You are amazed at this announcement ; but 
 cannot be any more so than I was when Sancho brought 
 her in. I tried all prudent means to get her out of the 
 house before she even saw my lady, but neither persua 
 sion nor the offer of money had the least influence what 
 ever. Of course she recognized your beautiful portrait 
 over the mantel, and is now in my lady s chamber, im- 
 
159 
 
 patient to meet yon on your return. Therefore, if I 
 may be allowed to offer advice, yon had better not pre 
 cipitate yourself into domestic trouble at least not 
 while my lady is in such a delicate condition. Remain 
 away for a time, and I will do my best to dispose of the 
 old witch. I might have acted more decisively; but 
 as she evidently suspects me of personal motives, it is 
 best that I should rely mainly upon finesse. Write to 
 my lady on receipt of this, and feign a good excuse for 
 your provoking detention. The old thing tells me that 
 Leonore is not in the city ; but declines to reveal the 
 girl s retreat. You may depend upon my fidelity at all 
 hazards, and I shall anxiously await your reply." She 
 also added, " Fondly and eternally yours !" 
 
 At an early hour in the morning Sancho was dis 
 patched to the General Post Office with the letter, so 
 that it might go out in the first mail. 
 
 Madame asked to be excused also at an early hour in 
 the morning. She would not be absent long. But igno 
 rance of the streets somewhat embarrassed her speedy 
 flight to Leonore. However, she was fortunate enough 
 to meet Sancho returning from the Post Office, and he 
 cheerfully escorted her the right way. 
 
 Leonore received her grandma with a smile, and their 
 arms were instantly entwined about each other s neck. 
 Baby was doing well ; but presently Madame s eyes 
 lighted up with some sudden thought while she affec 
 tionately scrutinized its scarcely defined features. She 
 was in a rare humor, and fairly cackled to herself with 
 the new idea in her mind. She did not tell Leonore 
 what made her so jubilant and it was well for her 
 scheme that she did not. 
 
 A poor widow occupying the next attic was employed 
 to nurse Leonore; and with another scene of mutual 
 
iAF J* 
 
 Miniiehalia Falls, as sceu from the Miuueapolis side. 
 
EXPIATION FOR LEVASSEUR ! 161 
 
 kisses and tears, the girl-mother and her grandma sepa 
 rated again. 
 
 Madame chuckled as she went out, and then cackled 
 to herself all the way down stairs. She was felicitating 
 herself upon a terrible expiation for Major Levasseur ! 
 
 " Just the same age and both girls !" she mused, in 
 the exuberance of her feeling. "No one could tell 
 them apart if they were placed together. Their own 
 mothers would be none the wiser if I should change 
 them ! If I should ? And why not ? Our child has 
 as much right to be an heiress as theirs ! But one of the 
 children can lawfully inherit their father s name and 
 wealth, and and that one shall be Leonoras!" 
 
 Florinda asked Sancho why he had been absent so 
 long ; and in his simple goodness he not only boasted 
 of showing Madame to her squalid home, but sorrow 
 fully added : 
 
 "Ah, some us rich folks don t know how orf l bad 
 off dem ar poor critters am in de low streets and alleys, 
 and down cellar, and way up in de garrets, dar. I seed 
 a lady dat am lub lee as a angel. She was li n in Mad- 
 urn Zoree s bed, an I spec she had a little small chile ! 
 Old Sancho s heart felt berry sad to seem em dar widout 
 any konweniences ob life !" 
 
 And thus Florinda learned that Leonore was in the 
 city notwithstanding her grandma s assertion to the 
 contrary. But she did not clearly comprehend San 
 cho s intimation of the unhappy girl s maternal con 
 dition. However, she immediately penned another 
 letter to the Major, and then nervously waited for 
 whatever might occur. 
 
 Lady Levasseur was rather pleased with her nurse - 
 which might not have been expected, when Madame s 
 coarse face appeared so very masculine. But she en- 
 
162 WARNING FOE RICH MOTHERS. 
 
 deavored to make a favorable impression by the earnest 
 ness of her attention ; and the first few days passed 
 without any external sign of the terrible mischief then 
 brewing. There might have been a sudden fluttering 
 in Madame s heart whenever she heard the street-door 
 bell ring in expectation of the Major s return; but only 
 Florinda could even imagine that. Lady Levasseur s 
 future life was not yet darkened by the slightest shadow 
 of impending harm. 
 
 More than a week elapsed, and still the Major did not 
 return. Madame wondered why ; but prudence forbade 
 inquiry. She knew that Florinda was corresponding 
 with him daily that Lady Levasseur received letters 
 from him, and employed her housekeeper to write the 
 answers. She was cognizant of that only. Little did 
 she imagine that Florinda was playing a desperate part. 
 Both deeply interested in the consummation of their 
 own plans, they did not anticipate the scheming of each 
 other. 
 
 The hour at length arrived for Madame to execute 
 the first act of her revenge. Florinda accepted an invi 
 tation to spend the day with a lady in Jersey City who 
 lived there in great style from the proceeds of a remu 
 nerative " Clairvoyant " occupation. It was a pleasant 
 afternoon, and Madame suggested that a little fresh air 
 would be extremely beneficial to the baby. Lady Le 
 vasseur did not object. Ladies of her position seldom 
 allow maternal solicitude and attention to occupy their 
 minds. They too often leave their tender offspring 
 entirely in charge of hirelings who rarely have any 
 heart in the task. 
 
 Lady Levasseur was naturally an affectionate mother. 
 But her whole existence had not yet become identified 
 with that of her babe. And why ? Because she was 
 
THE INFANTS CHANGED ! 163 
 
 not necessarily actuated by those tender sympathies 
 which are fully developed in mothers whom humbler 
 circumstances compel to act and feel with all the capa 
 cities of body and mind. Therefore, Madame could do 
 whatever she thought best. 
 
 Cackling with almost fiendish delight, Madame hur 
 ried away to Leonore in the attic room. The widow 
 woman who nursed Leonore was sent off on a long 
 errand. Then telling Leonore that she did not look as 
 well as usual, it was not difficult to make her swallow 
 three of the sleeping powders that were left by the 
 physician after the accouchement of Lady Levasseur. 
 A narcotic dose powerful enough to stupefy any one ! 
 But Leonore must sleep very sound. And then Madame 
 cackled again while hastening back to the Levasseur 
 mansion. 
 
 The lawful heiress to Major Levasseur s name and 
 wealth was in Madame s arms, and it went out through 
 the massive rosewood door never to return ! 
 
 Leonore seemed dead to all the world when her 
 grandma brought in Lady Levasseur s child. And then 
 the first act of a drama in real life and sorrow was there 
 performed! Quickly disrobing both infants, Madame 
 clad the nameless progeny of the beautiful orphan in 
 the costly apparel of the baby heiress ! She then 
 wrapped the other in the plain clothes and tucked it up 
 in bed! 
 
 Both babes were kicking and crowing, and seemed 
 to enjoy the change that might be dooming them to 
 misery in their future lives. 
 
 But Madame scowled cruelly upon the little one left 
 at the side of Leonore, while vehemently kissing the 
 other, whom she hugged up to her bosom. Then she 
 hurried back again to the mansion, carrying with her 
 
164 INSTINCT OF A MOTHEE. 
 
 Leonore s child. She suddenly ceased her cackling at 
 the mansion door for Dinah, the colored wife of Sancho, 
 answered the bell and grinned a welcoming salutation. 
 
 " Young misse kum home gin ! Lor bress her nice, 
 swete, preshus sef ! An not bin ride n in de caridge, 
 need r. Massa mus get a bran new wun for is lubly 
 darter, right away. Yes, indeed-ee, he mus ! Bress er 
 purty pictur she s good fur sore eyes !" 
 
 Dinah pulled the child s mantle off its face, and that 
 made Madame feel nervous. But she was much more 
 agitated a moment later, when Lady Levasseur kissed it 
 and embraced it as her own. 
 
 And then Madame must see Leonore safely out of 
 that deep slumber. It would not take long to run 
 down there. So, pretending to have dropped some 
 thing at a store where she had not even been, Madame 
 flew back to finish up the attic scene. 
 
 Leonore was already awake and staring at the child 
 by her side. 
 
 " What now ? Have your senses left you, or are you 
 dreaming ?" began Madame, in a kind and innocent tone. 
 
 " Where is my darling ?" gasped Leonore, bewildered 
 and in tears. " This is not mine !" 
 
 " How absurd ! Why, you silly goose, not to know 
 your own child ! Forsooth, here s a model mother ! I 
 don t wonder it laughs at you so !" 
 
 " Oh, no, grandma that is not my babe ! Take it 
 away !" shuddered Leonore. 
 
 " Bah ! See its clothes and that pretty cap made 
 by your own hands. Surely you are not insane ! Its 
 mamma disowns it eh ? She does ?" 
 
 " Oh, dear grandma, there is something wrong ! I 
 shudder when I touch its little hands. See, its flesh 
 does not feel like that of my darling! Oh, it is all 
 
A STRANGE IMPRESSION. 165 
 
 strange to me! Please do take it away, and bring 
 back mine !" 
 
 Leonore wept aloud. She shrank back and shud 
 dered instead of embracing the child. " Take it away, 
 and return mine !" she continued to cry. 
 
 Madame began to feel alarmed. She tried scolding 
 without avail, and then soothing persuasion. 
 
 The poor widow returned and Madame appealed to 
 her. 
 
 "She has been dreaming," laughed Madame; "and 
 now she don t know her own babe. Look she says it 
 is not hers !" 
 
 The poor widow was deceived by the likeness ; and 
 she also laughed at Leonore s impression. Then they 
 both tried to convince her that she was mistaken. But 
 all to no purpose. She possessed the rare instinctive 
 perception of a mother! And Madame was finally 
 obliged to leave her sobbing in grievous distress ! 
 
 The little innocent laughed and crowed to see Leo 
 nore s face all suifused with tears ; and its meaningless 
 smile actually pierced her heart not with rebuke for 
 her aversion, but like a sting of jealousy from some 
 vague source through its unimpassioned gaze. And 
 when she refused it the nourishment of her breast, the 
 poor widow looked on perfectly amazed. 
 
 " I can perceive the image of a beautiful blonde lady 
 reflected in its eyes !" Leonore shiveringly cried " and 
 she scowls at me ! Oh, do take it away !" 
 
OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF A 
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 : - * - 
 
 
 ASPASIA and Cleopatra were both 
 remarkable exemplifications of sue* 
 cessful beauty. Since their time, 
 many other women have attained 
 the most exalted position by the 
 influence of personal charms. And 
 without egotism I will suggest a 
 study of this social phenomenon for 
 convincing proof that beauty is the 
 choicest gift of Nature. Such a 
 theory on my part may not elevate 
 me in the esteem of those very 
 spiritual intellects who realize no enjoyment from ex 
 ternal things. Yet I am not entirely forgetful of the 
 blessed endowment of mind. Though while the under 
 standing may be improved by education, all the arts 
 known to science will fail to render a physical deformity 
 comely in our sight. A repulsive face and form do not 
 inspire us with emotions of delight. And yet empires 
 have been overturned by the influence of physical 
 attractions pertaining to the fair sex. 
 
 The power of reason, embodied in pure morality and 
 
 
168 PEKSONAL CHARMS. 
 
 a cultivated intellect, is very often outweighed by ex 
 ternal loveliness in women. However, this will not be 
 admitted as a "good result" by those orthodox ex 
 pounders of the heinousness of sensual emotion, who 
 contend that all personal beauty is only " skin deep." 
 And it can not be denied that the ancient Puritans, 
 with a profane lack of reverence for " God s Image," 
 did their utmost to spoil the personal charms of their 
 daughters by sombre raiment and coerced unemotional 
 restraint. I have heard of one pious New England 
 grandmother who actually caused a portion of her 
 daughter s beautiful front teeth to be extracted, with 
 the avowed purpose of deterring ungodliness that might 
 arise from vanity ! And I also remember reading how 
 some of those pious fanatics gratified their insane zeal 
 by burning individuals, with the sincere though absurd 
 belief, that "witches" ought to expire with torture. 
 Thanks to the printing press for its diffusion of knowl 
 edge, by which nearly all those pious prejudices have 
 been extinguished I trust forever. 
 
 Female beauty, in a corporeal sense, may be defined 
 as a perfectly harmonious blending of the natural func 
 tions of life with the external form. When the princi 
 pal elements of vitality are in a sound state of health, 
 and the general anatomy is developed in graceful out 
 line, may be seen those exquisitely formed limbs, those 
 delicate hands and feet, and that transparent skin, the 
 roseate blush of which is so warming even to an ob- 
 
 O 
 
 server s eye. Beauty is the special adornment of 
 woman and hence she is endowed with an exquisite 
 sense of fondness for whatever pertains to the toilet. 
 With some it becomes a ruling passion, and in excep 
 tional cases moral ruin. The Roman beauties wore 
 masks at home to preserve their complexion. It is 
 

 BEAUTY AND MIND. 169 
 
 said that Diana of Poictiers retained the freshness of 
 youth to a great age by following the advice of Para 
 celsus. We are told that at sixty her beauty was 
 ravishing to the dullest eyes of men. She bathed in 
 rain-water every morning ; and Madame Tallien, who 
 participated in those extravagant luxuries and aban 
 doned excesses revived under the rule of the first 
 Napoleon, actually wallowed in a mash of strawberries 
 and raspberries, after which her form was washed with 
 sponges saturated with milk and costly perfumes. 
 
 But while a beautiful form appeals only to our senses, 
 a lovely face, where every other attraction might be 
 wanting, will instantly touch our heart. And accord 
 ingly we kiss the eyes or the lips of those whom we 
 love, leaving the cheek, the hand, or the like, to be 
 caressed in token of unimpassioned affection. 
 
 Admitting that beauty is so choice a gift to woman, 
 I nevertheless distinctly remember more than one very 
 homely lady whose educational attainments enabled 
 her to be extremely fascinating. And not only the 
 most charming, but by far the most bewitching lady I 
 ever knew, really possessed very little physical attrac 
 tion. Her charms existed only in the imagination of 
 those whom she fascinated by the adroit exercise of a 
 naturally superior intellectuality, tutored to the highest 
 perfection of mental skill. In plain terms, she was a 
 remarkably accomplished cheat ! The appellation is 
 not any harsher than it should be. Her name was 
 quite familiar to the public some years ago but I pre 
 sume that it is nearly or quite forgotten now. 
 
 When natural beauty of face and form accompanies a 
 bright intellect, all heightened by the artificial attrac 
 tions and the educational accomplishments of the nine 
 teenth century, we have everything necessary for the 
 8 
 
170 THE BLUSHING BKIDE. 
 
 perfection of real divinities to enslave the affection of 
 a masculine saint ! 
 
 For modern appreciation, physical beauty certainly is 
 the choicest gift that Nature can bestow upon a woman. 
 Other attractions she may acquire. A beautiful face is 
 absolutely natural. Art may hide defects but it can 
 not physically transform ! 
 
 Lady Levasseur had the double advantage of natural 
 beauty and a polished mind. Her father was a wealthy 
 banker, and she an only daughter. She was in all 
 respects fitted for the wife of a gentleman occupying an 
 exalted position. Alluding to her marriage, the " New 
 Orleans Picayune " closed thus : 
 
 " Elegantly robed in w T hite, the belle of the Crescent 
 City blushed and bowed at the hymeneal altar. The 
 ceremony over, the happy couple, attended by the bridal 
 guests, passed down the church aisle for exit at the door 
 where their carriages stood in waiting. A long, white 
 vail concealed the bride s features as they withdrew, but 
 the face of the handsome and noble bridegroom was all 
 radiant with joy." 
 
 And Leonore was beautiful, too. Nature smiled ten 
 derly upon her. And though her education had been 
 neglected from circumstances beyond possible control, 
 she nevertheless possessed an innate delicacy equal to 
 that of the most accomplished and refined. The sweet 
 effeminacy of her comparatively unpolished mind and 
 the classic contour of her exquisite form bespoke a 
 superior origin. 
 
 Yet there was no complimentary paragraph in either 
 of the St. Louis papers after the same " handsome and 
 noble bridegroom " gave his hand to Leonore. 
 
 Did Major Levasseur marry the beautiful and accom 
 plished daughter of the wealthy banker for love ? He 
 
EVEN LOVE MUST CHANGE. 171 
 
 admired her. Many other gentlemen did that much. 
 She was a city belle, and could have selected a husband 
 from among scores of gentlemen whom she knew. And 
 perhaps either of those admirers would have given her 
 more tender love than what she acquired with the name 
 of Levasseur. But she loved him to idolatry ; and it 
 did seem that he ought to have been supremely happy 
 with such a wife. 
 
 But the world can not judge between man and wife. 
 It is one thing to say what should be, and quite another 
 to prophesy the result. That indescribable "some 
 thing " which is a stumbling-block to so many hopes 
 and loves in this misguided world, existed (or did not 
 exist) between Levasseur and his elegant bride. He 
 was not happy, while she thought her happiness com 
 plete. She loved him, and he knew it. He said that he 
 loved her, and she .believed him. And their acquaint 
 ances pronounced them a model pair ! And thus their 
 first year of wedded life soon passed away ! 
 
 But changes continually occur with all things, and 
 everywhere. Nothing can remain the same. Increasing 
 or decreasing is the perpetually inexorable law govern 
 ing substance, life and feeling ! The instant of arrival 
 at maturity is the beginning of decay. Even our love 
 increases until attaining its zenith, and then diminishes 
 every hour. We do not love and continue loving pre 
 cisely the same ! Either we love more or we love less ! 
 All is transitory. What appears stationary and eternal, 
 is changing while we look upon it as fixed forever! 
 Perpetual change leaves nothing to-morrow as it was 
 yesterday. 
 
 Levasseur had his wife, and he had her love and her 
 father s money. He bargained for all that, and gave 
 his name and his hand, and promised her his love in ex- 
 
172 HUSBAND AND WIFE. 
 
 change, Twas a bargain that he coveted, and yet it 
 did not seem to satisfy him. He wanted to be a good 
 
 husband ! At least he thought so. But in the bonds 
 
 ^ 
 
 of matrimony, how could he love any one except his 
 wife, without a violation of the sacred ties binding him ? 
 Legal statutes, social laws arid divine mandates required 
 him to love his wedded wife and only her ! How was 
 it possible for him to do that while coveting what he 
 did not possess ? 
 
 The wealthy banker in New Orleans died ! His only 
 daughter became Levasseur s bride in the autumn, and 
 when summer brought its fruits and flowers, they laid 
 him in the grave ! 
 
 Lady Levasseur was parentless then. Her mother 
 died before she could remember. She was not only an 
 orphan, but had very few relatives whom she knew. 
 Her father and her mother both came from abroad, and 
 neither of them ever said much about their family con 
 nections. But her mother s brother, a wealthy bachelor 
 engaged in some foreign trade, was then living in New 
 Orleans. 
 
 Yet the elegant lady, with but a solitary consanguin 
 eous tie, inherited a large fortune, and bore the name 
 of a noble husband. The domestic slaves of her de 
 ceased father s estate thought no other lady could equal 
 their beautiful young mistress ; and she regarded them 
 with gratitude and affection in return. Only two of 
 them, Sancho and Dinah. A venerable couple, who first 
 taught her baby-limbs to perform their duties of life, 
 and had ever after striven to anticipate and gratify her 
 expanding wants. She even learned to call Dinah by 
 the endearing name of Mamma, and Sancho by that of 
 Uncle ! Her father made no objection to that. 
 
 Most Northern parents would have experienced a 
 
PREJUDICE NOT FEELING. 173 
 
 dreadful shock to hear their daughter address a colored 
 servant in such terms, while it was considered merely a 
 pleasant kindness among those accustomed to the insti 
 tution of slavery. Such is the difference between 
 acquired prejudice and spontaneous feeling ! 
 
 The noble husband of the banker s daughter obtained 
 great riches which she did not trouble herself to count. 
 He made investments and went into disastrous specula 
 tions, which lessened the bulk of a vast estate until it 
 became advisable to remove his habitation. 
 
 The City of New York is a favorite harbor for deluded 
 adventurers when threatening storms darken the horizon 
 of their chimerical sea ; and it seems to be the final re 
 sort of many a desperate mortal, where, for a brief 
 period, avenging wrath can be stayed with the possi 
 bility of multiplied horrors when the last ray of hope 
 has gone ! 
 
 Levasseur sold out in New Orleans ; and he resolved 
 to sell Sancho and Dinah with everything else. But 
 their mistress shuddered at that suggestion. Sancho, 
 with his head as white as snow ; and Dinah, with her 
 hair all frosty, too. Poor old slaves ! Part with them ? 
 No, no ! It was the first time in her life that she re 
 solved to oppose the decree of either father or husband. 
 He said they must be sold, and she declared that they 
 never should be taken from her. She repeated never in 
 a tone emphatic enough for even Levasseur to fully 
 comprehend her meaning. 
 
 What tears of gratitude Dinah and Sancho shed ! 
 Sell them? She would a thousand times rather set 
 them free. Yet neither Sancho nor Dinah wished for 
 that. They had no use for freedom. How could they 
 leave their dear young mistress, while loving her with 
 the affection of fond parents for a darling child ? They 
 
174 A CLEVER FINANCIER. 
 
 would be her slaves forever ! The master yielded with 
 out much persuasion when he saw their mutual affection. 
 
 And then they all found a new home in the great 
 Northern city, where Levasseur purchased a costly 
 mansion to dwell in. And, as a manifestation of kind 
 ness toward his loving wife, he caused the deed to be 
 executed in her name. How generous a husband may 
 appear, when, with a small part of the wealth acquired 
 by marriage, he buys a residence in his wife s name ! 
 Such magnanimity is characteristic of some rogues who 
 might be named ! 
 
 The lord and master of the mansion deeded in his 
 wife s name was induced to embark in certain specula 
 tions then carried on in the vicinity of the Upper Mis 
 sissippi River. And thus he was necessarily absent 
 much of his time, on business matters at Washington, 
 and in making journeys to the North-west. 
 
 Five of the first settlers of Minnesota, now living in 
 the City of St. Paul, still have some recollection of the 
 handsome Major, whose clever financiering taught them 
 to play sharp or lose. But none of them suspected that 
 he was the grandson of a distinguished French marquis. 
 Yet he could " handle choice corner lots " in embryo 
 cities and incipient towns, with the shrewdest specu 
 lator and doubtless the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
 who " disliked auburn hair," might enjoy a perusal of 
 his subsequent career in life. I am quite positive that 
 the remembrance of a "three-wheeled buggy" would 
 recall a trifling incident to the mind of a Western 
 Judge who knew something of the Major s skill in 
 pugilistic recreation. The Honorable , of Spring 
 field, Illinois, paid a wine bill of one hundred and thir 
 teen dollars, in addition to several thousands staked at 
 cards, one night on board a Mississippi steamer while 
 
MAN. 175 
 
 going up to Prairie du Chien. Major Levasseur won 
 that money, and afterward turned it into land, which 
 the Honorable gentleman subsequently bought at a 
 "forced" sale. 
 
 Before his trip to Selkirk Colony, Levasseur had made 
 the personal acquaintance of numerous " representative 
 men " from the North-west, who visited Washington for 
 State purposes or to secure their individual aggrandize 
 ment by National legislation. Yet, as he never alluded 
 to his wife, it was generally inferred that no matrimo 
 nial obligations existed in denial of the privileges which 
 he claimed in ladies society. And the fair sex seemed 
 to be unanimous in their admiration of him, either as a 
 gallant cavalier or a capital prize in the marriage lot 
 tery. He was, in all respects, a popular man. Certainly 
 he was handsome, or the ladies would not have been so 
 eager for an introduction. That his natural gifts had 
 been highly improved by education was plainly evident 
 from the ease with which he infatuated so many almost 
 at the first meeting. Handsome, intelligent, witty, ac 
 complished, refined and rich ! What other qualities 
 were required to exalt a man in the estimation of the 
 fair sex? A hereditary title of nobility would have 
 made his individuality a captivating perfection in the 
 eyes of every lady whom he met. 
 
 And though Levasseur s acquaintances in this country 
 were ignorant of his royal pedigree, it was surmised by 
 more than one romantically inclined admirer that he 
 might be some prince or duke in disguise. That he per 
 sistently declined to reveal his birth, and rank among 
 noblesse, was not any more remarkable than a similar 
 taciturnity maintained by other exiles from France. A 
 political convulsion had then banished many proud 
 grandees, who discreetly assumed untitled names and 
 
PRINCIPLE AND BELIEF. 177 
 
 remained incognito until the storm passed over. Levas- 
 seur also had his own reasons for anything he did. 
 
 But his trip to Selkirk Colony proved fatal in more 
 ways than one. He had just devised an entirely orig 
 inal business speculation ; and it seemed very probable 
 that his somewhat depleted exchequer might be speedily 
 running over again with the proceeds of a new venture. 
 The fur trade was a very lucrative operation, and in 
 connection therewith he proposed to establish a still 
 more profitable enterprise. His negotiation with the 
 governor of the Colony secured all the advantages he 
 desired for opening one of thf"randest schemes ever 
 thought of in that region. 
 
 But, alas ! he there beheld the lustrous eyes of Leo- 
 nore, who was destined to enslave his heart ! Those 
 exquisite optical orbs should have brought the beautiful 
 orphan happiness instead of blighting the future of so 
 many lives ! 
 
 The husband who promised to love his beautiful and 
 accomplished wife was instantly fascinated by an artless 
 girl. Her simple beauty so fastened upon his heart that 
 in a moment he resolved to risk every other object in 
 life to make her his own. And had he not been fettered 
 by lawful ties to another, that sweet orphan might have 
 become the solace of his wandering heart. Ah ! but 
 that could not be ; and so deception must conceal his 
 true position. Thus infatuated beyond redemption, he 
 cautiously and artfully wooed her with the pleasant 
 belief that she was the only being whom he ever purely 
 loved. 
 
 I am prepared for a sneer in response to the sugges 
 tion of anything like pure love in Levasseur s infatu 
 ation. Generally it is a popular and professedly sincere 
 principle that love cannot exist without the permission 
 8* 
 
178 THE MARRIAGE LOTTERY. 
 
 of legal statutes or ecclesiastical sanction. And it is so 
 believed by some who forget that natural laws existed 
 anterior to the enactments of Church or State. Many 
 good Christians never dare think or question beyond 
 clerical rites and secular customs. And it is well for 
 themselves, and others, too, that they never do. 
 
 Marriage is a very excellent institution. We all 
 maintain that view of the question. Nevertheless, it 
 frequently causes a vast amount of misery, while no 
 nation can prosper without it. Society would dissolve 
 into barbarism, and moral darkness would soon obscure 
 the light of human reason, were there no laws to pre 
 serve virtue and protect the hereditary rights of chil 
 dren. Yet I fearlessly assert that marriage is a precari 
 ous lottery, and not unfrequently a moral fraud ! It 
 is open to all manner of deception and even heinous 
 crimes ! Ofttimes it is a mask of hypocrisy, beneath 
 which exists a moral leprosy, a cankered heart, or a fes 
 tered soul ! 
 
 The despoiler of innocence and the robber of wealth 
 is amenable to the law ; and yet if he marries his vic 
 tim, the law pronounces him a worthy man ! In either 
 case, she may not have his love ; and therefore robbery 
 and desertion would be preferable to the society of such 
 a man for life. But this is seditious reasoning, and I 
 will not pursue it further than to explain the position 
 of Levasseur, whose villainy in marrying his wife might 
 have been worse than that committed in the deception 
 of Leonore ! That he was a villain to deceive and then 
 desert the unsuspecting girl, no one can deny. And he 
 himself admitted the crime. 
 
 Then he did not love her, after all ? 
 
 Oh, yes he did ! He loved her more than he did his 
 wife. But circumstances hemmed him in. A discov- 
 
DUTY AND DESIKE. 179 
 
 ery was accidentally made by those who would not 
 hesitate to expose him in such a way as to ruin him and 
 others, too. 
 
 His wife ? Not loving her, he scarcely would have 
 trembled in fear that she might discover his perfidy. 
 Possibly he was a coward ! His vanity, or as an anony 
 mous writer for a popular magazine would say, " his 
 humanity compelled him to surrender to the dictates of 
 better sense." Whatever the incentive might have 
 been, he deserted Leonore out of regard for his wife. 
 
 Was that possible, when he did not love her as much 
 as he loved Leonore ? 
 
 Yes ! Such are the inscrutable workings of human 
 reason when embarrassed by duty and perverted by 
 dangerous passions. 
 
 After winning the beautiful orphan s love and deceiv 
 ing her with a false marriage, how could he crush his 
 own love and hers by abandonment in that cruel way ? 
 
 Phineas O Brien had something to do with the enor 
 mity of that wrong. Levasseur supplied him with abun 
 dant means to make every provision for the comfortable 
 maintenance of Madame and Leonore, until he should 
 return from a pretended voyage to Europe, which an 
 unexpected misfortune in business compelled him to 
 make. He wrote a parting letter for Leonore, and 
 stated plausible reasons for not having time to say fare 
 well in person. The letter also contained assurances of 
 his regret and eventual return, together with a state 
 ment that he had made arrangements for their support 
 while he remained away. Phineas was to deliver that 
 letter ; but the rascal kept it to put with others that 
 were subsequently written for an explanation why no 
 response had been given to the first. 
 
 Phineas retained all the letters and spent all the 
 
180 THE APOSTATE S EEPENTANCE! 
 
 money. He forged answers to Levasseur, who thought 
 they came from Madame, and in that way he kept up a 
 bountiful supply of money ; until at length Levasseur 
 proposed to reappear in St. Louis and see Leonore 
 himself. 
 
 Phineas would be caught in his rascality, if Levasseur 
 did as he suggested. And thereupon he wrote, in appar 
 ent haste and surprise, to inform Levasseur that Madame 
 and Leonore had suddenly left the city. Relying upon 
 his vassal, the principal rogue was thus deceived. 
 
 And then Levasseur repented. The utter loss of 
 Leonore produced a great revulsion in his feelings ; and 
 if she could be found, he resolved to never desert her 
 again. Phineas was instructed to find her at any cost. 
 While trifling with Madame before she and Leonore 
 actually left St. Louis, he had been enriching himself 
 from Levasseur s purse by continued deception, so that, 
 when they did leave, he was frightened, and forthwith 
 drowned unpleasant reflections by a career of inebriety 
 which finally resulted in his death. 
 
 There was a brawl among a gang of deck-hands from 
 a steamer, and a pistol discharged, by whom none could 
 tell. In that way Phineas O Brien was shot. He lin 
 gered a few days in great agony, and then, like his 
 father, went to a pauper s grave ! 
 
 Meanwhile Levasseur was frantically searching for 
 his lost love. And where could Phineas be? The 
 police reports in St. Louis settled that. Phineas had 
 been his base of hope. He was dead, and there seemed 
 no prospect of ever finding the beautiful girl. Yet 
 while the penitent man sought for her in St. Louis, she 
 was in New York. Had he known that, how happy he 
 would have been. 
 
 In despair, he went to "Washington on business. 
 
MOKE TANGIBLE THAN FICTION. 181 
 
 While there, Florincla s letter informed him of the 
 events in his mansion at home. She announced the 
 birth of a daughter, and at the same time mentioned 
 the presence of Madame Zorah. And cruel as it was, 
 he scarcely rejoiced at being a father, so delightful was 
 the anticipation of once more clasping the sweet orphan 
 girl in his arms ! 
 
 And here I must add the assurance that this is not all 
 imagination. It may seem totally unnatural to those 
 who have never lifted the glossy veil of deception which 
 is drawn over the face of actual truth and studiously 
 tucked in at the corners to shut out the inquisitive gaze 
 of even bosom friends, while experience has proven to 
 some that almost precisely similar occurrences stand 
 recorded in memory against the victims of unhappy 
 conjugal alliances. Therefore I shall assert that the 
 untoward state of Major Levasseur s mind was not only 
 an unfortunate reality, but simply one among the mul- 
 tivious eruptions of fidelity in wedded life. And though 
 the portrait be ever so odious a picture, it has had an 
 existence more tangible than that of a villain hero in 
 fiction. 
 
 A terrible warning to those who entertain similarly 
 prodigal views regarding the sacred obligations of wed 
 ded life. Without any affectedly moralizing intention, 
 I might seriously intimate that connubial apostasy is 
 very rapidly increasing among youthful benedicts and 
 middle-aged fathers in the opulent, if not exalted, 
 spheres of society. It is not only possible, but beyond 
 a doubt, that the pernicious teachings of those itinerant 
 agitators who persistently strive to establish a code of 
 gynecocracy are, more than any other class of demoral 
 izing influences, guilty of propagating the germs of 
 matrimonial inconstancy, aversion, and divorce ! 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 LADY LEVASSEUR calmly re 
 posed in the midst of luxury, 
 wishing for nothing except her 
 husband s speedy return. 
 
 Poor Leonore crouched in the 
 miserable attic, weeping for the 
 loss of everything dear to her 
 heart. 
 
 Florinda was feverish and cross 
 with artful devices and vague 
 fears. 
 
 Madame s wrinkles were get 
 ting deeper from wicked designs and pretended smiles. 
 Levasseur decided upon plans and then shrank from 
 the execution of them. He was really the master of all, 
 but had not the courage to assume command. Possi 
 bly his torture was worse than that of his victims. To 
 say the least, he was a wretched man. 
 
 In imagination during the day he continually saw 
 Leonore. Her magnificent eyes, all bleared with tears, 
 haunted him everywhere. In his dreams at night her 
 imploring pale face was before him, and he heard her 
 
184 TOKTUKE AND DESPAIR. 
 
 voice piteously beseeching him to return. That fatal 
 love was kindling up again with a delirious passion far 
 surpassing the ardor which impelled him when he whis 
 pered those tender words of wooing in her ear. 
 
 He asked himself why she left St. Louis ? And then 
 his heart beat to think that she might be seeking him. 
 He must see her immediately and have a reconciliation. 
 He would fly to her by the very next train ! 
 
 In a fit of desperation he paid his hotel bill, and told 
 a porter to carry his baggage to the depot for New 
 York. And he did that while Florinda s letters begged 
 him not to come until matters were arranged. But 
 what did he care for Florinda or her advice ? She was 
 a mere cipher in his path to Leonore. 
 
 His wife ? Ah ! what of her ? He almost groaned 
 aloud when that thought came up in his wildly excited 
 mind. His beautiful wife, who loved him so dearly, 
 and who had just borne him a child ! Oh, he would not 
 think of her then. He must first console Leonore and 
 be soothed by her in return. He could pacify his wife 
 after that ! She was doing well enough, and so was her 
 babe! 
 
 Something said to him, " Beware !" Pshaw ! There 
 was no superstition in him, and he would not listen to 
 imaginary fears. 
 
 Leaving an order that all letters for him should be 
 remailed to New York, he hastened to the depot. He 
 was just in time to see the train gliding out on the line 
 of rail, but too late by half a minute for a seat in the 
 cars. The next train went to-morrow; and he must 
 wait until then ! 
 
 That evening a letter came to tell him of a strange 
 event. It was written by Florinda, and might have 
 averted a fatal calamity had he seen the contents there- 
 

 A DANGEROUS PLAN. 185 
 
 of. But the order for remailing his letters was promptly 
 complied with, and the morning train by which he went 
 to New York also carried back the important missive. 
 
 Meanwhile, Madame was consummating her dire re- 
 veno-e ! Finding that Leon ore would not be silenced 
 
 O O 
 
 without the restoration of her child, she resolved to 
 make a confession. 
 
 Leonore was horrified as might have been expected. 
 But for the sake of her own precious darling, she reluc 
 tantly coincided with the plan of her resolute grandma. 
 That plan was a wildly rash and a dangerous one. 
 
 Leonore s nurse was informed that some very rich 
 lady wanted to adopt the child. Then Madame carried 
 it away. The nurse thought Leonore submitted with 
 but little regret. But what Madame really did with 
 the infant heiress was a secret of her own ! 
 
 By administering a certain specific absorbent, Mad 
 ame had already purposely destroyed the mammillary 
 nourishment of Lady Levasseur. Then naturally sug 
 gesting the usual substitute in such emergencies, she 
 also said that her daughter had recently become a 
 widow, and that she was obliged to part with her own 
 babe for adoption. Poverty compelled her to give up 
 her child, and the same necessity would induce her to 
 serve Lady Levasseur. 
 
 And Madame actually planned to take the poor girl 
 into the very dwelling of her husband, and into the 
 confidential service of his wife ! Could Leonore go 
 there and do all that, knowing the truth ? Such was 
 Madame s daring. Yet she did not intend that Leonore 
 should know who the lady was. 
 
 Levasseur s portrait hung over the mantel and Leo 
 nore would recognize it as quickly as her grandma had 
 done. The picture must be removed. But how? 
 
186 GATHERING OF THE STORM. 
 
 Madame soon devised a plan for that. She accidentally 
 broke the cord in pretending to dust off the top. The 
 entire structure fell to the floor, and the frame was 
 badly broken. How easy it was to have it taken away 
 by an artisan, so that the damage might be nicely re 
 paired before the master s return. 
 
 Leonore remarked that the lady s name was the same 
 as her husband s. Madame explained how that was 
 nothing. She would frequently meet people of the 
 same name, who were in no way related to each other. 
 
 If Levasseur* had not been too late for the train when 
 he intended to leave Washington, his arrival would 
 have prevented Leonore entering his house to be the 
 nurse of her own child ; or had he but received Flo- 
 rinda s letter which was returned on the very train that 
 he went home in, he might have been less precipitous in 
 his action. 
 
 Florinda tried to make other arrangements for Lady 
 Levasseur ; but Madame scowled and whispered that it 
 would be dangerous to betray her. Florinda under 
 stood what she meant, and wisely made no further 
 opposition. 
 
 Leonore tremblingly entered the presence of Lady 
 Levasseur ! 
 
 Seeing so much luxury and so many beautiful things 
 that were new and novel to her, she might have lost 
 herself in admiration, had not maternal feelings been 
 uppermost in her mind. But Lady Levasseur received 
 her kindly, and was greatly pleased to see how she 
 caressed the child. 
 
 Where was Florinda at that time ? Her presence, if 
 nothing else, would certainly open Leonore s eyes. 
 And really there was not another person in existence 
 who more bitterly wished Leonore harm. Florinda s 
 
THE RIVAL MOTHERS. 187 
 
 hate for her was even worse than that which she enter 
 tained for her grandma. But Madame s cunning was 
 as marvelous as her daring. In duplicity she could 
 outwit a deeper mind than that of Florinda. And 
 when resolved upon anything, it was sure to be done. 
 Her unrelenting obstinacy would accomplish almost 
 any undertaking. The boldness of her plan in the 
 Levasseur mansion, proved what she was capable of 
 attempting and competent to perform. 
 
 And Florinda actually succumbed, with a promise 
 not to reveal herself in person or otherwise. She must 
 assist or contend with great odds against her. Possibly 
 some underplot was putting Madame in a masterly 
 position ? 
 
 Leonore took the babe in her arms, and almost 
 devoured it with kisses. It was her own, and every 
 feeling within her responded to its smile. 
 
 " You seem fond of children," said Lady Levasseur. 
 
 " Oh, very !" responded Madame, before Leonore 
 could utter any reply. "She now loves that just as 
 much as if it was her own !" 
 
 Leonore trembled and turned her large eyes implor 
 ingly upon her grandma. 
 
 "And the little darling has already taken quite a 
 fancy to you !" smiled Lady Levasseur. 
 
 Madame laughed and said, " You must not be jealous 
 if my grand-daughter should imagine that she is nursing 
 her own child !" 
 
 Leonore s heart was in her mouth. Her grandma 
 was cruel to make those allusions. But there was so 
 much pent up in Madame s bosom that she could not 
 keep from saying what she did. Oh, how she exulted ! 
 Her old eyes fairly danced while Leonore s heart was 
 fluttering with fearful emotion. 
 
188 THE ABYSS OF RUIN. 
 
 The street-door bell rang one afternoon ; not as it 
 usually did, but quick and loud. They all heard it; 
 yet none of them were prepared for the result. 
 
 Florinda was in the library, and she instantly recog 
 nized a familiar voice in the vestibule. 
 
 " Major Levasseur !" she unconsciously exclaimed, 
 turning very pale and bounding from her seat. 
 
 The lord of the mansion met her in the hall. She 
 was in time to give him warning and avert the denoue 
 ment threatening to annihilate even her own hopes of 
 the future. She tried to say something, but her tongue 
 would not move. And she staggered back into the 
 library, while he quickly ascended the stairs. 
 
 A kiss for his wife ; and a smile of welcome, with an 
 ardent embrace in return ! 
 
 " Our first-born it is there !" fondly murmured 
 Lady Levasseur. " Baby, darling, its papa has come !" 
 
 The husband and father was almost touching Leo- 
 nore, who sat like a statue, with the child at her breast. 
 And Madame stood close behind her, apparently pinch 
 ing her shoulder with pantomimic commands for silence 
 and caution. Poor girl! She was already overcome 
 with the violence of her emotion ! 
 
 Levasseur turned to see his child, just as it slipped 
 from Leonore s relaxed embrace ! Madame caught it in 
 her arms and made an effort to communicate with him ! 
 But her warning came too late ! 
 
 Levasseur was unprepared for meeting Leonore there. 
 Hurriedly entering his own dwelling, and almost in the 
 very arms of his loving wife, they all went headlong 
 into an abyss of ruin ! 
 
 Leonore gave utterance to a smothered cry. Shiver 
 ing a moment as if in convulsions, she rose to her feet 
 and gasped, "Oh, my husband!" That was all she 
 
DENOUEMENT OF " LOST !" 189 
 
 said, while falling prostrate and senseless upon the lap 
 of Lady Levasseur. But it was more than enough for 
 the keen perception of a fond wife and, hurling her to 
 the floor, Lady Levasseur made an effort to speak. She 
 could only clasp her forehead with her hands and pant 
 for breath. The shock was too much for her brain, and 
 reason fled ! 
 
 And there in that luxurious chamber, which should 
 have been a sanctuary of the purest wedded love and 
 paternal joy, the affrighted destroyer and the exulting 
 instrument of retribution stood face to face over the 
 senseless forms of the deceived orphan and the outraged 
 wife! 
 
 Madame s features were distorted with a fiendish 
 scowl as she drew her tall figure to its utmost height 
 and meaningly pointed at the pallid features of Lady 
 Levasseur. But Levasseur did not fly to the assistance 
 of his wife. He thought only of Leonore, whom he 
 gently lifted in his arms, and bore into the dressing- 
 room! 
 
 And then Madame smiled. There was triumph and 
 cruelty in her smile. But how coldly she eyed Lady 
 Levasseur, who lay stretched out upon the floor ! 
 
 Could Levasseur be sane and act in that heartless 
 manner ? He was oblivious to all moral reason, but far 
 from being mad. His fraudulent absence from Leonore 
 had not been willful desertion. Phineas O Brien be 
 came demoralized by continued intoxication, and his 
 rascality perverted everything. But Phineas was dead, 
 and no explanation had yet been given ! 
 
 Levasseur idolized Leonore with all the ardor of a 
 violent passion and a susceptible heart from the mo 
 ment he first saw her and prolonged separation had 
 intensified his feelings, until her unexpected disappear- 
 
\VAY-A\VA-KAN ; or " Red Iron." A Defiant Sioux Chief 
 who joined in the Great Massacre. 
 
HARRYING FOR MONEY. IQI 
 
 ance filled him with the wildest apprehension. He 
 knew that he would meet Madame in his wife s chamber 
 if he went home. Florinda told him that she was there. 
 However, he expected to conciliate her immediately, 
 and then fly to Leonore ! Madame s sagacity and pres 
 ence of mind would insure discretion on her part. But 
 he did not know that she had every reason to believe his 
 absence the result of a cruelly premeditated wrong. 
 Nor had he taken into consideration all the circum 
 stances, as he should have done. Consequently, his 
 sudden return was rash and absurd. Such conduct was 
 totally unwarrantable in the judgment of an intelligent 
 man, possessing the perfect knowledge of human nature 
 which he had acquired from social experience. 
 
 Levasseur was realizing the dangerous consequences 
 of marriage for money ! It has often been asserted that 
 love follows marriage as a matter of course. They say 
 that if a poor girl does really hate the rich man who 
 offers her his hand, she will soon learn to love him ! 
 Designing matchmakers talk in that way. I ve heard 
 them use such wicked arguments, and afterward seen 
 the happiness of both husband and wife blasted forever 
 by a natural, if not an inevitable, result ! 
 
 Levasseur s prudence was worn out from the fear of 
 discovery by his wife. He was restlessly impatient for 
 Leonore to repose in his arms. If possible, he wished 
 to atone for that unmanly fraud whereby he first pos 
 sessed her. He was irritated, and would no longer sub 
 mit to restraint. But it was not his intention to have 
 severed himself so suddenly and ruthlessly from his lov 
 ing wife, and that, too, at the very threshold of their 
 child s existence. He relied upon Madame s connivance, 
 for the sake of Leonore. Florinda would do whatever 
 pleased him best ! They would all conspire with him 
 
}Q2 VEIL OF INFATUATION. 
 
 against his wife, and thus serve their own interests 
 too ! 
 
 Pure-hearted and innocent readers will refuse to be 
 lieve all this. They judge others by themselves and I 
 sincerely wish there were more of those pure hearts to 
 be met with in my experience of life. In some things 
 ignorance is bliss ; and I ve many times admitted the 
 folly of trying to be wise. Nevertheless, I can assure 
 the skeptically inclined that moral philosophers easily 
 perceive the inharmonious compulsion of domestic 
 society when coerced by the rigid formality of unnat 
 ural laws ! 
 
 Levasseur was precisely the villain that I represent 
 him. Not a mere ideal monster, created by my imagi 
 nation to horrify the reader. He was just that "living 
 man among men." And the subsequent unhappiness of 
 his mortal existence abundantly prove that there is no 
 atonement for him this side of the grave ! 
 
 Carrying Leonore into the dressing-room, he closed 
 the door after him, and sat down with her in his arms. 
 A veil of infatuation hung about him and shut out the 
 entire world. And though he had left his wife lying 
 senseless in the adjoining chamber, he seemed to be 
 totally unconscious of the fact ! His entire feeling was 
 centred in Leonore, whom he wildly pressed to his 
 heaving bosom ! 
 
 " How changed ! But more beautiful than before !" 
 he murmured, while gazing upon her pale features, as if 
 abstractedly viewing a picture. And then his eyes be 
 gan to dance with sudden animation. His heart flut 
 tered, and his cheeks were crimsoned with a warm flush. 
 Hot kisses were lavished upon her insensible lips, and 
 his beard mingled with her dark curls ! 
 
 The chamber door opened noiselessly, and Madame 
 
A DOUBLE CHALLENGE. 193 
 
 entered silently and unobserved. She meant to close 
 the door after her, but it was left slightly ajar. Behind 
 Levasseur, and gloating on the scene, she stood like the 
 incarnate personification of exulting fury. Her dim eyes 
 were strained half out of their sockets, her lean mascu 
 line neck was stretched forth eagerly, and her slender 
 fingers lashed her hands ! The veins of her neck and 
 face and forehead were swollen and deeply blue, in 
 frightful contrast with the yellow hue of her withered 
 skin! Her lips moved in twitches yet she did not 
 speak to relieve the volcano of agitation within ! But 
 when she saw Levasseur s hot breath warming Leonore s 
 lips, that were almost cold, her wrinkled visage relaxed 
 into a pardoning smile ! Then, touching Levasseur s 
 arm, she startled him from his fatal delirium ! 
 
 " Fool, to bring her here !" he growled, like some 
 wild animal clinging to its prey. "You have ruined 
 all !" he added, as if suddenly humanized to a sense of 
 his real position. 
 
 " I brought her here to provide natural nourishment 
 for your child !" 
 
 " What ! She nurse my wife s child ? Remember 
 this is not the time or place for jesting !" He spoke in 
 anger. "She can not supply such nourishment. She 
 is " 
 
 " A mother herself!" interrupted Madame. " A wife 
 and a mother, too !" 
 
 In dismay, he gasped, " Where is her husband and 
 child ?" 
 
 " Her husband is here holding her in his arms ! Her 
 child no matter where !" 
 
 " What do you mean ?" 
 
 "Just what I say. You are her husband and the 
 father of her child!" 
 9 
 
194 THE INEVITABLE COMPACT. 
 
 She spoke fiercely ; and her unusual manner and 
 strange declaration were seriously disconcerting him. 
 But he would not show any fear. 
 
 " A man can not have two wives !" he calmly replied. 
 
 " Villain ! You thought to cheat us with a sham 
 marriage, and you succeeded! But your false priest 
 made a confession to me ! You deceived yourself in the 
 ceremony. It was perfectly legal. The existence of a 
 previous wife necessarily subjects you to punishment 
 for the crime of bigamy ! I know all !" 
 
 " Hush ! Here is money ! Not another word. If 
 gold will satisfy you, I can make it all right. Serve 
 me, and you shall be rich ! Invent some plausible ex 
 cuse for all this confusion. Deceive my wife if possible ! 
 Quick ! Decide !" 
 
 Madame took the proffered money, and, pondering a 
 moment, finally said : 
 
 "First tell me what you intend doing. If the law 
 allows you but one wife, which shall be your choice ?" 
 
 He kissed Leonore, and declared that she should be 
 nearest to his heart in future ! 
 
 There was still more change in the expression of 
 Madame s features. And she inquired if he really loved 
 Leonore ! 
 
 " Yes ! Better than my own soul !" 
 
 " Then I will serve you ! And now remember, Major 
 Levasseur, that we are under a solemn compact which 
 can not be broken ! You love her, and will make her 
 your wife, as you pledged yourself to before. But this 
 time swear to me that you will keep your second prom 
 ise. From this hour, only Leonore is to be your wife, 
 and to share your wealth and position. While you keep 
 that oath, I am your friend. If you fail, I shall find 
 some way to get revenge ! Will you swear ?" 
 
OATH AND SACRIFICE. 195 
 
 " You forget that Lady Levasseur is my lawful wife !" 
 
 " I forget nothing ! There is no alternative ! In the 
 sight of Heaven, she is no more your wife than Leonore, 
 whom you taught to love you, and then made her be 
 lieve that she was married to you by a holy priest with 
 sacred vows. She gave you all her love, and her very 
 soul ! You cruelly deserted her ; and, still trusting in 
 your return, she has become the mother of your child. 
 She has never lost the hope of a happy reunion ; and 
 earnestly prays for you every night before closing her 
 eyes in sleep. You are now together. Beware of sepa 
 ration! I have heard your promise. You give me 
 gold, and talk of making us rich. We accept your 
 oifer. But, sleeping or waking, I shall always be near 
 you! And if I discover treachery on your part, woe 
 unto you ! Will you swear ?" 
 
 Major Levasseur raised his arm, and she grasped it 
 tightly as he articulated : 
 
 " Yes ! I solemnly swear that Leonore shall be my 
 only love to the end of life !" 
 
 " Your oath is recorded in the Book of Fate ! Viola 
 tion of it will be death!" she said, flinging back his 
 arm, with a laugh in silence to herself! 
 
 The chamber door was suddenly thrown open, and 
 Lady Levasseur s form fell into the dressing-room ! 
 Reviving from her first swoon, she had crawled there to 
 listen, and thus became a witness to all ! 
 
CHAPTEE XIV. 
 
 
 -ll " 
 
 LADY LEVASSEUR was a silent wit- 
 ness to the most painful scene that 
 the heart of a fend wife ever endured. 
 She saw and heard all. And in de 
 lirious agony, she fell against the 
 door, which opened, and threw her 
 prostrate upon the dressing-room 
 floor ! The Major and Madame start 
 ed with surprise, and Leonore was 
 roused by the noise. 
 
 " Take her away !" petulantly mo 
 tioned the infatuated man while hug 
 ging Leonore all the closer to his bosom ! 
 
 Madame needed no further prompting. She quickly 
 dragged the insensible form of Lady Levasseur back 
 into the chamber, and slammed to the door, panting 
 with impatient haste ! 
 
 Leonore s eyes opened, and they rested upon the face 
 of HER husband ! Her brain was dizzy from the confu 
 sion of the swoon, but she could recognize him ! There 
 was a vague recollection of that wife, and the kisses of 
 greeting, in the scene of the chamber ! It seemed like a 
 
198 THE BETRAYED WIFE. 
 
 wild dream ! But her husband had come back to her, 
 and she was then lying in his arms ! The bliss of that 
 moment was worth years of woe ! She had no chidings, 
 nor complaints to offer. His eyes beamed lovingly upon 
 her own, and she saw in them what made him appear a 
 perfect god ! Her arms were around his neck, and their 
 kisses mingled in the unison of mutually intoxicating 
 delight ! He was all hers ! But what a shudder came 
 up with the recollection of that bed-chamber scene ! 
 Oh, what did all that mean ? She tried to ask, but his 
 warm lips smothered her voice ! 
 
 Madame looked on in the attitude of a strange statue, 
 her eyes gleaming with delight, while the reconciliation 
 of those two hearts was breaking another heart in the 
 next room ! 
 
 As usual, Florinda was hovering near. She saw the 
 only chance for herself in pretending sympathy with 
 the deserted wife ; and, gently placing her upon a 
 lounge, she soon restored consciousness to her shat 
 tered mind. 
 
 " O, let me die ! !" piteously wept the agonized wife. 
 " He does not love me any more ! I am suffocating ! 
 My heart is breaking ! Lost forever ! Only baby is 
 left ! All else has gone !" 
 
 Lady Levasseur embraced Leonore s child with the 
 belief that it was her own, while her husband caressed 
 its mother in the dressing-room ! 
 
 As night shrouds the entire world in gloom at the 
 close of day, so there came a dark cloud of mystery 
 around and within the costly mansion of the Levasseurs. 
 
 Autumn passed away, and the winter winds blew 
 sharp and cold. The ground was frozen, thick ice cov 
 ered the rivers, and one night a great snow storm 
 spread its burden of white flakes over the city. Early 
 
THE BEAUTIFUL SNOW. 199 
 
 the next morning, thousands of ragged boys and tat 
 tered men, with old shovels and fragments of brooms, 
 were ringing door-bells and begging the privilege of 
 removing the snow from the stoops and sidewalks, for a 
 few shillings in money. Snow storms in a great city 
 are harvests for the unemployed poor who can find 
 utensils and are willing to earn the reward of toil. But 
 alas, for any poor lost canine quadruped who has no 
 home: his diet must be meager until the snow melts 
 to uncover the loose offal and scattered bones ! 
 
 Up and down the aristocratic avenue, shovels were 
 clattering until noon. The sidewalks and the stoops 
 and areas were brushed off clean. All except one ! 
 
 A hundred boys and men had been tugging at the 
 bell-knob of a massive rosewood door ; but no answer 
 came from within. The shutters were closed, and one 
 little urchin suggested that the inmates might all be 
 dead ! Then a policeman tried what he could do. He 
 would make a formal complaint at head-quarters. The 
 law required that residents should promptly remove the 
 snow from the front of their premises within so many 
 hours after its fall. Who could he have fined for neg 
 lecting the law? A silver plate upon the rosewood 
 door announced the name of " Levasseur !" The police 
 man wrote something in a small blank-book, and then 
 walked away. 
 
 Days and weeks and months went into the past, and 
 still the rosewood door of the Levasseur mansion did 
 not open from without nor from within. Long neglect 
 permitted an accumulation of rubbish around the colos 
 sal stone steps, and cobwebs were stretched across the 
 recesses beyond the reach of the wind and storm. The 
 silver knobs and the plate with the master s name upon 
 it, grew tarnished and red and some naughty boys had 
 
200 THE DESERTED MANSION. 
 
 been disfiguring the walls with large comic figures in 
 chalk. 
 
 The people went up and down every day, wondering 
 at the gloomy w T alls of the once enlivened mansion. 
 And well they might for a deserted house standing in 
 silence amid the animated whirl of a populous city, is 
 a suggestive scene to contemplate ! 
 
 The neighbors began to talk; and some hinted the 
 necessity of an investigation. Where could the Le- 
 vasseurs all be ? No furniture was ever seen to go 
 away. 
 
 Mrs. Coe lived with her husband, one Mr. Coe, in the 
 house exactly opposite, at the rear. The domicile of the 
 Goes stood facing another street ; but the back yards of 
 the two houses were adjoining. Mrs. Coe s sister was 
 an unhappy old maid. Her dormitory looked out upon 
 the deserted, or rather, as she said, the mysterious dwell 
 ing. And, in the singular manner of many other old 
 maids, she was much addicted to malicious suspicion. 
 She seemed to suspect all things, and the " other half" 
 of mankind in particular. But she had more influence 
 with Mrs. Coe than Mr. Coe would ever have. Indeed, 
 the sisters belonged to the " Woman s Rights Society," 
 at that time looming up in the already tainted atmos 
 phere of connubial disputants and dissenters ! 
 
 Mrs. Coe finally agreed with her venerable maiden 
 sister that something fearful must have happened among 
 the Levasseurs. If the usual appointment of Hibernian 
 damsels had been domesticated in the Levasseur family, 
 perhaps the neighboring Bridgets and Catharines might 
 have learned all the secrets worth knowing, and indus 
 triously reported them everywhere. 
 
 " Blast them niggers !" chafed the old maid. " They 
 are the closest-mouthed fools I ever saw Harriet Jane 
 
 
A VERY TIMID MAN. 201 
 
 tried half a dozen times last summer to find out what 
 pursuit the gentleman was engaged in, but they snubbed 
 her off by saying, Massa tends to his bis ness and we 
 tends to de chores round de house ! I hate niggers ! 
 They re so stupid and non-communicative !" 
 
 The " blasted niggers," alluded to by Mrs. Coe s ven 
 erable maiden sister, were Sancho and Dinah the faith 
 ful and the only servants who waited upon the Levas- 
 seurs. 
 
 Mrs. Coe s curiosity increased with her sister s, until 
 she insisted that her husband should force an entrance 
 through the back way, and see all about it. Mr. Coe 
 was a very timid man, and he could not undertake such 
 a feat without at least one or two confederates to ac 
 company him. So, rather than forego the luxury of 
 appeasing their inquisitive desire, both Mrs. Coe and 
 her sister convoyed the trembling husband in the dark 
 adventure. The hour of night made it dark ; and that 
 idea greatly horrified Mr. Coe. 
 
 Wouldn t Mrs. Coe be merciful and relent ? No ! 
 When her mind was once made up, she never swerved 
 from her purpose. She was ashamed of Mr. Coe for his 
 cowardice. But it afforded her some consolation to 
 believe that all men were cowards, and that they never 
 could do anything brave without the superior nerve of 
 down-trodden women to help them on by intellectual 
 inspiration. 
 
 They reached the back area of the Levasseur man 
 sion. The fastening of the kitchen window was moved, 
 and they told Mr. Coe to enter. 
 
 Oh, dear ! He would deem it an especial and humane 
 
 favor from Mrs. Coe, if he might be allowed to run 
 
 away. She could not spare him just then; and with 
 
 the assistance of her sister she grasped him by the 
 
 9* 
 
t : ." 
 
THE MYSTERIOUS CHAMBER. 203 
 
 shoulder and the most convenient part of his trowsers, 
 and tumbled him in ! 
 
 Mr. Coe was so nervous that for a long time the 
 matches would not ignite against the wall ; and when 
 one did snap, he fizzled it out trying to light the 
 candle. 
 
 Mrs. Coe then took the matches herself, and spitefully 
 shoved him across the floor, where he tumbled over a 
 chair and upset a table, and thereby incurred additional 
 fright from the terrible noise. Mrs. Coe s hands were 
 steady ; and she soon had two candles blazing to show 
 them the way. 
 
 Mr. Coe fell back in the rear of the reconnoitering 
 advance, momentarily expecting that each shadow 
 would prove to be a frightful spectre. Holding the 
 candles high above their heads, Mrs. Coe and her sister 
 began to explore the entire house. All the kitchen 
 utensils and furniture appeared as if suddenly left while 
 in use. In the drawing-room above a chandelier had 
 fallen, and its broken fragments were strewn over the soft 
 velvet carpet upon the floor. Then they went up stairs, 
 and from one room to another, without seeing a dry 
 skeleton or meeting a white apparition. 
 
 Hah! The door of Lady Levasseur s chamber was 
 securely locked within. But the Major s sleeping apart 
 ment was more accessible than that of his wife. Noth 
 ing short of assistance from a locksmith could make an 
 entrance through the fastened door ! So they inspected 
 all the other rooms and recesses, from the cellar to the 
 garret, and found every article remaining as if it had 
 been left but yesterday. Dust covered the furniture, 
 and dampness had soiled the beautiful papering upon 
 the walls. 
 
 Their verdict was, unanimously, " Something wrong !" 
 
204 BELLS TOLLING FIRE. 
 
 And they retired with a fixed determination that Mr. 
 Coe should go to the police office early in the morning 
 and have the chamber explored by virtue of the law. 
 
 Fire! fire! The old Coes and the little Coes, and 
 nearly all the inhabitants in that quarter of the city, 
 were roused from sleep at the quietest hour of night by 
 the ringing of bells and a tumult of rumbling wheels 
 and tramping feet. The entire neighborhood was in 
 a complete uproar. Fire ! fire ! tolled the bells ; and 
 red-shirted men, dragging engines and hose, bellowed 
 loudly through brazen trumpets as they ran ! 
 
 " Where is the fire ?" Mrs. Coe asked Mr. Coe the 
 same question no less than three or four times in quick 
 succession. 
 
 " I declare I don t know, my dear. It is undoubtedly 
 somewhere this side of the Battery !" was his mild and 
 innocent reply. 
 
 " Levasseur s !" screamed Mrs. Coe s maiden sister. 
 " Over there. The house is burning down, and we shall 
 never know what a shocking tragedy has been perpe 
 trated in that room !" 
 
 It was the first and the only conflagration which to 
 my knowledge ever occurred in that aristocratic quarter 
 of the city. The match of a wicked incendiary must 
 have ignited the element of ruin. Who could solve the 
 mystery ? 
 
 In the morning naught but charred and smoldering 
 debris remained to mark the spot where the Levasseur 
 mansion stood so proudly, and yet so drearily, the day 
 before. 
 
 The neighbors each gave an opinion ; but none of 
 them could determine, beyond the merest conjecture, 
 why and wherefore such an event should happen. And 
 if any mystery was purposely locked within Lady 
 
THE DETECTIVE. 205 
 
 Levasseur s luxurious chamber, it would never be re 
 vealed. 
 
 But a police detective one of those McJudases who 
 are so numerous at the present time was then intro 
 ducing his iniquitous system of fraud for the ostensi 
 ble purpose of discovering and eradicating (?) crime. 
 McJudas put two of his minions, or more properly imps, 
 upon the supposed trail of an absconding perpetrator of 
 imaginary sins. He was desirous of finding Levasseur. 
 But that seemed to be a much more difficult enterprise 
 than was anticipated when he began. An entire year 
 passed, and not even the astute old thief could unravel 
 the mystery of that gentleman s departure, nor gain tiie 
 remotest clue to his ultimate destination. 
 
 Meanwhile, the people gazed at the pile of smutty 
 bricks, and the fragments of stone among the ashes 
 where the walls formerly stood so high. They gazed 
 awhile, and wondered too. Only a short time, though 
 for it is said that after the expiration of " nine days," 
 the greatest sight or wonder ever known in New York 
 ceases to attract public attention. I have frequently 
 thought there was some truth in that saying. 
 
 The lapse of two winters and one summer turned the 
 ruins of the Levasseur mansion old and brown. The 
 second May came, and then the second June and, in 
 deed, the second summer. And blades of grass, with 
 tall weeds, were growing out from among the uncon- 
 sumed ends of timber, the broken bricks, and the shat 
 tered blocks of chiseled stone. Yet none could tell why 
 Levasseur did not return ! 
 
The simple Method of Crossing Hum River 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 . 
 
 SATAN was hungry one day ! 
 And panting for a feast of souls, 
 he breathed a whisper in men s 
 ears that made them strangely 
 mad ! At first they softly re 
 peated what he said, but their 
 voices were louder anon ! And 
 then a cry of frenzy rent the 
 peaceful air ! Defiant shouts 
 merged into ominous howls that 
 grew wilder and fiercer as time 
 
 quickly sped, until the roar of Secession terrified the 
 
 world ! 
 
 The " Stars and Stripes " were torn down, and a dis 
 mal emblem of the Palmetto-tree was hoisted in their 
 
 stead ! 
 
 One morning the sun rose with bright, radiant smiles, 
 
 and sank to rest in the evening all red and bleared at 
 
 the sight of human blood ! 
 
 Millions of hearts were throbbing with rage or fright 
 
 that night ! The bright blaze of Jupiter was dimmed 
 
208 "THE EVIL EYE." 
 
 by the ruddy glare of Mars ! Languishing Juno was 
 bathed in tears ; and the frowns of Jehovah darkened 
 the sky, while the devil laughed in exulting joy ! 
 
 With the return of to-morrow s dawn, the shrill notes 
 of the fife, followed by the rattling and the measured 
 beating of drums, sent a thrill into the sanctuary of 
 every American home, while long files of martialed men 
 were hurrying from the North and hurrying from the 
 South, to clash in the deadly strife of internecine war ! 
 
 Consanguineous ties and bonds of love were rent 
 asunder. And there was a great wailing cry of anguish 
 in daylight, with sobbing prayers at night, by fond 
 ones for the safety of those dearest to their hearts. 
 Mothers and wives, fathers and husbands, brothers, sis 
 ters, one and all, choked and paled at the demon of war ! 
 
 Within the lines, and beyond the lines that separated 
 kindred and friends, pent-up souls were shrieking and 
 wailing in despair ! Going North and going South ! 
 O ! anywhere to find the heart s love, with peace in a 
 quiet home ! 
 
 The booming of cannon gradually approached New 
 Orleans, and passes signed by the chieftain in command, 
 sent many citizens safely beyond the reach of harm. 
 
 And cruel mortals, in the garb of men and in feminine 
 guise, were lurking everywhere, while "female spies" 
 haunted firesides and public places alike. It was a 
 grand carnival time for the heartless, the abandoned 
 and the vile, when both the North and the South stooped 
 to the siren s guile, and she of " the evil eye " was 
 freely tolerated in almost every camp to ply her arts 
 and betray the lives of men. But I presume that no one 
 will ever write a true history of the wanton spy service 
 during the Southern war ! 
 
 Those without influence to use might try the potency 
 
POTENCY OF GOLD. 209 
 
 of gold. Many did so in New Orleans. And verily the 
 people of that city were doomed to remorseless plunder. 
 First the rebels had their fill, and then the sequel was 
 to come ! 
 
 One thousand dollars nay, ten thousand, all in coin 
 procured the simple order for a lady, her adopted child, 
 and her two slaves to be passed beyond the rebel lines. 
 
 Whither would she go ? Other ladies had been snugly 
 domiciled in quiet Northern abodes, entirely beyond the 
 dangers of the war, while their masculine connections 
 remained at will or were forcibly held to do the fight 
 ing ; and ten thousand dollars paid into the pocket of 
 one who wished to lay up a little something for future 
 need, gave her an opportunity to depart. The sum was 
 a large one to pay; but it included the price of her 
 slaves, whom she would not leave behind ! 
 
 Then there was an intervening space of dark water 
 and uncertain law. Up the river, passing grim bat 
 teries along the shore to where the " Stars and Stripes " 
 proclaimed the bondman free ! Out of rebeldom, and, 
 with a little white flag, into the Union lines ! 
 
 Again, what was to pay ? Echo repeated " to pay?" 
 And then a joyful reverberation came in response : 
 
 "The widow, the orphan and the slave, without 
 money and without price, can find a refuge here !" 
 
 And the lady, with her adopted child and her manu 
 mitted slaves, sailed on up the Father of Rivers. But 
 they were not happy. Something made them sad ! 
 
 On up the river, from one steamer to another and 
 yet they continued on ! 
 
 The state-rooms all along each side of the main saloon 
 were designated with gilt numerals on knobs of porce 
 lain, while in the ladies cabin alphabetical letters were 
 used upon the doors. 
 
210 "HEAR THAT COUGH!" 
 
 The cough, of a dying consumptive grated upon the 
 ears of Mercy, Eliza, Julia and Jane four jubilant 
 young ladies who were chattering together in the full 
 vigor of life and hope. But they all paused in awe 
 when they heard that ominous cough. In silence they 
 listened. First it was violent and distressing, and then 
 it continued languidly and dull. It told how rapidly a 
 victim was going to the grave ! 
 
 " What does that mean ?" inquired Jane, pointing at 
 letter c. 
 
 " Oh, she s some rebel s wife going to Minnesota !" 
 replied Eliza. " You know father says that the atmos 
 phere up there will cure the consumption. But she ll 
 not live till she reaches Winona. She coughs precisely 
 like poor dear mother used to, awhile before she died ! 
 Just listen at her now !" 
 
 A hard-visaged man, with a singularly large round 
 head and a thick short beard, sat near the young ladies. 
 He was reading a book ; but he heard the consumptive s 
 cough. And whenever the paroxysms were most se 
 vere, then his features lighted up with a peculiar smile ! 
 
 " Do you know that I almost hate that leaden-eyed 
 man ?" observed Mercy, shuddering as she spoke. 
 " There is something so wicked and silently malicious 
 I don t know what to call it in the sinister expression 
 of his repulsive face ! His strange glances are perfectly 
 chilling to me !" 
 
 "Hush!" whispered Julia, slightly shocked. "That 
 is Doctor Passion, whose wonderful cures have been 
 advertised so much in the Western papers. All great 
 men have remarkable peculiarities about them. Look 
 at his head! There s a model for the phrenological 
 disciples of Gall and Spurzheim. And his features 
 might have been a perfect study for Lavater, the origi- 
 
THE GREAT DR. PASSION. 211 
 
 nalor of the science of physiognomy. And then he is 
 very rich ! I overheard a conversation about Mm this 
 morning between father and a strange gentleman, who 
 I believe is a particular friend of his. The stranger 
 said the Doctor had amassed a very large fortune. And 
 he rather hinted that he might soon be a widower. His 
 wife has been an invalid a long time. What a splendid 
 prize he will be for some one, when his wife dies !" 
 
 " O, you ought to be ashamed to talk in that way !" 
 remonstrated Mercy. " I m sure he s a bad man ; and 
 with all deference to your respect for the opinions of 
 Gall, or Spurzheim, or Lavater, as you call them, I 
 shall persist in comparing both his head and his face to 
 the worst brute that I can think of. Do you perceive 
 that fiendish grin while the poor lady is coughing her 
 self to death!" 
 
 Mercy told the truth when she said that the lady in 
 the state-room was dying. With pale face and attenu 
 ated form, and scarcely conscious, she lay there upon 
 the bed ! One of her faithful slaves, in sorrow stood 
 near. Her other slave was waiting sadly without. 
 And a beautiful rosy-cheeked girl of fourteen, with long 
 flaxen hair in great wavy, curling tresses, sat by the 
 bed in silence and tears ! 
 
 Dr. Passion beckoned to the slave waiting without. 
 A venerable negro, with his wool whitened by a long 
 lapse of years, approached respectfully and tried to 
 smile. Poor old man ! His features bore a woful con 
 traction of anxiety and grief! 
 
 "You serve the sick lady, I believe," said Dr. Pas 
 sion, holding out a piece of money in one hand and with 
 the other motioning toward the letter c. 
 
 "Yes, massa, an I spects to sarve her s long as de 
 Almi te Creatur spars her life an mine ! But I doesn t 
 
212 ANOTHER VICTIM. 
 
 want no mun y. I es wery much bleeg d, sah ! But 
 missus s got plenty fur us all !" 
 
 Dr. Passion returned the money to his own pocket, 
 and said, " Hah ! From the South, I presume ? Very 
 wealthy. And yet she will persist in dying, when by 
 proper treatment a cure would be certain. Now, if you 
 really wish to save your mistress from speedy death, 
 give her my card, and say that I am willing to attend 
 her. Here it is. I am a distinguished physician ! 
 Doubtless she has heard of me often before. I have a 
 wonderful reputation from New Orleans to St. Paul. 
 With pride I can say that my name is familiar to the 
 people in every town of any importance the whole 
 length of the river." 
 
 " Tanke, sah !" bowed the slave. " Missus 11 be very 
 glad ! An we poor sarvents 11 pray fur you eb ry time 
 we lies down at night ef you can only brake up dat 
 orf l kumsumshin!" And then he softly tapped at 
 letter c. 
 
 The card was a tempting bait ! How many dying 
 men and women had nibbled at it before ? The lady 
 would see Dr. Passion. Perhaps he had been sent to 
 her at the eleventh hour, by Divine interposition, to 
 save her life a little longer for the sake of the fair-haired 
 girl sitting beside her in tears ! Her trust was in 
 Providence, and she was willing to go when He called. 
 But the thought of leaving that tender flower in the 
 heartless and deceitful world, without maternal solici 
 tude or care, made her loth to die ! 
 
 Dr. Passion entered with noiseless step. He gently, 
 kindly, tenderly took her thin, white wrist between his 
 thumb and fingers, with an encouraging, compassionate 
 smile, and a courteous bow. 
 
 " Oh, Doctor !" she coughed, and eagerly searched his 
 
RECEIVING A FEE! 213 
 
 face. " Must I die ? Do you really think there is no 
 hope for me ? They have all given me up. But I have 
 heard a great deal about the air of Minnesota, and 
 thought I would try and get up there if possible. 
 Would you recommend that climate for one in my con 
 dition ? Ah pardon me ! I had almost forgotten that 
 we are strangers. I should, therefore, advance you a 
 fee. You do think there is some hope eh, Doctor ?" 
 
 " Yes that is ahem ! The air of Minnesota is 
 good. But proper medical treatment such as I have 
 acquired a world-wide reputation for is the only thing 
 that can save your life. You are dangerously ill, 
 madam. I am not one of that unprincipled class who 
 delude their dying patients with the false assurance that 
 they are in a fair way to recover, when the last breath 
 is actually leaving their bodies! Nor am I actuated 
 wholly by a pecuniary motive. As a devout Chris 
 tian, I never forget my obligations to God while serving 
 the sick. But take courage, my dear madam. Permit 
 me to drop this small powder upon your tongue. 
 There ! Now your cough will soon be easier. The poor 
 have my attendance free of charge. The affluent may 
 exercise their own generosity. I name no particular 
 sum as a fee. I am more anxious to alleviate suffering 
 than to accumulate money. Ah ! You feel easier 
 already. I can easily perceive that !" 
 
 The invalid motioned for Sancho to approach. That 
 venerable slave was her secretary and cashier. He 
 drew a huge, well-filled wallet out of his trowsers 
 pocket, and she took therefrom two bank-bills for Dr. 
 Passion, into whose eyes there came an eager gleam at 
 sight of so much money. But his tongue then quickly 
 articulated what his heart did not feel. And, while pre 
 tending to decline the generous fee, his fingers almost 
 
214 THE JERSEY FARMER. 
 
 perforated the bank bills when they were secure in his 
 hand ! 
 
 And while Dr. Passion was in state-room c success 
 fully deluding his victim, another individual appeared in 
 the ladies cabin. A plainly-clad, substantial and fine- 
 looking man of forty years, whose good-natured coun 
 tenance beamed with an expression of frankness and 
 honesty that is not met with every day. And at his 
 heels came a monstrous great dog, with lolling tongue 
 and wagging tail. His canine majesty recognized the 
 four young ladies, and they saluted him in a familiar 
 way. They each had a pat for his huge, glossy head, 
 while his large hazel eyes glistened with intense delight 
 in response. 
 
 The four young ladies called the dog " Goliah," and 
 when addressing his master they said, " Father !" 
 
 Samuel Denton, a widower, with his four pretty 
 daughters and his valuable St. Bernard dog, were going 
 to a new home in the North-west. Hitherto he had 
 spent his life as a farmer in a very prosperous section of 
 country in the East, where he was respected by a large 
 circle of friends. In a financial position he was com 
 fortable, but not rich. The death of his wife, whom he 
 dearly loved, left him full of discontent. She was buried 
 in the Quaker Cemetery at Westfield, New Jersey, where 
 a small head-stone with the simple name of " Eliza " 
 still designates her grave ! 
 
 Farmer Denton was immigrating to Minnesota with 
 the hope that entirely new associations might wean him 
 from his grief. 
 
 " Where s the Doctor ?" he inquired. " I did not see 
 him go ashore at the landing where we stopped half an 
 hour ago. But, girls, I am glad that none of you noticed 
 him while he hung around here trying to attract your 
 
A DOG S OPINION. 215 
 
 attention. Look out for those fellows. I ve no opinion 
 of them, anyhow. I mean those rascals who travel 
 about and advertise impossible miracles to humbug the 
 ignorant and credulous, with all sorts of testimonials 
 purporting to emanate from authentic sources. And 
 I m convinced that this fellow is in league with another 
 man on the boat. They tried a game that didn t work 
 this morning. The man introduced him to me, at his 
 own request I m certain, so that I might introduce him 
 to you. Ha, ha ! What rogues there are in this world, 
 when we come to find them out ! But the Denton girls 
 will not spend their time entertaining Dr. Passion. 
 He s terribly afraid of Goliah. Ha, ha ! And I fancy 
 the dog has been looking after him rather sharply. 
 What wonderful judges of character these dogs are ! 
 Now, in some cases, I d trust Goliah s opinion quicker 
 than my own. There is a mutual antipathy between 
 Goliah and Dr. Passion ? But where did the scamp 
 go?" 
 
 " He is in state-room c," replied Mercy. " He sent 
 his card to the sick lady, by her colored man." 
 
 " And she received him ? So, so ! He will dupe her 
 out of her money, and doubtless terminate her existence 
 before she has a fair chance to test the benefit of North 
 western atmosphere. Ah, if your dear mother had been 
 taken to Minnesota, possibly she would be living now. 
 But I feel it my duty to look after this lady. I pre 
 sume that she is one of those easy-going, helpless 
 Southern women, who seldom take the trouble to seri 
 ously think, and always have a pack of lazy niggers to 
 wait upon them. Just the kind of people for Dr. Pas 
 sion to bamboozle. They have no proper idea of money, 
 and never count the cost of anything until reduced to 
 starvation. I wouldn t give the plain common-sense 
 
THE PEDANTIC PRONOUN. 217 
 
 experience of either one of you girls, for all the accom 
 plishments possessed by a hundred of these fine ladies 
 we see with their servants tagging after them wherever 
 they go. But this poor lady claims our compassion. 
 She has my sympathy there s no mistake about that. 
 And Goliah and I will make it a point to befriend her 
 if we can. Eh, old boy?" 
 
 Goliah distinctly understood the words of his mas 
 ter, and gave a sharp glance toward letter c, with an 
 uneasy wriggling motion of his body, and a mute but 
 meaning inquiry up into Farmer Denton s face. 
 
 While going about the world, intent upon business 
 or in quest of pleasure, and necessarily keeping an eye 
 open for rogues, with a perpetual suspicion of those 
 who jostle us severely in the great crowd, after mechan 
 ically perusing the stereotyped cards that advise us to 
 " Beware of Pickpockets," we are sometimes bitterly 
 prejudiced against individuals at first sight. And in 
 this brief homily, perhaps, the reader will observe an 
 entire omission of that seemingly pedantic pronoun of 
 the "first person and singular number," so repeatedly 
 occurring in almost every other page of the volume. 
 An allusion to which predominant feature may "recon 
 cile those who dislike its frequent repetition. In a 
 work of this kind it would be impossible for the writer 
 to succinctly accomplish the task without incurring the 
 sarcasm of prudish critiques, who realize the most in 
 tense enjoyment from a sneering accusation of egotism ! 
 But their sneers will not intimidate the perpetrator of 
 the afore-mentioned pronoun, who forthwith recurs to 
 the repulsion experienced in our kaleidoscopic detour of 
 life, which must account for the intuitive repugnance of 
 Farmer Denton and his daughter Mercy when they con 
 templated the visage of the great Dr. Passion. And 
 10 
 
218 A LITTLE EPISODE. 
 
 Goliah s sensibilities were no less acute in the same 
 direction. Most assuredly they and the Doctor were 
 entirely opposite in the attributes of sincerity and truth. 
 For while the designing charlatan told the coughing 
 invalid that he did not belong to the unprincipled class 
 who delude their dying patients with false assurances 
 of recovery, a poor old woman sat in the saloon, then 
 and there depressed by a reminiscence of an event 
 which occurred nearly six months before. The scarlet 
 fever had deprived her son of his hearing. And with a 
 belief in miracles, which the great Dr. Passion was said 
 to perform, she took her son to the hotel where that 
 distinguished personage occupied a suite of rooms in 
 grand style. But, as many other patients were already 
 waiting there, some time elapsed before she and her son 
 could approach him. And then he smiled and ran his 
 fat hand through the greasy black hair upon his head 
 while propounding the usual query of "Well, what 
 troubles you ?" That was his habitual expression when 
 a new victim entered his den. 
 
 " My poor son is deaf. Heaven will reward you for 
 curing him, I m sure !" 
 
 " Hum !" drawled the Doctor, with a derisive smile. 
 Then he soberly added : " My fee is one hundred dollars. 
 It will oost you that sum to restore the hearing of your 
 son !" 
 
 " I havn t that much in the world !" sighed the aged 
 mother. 
 
 " What amount can you raise ?" the Doctor wished 
 to know. 
 
 " Thirty dollars ! The saving of a whole year over 
 and above the cost of providing for six children a 
 penny and a half-dime only at a time !" 
 
 " Will no one loan you any more ?" 
 
 
A STRANGE SUSPICION. 219 
 
 She shook her head and murmured, " I ve no friends 
 with money to spare !" 
 
 " Then give me the thirty dollars cash down, and I ll 
 see what I can do !" And he held out his fat hand. 
 
 Dr. Passion took the poor old woman s money and 
 gave her only a small vial of cistern-water, colored 
 brown. And her boy s ears were still bereft of hearing 
 when she sat in the saloon on board the steamer and 
 saw him enter the state-room where the dying consump 
 tive lay. She wanted to chide him for taking her 
 money and not curing her son; but his cold, leaden 
 eyes made her shiver when she would speak. And so 
 she sat there and cried while no one seemed to care 
 what her sorrows were. At the next landing she went 
 ashore, perhaps to mourn over the affliction of her poor 
 boy, while the great man lingered with the lady who 
 was coughing her life away. 
 
 But Farmer Denton became more and more convinced 
 that he had seen Dr. Passion somewhere before. It did 
 not strike him so at first ; but an almost forgotten vis 
 age gradually shaped itself into a resemblance of the 
 great man s face. 
 
 " Let me think !" said he to his daughters. " What 
 criminals have I any personal recollection of? There s 
 Clough, the murderer, who killed his sweetheart because 
 she refused to marry him. But lie was hanged for the 
 crime. That must have been when I was a little shaver ; 
 for I can just remember running off from school with a 
 larger boy who had a conveyance to go and see the cul 
 prit die. The gallows was erected in the centre of a 
 natural sand-basin or circular hollow, a mile or so from 
 the town of Mount Holly, so that everybody could have 
 a full view of the execution. Poor man ! They brought 
 him down to the place riding backward in a common 
 
220 THE ESCAPED CONVICT. 
 
 cart. And as he passed close by me I could perceive 
 how pale he was. I shall never forget the applauding 
 shout of the multitude when his writhing form dangled 
 up in the air, nor the walloping I got from father when 
 I returned home. Then there was a Mexican named 
 Mini. He killed somebody, too, and they sentenced 
 him to death. But he broke jail and fled. They made 
 a great time searching for him ; but he was not found. 
 I declare, now that I study upon it, there is a marvelous 
 likeness between Dr. Passion "and Mini. Good gracious, 
 girls ! I am quite certain that Mini and he are one ! If 
 you look closely at him, a small cross, like a scar, is vis 
 ible on his forehead, almost directly between his eyes. 
 It is a peculiar mark ! And just such a one was on 
 Mini s forehead when I saw him in the Doylestown 
 prison thirty years ago ! Depend upon it, there is vil 
 lain stamped in his heart as well as imprinted on his 
 face. And if I m spared to live long enough, I ll take 
 every pains to ascertain his origin. He s not an Ameri 
 can ; that s evident in certain physical peculiarities, not 
 visible to a casual observer. I know he speaks our lan 
 guage fluently enough. His accent is rather niggerish ; 
 but that comes from association just as I explained 
 with reference to the force of example! I tell you 
 again, girls, there s some connection between that rascal 
 and the escaped convict Mini !" 
 
 During all that time the great Doctor was closeted 
 with the invalid in state-room c. And to think that he 
 should seem reluctant to take her money after defraud 
 ing so many poor people everywhere. 
 
 But he tucked the bank-bills into his vest-pocket 
 Avith the air of one who really condescended to accept 
 them, and then cautiously began to propound little 
 questions in no way pertaining to the invalid s health. 
 
A CHRISTIAN QUACK. 221 
 
 He presumed that she was a member of some Christian 
 church, and had already made her peace with God. 
 
 " I am a Methodist," said he, with tone and accent 
 unplausibly* indicative of sincerity in his pretension. 
 "You are ?" 
 
 She interrupted him by expressing a hope that she 
 might find salvation without any violent sectarian ad 
 hesion. She had ever been mindful of the future, and, 
 though always attending some church, she claimed 
 membership in none ! 
 
 Dr. Passion slightly changed the current of his inter 
 rogations. Might he know to whom he had the honor 
 of being medical adviser? The wife of some distin 
 guished statesman, no doubt. 
 
 Whether a wife or a widow, she simply said that her 
 name was Levasseur ! 
 
 She told him no more. But she really was once 
 the happy wife of Major Levasseur. 
 
 And what of her husband, and Madame Zorah, and 
 Leonore ? Could she answer all those questions ? No ! 
 She could not answer one of them. 
 
 Poor lady! How weary of life she seemed to be! 
 And how soon she must die ! But she thought it was 
 hard to go and leave her darling adopted child. 
 
CHAPTEE XYI. 
 
 fi 
 
 WHEN Lady Levasseur awoke 
 the next morning after that ter 
 rible discovery of her husband s 
 infatuation with Leonore, she 
 found herself alone with Florin- 
 da, Sancho and Dinah. But 
 Florin da was little better than 
 nobody. For after the heart 
 rending scenes of the chamber, 
 she went about as if dreaming. 
 
 Sometime during the night, a 
 
 carriage came for the Major, and Madame, and Leonore. 
 They were going away. A steamer sailed for Europe 
 the next day at noon, and they hurried on board to 
 cross the sea ! 
 
 Madame Zorah carried a bundle in her arms. It was 
 Leonore s child that had been taken from the bosom of 
 Lady Levasseur while she soundly slept under the influ 
 ence of chloroform ! Levasseur did not intend to rob 
 his wife even of her child. But a sleeping potion kept 
 the babe quiet until the ship was out of the harbor. 
 
224 UNPRECEDENTED WRONG. 
 
 And the father s lip paled and quivered when he 
 beheld what had been done, and calmly reflected upon 
 the unprecedented wrong. The child was his, but he 
 was not its mother ; and he declared that it was worse 
 than cruel to tear it from her when nothing else would 
 be left for her to love ! The outrage was too bad for 
 contemplation. 
 
 Oh, why did they rob the poor mother ? Was it not 
 enough to take the husband, and leave the babe in its 
 mother s arms for the comfort and consolation of her 
 frantic heart? Thus he queried while Madame ex 
 plained that Leonore had been sustaining it with her 
 own life, and that Lady Levasseur was unable to supply 
 the nourishment required of a mother. Nevertheless, he 
 did not consider that a sufficient excuse for taking the 
 child away. And they were careful to keep their fatal 
 secret from him. 
 
 Finding herself so utterly deserted and forsaken, 
 Lady Levasseur became wild with grief. But after a 
 few days she settled down into quiet lunacy, and obedi 
 ently did whatever " Mamma " and " Uncle " told her to. 
 Dinah, her old nurse in her baby days, and her constant 
 companion in youth, had ever been a mother to her; 
 and, as I have already intimated, she grew up into 
 womanhood calling the faithful creature by that name. 
 Sancho, equally as faithful as his wife, had also earned 
 the title that was bestowed upon him. 
 
 I trust that my Northern friends will refrain from 
 sneering at this suggestive allusion. I have witnessed 
 many similar attachments between slaves and the chil 
 dren of their masters in the South. And, therefore, the 
 touching manifestation of mutual tenderness presented 
 in the experience of Lady Levasseur and her colored 
 servants, was by no means a rare exception especially 
 
WEARY OF LIFE. 225 
 
 when the companionship and sympathy of a natural 
 mother may not have been known ! 
 
 Sancho and Dinah concluded that their beloved mis 
 tress would be better off in New Orleans, where her 
 mother s brother, her real uncle, might advise and 
 direct them. They asked her to go, and she seemed to 
 be delighted with their proposition. So, leaving Flor- 
 inda in charge of the mansion, the servants conducted 
 Lady Levasseur back to the familiar scenes of her once 
 happy home. 
 
 Arriving there, her mind gradually resumed its natu 
 ral vigor and tone. But she continued very melan 
 choly, and at times mourned deeply for her child. And 
 when her uncle vowed that he would seek Levasseur 
 and kill him, she persuaded him not to do so. She 
 loved the recreant man too dearly to wish him harm. 
 
 Sometimes she murmured to herself, " He will come 
 back by and by ! He will return when the mad spell is 
 broken that binds him now ! I ll wait for him ! He 
 went away at night, and will reappear in the twilight 
 of evening ! My spirit shall not leave him ! The old 
 love must triumph when his heart grows sad !" 
 
 Meanwhile, Florinda had become weary of life. She 
 employed Kaskadino to poison Leonore s dear mother 
 away up in Selkirk Colony ; and at last suicide would 
 terminate her own career ! I can not say whether it was 
 remorse, or jealousy, or despair that drove her to the 
 act. It was at least one of those strange freaks of 
 human reason, or a loss of reason altogether, that 
 prompted her to lock herself in Lady Levasseur s ele 
 gant chamber and there swallow a dose of laudanum. 
 And then, perhaps, she went to sleep upon the luxurious 
 couch, with its rich canopy of blue satin and gold hang 
 ing around her. I presume this, inasmuch as the Goes 
 10* 
 
226 THE SECTARIAN ASYLUM. 
 
 found the door locked within, and because she was not 
 afterward seen by mortal eyes ! 
 
 If this theory is correct, and Mrs. Coe and her maiden 
 sister, and Mr. Coe, had been able to unfasten that cham 
 ber door when they explored the Levasseur mansion, 
 what a frightful picture would have met their gaze ! 
 But by some unaccountable means the mansion and all 
 that it contained went to destruction by fire in a few 
 hours after the Goes were there ! 
 
 Soon after she had been left alone, a letter was writ 
 ten by Florinda announcing her suicidal intention. That 
 letter was received in New Orleans, but its declarations 
 were not deemed of sufficient meaning to call for inves 
 tigation until an account of the burning of the mansion 
 reached the uncle of Lady Levasseur. And then the 
 ruins from the conflagration were left smoldering with 
 out the personal attention of any one for nearly two 
 years. The property was eventually sold. 
 
 Lady Levasseur accompanied her uncle to New York, 
 when he himself consummated the sale; and while in 
 that city sh.e prevailed upon him to accompany her to 
 an asylum for orphan children. She had often heard of 
 such places, but never thought much about them until 
 at that particular time she conceived a great desire to 
 inspect one. 
 
 They visited an asylum that was conducted by a 
 religious denomination universally noted for its institu 
 tions of charity as a means of promoting the dogmas of 
 its creed. They wisely think that a belief planted in 
 the mind of a child is productive of far more good, and 
 vastly more enduring, than the labored conversion of 
 an adult heathen, or the apostatizing of a sectarian 
 against his voluntary will ! 
 
 The asylum visited by Lady Levasseur was devoted 
 

 THE LITTLE ORPHANS. 227 
 
 entirely to female children, where she saw not less than 
 four hundred little orphans in charge of sober-faced 
 matrons, who tried to look motherly and kind, but 
 whose rigid features were painfully significant of me 
 chanical duty, either as an irksome task of imaginary 
 propitiation or a tedious labor for the subsistence of 
 life. 
 
 There was the infant, who had not yet approached 
 the period of dentition, creeping and crowing, or kick 
 ing and crying without a mother ! 
 
 There was the little toddler, ambitiously struggling 
 to walk from the bed to the chair, with its chirping 
 laugh, or moaning in the agony of bodily pain with 
 out a mother ! 
 
 There was the three-year old child, eagerly scanning 
 the visage of each stranger, and no doubt wondering 
 what made that little girl look so happy in her pretty 
 dress, when she came to visit them yesterday with a 
 mother ! 
 
 And there was a long double file of older girls, in 
 brown dresses and check aprons, marching through a 
 large room out into the hall, on their way to dinner ; 
 some with sorrowful faces and downcast look, and 
 others smiling and apparently happy all without 
 mothers ! 
 
 And in another room there was one sweet little fair- 
 haired child, who shrank behind the nurse s chair and 
 coyly peeped out, imploringly but timidly, with a mel 
 ancholy yearning in her blue eyes that touched Lady 
 Levasseur s heart more than all the others, and made 
 her sigh, " Poor, dear, sad little orphan !" 
 
 And Lady Levasseur must know more of the sorrow 
 ful child. The nurse could answer no questions. She 
 really knew nothing beyond the routine of her daily 
 
228 
 
 vocation. Fortunately there was one person connected 
 with the institution who evinced an unusual willingness 
 to communicate whatever she could to gratify Lady 
 Levasseur and that was the registress of the asylum. 
 
 The Record described No. 2,791 as a foundling only a 
 few weeks old when it was brought in by a stranger, 
 who picked it up in some by-place. And about its 
 neck hung a string of Job s-tear beads, joined by a small 
 gold locket, upon which was engraved the name of 
 " Fleurette" Lady Levasseur wondered if some fond 
 mother had been robbed of her babe and left as deso 
 late as she was, when her faithless husband and those 
 wicked women took her little innocent away? But 
 what else ? She wanted to know all. 
 
 The stranger who brought the child said nothing 
 about the locket. Perhaps that escaped her notice by 
 being concealed beneath the child s dress. However, it 
 might be of some service in the future ; and the nurse 
 was instructed by the principal to preserve it, and to 
 continually keep it upon the child s neck, so that visit 
 ors might see it there. 
 
 Lady Levasseur sat down and took the fair-haired 
 orphan upon her lap, and kissed it, and asked if it 
 would like to go and live with her, and be her little 
 daughter. 
 
 The child threw its arms around Lady Levasseur s 
 neck, and cried and sobbed, " Oh, yes ! Oh, yes !" 
 
 But the nurse shook her head in doubt. They did 
 not permit their orphans to be taken away, except upon 
 stringent conditions, and by certain people. Did Lady 
 Levasseur belong to the same church ? 
 
 " Yes, I do !" replied her uncle. " As to that, I can 
 soon satisfy the principal. If my niece wishes to adopt 
 the child, we can give all the references required." 
 
THE ADOPTED CHILD. 229 
 
 And thus the little orphan became the adopted child 
 of Lady Levasseur. They called her Fleurette. And 
 from the hour when she first nestled her sunny curls so 
 sweetly upon Lady Levasseur s bosom, the latter began 
 to look more cheerful. She then had something to 
 love ! And she tried to fancy that her own darling had 
 come home to her aching heart ! 
 
 But the blow which Lady Levasseur sustained by the 
 cruel desertion of her husband had nearly broken down 
 her health ; and the insidious worm of consumption was 
 gnawing within. Little by little, from day to day, the 
 poison spread. The parched skin, the internal fever, 
 the hectic flush in her cheeks ; and then that burning, 
 ominous cough. Paler, weaker, and wasting away, 
 while large sums of money were accepted by physi 
 cians who knew they could not kill the insidious worm. 
 Down, gradually, but steadily down coughing, and 
 coughing on the way ! 
 
 But the invalid s uncle could not wait for her to die ! 
 One night there was a rapping at his chamber door ; 
 and old Mortality, clad in that dismal garb of death, 
 softly entered, and silently bade his soul depart and 
 leave his body return again to clay ! 
 
 Lady Levasseur also inherited the vast wealth of her 
 uncle. But she must soon follow him to the grave. 
 And then where would all her riches go? To her 
 adopted child ! 
 
 But while life remained, hope could not die. And 
 then she heard of that "bright realm of flowers, of 
 beautiful lakes and winding streams," where invalids 
 do not suifocate with miasmatic breath. The sunny 
 South also had its flowers, its lakes and its streams 
 all beautiful everywhere. But Nature was too prodigal 
 with her flowers blooming all the year. So much life 
 

 THE FLOWERY LAND. 231 
 
 engendered perpetual decay ; and though very charm 
 ing to the eye, there was a poison in the air that toyed 
 even among the aromatic leaves of the fruit-laden 
 orange tree ! 
 
 Minnesota! The land with lakes and streams of 
 steel-blue water beneath a steel-blue sky ! 
 
 The land where no malarious vapors ever rise ! 
 
 The land of hope, where enchantment soon lures the 
 deepest melancholy into cheerful smiles ! 
 
 The land of promise, where consumptives may rise 
 from their beds, and walk, and laugh in unison with 
 bird-songs of joy heard warbling in the groves ! 
 
 Lady Levasseur was en voyage to Minnesota. Her 
 devoted slaves went with her, and so did Fleurette, her 
 darling adopted child ! 
 
 But the odious vampire would not let her pass ! He 
 heard her languidly-breathing cough, and chuckled with 
 a thirsty grin. Assuming human form and Christian 
 guise, with the cold, leaden eyes of Dr. Passion, he 
 gloated in anticipation upon the dying wreck of beauty 
 and tortured love ! 
 
 Farmer Denton wanted to befriend the weak every 
 where. Goliah was ever ready to stand by his master, 
 and did not always wait for his call. He frequently 
 proved that a " dumb animal " may have a slight modi 
 cum of reason. 
 
 Perhaps I overestimate the sagacity of the canine 
 species, while a majority of my fellow-mortals under 
 value the attributes of the noblest creature next to man ! 
 Experience will teach the wisest of us to believe what 
 we might otherwise never know and the knowledge 
 or the wisdom thus acquired will not forsake us very 
 soon ! 
 
 Goliah did understand the wishes of his master, and 
 
232 A DOG S PERCEPTION. 
 
 immediately took upon himself the singular task of 
 watching every person and scrutinizing every object 
 that passed in or out of state-room c. He wagged his 
 tail at Dinah and at Sancho, and frisked around Fleu- 
 rette, while she did not hesitate to put her arms about 
 his immense neck and talk to him as she would to any 
 person whom she loved. Well she might, for his flow 
 ing hair was entirely free from odor and soil. A digni 
 fied animal, proud and clean ! 
 
 " O, isn t he nice !" exclaimed Fleurette. In the inno 
 cence of her heart, she could not refrain from caressing 
 the noble creature. 
 
 How strange it is that while some people have an 
 innate fondness for domestic animals, others will shrink 
 from even the touch of a pretty little kitten. And dogs 
 are quick to perceive who like them. It is also very 
 remarkable and positively true, that the more intelli 
 gent breed of dogs can detect the viciousness or the dis 
 honesty of those who shun them ! Farmer Denton often 
 said that he invariably suspected any one who manifest 
 ed a repugnance to his dog, and at the same time he 
 made it a rule to respect those whom his dog did not 
 condemn ! 
 
 Goliah was evidently shy of Dr. Passion and that 
 friend of his. At least he would not approach them. 
 And, pretending to look in another direction, he furtively 
 eyed them crosswise, while they were no less distant in 
 their maneuvering to avoid him. 
 
 As usual in such cases the clerk of the boat firmly 
 remonstrated against Goliah s free entrance to the sa 
 loon. Farmer Denton admitted that common dogs 
 were hardly fit to enter the ladies saloon. But Go 
 liah was an exception. He had been reared with rules 
 of unquestionable propriety; and was accustomed to 
 
233 
 
 ladies society. The ladies admired him ! And Farmer 
 Denton significantly said : 
 
 "You ll find it a plaguy ugly job to get between us, 
 anyhow. That dog is the best friend I ve got in the 
 world. I have him with me now, because I m moving 
 up to Minnesota and he s just precisely what a man in 
 my situation wants to guarantee safety ! There s money 
 in my pocket, and that dog knows it s there. While 
 he is near, no pickpocket is smart enough to rob me. 
 And when I sleep at night, he lies as close as he can 
 get, with one eye open and his prodigious jaws ready to 
 spring like a mammoth steel-trap, should any one come 
 fingering round. You see, sir, that s my dog and 
 we re in the same boat together. I ll throw in that 
 joke, gratis. Goliah goes in and out with me every 
 where. Eh you see ?" 
 
 Farmer Denton did make the acquaintance of Lady 
 Levasseur. She was going to Minnesota for her health, 
 and he intended making his future home there. He 
 had some excuse for offering his services on the score 
 of that, if nothing else. And she was glad to meet 
 such an honest-appearing man. 
 
 He was not long in speaking his mind about Dr. Pas 
 sion, and bluntly said : 
 
 " Don t take any more of that quack stuff! Throw it 
 all away !" He made a grimace of disgust and con 
 tempt. " It won t do you a bit of good. It s only so 
 much white dust from Montmarte, with a flavoring of 
 gall, -to give it a bitterness for effect or some other 
 equally inefficacious nonsense, or a slow poison ! Try 
 to get out on deck and inhale some of this invigorating 
 atmosphere. We re getting into Minnesota now and 
 / can already perceive a vast change in the air. Come 
 out, do ! Here, girls, held her all you can ! She s 
 
234 A 
 
 going to throw away them quack powders and take 
 nothing but the rejuvenescence of Minnesota. Now, 
 help her, girls ! She ll be stronger to-morrow, and 
 stronger yet the day after. Her cheeks will soon be as 
 rosy as yours. Come, girls, she s not going to lie here 
 any more. Won t it be funny if she s promenading the 
 deck without assistance before we reach St. Paul ?" 
 
 Dr. Passion was not a witness to that scene. And 
 Lady Levasseur did take courage from the blunt and 
 earnest sympathy of the paternal farmer. His daugh 
 ters were also kind and attentive to her, and a bond of 
 lasting friendship was being established between her 
 and them. And it did not stop there. The feeling 
 spread. A perfect web of more than ordinarily good 
 feeling reached all around not forgetting the " colored 
 folks and the dos;." 
 
 O 
 
 Indeed, the relationship of the invalid and the " col 
 ored folks " was somewhat enigmatical to the farmer 
 and his daughters, all of whom entertained the popular 
 prejudices of the community in which they had always 
 lived. He was bitterly opposed to slavery, and yet 
 never imagined that Africans were worthy of such con 
 fidence and trust as Lady Levasseur reposed in Sancho. 
 He contended that negroes should have their freedom, 
 the same as white people ; but they were at best only 
 miserable creatures, very far beneath the genuine stand 
 ard of human beings. And for all his concern about 
 their bondage, like a majority of the class with whom 
 his ideas were intimately identified, he did not look to 
 the elevation of their social position. They were good 
 enough for menials, but nothing more. He inherited 
 those prejudices of his father in the same manner that 
 his daughters imbibed them from him, without actual 
 
 o * 
 
 inquiry beyond traditional belief. However, he pos- 
 
IMITATIVE BEINGS. 235 
 
 sessed a generous mind, as well as quick perception, and 
 to his daughters frankly said : 
 
 " That old Sancho is the worthiest negro I ever saw. 
 And if it wasn t for his yellow skin arid that inevitable 
 wool on the back part of his head, he d pass for a real 
 gentleman. Why, he s as dignified and self-possessed 
 as a schoolmaster, and not in the least pompous or 
 supercilious, like those black peacocks who live in Jer 
 sey. I tell you what it is, girls ; there s a great deal in 
 example. That old fellow has been accustomed to what 
 they call society, and he s picked up the mannerisms of 
 well-bred people. We are all imitative beings, ever 
 unconsciously acquiring the tastes and habits of those 
 around us. And the worst of it is, we seem to gather 
 the evil with more avidity than the good. This colored 
 person is an exception to that rule, though; for he 
 appears to have improved upon the inferiority of his 
 race. Ah, but what charming scenery we re passing 
 along the river all this time !" the farmer exclaimed, as 
 a beautiful sunset view appeared to suddenly dissipate 
 his ethical discourse. "Talk about the magnificent 
 Hudson ! Why, this is infinitely more sublime ! Now, 
 girls, feast your eyes on that !" 
 
 But presently " Bob," a sable-skinned individual, act 
 ing as steward ad interim, tapped the farmer on his 
 shoulder and faintly articulated, "Tea s ready, sah !" 
 That was intended for the sly premonition which dining- 
 saloon figurantes habitually give ladies, in advance of 
 the rattling of the bell or banging of the gong. The 
 custom was originally adopted with a twofold object. 
 It enabled ladies to secure eligible places at the table 
 before a general scrambling of the multitude destroyed 
 the formality of conventional etiquette by promiscuous 
 confusion. And it was also a suggestive incentive for 
 
236 MAKING COMPARISONS. 
 
 the pecuniary remembrance of attention thus be 
 stowed. 
 
 "That s the talk!" responded Denton. "Be there 
 instanter !" Then, as " Bob " hurried away, he added, 
 for his daughter s hearing, " Some difference twixt 
 these darkies and old Sancho. The latter would not 
 tap a white man on the shoulder in that way. Another 
 instance to illustrate what I told you a while ago that 
 example is everything. This smart young Ethiop has 
 been reared in the harum-scarum looseness of quick 
 come and go. But we had better take his hint, and get 
 seats near the captain. I like Captain Webb ! He s a 
 clever man ; and the oldest captain on the Upper Mis 
 sissippi River. 
 
 " By the way ; I ve already observed that these West 
 ern steamboat captains are far more social than those 
 occupying a similar position on the rivers in the East. 
 I once addressed a civil question to the captain of a 
 Sound steamer, and, instead of giving a decent answer, 
 he pushed me to one side and pompously walked on, 
 without so much as a grunt or a smile. And the joke 
 of it was, that I subsequently repaid his incivility with 
 compound interest in the bargain. He happened to be 
 visiting an acquaintance near Westfield. When he got 
 out of the cars, my buggy stood near the station ; and 
 some one told him that I was going right past the 
 house where his acquaintance lived, a mile or so from 
 town. He approached me full of smiles then. Of 
 course he didn t recognize me in connection with that 
 little bit of arrogance on the Sound. But I remem 
 bered him. Would I be so kind as to give him a 
 ride ? he obsequiously inquired. I eyed him with a 
 look of non-comprehension, and uttered no reply. He 
 then repeated the inquiry, additionally remarking: 
 
TAKING A BATH. 237 
 
 The road is so muddy that I shall certainly spoil my 
 apparel if obliged to walk! I had a great mind to 
 drive off and make no answer at all. But that wouldn t 
 be like me. So I politely gave him a seat in the 
 buggy. When we arrived at his friend s house, I de 
 tained him a moment to recall his incivility on the 
 Sound. The circumstance was not forgotten. And he 
 apologized with the most sheepish expression of coun 
 tenance possible to squeeze out of a living man. And 
 that s the way I repaid him !" 
 
 " Bob " assisted them in making a satisfactory even 
 ing repast ; and then, when the saloon was restored to 
 its normal condition, he and his comrades extemporized 
 a Minstrel Band. First "dey had de oberture," and 
 "den de program ob songs," all terminating with a 
 pleasant cotillon or two for " de ladees and gem ens " 
 who wished to dance ! 
 
 The next day about noon they arrived at the levee of 
 St. Paul. Dr. Passion seemed very anxious to land 
 as soon as the plank could be thrown ashore. He stood 
 upon the lower deck where the men bustled around in 
 the hurry and confusion of making fast. And there he 
 received more than one rudely admonishing shove. 
 But perhaps he had engagements to fill. Credulous 
 people might be expecting him at a certain hotel where 
 he was advertised to perform miraculous cures. He 
 was exceedingly impatient, be the cause what it might. 
 But bad luck was in store for him, nevertheless. Some 
 body did something that pushed somebody else, so that 
 in the surge his foot caught under a rope. A pitch and 
 a stumble, and backward into the river plunged the 
 great medical man ! And some cruel jester tantalizing- 
 ly sang out, in a quizzical tone of voice, " How are you, 
 Hydropathy !" 
 
CHAPTEE XVII. 
 
 . WHEX Doctor Passion tum 
 bled into the river, Goliah sat 
 upon his haunches near the rail 
 ing above, without appearing to 
 notice what had happened ; and 
 a crusty millwright sneeringly 
 cried out to Farmer Denton, 
 " Where s your wonderful dog, 
 now? I say, stranger, guess 
 you ve been blowing some. 
 Didn t you tell us all how he d pull a man out of the 
 water if one accidentally got in ?" 
 
 " My dog don t consider the life of that fellow worth 
 diving after. He s too sagacious to trouble himself 
 about saving a blasted quack !" 
 
 Then a chorus of voices swelled up in ridicule of the 
 farmer and his dog. But the next instant they all heard 
 a feminine shriek as the form of Fleurette was seen 
 falling from the guard-railing of the upper deck. Hav 
 ing rushed out to see what the people meant by the 
 
240 KESCUE OF FLEUKETTE. 
 
 cries of " man overboard !" she lost her balance, in some 
 unaccountable way, during the excitement of the scene, 
 and was also precipitated into the river below. 
 
 Goliah heard Fleurette s shriek, and instantly leaped 
 clear over the railing out into the air. With a tre 
 mendous splash he struck the water and disappeared 
 for an instant to rise near Fleurette. But he approached 
 her carefully. She saw him coming and endeavored to 
 anticipate his maneuvers. He quickly seized the back 
 of her dress between the shoulders, and tenderly, but 
 firmly, his teeth grasped the top of it in such a skillful 
 manner that he was enabled to keep her head entirely 
 out of the water. And then he swam ashore with her 
 as gently as the pleasant sporting of a swan. 
 
 The huzzas of the people on board the boat and the 
 crowd upon the levee were loud and long in applause at 
 the quick rescue of Fleurette, and that, too, while Dr. 
 Passion was borne down with the current to the bow of 
 an " opposition steamer." He would drown for certain 
 if his preservation depended upon Goliah, who was 
 wholly interested in Fleurette. 
 
 The bystanders began to gather around ; and some 
 gentlemen thought to help Fleurette back on board the 
 boat, after Goliah carried her ashore but a terrible 
 growl from the jealous animal drove them all back in 
 fright. And then, still clinging to his neck for support, 
 the half- drowned girl was escorted safely up the long 
 plank, to the wonder and amusement of the multitude, 
 and with extreme delight to herself. 
 
 " There !" shouted Farmer Denton, amid the clapping 
 of hands and an enthusiastic repetition of vehement 
 huzzas. "There! Now you see! That s what my 
 dog ll do !" 
 
 And, indeed, it was not the first time that Goliah had 
 
OVATION TO "GOLIAU." 241 
 
 been a hero ! Many exploits of a remarkable nature 
 were connected with his previous history. 
 
 The wet garments of Fleurette were exchanged for 
 others, while her canine preserver stretched himself 
 at full length to dry his dripping hair in the sunshine 
 near the outer door of state-room c, where he could hear 
 what was going on within. 
 
 A deck hand of the opposition steamer took pity on 
 Dr. Passion, and finally succeeded in getting him on 
 board more dead than alive. 
 
 Farmer Denton was considered a good and a humane 
 man by those who knew him well ; but when the vam 
 pire came up out of the river, he could not refrain from 
 muttering, 
 
 " I really was in hope that scamp would drown !" 
 
 But though Fleurette unintentionally " cut such a 
 splash " by way of announcing her arrival in St. Paul, 
 everybody seemed to be highly delighted at the happy 
 and novel result. Sancho said to Dinah : " I mus say 
 dat ar mon cerus big dog kin beat ebrey udder animile 
 I ze seed in my time, all holler." To which Dinah re 
 plied : " An eze wuf eze hull wate en bran new goold 
 dollars right out ob de mint !" 
 
 If any distinguished personage ever felt " afflict- 
 ingly bored " by a grand ovation, Goliah certainly expe 
 rienced the misery of being great. Even those inveter 
 ate dog-haters, who exist everywhere, joined in the 
 multiform plaudits bestowed upon him. The deck 
 hands whistled for him to come down among them, and 
 the imps of the culinary sanctum brought out gammon 
 bones, refuse steaks, and surplus chops, to entice him 
 above. And the austere clerk actually snapped his 
 thumb and finger with a patronizing chirp. But the 
 dignified quadruped made no response to any of them. 
 11 
 
242 
 
 If his tail wagged at all, it did so only when his ac 
 knowledged and more intimate friends gave him their 
 attention. Indeed, he would have preferred much less 
 demonstrative noise on his account. 
 
 Busied with Sancho and Dinah in arranging their 
 things for leaving the steamer, Lady Levasseur did not 
 know of the frightful accident to Fleurette, until after 
 it was entirely over; and then, perceiving the attach 
 ment between Fleurette and the noble animal, she im 
 mediately proposed that his master should sell him 
 to her. 
 
 " There ain t enough money in the world to buy that 
 dog !" replied the farmer. " He s none of those com 
 mon curs. No mongrel in him ! Why, bless you, 
 lady, he s a pure St. Bernard ; and knows a heap more 
 than some folks who d like to kick him when he passes 
 them. My wife thought everything of that dog when 
 she was alive, and I value him all the more because she 
 liked him so ! And the girls would cry their eyes out 
 if anything should happen to him ! He s often saved 
 my property, and he once saved my life ! I d be ever 
 so much delighted to gratify you, for the sake of your 
 daughter; but you don t want to take him from us 
 now, after I ve told you all that. We d feel sadder 
 than ever in our new home, if Goliah wasn t there with 
 us ! Ah, we shall be lonely enough without mother ! 
 That s Eliza, I mean my wife that was, and mother to 
 those four daughters of mine. She died with I beg 
 your pardon for making unpleasant allusions. But 
 mother I call her mother, you know. We Northern 
 folks have our queer ways and perhaps you Southern 
 ers have some odd customs as well as us. Mother died 
 with the consumption ! And I shall always believe 
 that if I had brought her up here, to Minnesota, she 
 
PARTING KEGKETS. 243 
 
 would have been alive this day ! But you re here now ; 
 and depend upon it, you ll recover very soon !" 
 
 Sancho and Dinah both murmured something like, 
 " Praise de Lor fur what dat ar good man wid de big 
 dog am say n to Missus now !" 
 
 " Oh, what a pleasant place !" whispered Fleurette, 
 as they rode up Third street in the vehicle that con 
 veyed them to the Merchants Hotel. If she was 
 pleased with the short ride up that hill, what would 
 she say when they came to view the grand magnifi 
 cence of the wide-spread city, with hundreds of costly 
 stores, and stylish residences scattered around in the 
 suburbs, and elegant villas upon the surrounding hills ? 
 
 The best of friends may be compelled to separate in 
 the uneven course of life ; and the parting interview of 
 those two families was not without sincere and em 
 phatically demonstrated regrets. The farmer s new 
 home was beyond St. Paul nearly a hundred miles 
 from that city. And the following morning, he and his 
 four daughters and Goliah went off by railway cars, 
 that ran some distance partly in the direction which 
 they were going. 
 
 Meanwhile, Lady Levasseur had not risen before Dr. 
 Passion called to attend her. Then the card of another 
 distinguished medicastre was also brought to her for 
 admission. Indeed, it was apparently probable that the 
 vampires actually employed emissaries to watch the 
 arrival of every steamer and report the coming of inva 
 lids. And if any wretched consumptive got safely 
 housed without being caught by the "malady detect 
 ives," then the auricular sensibility of the professional 
 cormorants who instigated them, was so marvelously 
 acute that they had no difficulty in hearing the least 
 possible symptom of a new cough, breathed or other- 
 
244 SANCHO AND THE QUACKS. 
 
 wise uttered, in atiy part of the city. (But such impos 
 tors are scarce there now the citizens having taken 
 measures to greatly discourage them.) 
 
 But Lady Levasseur was thoroughly impressed with 
 the philosophy of Farmer Denton ; arid, consequently, 
 none of the soi disant Esculapians were successful in 
 their devices of approach. 
 
 " Whar on arth, all dem ar doct rs born, I wund r ?" 
 remarked Dinah to Sancho. 
 
 " Bress my stars de ole gal aint got sperience nuff 
 in dis sinful worle to know ow dat am. You see, 
 honey, in de fust place dat am in de begin n dey wus 
 two speerits. Wun of dem ar speerits wus good, an de 
 udder wus bad. An de bad wun s bin flurish n all dis 
 time like a green bay tree. An you recumember de 
 beeographee ob dem ar orf 1 hungry big fishes what am 
 call d sherks, an how dey foll rs art r a ship on de see, 
 when dey smells sick folks aboard. You does recumem 
 ber dat quar beeographee ob de fishes ! Well, den, my 
 lab ; dese yar doct r chaps is land sherks an dey is all 
 de time skoot n or sneek n round on de sly whar-ebber 
 inwalids trabbel. Dey is wus n sherks kase de sherks 
 oney want de ded corpuses, wile de quacks take sick 
 pussun s mun y wid dar libes, an den leab dar corpuses 
 fur udder folks tu beerry. You see Dinar, ole gal ; de 
 mascumline mind ob de starn r sex us am abel to par - 
 seeb what ain t all rs komprehenshunabel to de karnel 
 cents ob lubly wom n !" 
 
 Dinah was proud of Sancho as a man ; and, never 
 having listened to the demoralizing precepts of the 
 strong-minded gynecian squabblers, who are striving 
 with all their might to instigate a connubial revolution, 
 she experienced much pleasure in hearing what she 
 called " de voice ob wis um." She was all the prouder 
 
 
THE "LOCALS" OF ST. PAUL. 245 
 
 of Sancho because the blood of his mother s master a 
 very distinguished statesman flowed in his own veins. 
 And when he paused for breath, she responded, "Dat 
 am a fac !" 
 
 Sancho s comparison of consumption quacks and rapa 
 cious fish was better than any I might suggest ; and it 
 is quite probable that Dinah s approbation would have 
 been accorded in by a multitude of victims, if they had 
 heard him explain his theory. 
 
 The newspapers, next morning, announced the arrival 
 of the celebrated Dr. Passion, who had returned once 
 more after an absence (of I don t know how long), in 
 St. Louis. And there was an accompanying suggestion 
 that invalids would rejoice at his coming. But nothing 
 was said about his aquatic adventure at the levee. Nor 
 did the unamphibious " locals " make any mention of a 
 young lady having been rescued from drowning by a 
 dog. However, the perambulent scribes were excusable 
 for their inubiquity of that day, inasmuch as they had 
 just returned from a rather extended fishing excursion, 
 the convivial hilarity and fatigue of which left their 
 usually multocular faculties of perception in a conse 
 quent state of sleepiness. In fact, their visual organs 
 were closed in slumber at the precise moment when 
 Goliah s heroism occurred. But one of them more than 
 atoned for his unavoidable hallucination, by subse 
 quently writing and publishing an epic stanzas in com 
 memoration of the " scenic " event a copy of which is 
 still among the literary treasures of Fleurette. And, in 
 accordance with the spirit of progress so characteristic 
 of the North-west, that effusive reporter is now the sole 
 proprietor of a flourishing journal in a neighboring 
 town. 
 
 Lady Levasseur was very rich. The death of her 
 
246 SOUTHERN IDEAS OF COLD. 
 
 uncle left her more than she knew what to do with. 
 Fortunately, the greater part of his wealth and hers 
 was invested in the North ; and therefore the rebellion 
 would not impoverish her. 
 
 She had a twofold object in leaving New Orleans. 
 A change of air, and escape from the horrors of the war. 
 Many of her Southern acquaintances sneeringly laughed 
 at the idea of going " up the river " two or three thou 
 sand miles, almost to the Arctic Pole as they said 
 where it was cold enough to freeze the blood in her 
 veins ; and that, too, when she had the consumption. 
 And some of them strongly hinted that the inhabitants 
 of the North-west were, for most part, little better than 
 cannibals. The hordes of mud-sills and wild Indians 
 would, in all probability, rob and scalp her before she 
 had been there a week. 
 
 Yet she remembered hearing her husband speak of 
 that country and its people. And what he said was not 
 in accordance with the extremely absurd impression of 
 her advisers, who sincerely believed that Paradise ex 
 isted only in the latitude of orange-blossoms and sugar 
 cane. She expected to die very soon. But, for the sake 
 of lingering with Fleurette as long as possible, she would 
 go, hoping for some relief. 
 
 It might have been that Farmer Denton s encourage 
 ment animated her spirits and imbued her with fresh 
 strength. Though, without reducing that theory to 
 argument as a test, it may be recorded that her health 
 began to improve with her advent in St. Paul. At first 
 she rode out in a close carriage only a short distance, 
 and but once a day. The fatigue which seemed intoler 
 able to her when she began riding sensibly diminished 
 in a little while, and in a few weeks time she volun 
 tarily extended her drives, and repeated them in an 
 
THE BLUE-BIRDS SONG. 
 
 247 
 
 open vehicle and on horseback, for the sake of inhaling 
 all the more air. 
 
 Then winter came, with its beautiful dry snow, its 
 clear sky and its lovely moonlight nights. Sleigh-bells 
 were merrily ringing up and down the highways, and 
 Lady Levasseur s " turn-out " sped along as gaily as the 
 rest of them. The pallor vanished from her cheeks to 
 admit a roseate glow; her eyes lost their languor in 
 sparkling animation ; her colorless lips were ruddy and 
 smooth ; her attenuated form resumed its original full 
 ness and beauty ; her listless gait was quickened into an 
 elastic step, and the pleasant intimation of a smile upon 
 her countenance disclosed more cheerfulness in her 
 heart. When the blue-birds came back to herald the 
 approach of spring with their twittering song, she and 
 Fleurette were almost daily seen on horseback galloping 
 out on Summit avenue and returning to town by another 
 way. As the buttercups grew, the beautiful mother 
 and her lovely adopted daughter were plucking them 
 like two school children in holiday glee. And with the 
 transition of season from early blossoms to summer 
 flowers, while increasing verdure spread, and productive 
 existence matured into teeming glory, so renewed health 
 and still greater enjoyment were realized by both of 
 them. 
 
 Meanwhile, Farmer Denton and his daughters, and 
 
 O / 
 
 Goliah, were quite happy in their new home. Mercy 
 kept up a regular correspondence with Lady Levasseur, 
 or perhaps I should say with Fleurette, who was ex 
 tremely delighted to act as secretary for her adopted 
 mother. And it was arranged that Lady Levasseur and 
 Fleurette, and Sancho and Dinah, should go and spend 
 a few weeks at the farm, where Mr. Denton had put 
 everything in the very best shape, on purpose, he said, 
 
248 THE SIOUX WAR-WHOOP. 
 
 to make it pleasant for them when they came, as ex 
 pected, during the second week in August, which was 
 then near at hand. 
 
 But, alas for human expectations ! The Sioux War- 
 whoop suddenly rent the peaceful air that was laden with 
 prosperity and alive with buoyant hopes. The appalling 
 alarm came like a thunderbolt, with howling demons 
 and death ! The Indians had been reduced to a state of 
 starvation in consequence of not receiving their Annuity 
 Money when they needed it most. And numbers of 
 them actually died in want of food while waiting for 
 the tardy movements of Government officials some 
 where ! 
 
 The Indian is required to bring in his wife and all his 
 children, if he expects to draw anything for them. 
 
 "White man can t trust Injun for he lies!" He 
 would say that he had twenty papooses in his teepee 
 beyond the lake or the river, when he did not really 
 have so much as a teepee or even a squaw ! Therefore 
 he must bring his family to the Agency to draw their 
 pay. The agent can then count their noses, without 
 question or doubt. 
 
 "Injun can t trust white man for he lies, too!" 
 And some do say that it was a bad pale-face who first 
 taught the aborigines to lie. But I am one of those 
 who believe that the art of lying has been known to 
 every nation and tribe of men from innocent Adam 
 down to the wily politicians of the present day. 
 
 In our " Indian affairs " there has been not only a 
 great deal of lying, but an enormous amount of cheat 
 ing all of which stands recorded upon the white man s 
 page of the " treaty " ledger. It has been a continual 
 repetition of "the turkey and the crow," in which 
 game the domestic fowl invariably falls to the white 
 
IS THERE SUCH A MAN? 249 
 
 man s lot. The Indian is sure to get the crow ; or, as 
 it might accidentally happen nothing at all ! " Fair 
 play " is too precious for the aborigine. 
 
 Our indulgent "Uncle Samuel" the red man s Great 
 Father is cheated by his agents to the tune of millions, 
 over and above what has been stipulated for by his 
 copper-colored children, while they do not receive half 
 their just dues. And yet the Public seem not to know 
 what becomes of the money. Nevertheless, I might 
 here describe several " lots, tracts and parcels " of very 
 valuable property now in the possession of those who 
 have enriched themselves at the expense of honor and 
 humanity as men, by defrauding the Government and 
 robbing the poor Indian ! 
 
 Who instigated the great Indian massacre of Au 
 gust, 1862 ? Is there a man now living in luxury who 
 indirectly or directly sacrificed the lives of several thou 
 sand fellow beings, and destroyed millions of property, 
 to amass a fortune for himself? If such a man is living, 
 how does he feel? He may reside in a fine house, 
 and have about him all the creature-comforts of life! 
 But possibly remorse is deepening the lines of reflec 
 tion in his face ! And, though he can feast on savory 
 viands and drink costly champagne in his slumber, at 
 times, there must be a chaos of bleeding victims and in 
 carnate fiends ! 
 
 Well might Bishop Whipple, in his " Appeal for the 
 Red Man," tell the President of the United States that 
 there was something wrong in the administration of 
 Government affairs on the North-western frontier. I say 
 frontier, because there will continue to be a " sanguinary 
 line of demarkation" between the limits of our pur 
 chased lands and the territory of the aborigine so long 
 as he has a single acre left to dispose of and the " har- 
 11* 
 
251 
 
 pies of favored position " are permitted to enrich them 
 selves by an organized system of robbery, both dis 
 graceful to the nation arid shamefully instigative of 
 every crime against the laws of God ! For, not content 
 with " arithmetical frauds," those who have the oppor 
 tunity by right (or by wrong) to honorably represent 
 the Government and faithfully serve the savage, ingen 
 iously and deliberately compel the industrious and vir 
 tuous to liquidate the obligations of the indolent and 
 depraved. School money is squandered and other ap 
 propriations misapplied to aggrandize individual gains. 
 The reverend Bishop accuses white men of teaching the 
 Sioux and the Chippeways that adultery is no sin and 
 theft no crime ! He even intimates that some go so far 
 as to rob the Sioux of their cash by selling them the 
 poison which I have described in a preceding chapter, 
 purposely to destroy their lives, and then forge certifi 
 cates whereby they are empowered to draw and crimi 
 nally appropriate annuity money in the name of the 
 dead \ And he further declares that every dollar which 
 the Government or the Indian is thus defrauded of must 
 inevitably be atoned for by ten times as much in the 
 cost of war or indemnities for future outrages arising 
 therefrom. Among other conclusive arguments in his 
 appeal, is a suggestive allusion to the significant clause 
 in an advertisement for " Indian supplies " during the 
 autumn of the great massacre, which required two hund 
 red and fifty dozen scalping and butcher knives ! But- 
 such matters are too interminable for me to effectually 
 dispose of in a volume like this. 
 
 Just as Lady Levasseur was about to start for Denton 
 Farm, a horseman came dashing into St. Paul with 
 news of the massacre then begun ! In an hour s time 
 every person in the city was aghast ! Another horse- 
 
252 HORRORS IHSTOLD! 
 
 man came and then a man on foot. More followed, 
 increasing in numbers and each with a narrative of 
 fresh horrors from Redwood Ferry, New Ulm, Fort 
 Ridgely, and elsewhere ! Such horrors as were never 
 heard of before and I dare not record the worst of 
 them here. The details would be unfit for type ! 
 
 A wife and mother had her head split open while she 
 was making bread, and the fiend who did it also roast 
 ed her child in the ready heated oven ! Other children 
 were nailed to doors, and knives and tomahawks pitched 
 at them until they expired with fright and pain ! Moth 
 ers were disemboweled, and whole families burned 
 alive ! Eyes were gouged out, and tongues torn from 
 their roots. In some instances every member of a vic 
 tim s body was torn from its place! There was no 
 mercy for infancy or age, and no heed to prayers or 
 tears ! 
 
 Naked savages, disfigured with paint, and yelling in 
 merriment or howling with fury, murdered and plun 
 dered the settlers, and destroyed whatever property 
 and produce they could reach ! The old Inquisition 
 never devised such heinous methods of excruciating 
 torture ! Each savage vied with his comrades to add a 
 new element of atrocity in the sacrifice of the next vic 
 tim ! Mothers and daughters were taken into captivity 
 worse than death unless their resistance terminated 
 their lives upon the spot ! The fields were strewn with 
 cattle and other domestic animals, their limbs broken 
 or their bodies gashed, bellowing, shrieking, and writh 
 ing in terrible agony ! Pieces were cut out of living 
 animals and men ! Parts of the body chopped off, or a 
 limb torn asunder, and the sufferer driven out upon the 
 prairies, or into corners and holes, to die a lingering 
 death ! Pools of blood and destruction everywhere ! 
 
THE "ANGEL HEAKT! 253 
 
 The alarm spread and the panic grew. Settlers fled 
 from their homes ; and one man sold his farm which cost 
 him six thousand dollars, for only sixty-two dollars and 
 a quarter -just enough to carry his family down to 
 Fort Snelling ! Hundreds and, I presume, thousands 
 of men, women and children arrived in St. Paul without 
 a penny in their pockets and famishing for food ! Some 
 were but partly clad, and many were mutilated with 
 serious wounds. The houses and the streets were 
 swarming with the impoverished fugitives, who had lost 
 everything that they so recently possessed ! 
 
 St. Paul became an immense refuge hospital ! Some 
 of the citizens were so much alarmed about their own 
 safety, while the foe was at least a hundred miles away, 
 that they foolishly sold valuable property at any price 
 which the more courageous would give ! 
 
 Lady Levasseur s purse was quickly emptied in her 
 contributions to the panic-stricken and famished refugees. 
 But she could refill it at will. The bankers were all 
 ready to advance her any amount in cash ; and doubt 
 less these allusions will be appreciated by many a Min- 
 nesotian whose heart is full of gratitude when memory 
 calls up the past! Surely they have not forgotten 
 " The Lady of the Angel Heart !" as they called her then ! 
 
 " Had any one seen Farmer Denton ?" 
 
 Lady Levasseur repeated that question again and 
 again every day. She felt concerned about him. His 
 new home was near the scene of carnage, and she feared 
 that his interesting daughters were among the captives 
 and himself among the slain ! 
 
 " No, ma am 1" was the inevitably cold response from 
 every one in turn. It seemed cold to her ear, because 
 she was so deeply interested in the good, honest man 
 and his motherless girls. 
 
254 A COLD RESPONSE! 
 
 " And Goliah, too ?" interposed Fleurette, when they 
 were surmising the probable fate of the Dentons. " Per 
 haps he has been butchered by those uncivilized and 
 
 savage men." 
 
 Then Sancho conceived an idea. He said, " Some dese 
 yar brave men mought go an fine massa Denton, an 
 his dart rs. Speck dey d fotch em in mi-tee quick time, 
 ef missus wus to gib um lots ob mun y !" 
 
 But, though Lady Levasseur did act upon Sancho s 
 suggestion, no one seemed willing to venture among the 
 Indians, either for humanity sake, or pecuniary reward ! 
 
 Fleurette said that if she were only a man, she would 
 make some personal effort to find Mr. Denton and the 
 girls and Goliah, too. 
 
 Lady Levasseur continued to furnish means for the 
 relief of the impoverished fugitives who were almost 
 hourly arriving in St. Paul. And, while dispensing pe 
 cuniary aid with a liberal hand, she eagerly and per 
 sistently inquired for Farmer Denton and his daughters ; 
 but could get no intelligence of them. Finally another 
 party arrived from the vicinity of New Ulm, and Sancho 
 was dispatched to make inquiry again. The old negro 
 soon returned as fast as his legs could perambulate, and 
 breathlessly exclaiming : 
 
 " Massa Denton dart rs am kum. Dey ll be yar at de 
 otel right away bime by dreckly, soon s dey kan !" 
 
 And in a few minutes, sure enough, Mercy, Eliza, 
 Julia and Jane were in the hotel apartments of Lady 
 Levasseur ! A confusion of words and kisses, in the 
 mutual gladness of greeting and : 
 
 "Where s your father?" 
 
 For a moment there was no answer. And then, amid 
 sobs and tears, only Jane could reply : 
 
 " The Indians have killed him ! O, dear ! They sud- 
 
THE TERRIBLE NEWS ! 255 
 
 denly sprang up out of the grass, and murdered him 
 while he was reading to us from the Bible. And they 
 hurried us off before we could realize what had hap 
 pened !" 
 
 " Oh, that s terrible news !" sighed Lady Levasseur. 
 " Your father was too good a man to die thus ! Poor, 
 dear girls ! Alas, you have no father or mother left to 
 guide and to love you now ! But I will be your mother. 
 Come to my arms. And may God assist me in what 
 I do?" 
 
 Fleurette wanted to ask one little question ; but her 
 emotion choked the words back. Presently she mur 
 mured : " Where is Goliah ?" 
 
 Mercy replied, with a fresh flood of tears, that Goliah 
 flew at the savages to save their father. She thought 
 he killed one of them ; and then the others chopped him 
 to pieces with their tomahawks and knives ! 
 
 " It was perfectly heart-rending !" sobbed Eliza. 
 "Neighbor Lawrence s house was already in flames; 
 and the Indians instantly dragged us away. But we 
 could hear Goliah piteously howling and crying in the 
 agony of death ! And then we also saw our own house 
 and the out-buildings all on fire !" 
 
 "Oh, what shall we do, now that dear father is 
 dead ?" cried Julia, weeping aloud ! 
 
THE ESTLICK FAMILY. (The Father was killed during 
 the Great Massacre ; and while the Mother was a 
 captive among the Indians, her eldest Boy heroic 
 ally preserved the life of his Baby-Brother.) 
 
CHAPTEK XVIII. 
 
 THE origin of the North Ameri 
 can aborigine is one of those mys 
 teries which lie entirely beyond 
 the reach of my comprehension. 
 And men of science will ever puz 
 zle their brains and use their peris 
 all to little purpose in establishing 
 
 a satisfactor y theor F to answer 
 the question of " where he came 
 
 from?" 
 
 The Asiatic tribes 01 Guebres 
 and Tibetians, the Japanese and the Chinese, have wor 
 shiped the sun as their greatest divinity, the same as our 
 Indians. Here in Minnesota, the Kitechi-manitou of the 
 Chippeways and the Taka-wakan of the Sioux, signify 
 both the Great Spirit and the Sun. But I have not 
 distinctly ascertained whether^ they look up at the orb 
 of day as only an emblem of their Deity, or the God 
 head itself. 
 
 If their traditions are reliable, in the absence of any 
 tangible record of genealogy, then they may be consid- 
 
258 TRADITION OF THE FLOOD. 
 
 ered at least antediluvian, if not pre-Adamite in origin. 
 This I adduce from the persistent declaration of those 
 venerable chiefs who believe that " when a far-off part 
 of the w r orld was depopulated by a great flood, their 
 race were all spared ; that while the wicked inhabitants 
 of another land perished entirely, they beheld the sun 
 rise every morning from the surface of those waters in 
 which the unrighteous were destroyed forever." And 
 inasmuch as we are informed by Holy Writ that God 
 gave Noah only three sons to repopulate Europe, Asia 
 and Africa, I am pardonable for presuming that Ameri 
 ca was not totally submerged in the execution of Divine 
 wrath ! But I do not intend to follow up this theme in 
 the present connection. 
 
 Both the Chippeways and the Sioux are extremely in 
 subordinate by nature, or at least in accordance with 
 popular custom. They are fond of living in a manner 
 and at the place most agreeable to their individual 
 tastes. And in the matter of authority, they seem to 
 acknowledge none ! Their chiefs are so only in name 
 and impeachment by unceremonious acclamation has 
 been known. But generally those dignitaries retain 
 their title and position unto the end of their lives, 
 whether impeached or not. The policy of Tah-o-ah-ta- 
 doo-ta, at the inauguration of the great massacre of 62, 
 may be referred to as a deplorable example of the lim 
 ited power exercised by a noted chief. 
 
 The father of a family is absolute monarch in his own 
 teepee, unless more than one family occupy the same 
 lodge ; and then the oldest man is ruler over all. Sons 
 have neither love nor respect for their fathers, and 
 fathers manifest very little affection for their children. 
 They sometimes hold councils, but such a mess of hier 
 archy seldom terminates in any definite organization or 
 
AVENGING WRONGS. 259 
 
 satisfactory understanding. As their property generally 
 consists of only what the squaws can carry from one 
 encampment to another, the enactment of a defined 
 code of protective or distributive laws would be entire 
 ly useless. Public officers are not required when each 
 man is permitted to be his own executioner of the assas 
 sin or other criminal who commits any offense against 
 himself or his family. And, strange to say, this method 
 of vengeance is not visited with retaliation. The offend 
 er is prepared to die, and usually makes no attempt to 
 resist or escape. In this species of cruelty, an Indian 
 can surpass a Nero, Maximin, or Caligula, when his 
 ferocity is fully aroused ; and even his squaw and 
 papooses may be participants with him in every species 
 of physical torture inflicted upon the writhing victim. 
 And victims have been known to purposely exasperate 
 their executioners to greater cruelty still. 
 
 Achilles sacrificed prisoners of war to Patrocles, and 
 the Mexicans to their idol deities, just as the Minnesota 
 Indians do to the manitous and wakans of war. They 
 pay great deference to their infernal gods. And they 
 make no distinction between the sexes, or the very old 
 and the very young. If a male prisoner is spared in 
 battle, they bestow him upon one of their women who 
 may have lost her master in the conflict. But then if 
 he does not suit her fancy, she forthwith sacrifices him 
 to the manes of her departed husband ! 
 
 Instead of a "wake," with copious potations of whis 
 ky, in the Hibernian custom, over the fresh corpse of 
 the dead, an Indian will have a grand howl, and a huge 
 feast of dog meat prepared for the mourners and sur 
 viving friends. And then the corpse is retained for 
 ceremonial attentions, in some particulars similar to the 
 ancient practice of the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Ro- 
 
260 PUXERALS AND WEDDINGS. 
 
 mans, the Christians at the time of Tcrtullian, and also 
 of certain kings, popes and cardinals, and the Arabs 
 and the Chinese of modern times. The corpse is subse 
 quently placed upon a scaffold some eight or ten feet 
 from the ground, where it remains until the flesh has 
 either dried up or fallen from the bones, and then the 
 hideous remains are deposited in the ground, with the 
 face always toward the East, and stakes or stones fixed 
 around the spot to protect it from beasts of prey. 
 
 In lacerating their flesh with sharp fragments of 
 stone, to increase the frenzy of their howling grief, 
 they show considerable skill in anatomy, always select 
 ing such parts as are guarded by integuments of 
 strength. And after all, the violent contortions per 
 formed by them when death takes away one of their 
 companions, are but a formal demonstration scarcely 
 more absurd than a cortege of empty carriages behind 
 the sable-plumed hearse and blanketed horses carrying 
 a defunct citizen of New York to his little home in a 
 fashionable cemetery. 
 
 The marriage ceremony of these untutored people is 
 in some instances similar to that of the ancient Romans. 
 But the affianced squaw does not have the flammeun 
 worn by the brides of Rome on their marriage-day. I 
 have had several unsatisfactory descriptions of their 
 nuptial rites, from all of which it is only possible to 
 infer that matrimony among them is simply a compact 
 of utility and convenience, with as little formality as 
 the Greeks practiced in their marriages per usum. Here 
 the patria potestas would be a dead letter. 
 
 Their connubial relationship seems to be quite as 
 prodigal as that of the Saints in Utah, and even more 
 extravagant in the promptings of hospitality. For ex 
 ample, when the first negro appeared among the Sioux 
 
MARJBIAGE RELATIONS. 261 
 
 he was requested to affiliate with their marriageable 
 young squaws. They believed him to be a devil, but 
 fancied that if they could have his posterity in their 
 midst the other devils would fraternize with them, and 
 in that event a peace might be concluded with the 
 spirits of evil. 
 
 Some extremely philogistical Dakotas deem it a justly 
 natural privilege to have as many wives as they please. 
 Also, in accordance with the suggestions of St. Augus- 
 tin, Diderot and Helvetius, socially inclined husbands 
 mutually accommodate each other by loaning their 
 wives ! 
 
 Abstemious Bedouins consider one wife sufficient for 
 a family, and occasionally a Dakota entertains the same 
 notion ; in which case the unfortunate female is retained 
 as a creature in bondage, with a harder lot than any 
 female domestic ever experienced in ancient Briton. 
 
 Where affection does not exist, jealousy will not 
 come ; and in such a case, promiscuous cohabitation is 
 attended with very little dissension. I have been told 
 that the Sioux are jealous of their wives ; but possibly 
 they may unconsciously appreciate the wise principle of 
 Monsieur de Montespan which was to feign virtue for 
 the purpose of better pay! Their divorce custom is 
 equally as liberal, and even more convenient, than simi 
 lar usages permitted by law among civilized nations, 
 with the arbitrary exception of allowing the male 
 savage all the elective rights and privileges of sepa 
 ration. 
 
 When a " big Injun " wishes to get rid of his squaw 
 he puts her away with no less compunctions of con 
 science than that exhibited among the ancients men 
 tioned in this connection in the Bible. But the Justin 
 ian code governs a disposition of their children, and con- 
 
262 DEGRADATION OF WOMEN. 
 
 signs them to the care and responsibility of the mother, 
 whose consanguinity is less doubted than that nomi 
 nally claimed by the ostensible sire ! 
 
 During their youth, the forms of the women are at 
 tractive. But, like summer flowers, they soon fade. In 
 the life of a squaw, evening succeeds morning without 
 any interval of noon ! However, she is generally appro 
 priated at an early age by some individual of the oppo 
 site sex. But if she and her husband live ever so near 
 her parents, he must not mention their names nor look 
 them in the face. Sometimes the young couple occupy 
 a part of the paternal teepee, and the same etiquette is 
 observable even then. Other couples live in a large 
 teepee, and the husband provides the parents-in-law with 
 food for their smaller abode in the rear. I fancy civil 
 ized sons-in-law would demur at arrangements of this 
 kind! 
 
 Some prejudices of the Indian mind are inherent. At 
 least it is impossible to trace out their origin. Regard 
 ing the degradation of menial employment, there is but 
 one feeling among the women as well as among the 
 men. The war-path and the hunting-ground are the 
 only places where the man deigns to exercise his limbs 
 in the execution of laborious duty. He will scarcely 
 paddle his own canoe, if accompanied by a squaw. 
 And all the drudgery devolves upon her, as a matter of 
 course. 
 
 When a party of Dakotas play shinney, a favorite 
 game of ball, they expect that their squaws will run 
 and bring it out of the water, the ravine or the rocks 
 up the hill, whither it may chance to fly from the pro 
 pulsion of a random blow. And the squaws dart after 
 the truant ball with impetuous alacrity and the light 
 ning speed of bounding deer, while their masters impa- 
 
ix THE TEEPEES! 263 
 
 tiently wait their quick return. And although denied 
 any interest in the game, the squaws concern for the 
 success at issue, is generally as enthusiastic, if not more 
 intense, than that of the players themselves. And 
 without permission to join in the orgies of incantation, 
 or grotesque dances of joy, they are required to con 
 tribute the most hideous screams and howls whenever 
 the demon choruses come in. 
 
 At home if it can be said that they have such a 
 place, wandering as they are prone to, every few moons, 
 from one locality to another, either to gratify a naturally 
 roving propensity, or in quest of a greater abundance 
 of game ; or, as it not unfrequently occurs, to escape 
 the encroachment of a hostile neighbor, the squaws 
 voluntarily perform all the labor requisite for transpor 
 tation, boarding and lodging their families. This they 
 do as much for their sons as for the lords of the teepees, 
 because they will not permit the male sex to suffer the 
 degradation of performing domestic chores. 
 
 To a civilized woman, the task of cooking, washing, 
 ironing, mending, and cutting firewood for the kitchen, 
 sitting-room and parlor, may seem a prodigious and 
 never-ending toil. But when she makes a definite esti 
 mation of the entire routine of the responsibilities and 
 cares of a squalid teepee, their number will dwindle 
 down to a mere trifle in comparison with the household 
 necessities of a well-regulated abode, where industry 
 and frugality dwell. 
 
 The teepee of a Dakota is merely a colossal chicken- 
 coop, erected in half an hour by placing several long 
 poles together and wrapping around them a covering 
 of thin pliant bark or well-dried skins, with an opening 
 left at the apex for the smoke to escape, and another at 
 the bottom for a passage-way in and out. Buffalo hides 
 
264 SOCIAL CUSTOMS. 
 
 serve for a couch, upon which half a dozen of both 
 sexes can recline for nocturnal repose. In the centre, a 
 slight excavation answers for fire-place and kitchen. 
 
 Bed-time has never been definitely agreed upon by 
 them. They are as often sleeping by day as at night 
 for they rest when they feel like it. But if they sleep 
 in the day-time, they prowl around during the night. 
 
 Furniture, such as tables and chairs, are not required ; 
 though every young savage of the masculine gender 
 desires a small pocket-mirror for the study of his facial 
 beauty and to facilitate an artistic application of 
 smut or paint when perfecting his toilet on grand occa 
 sions. 
 
 Indian " fops " are frequently met with. And, totally 
 regardless of all expense, some of them present the most 
 excruciating tout ensemble that I ever beheld. But I am 
 provoked when they refuse permission for their sisters to 
 look at themselves in a mirror. The mean scamps tell 
 the juvenile Hiawathas that it is a punishable crime for 
 them to see their own faces. Fancy what a time we 
 should have here in New York, if our fair companions 
 were debarred the convenience and the comfort of mir 
 rors large enough to reflect their entire physiques at a 
 glance ! 
 
 A single iron pot, or, when that cannot be had, a 
 stout earthen jar, will suffice for all the culinary require 
 ments, and also for personal ablutions or the appurte 
 nances of a laundry. After the filthy little papoose has 
 been washed or sloshed in the pot, a dirty haunch of 
 venison is stuffed into the same utensil and boiled for 
 soup which will be greedily devoured the moment it 
 comes from the fire. 
 
 The Chippeway women are much better looking than 
 the Sioux, and some of them are quite pretty. Their 
 
IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL! 265 
 
 forms are well proportioned, and their flesh quite solid. 
 But their complexion is paler than that of the Sioux, 
 while their mouths and teeth are almost beautiful. 
 
 The Chippeway women hate the Sioux more bitterly 
 than the men, because they and their children are made 
 to suffer so much from the revengeful atrocities of the 
 perpetual war between the two nations. They have 
 been known to meet death rather than escape without 
 their offspring. Sometimes the men permit them to 
 dance by themselves but the two sexes never do so 
 together. As with the Sioux, the woman is too far be 
 neath the man, in his and in her opinion, to be allowed 
 such a privilege. 
 
 A contempt for woman, which is so characteristic 
 of all unfeeling men, whether pale-faces or red-skins, 
 must naturally retard civilization, by perpetuating the 
 ferocity of brutal malignity and passion. Indeed, any 
 man, in or out of the Christian faith, who has no sensi 
 bility of moral attachment for that being whom God 
 has fitted to participate in his consolations and difficul 
 ties, in his smiles and tears, is worse than many brutes 
 devoid of a soul. Whenever there is a gentle feeling 
 in man, he will surely sympathize with the sex whose 
 natural grace and love enable him to live again in the 
 propagation of his race ! 
 
 If these savages believed in the immortality of the 
 soul, the language of their conscience would not permit 
 them, in the last moments of their life, to exact a prom 
 ise from their children to kill their enemies, as they 
 have done; and, like them, never forgive those who 
 have injured them in any way. This they frequently 
 do, if they have the opportunity and the power of ver 
 bal expression. Nevertheless, a dying Indian expects 
 to go somewhere. And he may require that his faithful 
 12 
 
MOUNTED FOR THE CHASE. 
 
 267 
 
 dog shall accompany him in death. For if he believes 
 in the immortality of his own soul, he also considers his 
 dog equally immortal. Or, having no faithful dog, he 
 may order that his wife shall go with him. And, like 
 the women of Malabar, she is obliged to comply. The 
 dying warrior dwells with enthusiasm upon the past, 
 leaving his survivors to think of the future. 
 
 Next to women, dogs are the most unhappy creatures 
 about an Indian teepee. The wretched canines are not 
 only half starved, but worked very hard, chasing game 
 or drawing sledges or trucks, until they eventually end 
 their days in the shape of a " thanksgiving " dinner for 
 the master and his friends. A dog is immolated and 
 quickly smoking on the altar of hospitality when a very 
 distinguished visitor is expected to arrive. But the 
 unhappy quadruped is supposed to be a sacrifice to the 
 manitous or wakans, and the eating of it considered an 
 act of devotion which a guest must not refuse, let his 
 abhorrence of the dish be ever so great. 
 
 Every teepee has its dog ; and some teepees ten to 
 fifteen. They are generally treated with some manifes 
 tations of affection ; but canine flesh is a tempting deli 
 cacy, from which they can not abstain when their 
 prodigal hospitality or the pangs of hunger demand a 
 sacrifice of the confiding and faithful creatures. 
 
 Buffalo hunting is the chief occupation of an Indian 
 when not on the war-path. And if he is well mounted 
 in the chase, his imposing figure as an equestrian would 
 not be a contemptible contrast with the proud statue of 
 Marcus Aurelius or that of the great Numidian king. 
 Himself, his horse, and the game, would form a group 
 worthy of the pencil of Raphael or the chisel of Canova. 
 
 Wolves are also measurably dependent upon buffalo 
 flesh for food. But they are not always sufficiently 
 
268 CUNNING OF WOLVES. 
 
 strong to capture an animal. They, therefore, follow 
 the hunters whenever practicable, and, with the aid of 
 their own cunning, avail themselves of any advantage 
 which may arise. Sometimes they join in the general 
 charge upon a great herd; and when the females are 
 occupied in making their own escape, each wolf seizes a 
 calf, and, strangling it, carries the body hence to have a 
 hearty feast. 
 
 Sometimes, when very hungry and no hunters are 
 near, the wolves approach five or six of a herd, without 
 appearing to have any design. And, not condescending 
 to be afraid, the buffaloes neither avoid nor attack them 
 until they have singled out their victim, which is inva 
 riably a female that sex being fatter and more deli 
 cious than the males. Two of the wolves engage her 
 attention in front by pretending to play with her, while 
 one of the strongest and most active seizes her in the 
 rear; and when she turns to drive him off, those in 
 front fly at her throat and strangle her to death. This 
 is only in keeping with their natural cunning. 
 
 But neither the Sioux nor the Chippeway is always 
 rich enough to ride a horse in pursuit of the buffalo. 
 And in that very common extremity he and his com 
 rades not unfrequently play the part of wolves. Know 
 ing that buffaloes are not frightened by the proximity 
 of wolves, they wrap themselves in wolf-skins, and thus 
 disguised it is possible to creep near the grazing animals 
 upon their hands and knees, and silently pierce them with 
 sharp arrows. Guns would be in the way. Arrows can 
 be concealed. And then the arrows make no noise; 
 which enables the stealthy hunters to multiply the 
 number of victims. Each hunter makes his own arrows 
 and puts upon them his private mark, so that when the 
 hunt is over they may determine who were the most 
 
MAKING A MEAL! 269 
 
 expert. They observe the same rule in battle, and 
 thereby the greatest warrior is known. 
 
 Many other devices are successful in the destruction 
 of buffaloes. But, as most animals can scent a human 
 being some distance off, the Indian hunters are always 
 careful to approach their game against the wind. They 
 are also cautious about attacking a buffalo while asleep ; 
 for it would probably rise and rush upon them. And 
 very often when a male buffalo sees a favorite female 
 companion floundering with wounds, he will endeavor 
 to facilitate her flight by combat ; or he may shield her 
 body with his own if she cannot escape, and thus die at 
 her side, like a heroic lover. 
 
 An Indian devours like a wolf, and fasts like a camel. 
 And I have heard it surmised that they were akin to the 
 last-mentioned animal, in the faculty of rumination. 
 Possibly there is some truth in that suggestion, inas 
 much as they are not at all particular to chew their 
 food while gorging it down. One famished brave was 
 seen to swallow the entire hind-quarter of a deer and 
 the water in which it was boiled, together with half a 
 peck of potatoes and a good-sized loaf of bread. He 
 loosened his belt considerably, and then smoked his 
 pipe and continued to exist without any sign of over 
 feeding or even a symptom of indigestion. An Indian 
 with a good appetite, seldom lies down to sleep while 
 anything eatable remains in his teepee. And a guest 
 will insult his host if he refuses to eat all that is placed 
 before him, no matter if it should be a whole buffalo ! 
 
 But as they depend solely upon the precarious suc 
 cess of hunting, and the wild fruits, vegetables and rice, 
 gathered only in small quantities by the squaws, their 
 diet is regulated according to the chances of the hour. 
 About the only provision made by a man for to-morrow, 
 
270 DELICATE AUAJSIONS. 
 
 is girding his waist with a belt which may be tightened 
 to suit an unavoidable depletion of his bowels. The 
 longer he fasts, the tighter he draws his belt. An eco 
 nomical custom, but certainly tantalizing to the organs 
 of digestion. In the spring, they easily gather eggs, 
 and then capture unfledged ducks and geese in the 
 vicinity of the lakes and rivers. 
 
 When hard pressed by hunger, it does not matter if 
 the eggs have been partly hatched. And the uncleaned 
 entrails of a duck or a goose, half broiled on coals of lire, 
 are gobbled down with a gusto that may set my readers 
 yerking from imagination. Indeed the dry, osseous re 
 mains of animal or fowl are frequently broken into frag 
 ments and boiled in water, which, after the process of 
 maceration, may be tolerably nutritious soup. 
 
 It is not an unusual sight to see a squaw with a pon 
 derous load of eatables tied up in a filthy blanket and 
 swung upon her back. And, peeping out at the top of 
 the bundle, occasionally may also be seen the black 
 eyes of a papoose, the nether part of whose body is rest 
 ing among the tobacco and whisky, and the meat and 
 sugar. 
 
 The blanket of a man or of a woman is used for every 
 purpose it will serve. A covering at one time, a bed at 
 another ; and, with the accumulation of dirt and grease 
 inevitable from six months or an entire year s general 
 utility, it becomes a textural mass which might tempt 
 the cupidity of a city " soap-fat man," if chance should 
 throw it in his way. I am told that in the maple-sugar 
 season, they actually strain the warm syrup through 
 their blankets when the condition of those articles is 
 sufficiently porous for the operation. The blankets are 
 subsequently worn without washing, or any manifest 
 repugnance by the wearers. 
 
USE FOR THEIR HANDS. 
 
 271 
 
 And this inevitable blanket, more than any other 
 article of apparel, is illustrative of the Indian character. 
 While they manage it with a dexterous and graceful 
 simplicity that cannot be imitated by their superiors in 
 refinement, intelligence and skill, its influence will ever 
 prove the most formidable barrier to the approach of 
 civilization. For idle hands, it answers very well. But 
 when mechanical tools, or the implements of agriculture 
 are to be used, only a single pair of hands can not keep 
 the blanket in place and perform the labor of an artisan 
 or a farmer. 
 
 The blanket must be abandoned by the red man be 
 fore he even begins to occupy a promising position in 
 the scale of industry, which is the only reliable evidence 
 of human progress and substantial prosperity. But an 
 Indian deprived of his blanket would be a peacock 
 despoiled of its tail, a horse shorn of its mane, a politi 
 cal candidate without voters, a tree stripped of foliage 
 in short, a very deplorable object in his own estima 
 tion. Where would he put his hands ? 
 
 I can not refrain from laughing at the imaginary pic 
 ture of an ideal Indian forever divested of his traditional 
 garment. What a woful expression would pervade his 
 usually stolid face ! I fancy him surveying the reflection 
 of his figure upon the pellucid surface of the nearest 
 lake or stream ; and then I imagine his sepulchral 
 grunt, which would be all the more torturing to him 
 and delightful to me if a live Yankee s tantalizing grin 
 should present itself to his gaze, side by side with the 
 despondency of his own. An aboriginal savage without 
 his blanket would be a fit subject for the practical soli 
 citude of those philanthropic humanitarians who mourn 
 fully ejaculate, "Lo, the poor Indian !" 
 
CHAPTER XIX, 
 
 FARMER DENTOST settled in 
 the vicinity of New Ulm, a 
 thriving town near the conflu 
 ence of the Cottonwood and 
 the Minnesota Rivers, and in 
 the midst of a very charming 
 and remarkably fertile region 
 of country. The originators 
 of that town were an anti- 
 sectarian community of Ger 
 mans, who strangely stipulated 
 among themselves and with all new-comers. They bar 
 gained and strictly conditioned, in all deeds of property, 
 that no edifice for the propagation of religious creeds 
 should be erected in the place. But they built a hall 
 for public amusements, smoked their pipes, drank their 
 beer, and danced for recreation, while accumulating 
 wealth from industry in the usual way. 
 
 Denton Farm was not within the limits of the Teu 
 tonic confederation, but their customs and prejudices dis 
 pleased him. And perhaps he would have sold out and 
 12* 
 
274 THE CAPTIVE GIELS. 
 
 moved into more congenial society before the expiration 
 of another year, had not the savages undertaken to 
 totally exterminate every pale-face in the world. A 
 horde of them unexpectedly attacked New Ulm ; and, 
 suddenly slaughtering many of the male inhabitants in 
 and around the town, they set fire to houses, destroyed 
 all the property they could, and made captives of the 
 women. 
 
 Farmer Denton was surprised and shot down without 
 a moment s warning. His laborers were also murdered 
 at the same time. But as the Indians have a particular 
 regard for dogs, Goliah might have escaped their toma 
 hawks and knives, if he had not furiously assailed and 
 killed one of them in defense of his master. Nor did 
 they wish to assassinate the farmer s youthful daugh 
 ters, who might be carried off into captivity as so much 
 available merchandise but to meet with far less con 
 sideration than Oriental slave-dealers show their Circas 
 sian beauties. 
 
 Yet, fortunately for the girls, one of the three mur 
 derers detailed by the gang to march them away in 
 bondage, had stolen a keg full of whisky. Indians will 
 generally surrender to minne-wakan when every other 
 spirit might be repelled or assaulted. While "there s 
 whisky in the jug," big Injun is sure to want some. 
 They drank much and often ; and then began to quarrel 
 about a choice of their fair captives, who were so terribly 
 frightened that they trudged along as mechanically as 
 a flock of weary and exhausted lambs going to the 
 abattoir. 
 
 More whisky and fiercer contention, until one of the 
 drunken trio refused to proceed any further. He would 
 return to help murder the big-knives, and find a white 
 squaw much more to his liking than either of those four 
 
SAVED BY A WHISKY-KEG ! 275 
 
 and have her all to himself. He snatched a parting 
 dram, and then reeled out of sight. 
 
 The whisky-keg was not yet entirely emptied. But 
 the two remaining savages would soon swallow the last 
 drop. 
 
 " Oh, how tipsy they are !" whispered Jane. " They ll 
 kill us, after a while !" 
 
 "No!" replied Mercy. "When they get a little 
 more we can easily run away !" 
 
 Mercy conjectured rightly. Before sundown they 
 both rolled in the dust, with mouthing exhortations for 
 their captives to remain precisely where they stood. 
 
 " Now for it !" murmured Eliza, who perfectly coin 
 cided with Mercy s suggestion. " They can not pursue 
 us, if they try ; and before they recover, we may find 
 safety somewhere." 
 
 " We will hasten home !" said Julia. 
 
 " Home, sister ? We have no home, now !" respond 
 ed Mercy. "Our only hope is to escape from these 
 
 beastly wretches. If we return But see, yonder 
 
 come a number of white people, and two wagons, or 
 more !" 
 
 Fugitives hurrying away! Would they take with 
 them four orphan girls ? Aye, they would and that 
 too with a hearty good will ! But the Indians ? Quick ! 
 Delay was dangerous just then. Some of the red-skins 
 might be on their trail ! 
 
 " What have we here ?" exclaimed a wagoner, at 
 sight of their drunken captors stretched out upon the 
 ground. 
 
 Mercy quickly told her story and explained the 
 whisky-keg ; whereupon the man tumbled them over 
 the rocks down into the river, declaring that they 
 should not live to resume their work of destruction. 
 
276 EXECUTION OF " BAD INJUNS !" 
 
 Then whipping up their horses, the fugitives hurriedly 
 fled. And while so many others were overtaken and 
 murdered in their flight, it seemed like a marvelous 
 chance that Farmer Denton s four daughters and the 
 party who kindly assisted them on the way, should suc 
 ceed in escaping from the very midst of the massacre, 
 and finally reach St. Paul, without encountering even 
 the sight of another Indian. 
 
 The Indian outbreak of August, 62, was terrible, but 
 soon ended ! I can not call it a war. It was an uni 
 versal slaughter and torture of unwarned and defense 
 less white settlers, and then a speedy armed pursuit of 
 the savages, who were quickly captured, but not killed, 
 as they deserved to have been. Yet humanity and a 
 sense of wisdom actuated General Sibley and the officers 
 and men who joined him in the decisive expedition 
 against the treacherous outlaws ; and in less than three 
 months after their first slaughter, the insatiate red 
 skins were either captured, suing for peace, or skulking 
 toward the setting sun. 
 
 The Indian captives were treated as prisoners of war ; 
 and, after being allowed a fair trial by court-martial, 
 nearly one hundred of tjhem were convicted of the most 
 heinous atrocities. In the list of convicts I have seen 
 the names of Te-he-hdo-ne-cha, the inhospitable ; Ta-zoo, 
 the red otter; Wy-a-tah-ta-wa, his people; Hin-han- 
 shoon-ko-yag-ma-ne, the man with an owl s tail ; Ma-za- 
 bom-doo, iron blower ; Wah-pa-doo-ta, red leaf; Wa-he- 
 hna ; Sna-ma-ne, tinkling walker ; Rha-in-yan-ka, rattling 
 runner ; Do-wan-sa, the singer ; and Hap-an, the second 
 son. These, with twenty-seven others, were subse 
 quently hanged, all at the same moment, near Mankato. 
 The execution of many more was deferred for a time. 
 Others were sentenced to imprisonment on Rock Island, 
 
SENT AWAY! 277 
 
 in the Mississippi River, opposite the City of Davenport, 
 Iowa. Among the convicts sent thither was a Sioux 
 chief, named Wa-mada-tonka, who, before going, had an 
 interview with his family a wife and two little sons ; 
 and at parting with them he placed around the neck of 
 the youngest a huge necklace of bears claws, which had 
 been handed down to him through many generations of 
 ancestry, and consequently priceless in its value. The 
 bereaved mother and her sorrowful children, with a sol 
 dier near them, may be seen grouped in the foreground of 
 the chapter-head engraving, page 207. The necklace is 
 shown in the picture of the juvenile heir ; and Cap des 
 Sioux, or " Winona Rock," on the eastern shore of Lake 
 Pepin, is also plainly visible in the distant view. 
 
 Thus, some of the " bad Injuns " received punishment, 
 while vast numbers were humanely sent off to a new 
 reservation, in which they can leisurely abide the inevi 
 table extinction of their race with the rapid development 
 of future events. 
 
 Old Betz, or Hah-zah-ee-yun-kee-win, that remarkable 
 centenarian female, who "gathers huckleberries while 
 running," counted one among the "good Injuns" in 
 cluded in the decree of their lenient biff-knife captors, to 
 be sent up the Missouri river ; but her son, Ta-o-pee, a 
 farmer, who had been true to the whites, was gratified 
 in his request that she might be left with him. 
 
 And since then she has been lodging somewhere in 
 the vicinity of Mendota by night, and begging in the 
 City of St. Paul by day. The distance is not less than 
 five miles ; and though her age is said to be verging on 
 to two hundred years, a short walk like that is no ob 
 stacle to her when she wants a fresh supply of kosh- 
 popee. She is very shrewd in her method of operating 
 while on a collecting-tour. I met her on Third street 
 
278 DECEIT OF "OLD BETZ!" 
 
 one fine morning after experiencing that wonderful 
 dream in which she appeared to me over there on the 
 great bluff beneath the solitary pine, where she was 
 mourning for the loss of her first-born child, whose re 
 mains lie beneath that curious mound of round blue 
 stones, which she told me she had carried thither from 
 the waters of Minneineeopa. Instantly recognizing her 
 from the memory of that dream, my salutation was, 
 "Ah, OldBetz!" 
 
 " Ugh ! Hi, hah !" she grunted, with a sharp twink 
 ling of her deeply-sunken black eyes, which glared just 
 precisely as I had seen them in my dream. 
 
 I expressed much delight at meeting her, and she 
 grunted and gesticulated in response with an intensely 
 reciprocal feeling. My flowing beard immediately at 
 tracted her attention. Probably it was much longer than 
 any other that she had ever seen ; and, as if thoroughly 
 experienced in the skill of social deceit, and possessing 
 a perfect knowledge of the weaker points in the vanity 
 of an egotistical man, with her horny claws she gath 
 ered up the flowing end of the capilliform appendage 
 of my face, and then coquettishly hugged it to her 
 neck and her cheek, lovingly and admiringly, to con 
 clude with a sentimentally touching appeal for kosh- 
 popee. An involuntary shudder caused me to shrink 
 from her first touch, which recalled a vivid recollection 
 of those unpleasant sensations experienced in connection 
 with her grasp during my dream. But curiosity over 
 came that momentary feeling ; and a friend who was 
 with me burst into audible laughter to see how indus 
 triously I manipulated her dry old cranium in the pur 
 suit of phrenological knowledge. However, his merri 
 ment did not deter me from satisfying myself that I had 
 never before handled such a dry, wooden object per- 
 
ANXIOUS FOR " KOSH-POPEE." 279 
 
 manently attached to the living trunk of a human being. 
 It was not only dry and wooden to the touch, but 
 minutely corrugated and strangely cold. And when I 
 looked into the depth of her weird eyes and saw their 
 cadaveric intensity my hands instinctively recoiled. 
 Perceiving that I shrank, she grinned capaciously 
 enough for me to discern that solitary cuspidata pendu- 
 larity in her upper jaw; and with the most gigantic 
 smirk of tenderness that I ever beheld, she then grunted 
 a repetition of "kosh-popee" which, I am told, she 
 anxiously reiterates every forty-five seconds when en 
 gaged in a tete-a-tete with any pale-face who is unfamiliar 
 with her cunning arts. 
 
 But as kosh-popee did not immediately appear, she 
 adroitly tried another dodge by declaring that she had 
 known me ever since she was " oney so big !" At that 
 moment, the demonstrative position of her hand was 
 evidently intended to define the probable stature of a 
 child not more than three years old. And, calling to 
 mind her centennial longevity, after witnessing the 
 parabolic suggestion of her hand, I inadvertently ques 
 tioned myself how long I might have been unconsciously 
 living. Where had I been all that time ? A question 
 not readily answered. And, as her characteristic rest- 
 tiveness would not admit of her tarrying with me until 
 the narrative of an eventful life was ended, she uttered 
 a petulant grunt, and waddled off on her thin bow-legs 
 which were swathed in dark-blue cloth. 
 
 I called her back, and persuasively invited her to 
 oblige us with one of her favorite songs. At that she 
 snorted and grunted as if highly insulted, and would 
 have gone away muttering maledictions upon my head, 
 but for the timely proffer of a ten-cent currency stamp, 
 which elicited an animated and prompt compliance. 
 
A very " good-looking" Sioux, who suffered death in 
 punishment for his cruelties during the Massacre. 
 
AN INDIAN SONG. 
 
 281 
 
 " Kosh-popee ! Yaw ! Me sing ! Augh !" And then 
 she proceeded to utter a monotonous "caw-cawing" 
 squall, not very dissimilar to that of a domestic hen in 
 the exuberant season of nest-making and egg-laying, 
 preparatory to the more tedious ordeal of incubation. 
 But she soon subsided into an unhealthy attack of 
 bronchial cadenza, that passed away like the "horse" 
 tone of a debilitated nightmare, conceived from unwise 
 ly indulging in too much lobster-salad at a late supper. 
 
 Indian songs are spasmodically extemporized bawls 
 or screams, unmellifluously devoid of change in tune. 
 They use a kind of tabor, and something like castanets, 
 with a primitive drum containing seeds or pebbles, for 
 rattling, as an orchestra in their terpsichorean festivals. 
 And an Indian dance is nothing more than an exhibition 
 of violent confusion. A troupe of lunatics might acci 
 dentally perform similar antics of body and brain. 
 
 Formalities of etiquette are seldom observed by 
 them. Not even a salutation is deemed necessary, 
 except to a particular friend ; and then the greeting may 
 be a simple touch of the hand, without the utterance of 
 a word or a look in the face. The alpha of a public 
 address is generally the " Great Spirit ;" and, if to white 
 men, the omega of " whisky and tobacco " inevitably 
 closes the oration. 
 
 While traveling, they are guided by the sun in the 
 day-time and by the polar star at night. If the sun or 
 the stars can not be seen, they know that the tips of 
 the blades of grass always point to the south, and that 
 it is less green on the side toward the north. Thus 
 they traverse the prairies. In the forest, they are very 
 well aware that the tree-tops incline to the south, and 
 that there is more moss on the side of the trunk and 
 branches facing the north ; and also that the bark is more 
 
282 CLASSIC ABOKIGINES. 
 
 pliant and smooth on the eastern side than on any 
 other. They measure distances by the number of days 
 required to travel them. 
 
 The Dyaks of Borneo are fond of preserving the 
 heads of their enemies whom they kill in war. They 
 retain those ghastly and putrifying trophies to play 
 with as toys, and frequently carry them suspended by 
 a cord from their own necks. The American Indians 
 secure the scalps, the ears, the tongues, and the hearts 
 of their enemies for amusement at home. The Turk, the 
 Tartar, and the Chinese, are satisfied if they can possess 
 even the tail of a horse previously ridden by their foe. 
 A Yankee would " call it square " if he could obtain 
 judgment for pecuniary damage in a civil court of law. 
 
 Taken altogether, the Indian is a sublime, horrible, 
 original and grotesque admixture of strange an<J extra 
 ordinary peculiarities. Neither his face, his gestures, 
 nor his attitudes are equaled by any of the celebrated 
 frescoes from the pencil of either Guido Roni, Domini- 
 chino, or other Italian masters. 
 
 Even the ideal beings that are seen in those hells, 
 purgatories, limbos, paradises, deluges and last judg 
 ments, which painters have put on canvas, but faintly 
 approach the remarkable characteristics of the Ameri 
 can aborigine. Nor does that extravagant though beau 
 tiful production of the Flemish school, called " Sahator 
 .Rosa s Conspiracy of Cataline" give anything as pictur 
 esque or poetical as the visage of a Dakota. 
 
 A traveler, whose imagination was more powerful 
 than mine, traced a resemblance between the old chief 
 Wamenitouka and that famous statue of Aristides ha 
 ranguing the corrupt Athenians, in the Museum at 
 Naples. To his eye, another chief represented the 
 statue of Cato predicting to the Romans that their 
 
PLTJME OP THE BEAVE ! 283 
 
 * 
 
 vices, their luxuries, and their avarice would soon re 
 duce them to slavery. Those chiefs and that traveler 
 are now in their graves. 
 
 The uncouth painting of Indian faces and bodies is 
 really hideous. Some of their countenances resemble 
 palettes covered with every variety of color, while 
 others are wholly or in part white or black, and vividly 
 suggestive of millers or chimney-sweeps. Others, still, 
 paint their bodies with winged angels, or horned devils, 
 according to individual taste. They decorate them 
 selves with bones, teeth and claws of wild beasts, tufts 
 of buifalo hair, or the feathers of birds when they can 
 not procure necklaces of glass beads, ribbons, bracelets, 
 rings and crosses. During the great massacre, they 
 did not ^ar the apparel which they stole. They tore it 
 into shreds for simple decorations, to give themselves 
 the appearance of ragged demons. 
 
 The Chippeway men are physically superior to the 
 Sioux, though their noses are flatter and wider, and 
 their cheek-bones more prominent, with thicker lips and 
 smaller eyes. 
 
 An eagle feather in the hair of a Sioux shows that he 
 has killed a Chippeway ; and two feathers give him the 
 title of a brave. The color of the feather indicates the 
 grade of his victim. Black, gray or white denotes a 
 man, woman or child. A black band around the waist 
 signifies that the wearer fought hand to hand with his 
 enemy. As in civilized countries, the influence of female 
 smiles will urge men to deeds of valor and honor, or 
 of crime. And as a warrior receives very little favor 
 from the damsels of his tribe until he wears the eagle 
 feather for a plume, it need not be a subject of wonder 
 if he should obtain the coveted talisman by bloodshed 
 and assassination as soon as a favorable chance occurs. 
 
284 GOD S HANDIWORK GONE ASTRAY ! 
 
 s 
 
 I only wish some of those theorizing humanitarians 
 would visit the unreclaimed territories of the North 
 west, and cultivate a personal acquaintance with this 
 noble red man this gentle savage this paragon of 
 manhood running wild this admirable specimen of 
 God s handiwork gone astray ! Ah, I fancy that it will 
 require much preaching and practical teaching, with the 
 lapse of interminable time, to regenerate the unadulter 
 ated offspring of these aboriginal braves. There is 
 plenty of room for the sanguine theoricians to begin. 
 Perhaps they might succeed in reclaiming one out of a 
 thousand, and then see that one ultimately relapsing 
 into worse barbarism than he was found in before they 
 undertook his redemption. If I may predicate upon the 
 record of unfruitful endeavors in behalf of Jfeye poor 
 Indian," the reader must pardon the derision Iwiich my 
 language conveys. And for an indisputable line of tes 
 timony, without enumerating single instances of the 
 obdurate and inaccessible heart of the Indian, I will 
 refer to the great massacre which occurred in a locality 
 where the combined influence of gospel teachings and 
 pecuniary reward had totally failed to win more than a 
 few of them from the moral darkness and physical de 
 gradation in which and of which they were born ! But 
 I will desist from this useless moralizing, and recur to 
 the drudgery of the woman, who follows her husband, 
 the most abject of all slaves ! 
 
 Behold the erect form of that Dakota who moves 
 with measured and pompous stride, like the monarch 
 of an empire. He appears to be serenely conscientious 
 while his wife trudges behind him in lieu of baggage- 
 wagon or pack-horse train. He gathers his blanket 
 gracefully around his shoulders, and the eagle s feather 
 majestically waves above his fantastic crown, while the 
 
THE DAKOTA S WIFE. 285 
 
 only burden he carries is a red-stone pipe with a very 
 long stem, or a tomahawk and pipe all in one. His 
 wife is ready to sink with exhaustion from all his world 
 ly estate piled upon her back ! She follows, weary, 
 panting, groaning dying ! He is a "big Injun" and 
 scornfully refuses to take compassion on a woman ! 
 
 In his valuable History of Minnesota, Rev. E. D. Neill, 
 of St. Paul, compares Dakota women to the Gibeonite 
 females of old, who were "hewers of wood and drawers 
 of water" for the every-day requirements of life. He 
 has seen a motfcj on a winter s day, traveling eight or 
 ten miles, with^fhe entire appurtenances of a teepee, 
 camp-kettle, axe, papoose and several small dogs, all 
 piled upon her back. And after arriving at the camp 
 ing spot^id clearing off the snow, she proceeded to cut 
 pfrles an^p-ect th^sepee. She then gathered firewood, 
 brought water, put everything in order, and commenced 
 darning her lord s moccasins before he arrived to abuse 
 her for not providing an abundant supply of minne- 
 wakan. Mr. Neill says that m consequence of their ill- 
 treatment, but few happy -facec^ wives are seen .among 
 the Dakota Indians. Also, that suicide is very com 
 monly resorted to by them as the only chance of escape 
 from cruelties which they are unable to endure. The 
 husband of an unfaithful wife may kill her, or cut off 
 her nose ! 
 
 
CHAPTEE XX. 
 
 
 ,GOLIAH was not present when the 
 murderous savages shot down his 
 master; yet only a few seconds 
 elapsed ere he mingled in the terri 
 ble scene. As if by instinct, he se 
 lected the very one whose rifle sent 
 the "fatal ball; and, before any of 
 them could intercept him, his great 
 sharp tushes were clinched at the 
 assassin s throat. A mufl^bling snarl 
 and howl, as of a wild tiger when 
 venting its blood-thirsty roar, momentarily checked the 
 work of carnage. But the next instant he was chopped 
 to the earth, tearing out the windpipe of his victim in 
 the fall. And though he became a sacrifice, his timely 
 assault thus deterred the savages from mutilating and 
 dismembering the farmer s body even after death. 
 Moreover, the occurrence was an ill-omen in the super 
 stitious minds of the sanguinary Sioux, who believe that 
 some frightful calamity must surely befall the tribe of a 
 
288 SMOLDERING RUINS. 
 
 man dying from the bite of a dog. Therefore, without 
 effectually silencing Goliah s cries of agony by totally 
 and immediately ending his life, they hastily fired the 
 buildings and precipitately fled, carrying with them the 
 wretch whose throat had been torn open by the revenge 
 ful gnashing of the formidable teeth in his ponderous 
 jaws ! 
 
 The devouring element consumed everything within 
 its reach, and the conflagration was nearly ended when 
 the sombre shades of evening set in. But though the 
 smoldering ruins no longer blazed, a triple pile of 
 glowing embers and coals sent forth a dense volume of 
 smoke that made the dark atmosphere of night seem 
 alive with spectral shadows and quivering glares, while 
 the star-lit sky above was obscured by a dismal pall 
 of red. 
 
 Where life and happiness so peacefully and contented 
 ly dwelt only a few hours before, no human voice was 
 now heard, nor did footsteps draw near. The terrified 
 cattle could bellow no more from sheer exhaustion, the 
 fluttering fowls were weary with cackling, and Julia s 
 pet lamb ceased its plaintive cries. And while the sur 
 rounding space became hushed in a silence that was 
 awing and Strange, many other smoldering fires might 
 be seen with their phantom glares to point out devas 
 tated homes, where murdered victims lay or terror- 
 stricken fugitives hid themselves in covert retreats. 
 
 The last flickering ray of light from the ruins at 
 Denton Farm was just expiring when a sobbing moan 
 announced that Goliah still lived and breathed. The 
 pqor dog gradually revived, and began to scent for his 
 master. Apparently unconscious of the wounds in his 
 own body, he did not cry with the pain which he 
 must have felt, but soon discovered where his master 
 
A JOYFUL RETURN. 289 
 
 lay, and feebly crawled and whined until he could 
 touch him. Then, with plaintive utterances of anxiety 
 and distress for the condition of his master, he tried to 
 lick his hands and face, while whining more anxiously 
 than before. The loss of blood had so weakened him 
 that his tongue could scarcely move, and yet his caress 
 es were sufficient to rouse his master from the sleep of 
 death ! 
 
 When morning came, Farmer Denton and Goliah 
 were temporarily concealed a short distance from the 
 farm. And in less than two weeks time they received 
 a warm reception in the City of St. Paul ! 
 
 It is unnecessary here to narrate the circumstances 
 of their recovery and escape, as many facts pertaining 
 to somewhat similar adventures, which others expe 
 rienced in that vicinity about the same time, are in 
 cluded among the "Interlude Notes" of this volume, 
 and voluminously given in the published "Histories of 
 the Sioux War." But the unfortunate farmer heard of 
 his daughters safety long before he saw them, while 
 they could get no tidings of him until he and Goliah 
 presented themselves in person. And there w^as a joy 
 ous reunion in the parlor of Lady Levasseur when the 
 father and his dog arrived. 
 
 "Why, I never had so many kisses since I was 
 born !" he cried, while his four daughters were trying 
 to embrace him all together, and each putting up her 
 lips at the same time. " Now it s Eliza and Mercy and 
 then Julia and Jane ! Two at a time, and all at once ! 
 Bless you, girls ! My arms are more than full ! M 
 
 " And here we ve been crying our eyes out with the 
 belief that you were dead !" exclaimed Jane. " Oh, pa ! 
 I do love you so ! And now I shall never disobey you 
 again as long as I live !" 
 13 
 
290 FLEUEETTE AND GOLIAH. 
 
 " Not until the next time. Yes, your roguish eyes 
 look very much as if you d been crying them out for 
 me. But come, let s have another kiss. All of you, I 
 mean, you sauce-boxes, you ! I never was so happy as 
 now ! But but, girls, we are all beggars now ! Do 
 you know that ? I have only you left ! Everything else 
 is lost!" 
 
 " Mr. Denton, you forget !" interrupted Fleurette. 
 " Your daughters are not all that you have left. I can 
 name a very valuable object which you have omitted in 
 summing up your treasures." 
 
 " And pray what is that ?" 
 
 " A splendid dog named Goliah !" 
 
 Fleurette had been caressing his canine majesty from 
 the moment he entered the room ; and she went on to 
 say : " Oh, what large scars I see upon his head, his back 
 and his limbs ! Did the Indians really chop him in all 
 those places with their battle-axes and scalping-knives ? 
 Poor dog ! How cruel it was to abuse him so !" 
 
 " Why, Fleurette, dear ; you do not perceive how Mr. 
 Denton s head and face have been cut ?" observed Lady 
 Levasseur. " Is his dog of more account than himself?" 
 
 " Oh, pardon me, sir !" quickly answered Fleurette. 
 " I do see that, and wish with all my heart that every 
 one of those ugly Indians were driven so far off that 
 they could never find the way back again." 
 
 And then they were told all about how Goliah had 
 saved his master s life. 
 
 Lady Levasseur felt anxious to assure the unfortunate 
 man that while she had such an abundance to spare, he 
 need not apprehend any inconvenience from want ; yet 
 she would avail herself of a more fitting opportunity to 
 tell him so. However, he was not a desponding man in 
 money matters. He had health and strength. Perhaps 
 

 A FKIEND IN NEED. 291 
 
 he could get along in some way. Nevertheless, his sit 
 uation was extremely embarrassing just then. He had 
 a family and no home. That was a serious reflection ! 
 His pecuniary resources were all invested in his farm. 
 What could he expect from that, when the Indians had 
 burned his house and his barns, and destroyed his crops ? 
 Winter was coming on ; and how would he be able to 
 survive until spring ? Lady Levasseur had already ex 
 ceeded the bounds of magnanimous liberality in behalf 
 of his daughters, and he could not ask nor accept aid 
 from her. 
 
 But Lady Levasseur would not listen to any objec 
 tions while his misfortune claimed her generosity. She 
 did not look upon it as charity. Her home should be 
 his home and the home of the girls, at least until the-- 
 future enabled him to go forth and prosper again. He 
 must not refuse ! She insisted, and Fleurette conspired 
 with the girls to convince him that, under the circum 
 stances, it was right and proper for him to accept. 
 
 And then Lady Levasseur removed from the hotel to 
 a stylish residence that was owned by a wealthy citizen, 
 who had been frightened entirely out of the State by the 
 massacre, while it was at least a hundred miles away. 
 The owner s agent wanted to sell ; and, though not less 
 than sixteen thousand dollars had been expended on 
 the house and grounds, he would part with all for little 
 more than one-quarter of that sum. 
 
 "Good gracious!" ejaculated Farmer Denton, "if the 
 man is satisfied to sell at that price, buy it of him while 
 he is in the humor ; and he will come back and offer 
 twenty thousand for it, after these red-skins have been 
 subdued and driven out of sight and hearing. A 
 glorious chance for speculation ; and I only wish I had 
 five thousand dollars handy that s all. I d be the 
 
292 " DAR AM IS l v 
 
 proprietor of this place before another day rolled over 
 my head, if I could raise the money to pay down !" 
 
 Lady Levasseur smiled. She thought a moment, and 
 then bade Sancho bring her something from the escri 
 toire. That colored individual was not only her book 
 keeper, secretary and cashier, but really a clever finan 
 cier. He methodically arranged the writing materials 
 upon the table before his mistress, and then articulated, 
 "Dar amis!" 
 
 " Now, Mr. Denton," said Lady Levasseur, after fill 
 ing up a check for five thousand dollars ; " I have 
 drawn it payable to your order ; and if you think there 
 is anything to be made in the purchase of this estate, 
 let the deed be executed in your name. It shall be 
 yours, to keep or to sell, as you please. For the present, 
 we can live here all together. Sancho will settle with 
 the market folks, the grocery-man and the butcher, you 
 know ! Not a word ! When times get straight once 
 more, and you wish to dispose of the place for twenty 
 or thirty thousand, as you say, you can then refund me 
 five. Until that event transpires, consider yourself lord 
 and master of the dwelling in which you live." 
 
 " Oh, I m so glad !" cried Fleurette. " We shall have 
 such a nice time. Won t we, Goliah ?" 
 
 His dogship coincided by a rapturous vibration of his 
 immense tail. And she was happy in his society ; no 
 matter what a great many other beautiful young ladies 
 might think. 
 
 In a short time the farmer was gratified with an op 
 portunity of visiting his desolated home. The Indians 
 had been dealt with, but not half severely enough! 
 And the fifteen thousand people who had been driven 
 from their homes, seriously thought of returning. But 
 while the one hundred female captives wives, mothers 
 
A BED RIVER DOG-TRAIN. 293 
 
 and young girls who had been abused in every way 
 possible, were once more free, the one thousand dead 
 were not all even provided with graves ! 
 
 The labor of restoration was soon begun. But win 
 ter delayed the work, and protracted want embittered 
 the existence of thousands until Government compensa 
 tion and another harvest season filled the new granaries 
 with reabundance, and gave the needy a generous re 
 ward for their patient toil. 
 
 Meanwhile, Farmer Denton had time and opportu 
 nity for gratifying his curiosity relative to various 
 natural peculiarities of Dakota land. Among other 
 places, he visited St. Cloud, and there enjoyed a great 
 treat, in unexpectedly witnessing the arrival of a train 
 of dog-sledges from Red River. He remembered read 
 ing about such conveyances in a book that described 
 the manners and customs of people who inhabited ex 
 tremely cold countries, where they had long winters of 
 snow, and he had often thought how much he would be 
 delighted to see a team of real Kamtschatka or Es 
 quimaux dogs drawing one of those queer sledges. 
 
 Pie was always pleased with anything he heard about 
 the sagacity of the canine species. And his apprecia 
 tion of the omnivorous quadruped was practically de 
 monstrated when he spent several hundred dollars to 
 procure Goliah, whom he had brought all the way from 
 the vicinity of Mont Blanc, in Switzerland, the only 
 country where the pure and genuine St. Bernard race 
 is said to happily thrive and multiply. And they are 
 now becoming scarce even there. 
 
 A dog train was not seen very often as recently as 
 62, and the arrival of the one which he was so fortunate 
 as to see while at St. Cloud, proved a novelty to others 
 beside him. It brought down a lot of furs belonging 
 

 Tourists eiyoyiug their 1 irut View of the Red River of the North. 
 
"DOG BEAT HOUSE!" 295 
 
 to the Hudson Bay Company ; and he was more than 
 delighted to learn that its final destination would be 
 the City of St. Paul. Nothing could please him better. 
 And although the foot-traveling was then particularly 
 difficult for a pale-face unaccustomed to such exploits, 
 he resolved to accompany the train to the end of its 
 journey. 
 
 Therefore he immediately cultivated an acquaintance 
 with the half-breed drivers, who heartily laughed at his 
 proposition. He did not particularly admire them for 
 that. But he soon made them all his friends by a boun 
 tiful distribution of tobacco and other cheap " luxuries," 
 which speedily opened their black eyes and their willing 
 hands, if not their turbid hearts. 
 
 They suggested a " little rum," but he said " No !" so 
 flatly that the veto was permanently effectual. Still 
 they thought he was a perfect barbarian, not to like 
 "rum of some kind." However, they did not tell 
 him so. 
 
 They asked him " how much he could run !" He did 
 not presume that such a performance was necessary. 
 
 " Ugh ! Oie ! Dog beat horse all day !" grunted a 
 tall, long-haired driver, whose garments presented a 
 noticeable admixture of the apparel worn by an Italian 
 bandit, and the furs of a Siberian exile, with a little 
 French, and some Yankee editions to complete the cos 
 tume. 
 
 " Yes !" interposed a merchant of St. Cloud. " As 
 they run along at a gait of six or eight miles an hour, 
 it ll bring the lather out of you like ten thousand, fore 
 you know where you are !" 
 
 " Then I ll hire a horse !" blurted out the discomfited 
 man. 
 
 The drivers all gravely shook their heads ; at which he 
 
296 BARGAINING FOR A RIDE. 
 
 exclaimed with some excitement : " Thunder ! I ll bay 
 a horse, if they are afraid to trust me here !" 
 
 "No, that s not it!" laughed the merchant. "A 
 horse can t travel where them dogs go. He d break his 
 own neck and your n too, in less time an a cat ud lick 
 its ear !" 
 
 The countenance of the anxious man fell to an ex 
 pression of woe. But the captain came to his rescue by 
 offering him " a rope to hold !" 
 
 "And what s that, I should like to know?" He 
 looked suspiciously, as if the suggestion of a noose for 
 his neck was intended by the allusion to a rope. The 
 explanation was satisfactory; but it did not comfort 
 him a great deal. It was that he might avail himself 
 of the same assistance allowed the drivers, who gener 
 ally held on to long ropes attached to the rear end of 
 their respective sledges, whereby they were enabled to 
 run or glide along upon snow-shoes as fast as the dogs 
 traveled, from morning till night. 
 
 How could he hang on to a rope, and jump and 
 straddle over all sorts of obstacles, on top of, or amid 
 the uneven snow, at the rate of six to eight miles an 
 hour, from St. Cloud clear down to St. Paul? He 
 couldn t do it, and it was simply ridiculous to make 
 any attempt. But for ten dollars in money, and a 
 pocket-knife, and three plugs of chewing-tobacco, he 
 secured a seat upon a sledge which had been partly un 
 laden at St. Cloud. 
 
 "And now prepare to squat !" he jocularly remarked 
 upon seeing the attitude unavoidably necessary in such 
 a small space. And he had no " lean-back," nor even a 
 single i; standard " to hold on by. " I ve read how Bart- 
 lett grumbled about riding on the back of a camel in 
 Arabia," he added ; " but I ll bet he had no idea what 
 
A FRAIL BARK. 297 
 
 sort of accommodation he would find on a Red River 
 dog-sled !" 
 
 Away they went ! And the very first distinct feeling 
 that the enthusiastic adventurer had, was to experience 
 a " cool head " from the loss of his hat, which the next 
 driver whipped up as he ran and laughingly replaced 
 upon his head. 
 
 Farmer Denton soon became convinced that the 
 sledge was a frail bark to voyage upon. But they 
 were all precisely alike. Each one consisted of only a 
 single half-inch white-oak board, scarcely twenty inches 
 wide and from ten to twenty feet in length, with the 
 front end curled up similar to the runners of a city- 
 made sleigh, and fastened in that position by buckskin 
 thongs. Cleats or bars, an inch or so square, and per 
 haps two feet apart, were also fastened to the board by 
 leather strings. In fact, like the " Ox-cart," there was no 
 iron used in their construction. The thongs were drawn 
 through gimlet-holes in the board and wrapped tightly 
 around the bars. And then a long string passed under 
 each end of the cross-bars the entire length of the sledge. 
 To those long strings were tied the ends of the lashings 
 which secured the freight as tightly as a well-corded 
 bed-sacking. The farmer very prudently contrived to 
 wind some of the lashings around a part of his own 
 body in such a manner as to prevent being pitched off 
 heels over head every now and then, as the slender 
 board suddenly bounced up or unexpectedly plunged 
 down, over, around, under and through the uncivilized 
 or at least unmacadamized highway along which the 
 canine quadrupeds appeared to fly. And he could not 
 help comparing the attitude of the drivers, as they 
 bounded after the sledges with the ropes jerking them 
 at random, to some of his own juvenile exploits. For 
 13* 
 
298 HOW 
 
 example, when he used to sail across his father s cow- 
 pasture, holding on to old " White-back s " tail, while 
 she did her best to out-gallop time. 
 
 There were four dogs to each sledge, " Injun file ;" 
 and it was estimated that each team drew about five 
 hundred pounds. The sledge continually undulated to 
 suit the uneven surface oft the snow, and the farmer 
 almost fancied that he rode on something actually 
 alive. 
 
 When the dogs could not perceive the right " trail," 
 one of the drivers went on ahead with his " snow- 
 shoes," to lead the way. But neither dogs nor 
 drivers ate anything until arriving at St. Paul, where 
 they all made a late supper upon pemican. Farmer 
 Denton tried some of that " sweet meat," and he after 
 ward said : " Just take a lot of buffalo meat, or what is 
 quite as juicy and tender part of an old starved-to-death 
 bull, from off the salt meadows along Barnegat Bay, on 
 the sea-coast of New Jersey. Dry the flesh in the sun, 
 and then partly cook or scorch it a couple of hours on 
 sticks over a slow fire. Next spread it out upon the 
 ground anywhere, and pound it into pieces the size of 
 oats or barley. Then shovel it into an egg-shaped raw 
 hide bag, and pour over it all the melted tallow that 
 will soak in !" 
 
 That s the way they make pemican, according to his 
 report and he would not make a false assertion. 
 
 The dogs are fed only at night, after they have trav 
 eled from sixty to ninety miles. Their allowance is the 
 same as that of the drivers, being about a pound and a 
 half for a meal. 
 
 Farmer Denton was thoroughly disgusted with the 
 journey, but not with the dogs. They interested him 
 very much ; and from what he could ascertain of their 
 
 
CHARACTER OF WOLVES. 299 
 
 pedigree, he inferred that most of them were a " severe " 
 cross between the Esquimaux, the Newfoundland, the 
 wolf, and the common Indian cur. Some of them were 
 extremely bright and cunning, and all remarkably en 
 during. One half-breed and another, a full-blooded wolf, 
 were trained for leaders. The genuine wolf was highly 
 esteemed by his driver. 
 
 I shall here add something in relation to the charac 
 ter of wolves. Experienced hunters tell me that they 
 are not only always hungry, but cannibalish in the ex 
 treme. For after feasting upon the carcass of almost 
 any living animal, from man down to a lizard or a frog, 
 they often manifest a keen appetite for the flesh and 
 blood of their own species. And accordingly the 
 stronger devour the weak. If one should accidentally 
 get smeared with blood from the prey which they had 
 just killed, his comrades would also eat him before the 
 feast came to an end. Unlike other carnivora, the wolf 
 snaps his prey with lightning rapidity, instead of 
 clenching it and fixedly struggling in the charge of 
 death. And also unlike those predacious animals who 
 seize their prey by stealth, and destroy it at a single 
 bound in the first attack, the wolf is anatomically 
 formed for long chasing, so that the creature pursued 
 by him must eventually succumb in a state of utter ex 
 haustion. I can not say as to his inordinate power of 
 digestion; but when desperately hungry he has been 
 known to thoroughly masticate a rawhide trace and a 
 very hard old water-proof boot. It is generally in 
 ferred, from the external aspect of a wolf, that he must 
 be as brave as fierce. But in that facial expression he 
 deceives a stranger; for, notwithstanding his almost 
 vulpine cunning, he is nearly as cowardly and much 
 meaner than a detestable .feline thief. And, knowing 
 
300 WOLVES PLAYING POSSUM. 
 
 his cowardice, hunters adroitly preserve the carcass of 
 an animal which they have slain, by simply erecting a 
 pole near the spot, with an old shirt or any fluttering 
 object fastened at the top. The inflated bladder or a 
 strip of the hide of the dead carcass is sometimes used 
 in that way. And sagacious as the rascals are known 
 to be, they have not the courage to approach what the 
 hunters may leave behind them under the protection 
 of such a dreaded ensign. With the same result, trav 
 elers may drag a loose rope behind the horse or vehicle 
 which they are riding upon when attacked by a formi 
 dable pack of wolves. They always go in packs when 
 on marauding expeditions ; which, allowing for occa 
 sional slumber, occupy the greater portion of their time 
 during life. 
 
 When seriously injured or frightened, a wolf will 
 " play possum " so effectually as to often deceive those 
 well acquainted with his artifice in that way. Many 
 rascals have thus eluded their captors, to the no little 
 chagrin of the latter. Nowhere can be witnessed a 
 more terrific scene of confusion than that arising from 
 the excitement among a pack of wolves when they have 
 once secured a buffalo. A frightful, scuffling skirmish 
 straightway ensues, and wildly continues for a moment 
 to the music of furious snarls and growls; while amid a 
 dense cloud of dust, only a frightful chaos of disinte 
 grated hair and a forest of frantically whisking tails are 
 visible to denote the sanguinary process of annihilation 
 so speedily and rapaciously performed. 
 
 And yet it has been proven that, when captured quite 
 young, a wolf will not only become tame, but conceive 
 a devoted attachment for its master in some instances 
 almost surpassing the fidelity of a dog. In certain 
 respects a tamed wolf is more serviceable than even the 
 
DOG-HOTEL AT RED RIVER. 
 
 301 
 
 canis familiaris ; as clearly illustrated among the teams 
 comprising the train which Farmer Denton accom 
 panied from St. Cloud to St. Paul. Many of those crea 
 tures were domesticated wolves, who manifested the 
 most faithful allegiance to their drivers, and obediently 
 submit to the servitude of a nomad existence without 
 any reluctance. But the farmer learned that they were 
 fond of "running off," now and then, to enjoy a playful 
 romp among their wild ancestors, when the latter 
 chance to be prowling about. 
 
 Whatever their origin, the sledge-dogs are very uiir 
 like the race domesticated in our abodes of civilization. 
 They are generally larger and stronger, and capable of 
 performing the laj>or of horses and cattle where and 
 when the latter would perish with hunger and cold. 
 They seem particularly adapted for endurance and pri 
 vation ; and in the Northern wilds they are what the 
 camel is in the burning deserts of the torrid zone. In 
 the summer, when the sledge-dogs have no work to per 
 form, their owners sometimes put them out to boaid 
 with contractors, who feed them on bad fish. 
 
 And I will also remark, that the name Esquimaux is 
 a corruption of wcashkimek, implying " eaters of fish." 
 Thus it seems that there is some traditional origin for 
 the piscivorous propensity of this serviceable breed of 
 quadrupeds. Though it must be remembered that the 
 physical peculiarities of the Red River dog are very dif 
 ferent from those used by Dr. Hayes in his explorations 
 of the Polar region. 
 
 A dog-hotel or boarding establishment is one of the 
 curiosities of Selkirk Colony, and the rules and regula 
 tions for the control of the wretched canines, would 
 serve as a model government in some of our great sem 
 inaries of learning. But when the poor animals are not 
 
302 HUNGER OP A BLIGHTED HEART. 
 
 properly attended to, they break loose from the kennel 
 and get up a fishing excursion on their own account. 
 Betaking themselves to the bank of the river, they dart 
 with lightning velocity down upon the fish swimming 
 near the shore, or seize any dead carcass floating on the 
 surface of the stream. 
 
 The " Dog Carryall " is similar to the common sledge, 
 but covered with doeskin parchment and ornamented 
 in the usually fantastic conception of an Indian artist, 
 to convey Catholic priests and dignitaries occupying 
 some official position. 
 
 That dog-train in the winter of 62 was the last one 
 seen in the City of St. Paul ; for since then, the exten 
 sion of the Pacific Railway does all the freight trans 
 portation below St. Cloud. 
 
 Farmer Denton says he shall remember his novel ride 
 of seventy-five miles behind four dogs as long as he lives. 
 
 And he perfectly agreed with Lady Levasseur in ex 
 tolling both the winter and the summer climate of Min 
 nesota. Yet, while expressing delight at her permanent 
 convalescence, he would repeatedly deplore his neglect 
 in not bringing his wife to St. Paul before she died. 
 He was every day more convinced from what he heard 
 and saw, that the climate of the North-west would 
 have saved her life. 
 
 But though Lady Levasseur escaped death from con 
 sumption, and seemed so buoyant and cheerful with the 
 companionship of Fleurette and her newly-acquired and 
 sincere friends, she was very far from being happy ; and 
 one day, in conversation with Farmer Denton, she re 
 marked that no amount of wealth could appease the 
 hunger of a blighted heart. 
 
 The good, honest man then imagined her grief to be 
 analogous to his own. He had lost a dear wife, and she 
 
AN OLD ARDOR ANEW. 303 
 
 a beloved husband. Their idols were both in the grave. 
 He did not know all but he would, anon. 
 
 He was only a man ; and all men are comparatively 
 the same, when they have bereaved hearts that yearn for 
 sympathy. And admitting that there was such a vast 
 difference in their social castes and pecuniary positions, 
 he felt irresistibly inclined to make a proposition of 
 marriage. He knew that he was inferior to her in re 
 finement, but she had already stooped to an equality 
 with him. She said that her blighted heart was hungry 
 from loss of companionship and sympathy and love 
 and might not he become an acceptable substitute for 
 what death had taken away ? Still so beautiful, and so 
 charming in the estimation of all, she could gladden his 
 future by her gentle presence and her sweet smiles. 
 
 His head was filled with entirely new ideas, and his 
 heart pleasantly throbbed not very unlike it did when 
 he first learned to love the maiden who became his wife. 
 Time might have cooled the blood in his veins to a less 
 violent heat ; but he was imbued with the ardor of old ; 
 and, stimulating his courage by a perpetual recollection 
 of having heard it said that a faint heart never won a 
 fair lady, he one evening summoned every incentive for 
 resolution, and said something that startled Lady Levas- 
 seur ; but not quite so much as her answer astonished him. 
 
 " Mr. Denton," said she, " I esteem you very much. 
 You have been extremely kind to me. Both you and 
 your daughters seem near to my heart ; and I sincerely 
 trust that the friendship may grow and strengthen to 
 the end of our lives. I am also willing and anxious to 
 prove my regard in all possible ways. But there is an 
 insurmountable obstacle which deters me from ever mar 
 rying again. Mr. Denton, I can not be your wife !" 
 
 Nevertheless, he might hopefully wait and see. 
 
ill 
 
 
OHAPTEE XXI. 
 
 I 
 
 LADY LEVASSEUR received no 
 tidings from the Major during a 
 lapse of sixteen years after he 
 went away across the sea with 
 Madame Zorah and Leon ore. 
 That was a long time for a faith 
 fully loving wife to wait with 
 the undying belief that her re 
 creant husband would return ; 
 but she still continued to cherish 
 that fond hope, and frequently 
 "=" consoled herself by repeatedly 
 murmuring, " He will come back by and by ! My spirit 
 shall not leave him. The old love must triumph when 
 his heart grows sad !" 
 
 And did the Major continue to reflect upon the cruelty 
 in robbing his deserted wife of her child ? or was he en 
 tirely lost to all sense of reflection in the presence of 
 Leonore ? Ah, he could not help thinking of the past ; 
 but never for a moment suspected that Leonore was 
 holding her own offspring in her arms, while his wife s 
 child had been cast out into the unknown world. That 
 
306 WOOING IN VAIN. 
 
 was a terrible reality which would sooner or later startle 
 his very soul. No matter; he was faithfully keeping 
 his oath, so that the future might bring its burden of 
 woe. 
 
 And Farmer Denton was not the only man who asked 
 Lady Levasseur to marry. For, if I am truthfully in 
 formed, there are many gentlemen now in the City of 
 St. Paul who still have a very vivid recollection of the 
 rich Southern widow, or the beautiful Lady with the 
 "Angel Heart," as she was familiarly called by the male 
 and female gossips who courted her society. 
 
 Among her most enterprising suitors I shall vaguely 
 mention a certain middle-aged bachelor of the ton^ 
 whose exchequer had been frightfully depleted by reck 
 lessly " handling and carrying choice town lots " in 
 the furore of 57, when speculative excitement enriched 
 some and impoverished a great many more. Failing 
 to establish himself as the proprietor of the beautiful 
 mother s hand and fortune, the philoprogenitive mas 
 culine cunningly transferred his addresses to the pretty 
 daughter, who was then verging into that adolescent 
 period of existence when extravagantly romantic love- 
 dreams sometimes sweetly prelude a harvest of bitter 
 tears. 
 
 At that time Fleurctte was popularly designated as 
 the " Beauty of St. Paul" And the suggestive sobri 
 quet seemed to be very fitly applied. But the aspiring 
 bachelor was only one among the throng who eagerly 
 sought her smiles with an ardent desire that she might 
 be prevailed upon to wed. Yet, with a single exception, 
 none of them were likely to realize their wishes in that 
 direction. There was but one gentleman who particu 
 larly interested Fleurette. And he remains single to 
 this day. Some trifling incident caused a coolness be- 
 

 THE WHISPERED WARNING. 30 7 
 
 tween them, which was not dissipated before an unex 
 pected disclosure in her family relationship effectually 
 turned the current of circumstances controlling the 
 future of her life. Doubtless, that event deterred her 
 from finding a husband in St. Paul. 
 
 But where was Major Levasseur, the accomplished 
 and erratic grandson of the proud old Marquis Dupont- 
 avisse? In London, in Paris everywhere that folly 
 and caprice suggested. He did not court repose, but 
 rather sought excitement, and even dissipation, to avoid 
 repentance and shut out remorse, which were frequently 
 suggested by something like a whisper in his ear, that 
 breathed " Beware of impending retribution !" There 
 fore, his happiness was not without its alloy, while he 
 seemed so merry and gay. And at times, when quiet 
 and all alone, he could not help recurring to the past. 
 He would think of Lady Levasseur, and yearn to see her 
 once more. But there was a dark, broad gulf between 
 them, and a voice of grief came on the wind that swept 
 over the blue waters of the sea, while a frightful spectre 
 of infidelity and wrong rose up with an exulting grin to 
 make him shudder with the reflection that Lady Levas- 
 seur s beautiful head could never again be pillowed upon 
 his bosom as it did before Leonore s exquisite form re 
 posed in his arms ! 
 
 And for some reason he never revealed the thoughts 
 which were passing through his mind when he sat with 
 Leonore s child upon his knee, as he frequently did, 
 gazing almost mournfully into its face. Probably he 
 was thinking of Lady Levasseur, whom he supposed to 
 be its mother, and reproaching himself for having been 
 instrumental in separating it from her in that cruel way. 
 Perhaps he was sorry that they had taught it to call 
 Leonore, mother. He may have experienced deep regret 
 
308 INCEPTION OF RUIN. 
 
 for all that had been done, and secretly devised a plan 
 of future atonement by eventually reuniting mother and 
 child! 
 
 Then, too, they named it Irene. And he did not like 
 that ! 
 
 There was something in the father s heart which 
 neither Leonore nor her discerning grandma could 
 perceive when he insisted that Irene should have an 
 education properly fitting her to be the heiress of 
 wealth and position. And, after receiving instruction 
 at one of the best seminaries of learning for the very 
 young, she was placed in a convent, to remain until her 
 studies were entirely completed, before encountering 
 the great Avorld. 
 
 But alas, for her mother, Leonore ! She was no 
 longer a timid girl. Launched into the gayeties of a 
 fashionable life with but little restraint, and lured on 
 by flattery and impelled by the promptings of her 
 grandma, she soon became a frivolous coquette. Her 
 beauty attracted the notice and elicited the admiration 
 of the titled and the great, until her love for Levasseur 
 was nearly swallowed up in the fascination of other 
 delights. And Levasseur was quick to mark the change 
 in her heart ; for he wanted that all to himself. But his 
 remonstrance came too late. Madame incited her on at 
 the very moment when she should have raised a barrier 
 of restraint. 
 
 Then the irritated man put on an air of authority, 
 and said that his will was law. From the indulgent 
 lover and doating husband, he ascended to the impe 
 rious lord, whose commands must be obeyed, right or 
 wrong. And, when the first unkind words once were 
 spoken, it was but an easy transition from peace to rc- 
 taliative discord. 
 
A FATAL SCHEME. 309 
 
 " She shall not tamely submit to harsh coercion !" in 
 terposed Madame. "She is your wife, and not your 
 gl ave _ anc l mu st be treated with the deference due her 
 position." 
 
 Levasseur s ire was then roused beyond endurance. 
 He might have borne resentment from Leonore with 
 
 O 
 
 subsequent pardon in return. But when the old lady 
 became defiant and urged belligerous opposition to his 
 wish, he could not restrain himself any longer, and per 
 emptorily decided that she should retire into seclusion. 
 He commanded and she might seemingly obey. Never 
 theless, he would soon realize the probability of extremes 
 meeting extremes. The sequel proved not only disas 
 trous, but fatally so. 
 
 Casting aside her better feelings, Leonore very pliant- 
 ly coincided with Madame s unwise suggestion of trick 
 and stratagem. And, utterly forgetful of the insecurity 
 of their position, they rashly conspired and plotted to 
 outwit him. 
 
 There was also some jealousy at the bottom of Levas 
 seur s displeasure. A young nobleman, whose extrava 
 gance had occasioned much scandal in Parisian society, 
 was the principal cause. And when he assumed an 
 arbitrary control of Leonore s freedom, her grandma 
 sought the profligate s interposition. She told him that 
 Levasseur was a perfect tyrant. He had imprisoned 
 Leonore against her will, and that, too, when she was 
 nearly dying to attend the next grand bed d? opera. Could 
 the young nobleman devise a scheme for the gratifica 
 tion of Leonore ? 
 
 Highly elated at the marked preference shown him 
 from one so fair, her unscrupulous admirer arranged his 
 plans. But the Major s valet, an honest sort of man, 
 was not long in discerning his master s position ; and, 
 
310 THE FINAL EXTREME. 
 
 without suspecting any serious result, promptly notified 
 him of the true state of his domestic affairs. 
 
 Reluctantly believing what he heard, the aggrieved 
 husband and Lconore were soon closeted alone. He 
 accused her of deceiving him, and also hinted that his 
 forbearance might soon end and then she would have 
 no home. Thereupon she confessed all, and endeavored 
 to mitigate the offense by charging her grandma with 
 the instigation and encouragement of everything she 
 had done. 
 
 " I ll put an end to that !" muttered Levasseur, taking 
 his idol in his arms. " I at last perceive how it is. 
 You and your grandma must separate ! I can not 
 permit her to alienate your love from me. We will 
 leave this place and go elsewhere, to begin happiness 
 anew !" 
 
 Mutual kisses followed what he said. But, upon 
 raising their eyes, they perceived Madame standing be 
 fore them, with defiance and mockery in her face. 
 
 "I will go, sir!" she sneered. "We shall instantly 
 quit the house. But, remember the conditions of your 
 oath ! Come, child, we will pack up and depart !" 
 
 Leonore rose to follow her grandma, and he could 
 scarcely believe his eyes. 
 
 " Surely you would not leave me !" hoarsely exclaimed 
 the astonished man. 
 
 " If grandma goes, so shall I !" 
 
 " And is this the end of my dream ?" 
 
 "I can not disobey her!" 
 
 " Ha, ha ! Now you see what your unmanly conduct 
 has done !" cackled Madame, with delight at Leonore s 
 prompt decision. 
 
 " As your husband, I can compel you to remain !" he 
 proudly said. 
 
FORSAKEN, PENITENT MAN. 311 
 
 Madame cackled much louder when she replied : 
 " Husband ! Ha, ha ! We deny that now !" 
 
 " Silence, woman ! Leonore, I am addressing you. 
 Think well before you act !" 
 
 " I can not think ! Whatever grandma says, I 
 shall do !" 
 
 " You hear what she says ! You hear, Major Levas- 
 seur ! She refuses to be your slave !" 
 
 "Leonore! Speak!" 
 
 Madame motioned to influence her reply, and she 
 tremulously answered : " I shall go !" 
 
 " I ll hear no more !" stamped Levasseur. " Go ! 
 Both of you leave my sight forever !" His rage was 
 terrible ; and he instantly shut himself up in his cham 
 ber, to avoid choking Madame, or perpetrating violence 
 in some other way. 
 
 And at last Levasseur was alone ! ! 
 
 From his window he saw a voiture driven down the 
 street, and in that vehicle rode Madame and Leonore ! 
 
 " Fool ! Fool ! that I have been ! For her I deserted 
 my wife sixteen years ago, and now she has forsaken me /" 
 
 The man of the world bowed his head in agonizing 
 thought. Thus far he had been floating smoothly down 
 the current of time, and lo ! a dark abyss of despair was 
 now yearning to receive him. Memory was busy in his 
 brain and in his heart. He went away back to infancy, 
 where a thousand sweet fancies delighted him then. 
 But alas, their- melodies were silenced with the lapse of 
 years ! The stirring events of early manhood came up 
 vividly in his mind, and before him were two pairs of 
 eyes. One dark and luminous the other mild and 
 blue ! The dark eyes seemed to glare at him with ma 
 lignant scorn, and those of blue looked mournfully but 
 oh, so kind !" 
 
THE SUNBEAM. 313 
 
 Courtship, marriage wife ! And he murmured a 
 name which he had not spoken for many years. He re 
 peated that name in a tone of sorrow and with an accent 
 of grief! 
 
 The gay world did not hear the groans of that peni 
 tent man ! The past was all love s delusion, ending in 
 bitter remorse. Daylight vanished and left him alone 
 in the dark. But a veil fell from his mental vision and 
 let in a terrible light ! 
 
 There he sat, leaning upon the table all night, and in 
 the morning his attitude remained precisely the same ! 
 It seemed like the sleep of death ! 
 
 The sun shone in at the window, and one broad, 
 bright beam rested upon the uncovered head of the 
 sleeping, penitent man, whose soul was then away in 
 another land, dreaming of happiness to come ! 
 
 The noonday was fair in France, and no morning 
 clouds were in the steel-blue sky of Minnesota. And 
 while the forsaken man slept in Paris, his faithful wife 
 and her adopted daughter were gathering flowers still 
 wet with dew from among the rose-bushes and the vines 
 adorning their residence in the elevated suburbs of St. 
 Paul, five thousand miles away ! 
 
 It was spring-time ; and two little robins, which 
 came close to the arbor sweetly warbling their love- 
 notes in the fragrant air, filled Lady Levasseur s heart 
 with sad memories of the past ; for upon entering the 
 house she touched the keys of the organ, and in a 
 moment her own voice and that of Fleurette s joined in 
 an anthem for Heaven to hear ! And when the sounds of 
 melody died away, the mother knelt in prayer while the 
 daughter s eyes were moist with tears. 
 
 " Oh, ma, why do you so often repeat that prayer ?" 
 
 " Because I believe that God will answer it by and by !" 
 
 14 
 
314 COMING OF LIGHT. 
 
 But spring and its blossoms soon disappeared for sum 
 mer to bring forth the fruit, and September had come to 
 ripen the husbandman s products of toil, when one day 
 Sancho was heard anxiously interrogating Dinah. 
 
 " My lub," said he, " w T har am missus, I shud like tu 
 know ? Yars a letter cum fur an ans r !" And then he 
 thrust his old gray head in at the open window, saying, 
 " Dis am wery tickl r, and mus be tended tu now !" 
 
 Lady Levasseur broke the seal and read : 
 
 "MADAME I have been sent by Messrs. Crane & 
 Burr, attorneys-at-law, in the City of New York, to con 
 fer with you in a matter of deep importance, and take 
 this method of requesting you to name an hour when it 
 would best suit your convenience for me to call in per 
 son. Respectfully yours, etc. 
 
 HENRY DOWNS." 
 
 " Here, Fleurette !" said Lady Levasseur, trembling. 
 " Write ! I can not hold the pen ! Say that I shall be 
 pleased to have him call immediately." 
 
 Mr. Henry Downs soon appeared. 
 
 "I was not aware that I had any business with 
 Messrs. Crane & Burr," began Lady Levasseur. " In 
 deed, I do not remember hearing the name of the firm 
 before and " 
 
 " Major Levasseur was a client of theirs," broke in 
 Mr. Downs. " And it is of him that I have been sent 
 to confer !" 
 
 " My husband !" she gasped, and reeled in her chair, 
 with the expectation of some fatal news. 
 
 " The game !" continued Mr. Downs. " And may I 
 asK if you are familiar with the events of his life since 
 you parted ?" 
 
 A mournful movement of her head intimated " No !" 
 She could not have spoken if she tried. 
 
THE LAWYER S MISSION. 315 
 
 " Then, perhaps, it will not be uninteresting for you 
 to know that the Major quarreled with Leonore and 
 her grandmother only a few months ago. Pardon me, 
 if I unintentionally wound your feelings. The difficulty 
 was a serious one, and they both abruptly left him as a 
 final termination to the affair. His daughter Irene 
 your child Perhaps I am too blunt. In our profession, 
 it is necessary to be as plain as possible. Well, your 
 daughter Irene was still at the convent where she had 
 been some years for the purpose of finishing her educa 
 tion, and he removed her the following day, with a sud 
 denly-conceived resolution of bringing her with him to 
 America. The Major s object was to find you if possi 
 ble, and endeavor to establish the proper feeling and 
 natural relationship between mother and child. He 
 notified his attorneys, Messrs. Crane & Burr, to dis 
 cover your abode, in anticipation of his intended and 
 speedy arrival. The hostile position of the North and 
 the South rendered it next to impossible for us I should 
 say impossible for my employers to ascertain anything 
 definite from correspondents in New Orleans, where you 
 were supposed to be, if still alive. Our inability to 
 accomplish anything did not satisfy the Major. So, 
 placing your daughter under the protection of an old 
 friend of his in Louisville, I believe he determined to 
 visit New Orleans in person, and induce you to come 
 North for her sake, and remain here pending a termi 
 nation of the war. And, without listening to the re 
 monstrance of any one, he hurried off on the hazardous 
 journey. But shortly after he left the Union lines his 
 lifeless body was found among those slain in a skir 
 mish between a detachment of our forces and an inde 
 pendent troop of rangers, or mounted bushwackers, 
 who were plundering and murdering indiscriminately, 
 
316 SORROW OF THE "ANGEL HEART." 
 
 and totally regardless of the laws of peace or the rules 
 of war." 
 
 A Dead !" shrieked Lady Levasseur. She heard no 
 more, until recovering from, her emotion when she 
 murmured, " Then, after all, this is the final answer to 
 my oft-repeated and hopeful prayer ! He is dead ! And 
 they killed him while he was seeking me ! O, why did 
 not God spare him a little longer ? But proceed, Mr. 
 Downs. Where is his body ? Where is my child ?" 
 
 "Ma, dear, I am here!" whispered Fleurette, with 
 blanched cheeks and a trembling heart. 
 
 " Not you, my darling ! My own babe, whom they 
 robbed me of before it could realize a mother s smile. 
 Mr. Downs, where is she now ; and what has been done 
 with the remains of her father, Major Levasseur?" 
 
 "I have come to tell you that," resumed Mr. Downs. 
 " The captain of the Union skirmishers a brother of 
 mine, and formerly in the employ of Messrs. Crane & 
 Burr recognized the body from papers found in the 
 pockets, and also from a watch and a miniature portrait 
 of yourself, which were known to have been in his pos 
 session before quitting the camp, a few days previous 
 to his death. In consequence of a serious mutilation of 
 the features there was, at first, some doubt as to their 
 identity. But nearly every article of clothing even 
 his boots and his hat were identified by persons who 
 had seen him alive. Here is a ring taken from his 
 finger. Do you recognize it ?" 
 
 "I do!" she gasped. "It was a gift of mine soon 
 after our marriage! And he has worn it ever since 
 then." 
 
 She pressed the ring to her lips with a long, deep sigh. 
 
 " And here is the watch, and the miniature, and the 
 other articles ! Do you also recognize them ?" 
 
U PUT FLO WEES ON HIS GRAVE!" 317 
 
 " Yes, yes ! They are all his ! But here is another 
 portrait in the back of the case ! I wonder whose it can 
 be ? Hah ! Take it away ! That is not mine ! It is 
 hers /" and, with a shudder, she dropped the miniature 
 case upon the floor. 
 
 " Oh, what a beautiful lady !" cried Fleurette, gather 
 ing up the case and gazing at the miniature. " Only 
 see what magnificent black eyes ! Ma, do you know 
 who she is ?" 
 
 Lady Levasseur had never told Fleurette the full par 
 ticulars of her own sad story. 
 
 " Put it away out of my sight anywhere !" she 
 groaned, while averting her face. 
 
 Fleurette was amazed, but said no more. And yet 
 she felt alarmed. 
 
 "Then there is no doubt that the body is Major Le- 
 vasseur s," observed Mr. Downs. " And we desire that 
 you may choose a place for its final burial. It has been 
 embalmed by some chemical process, and awaits your 
 order. I might say that the captain, my brother, dis 
 covered your residence here, in St. Paul, from a rebel 
 prisoner captured on the same day of your husband s 
 death. But how, I am unable, as yet, to explain." 
 
 "Bring my husband to St. Paul; and we will bury 
 him in the quiet cemetery beyond the hill there, where I 
 can cultivate summer flowers upon his grave, until God 
 permits me to lie beside him forever ! And also bring 
 my child. But I fear that she will not love me, even 
 then. Oh, Mr. Downs, I am at a loss to know what 
 more to say !" 
 
 " Cheer up, my lady. Your wishes shall all be grati 
 fied so far as we have the power. I will telegraph 
 immediately. And yet, upon reflection, I think it will 
 be better for me to go in person and bring your 
 
318 SANCHO AND DINAH. 
 
 daughter, if we can find her, with the corpse of your 
 husband. I shall communicate with you in the shortest 
 possible time. Adieu !" 
 
 Sancho was a silent witness and a sad-faced auditor 
 of the distressing interview between his mistress and 
 Henry Downs. He had never been denied her confi 
 dence in anything proper for him to see and hear. And 
 that privilege not only elicited his appreciation, but 
 imbued him with a profound respect and devoted regard 
 for her. He deemed it a great honor to be her confi 
 dant and adviser so far as his humble reason and sus 
 ceptible heart might serve to lighten her sorrows. So, 
 having conducted the visitor out, and earnestly express 
 ing an audible wish that " de Lor ud bress im fur de 
 good ob de kaus," he repaired to the kitchen where 
 Dinah was impatiently waiting to " hea yr what de ko- 
 moshum was all bout !" 
 
 " Ah, my lub, sumf n orf 1 is hap nd. De gem men s 
 frum Nu york, and Massa s gwan tu ez long home, whar 
 we mus all fotch up when Proveduns says to kum. An 
 poor Miss Flurey s now kry n kaze Missuses own dart r 
 spects to step in er place." 
 
 " She shant do nuifin ob de sort," wept Dinah. 
 "Flurey musn t be shuv d orph fur no udder dart rs 
 wen she s all tuck t up so swete in Mussuses buz m like 
 dem brite cheerabims wid dar mudder ang ls in de heav 
 enly sky." 
 
 Thus the servants sympathy already ran in favor of 
 Fleurette, whom their own love had inseparably united 
 with the very existence of Lady Levasseur. And while 
 discussing the matter thoroughly with themselves, they 
 unconsciously resolved to shut their hearts against Irene. 
 
 " What ef she am Massa s chile and Missus wus er 
 mudder ?" theorized Sancho. " Wont she be like im, an 
 
MOONBEAMS FROM ABOVE. 
 
 319 
 
 not a tall like er ? Didn t e lope wid dem ar wicked 
 wim n an leab Missuses harte tu bust ? Massa wus a 
 bad man !" 
 
 " Hush !" started Dinah. " De speerits ob ded fouks 
 kaii hear what de liv n say bout dem art r dey s unkon- 
 nected frum dar bod ez. Don t de preach rs zort us tu 
 pra fur does who am in de kingdumkumdum ?" 
 
 " Ah, you z bin read n sum dem ar books what s writ 
 ten by sectariums who b liev dar s no udder road but de 
 wuri dey am trab ling demsev s !" 
 
 And Farmer Denton was pardonable for frequently 
 saying : " Darkies will be darkies, no matter how white 
 they are!" But in that declaration with Sancho, he 
 somewhat contradicted his arguments in reference to 
 the force of example attending life. 
 
 That night the gentle moonbeams calmly watched 
 over the residence of Lady Levasseur ; and the rose 
 bushes, the green leaves, and the creeping vines seemed 
 to smile in sweet response, while Fleurette lovingly 
 nestled in her arms, and both were wrapt in slumber. 
 
CHAPTEE XXII. 
 
 FARMER DENTON and his four 
 daughters were all absent when 
 Henry Downs appeared in St. 
 Paul. They had gone to visit 
 their relatives, and old acquaint 
 ances and friends, near West- 
 field, New Jersey; and Lady 
 Levasseur experienced great 
 need of the good man s assist 
 ance and advice in the mo 
 mentous event of her husband s 
 burial and the reception of her long-lost daughter, whom 
 she still continued to think of as a mere child, without 
 actually realizing the fact that during such a prolonged 
 lapse of time, Irene must have matured into a young 
 woman. But the farmer had not yet learned from 
 Lady Levasseur the exact nature of that insurmountable 
 obstacle to her marrying again, which she alluded to 
 when he first asked her to become his wife ; and the 
 melancholy denouement about transpiring, would cer 
 tainly astound him when he and his daughters came 
 home. 
 
 14* 
 
322 DIGGING A USELESS GRAVE. 
 
 However, there was no time to lose ; and Sancho was 
 authorized to negotiate for a grave in the cemetery. 
 
 " Good gracious !" exclaimed the sexton. " What 
 can Lady Levasseur want with a grave ?" 
 
 " Massa am kum n home ded !" replied Sancho. " De 
 rebbels kill d im when he wus gwine to fotch missus 
 frum OiTins ! Yeas, dey s kill n eb ry boddy now, cept 
 us folks, yar in Sent Paul !" 
 
 So the wondering sexton went and dug a grave, 
 while Lady Levasseur was all excitement and expecta 
 tion. But she found time to review the past and to re 
 live in imagination. She had never ceased to think 
 fondly of her husband; and the recollection of that 
 period of marriage bliss was not any less vivid because 
 of his cruel desertion. The enormity of her wrongs 
 would never dim the bright remembrance that he was 
 once so good and so kind. But all those long years of 
 sorrow, of hope and prayer, had brought her only a 
 dismal coffin, with the sad remnant of life and love. 
 And yet she fervently prayed that God might pardon 
 him as she had done. 
 
 Then came intelligence that on a certain day the 
 corpse would arrive, and also an announcement that 
 Irene could not be found. The Major had neglected to 
 leave her address with his attorneys, and perhaps it 
 would take some time to discover where she was ; yet 
 they would certainly find her after his remains were 
 put away in the ground. 
 
 But the joyful sadness that filled Lady Levasseur s 
 heart was inspired by emotions more tenderly connected 
 with the expected corpse of the father than the recovery 
 of her child. Indeed, all her maternal feelings had 
 blended so sweetly with the filial response of Fleurette, 
 that she really experienced no sincere delight in the 
 
"ONLY ONE DAY MORE!" 323 
 
 promised restoration of Irene. And under the circum 
 stances, after so long a separation from the one which 
 she saw for only a brief period in its infant form, and 
 since Fleurette was so closely and sympathizingly iden 
 tified with the only sunshine in her heart for so many 
 years, how could she feel otherwise ? 
 
 There was no room for a new idol in Lady Levas- 
 seur s bosom, while occupied entirely with love for 
 Fleurette and in mourning for the death of her hus 
 band. And though sixteen years had gone since her 
 head was pillowed in rapture upon his breathing bosom, 
 even the expected corpse, coming back to her despoiled 
 of its life and its soul, would be a melancholy but tan 
 gible consolation to her sorrowing heart. It seemed 
 like some precious balm for her blighted love. 
 
 " He will soon be here !" she mournfully smiled, while 
 clasping Fleurette in her arms. " And then, at last, I 
 shall be permitted to plant flowers on his grave !" 
 
 To-morrow ! Only one day more ! The sun rose 
 brightly, the hours swiftly sped, and soon the western 
 horizon was ablaze with the gorgeous rays of parting 
 light. 
 
 Lady Levasseur and Fleurette stood in the piazza 
 without, peering away through distant space at a point 
 where the faint outlines of hill and water seemed to 
 touch the sky. But they did not see the house-tops 
 and chimneys, nor the church spires in the lower part 
 of the city, spread out beneath them. Nor did they 
 dwell in rapturous contemplation of the magnificent 
 view. Dayton s Bluff to the left, with its grand villas 
 and smiling verdure overlooking the mighty river, and 
 the expanded sand-bar of la point basse, upon the other 
 side, were then of equal interest to the anxious watch 
 ers in the vine-clad piazza. They were looking out 
 
324 "GOD is ALWAYS NEAK!" 
 
 upon the furtherest shimmer of water still bright from 
 ruddy tints in the luminous air. 
 
 But the deepening twilight soon began to obscure 
 their vision ; and then they stood closer together in 
 silence, with hearts audibly beating, until at length a 
 small speck appeared upon the still bright bosom of the 
 distant river, and, swiftly rounding the great bar oppo 
 site the bluff, gradually neared the city. Presently the 
 howling signal of a " white-collar " steamer came up to 
 them on the quiet air over the top of the city, and then 
 went reverberating with loud echoes far away among 
 the great hills along the water s side. 
 
 " He comes !" whispered the mother. " Do not with 
 draw your hand. I must have it here in mine, to give 
 me strength. Oh, my heart is fluttering so ! Try to 
 steady me, darling ! There ! Be near me when he 
 arrives ! Close, close as you can get ! And do not let 
 me die with emotion !" 
 
 "Yes, ma ; you may rest upon me ! I shall not leave 
 your side! And remember, as you so often tell me, 
 that God is always near ! " 
 
 Sancho and the undertaker, with a conveyance, were 
 upon the levee when the steamer came in. And there 
 was a long box, which the strong deck hands lifted in 
 silence and with care. Poor Sancho was weeping ; but 
 in the darkness none could see his tears. 
 
 Another steamer unexpectedly arrived within the 
 hour. Farmer Denton and his daughters came on board 
 
 O 
 
 of that. And among the passengers were a lady and a 
 gentleman, both strangers in St. Paul. 
 
 " Will you accept the hospitality of my house ?" said 
 Mr. Denton, addressing the stranger, with whom he ap 
 peared to have formed a slight acquaintance on the 
 way. I shall be most happy to entertain you, inasmuch 
 
THE STRANGE GUESTS. 325 
 
 as there is no chance at a hotel. So many tourists and 
 business men are in town just now that the public 
 houses are all more than full. At least I heard so a 
 moment since. We ve got as large hotels as you can 
 find in any city of twenty times the size, and several of 
 them at that ; but this is the greatest place that I ever 
 read of for tourists in quest of health. You never saw 
 the like ! And the fun of it is that they all go away 
 benefited from the climate. Oh, such air ! Minnesota 
 beats the world for that ! But come with me ; and I ll 
 show you the style in which we North-western settlers 
 manage to live! Come, girls, this way! Mind the 
 gang-plank, now, and be very careful that some of you 
 don t tumble into the river, like that rogue, Dr. Pas 
 sion, did. You remember, eh ? I say, my friend ; tisn t 
 every man who can trot out four such girls as those of 
 mine. That s your wife, I reckon ?" 
 
 Neither the farmer nor his daughters had as yet seen 
 the strange lady s face. She not only kept her room 
 during the passage up the river, but upon emerging to 
 leave the boat she concealed her features by a thick 
 veil. However, the gentleman gratified their curiosity 
 somewhat by introducing her as his daughter. Yet, 
 still she did not remove her veil. But as they were in 
 the act of going ashore, no great importance was at 
 tached to the slight disregard of etiquette ; and her 
 father, smiling, added : " My dear sir, under the circum 
 stances, I shall gladly and thankfully accept your hos 
 pitable invitation." 
 
 Meanwhile, the undertaker and his assistants con 
 veyed their sad burden to the residence of Lady Levas- 
 seur. Carefully placing it in the hall, they quietly 
 retired a moment or so before the farmer and his 
 daughters, with the strange guests, drew near. 
 
326 A VOICE OF PRAYER! 
 
 " Here we are at home once more !" sang Eliza, hur 
 rying on in advance and bounding up the piazza stairs. 
 But there she suddenly paused. And when her com 
 panions joined her they were all dumbfounded together. 
 
 Through the open door they plainly saw the lamp-lit 
 spectacle in the hall. Lady Levasseur and Fleurette 
 were upon their knees, locked in each other s embrace, 
 near the coffin, and the old slaves also knelt beside 
 them. Even Goliah sat upright in one corner, with 
 downcast eyes, as if he fully comprehended the solem 
 nity of the scene. And while the wondering spectators 
 stood there, speechlessly contemplating what they saw, 
 their amazement was doubly increased by hearing the 
 mournful voice of Lady Levasseur, which broke the 
 stillness of evening in an earnest prayer that touched 
 their hearts with a painful thrill ! 
 
 " I thank Thee, O Lord, for this favor ! Thou hast 
 brought home unto me the last remains of the beloved 
 object of my wedded joy; and now, whenever it is Thy 
 pleasure, I will cheerfully resign myself in the arms of 
 death, and lie down beside him. But, after onr long 
 separation in life, do not allow them to part us in the 
 earth. Let our graves be one ! And then, O Lord, re 
 ceive our souls together, entwined with eternal love, 
 unto Thy bosom forever ! Amen !" 
 
 But the feelings of Sancho and Dinah were not so 
 much absorbed in sorrow at the death of their master 
 as in sympathy for the grief of their beloved mistress. 
 And as Goliah s olfactive sensibility was not long in 
 discovering the proximity of his friends, he unwittingly 
 terminated the impressive ceremony of that simple bene 
 diction by a boisterous exuberance of delight which 
 characterizes the canine species. His loud barking sa 
 lute at once dispelled the silent intensity of the general 
 
THE DEAD ALIVE ! 327 
 
 gloom, and some confusion instantly followed as a mat 
 ter of course. 
 
 Farmer Denton felt himself in an awkward position 
 with his guests. It was an inopportune occasion for 
 hospitality, and he sincerely wished that they were 
 domiciled elsewhere for the time being. But while he 
 was debating in his mind how to act or what to say, 
 the stranger whispered something in his ear. 
 
 " You don t tell me so !" started the farmer. 
 
 " We shall see !" 
 
 A light was ordered in the parlor ; the blinds were 
 closed, and Lady Levasseur sat there alone ! 
 
 " This way !" beckoned the farmer. " You will find 
 her in that room !" 
 
 The stranger entered. And closing the door after 
 him, the farmer stood with his hand upon the knob out 
 side, so that he could hear what might transpire within. 
 
 First a startling scream, and then a brief silence, fol 
 lowed by a vehement articulation of " Husband !" with 
 another exclamation of "Wife!" in quick response. 
 And when the farmer heard those words, his hand was 
 trembling so that it made the door-knob rattle. 
 
 " Are you not dead, when I have your corpse ?" 
 
 "There has been some mistake, for I am certainly 
 alive !" 
 
 Lady Levasseur asked that question, and it was 
 Major Levasseur who gave the answer. 
 
 " It is all a dream !" she wildly cried. 
 
 " Forgive the past, and let my arms and lips prove 
 that I am real !" he said in reply. 
 
 Then there was a long silence of reconciliation, un 
 heard and unseen beyond the walls of the room ! 
 
 Presently the farmer stood aside, while Fleurette and 
 Irene both passed in. 
 
 

 
 
 St. Andrew s Church, at Selkirk Colony. 
 
 
THE PROTOTYPE BEAUTIES ! 329 
 
 " Our daughter ! Irene, embrace your mother !" 
 
 The husband and father paused in dismay ! He saw 
 two Irenes staring at each other with evident fright ; 
 and the wife and mother beheld two Fleurettes exactly 
 alike, each in a similar attitude of mute surprise ! 
 
 Irene had thrown off her traveling robe, revealing a 
 simple costume, in color, material and fashion that pre 
 cisely resembled the dress worn by Fleurette ! 
 
 " What is the meaning of this ?" choked the father. 
 " Irene, speak !" 
 
 And the mother, with equal embarrassment, called 
 " Fleurette !" 
 
 Irene shrank back to her father, while Fleurette 
 clung to her mother, and the parents themselves were 
 mutely begging each other for an explanation ! 
 
 The same sunny curls falling upon the shoulders of 
 one also beautified the head of the other. Both lovely 
 brunettes, with sweet blue eyes, and prototypes in feat 
 ure, in stature, and in symmetry of form ! 
 
 A light began to dawn upon Fleurette s mind, and 
 she burst into tears ! And Irene whispered, " Father, 
 take me away !" 
 
 " There, is some necromancy in this house !" exclaimed 
 Levasseur. " If there is not, I begin to fear that I am 
 insane. My corpse is in that box, you say, and yet I 
 am standing here ! Irene is clasped in my arms, and I 
 see her weeping in yours. I cannot believe what is im 
 possible ; but the vision seems real !" 
 
 " Oh, ma," sobbingly whispered Fleurette, " you said 
 that I should always be your child. Hold me tightly ; 
 please do !" 
 
 "Your child?" queried the father, who overheard 
 what she said. " How is that ?" 
 
 " I adopted her many years ago," replied the mother. 
 
330 A SAD CONTRAST! 
 
 " Adopted ! You bewilder me ! How can this won 
 derful resemblance be accounted for ?" 
 
 Fleurette s origin was briefly explained. 
 
 "And now, Irene, embrace your mother!" said the 
 father, drawing them together. But it was a cold and 
 formal pressure, with two mechanical kisses given ; and 
 the murmuring of " daughter !" and " mother !" did not 
 seem to come from their hearts. 
 
 Oh, how scornfully Irene glanced at Fleurette when 
 explanations had been made, and the general surprise 
 was over. And Fleurette hardly dared to lift her gaze 
 from the floor. 
 
 Was it possible that two beings so exactly similar in 
 all outward features could be directly opposite in tastes 
 and feelings? Alas, yes! For, though born alike in 
 every faculty and sense, different associations, examples 
 and precepts in education from infancy until that event 
 ful hour, had been continually molding their hearts to 
 play each an adverse part in after life ! 
 
 Irene was haughty, selfish and cold ; and Fleurette all 
 sympathy and love. 
 
 " Henceforth you shall be sisters !" the mother said. 
 " Both so beautiful, and alike !" 
 
 " Yes !" responded the father. " Embrace each other 
 now !" 
 
 Fleurette had not the courage to face that repelling 
 look ; and Irene disdainfully refused to make the first 
 advance. So the moment and the opportunity passed, 
 and their arms were never after extended one to the 
 other. 
 
 Levasseur went out and whispered something in the 
 farmer s ear. Then Sancho brought tools to open the 
 long box. 
 
 "Hah!" exclaimed Levasseur. "Quick punishment, 
 

 LOST LOVE FOUND! 331 
 
 indeed ! Terrible and sure ! In this corpse I recognize 
 one of the villains who plundred me in Tennessee. 
 They not only robbed me of everything valuable, but 
 even stripped off all my apparel and gave me a lot of 
 rags to wear. However, they were soon overtaken by 
 a squadron of Union cavalry, and, in the skirmish, this 
 fellow must have been killed. And being clad in my 
 garments when the victors discovered him dead, it was 
 not strange that they should imagine the body mine. 
 This might have been all the more probable when other 
 prisoners in the hands of the outlaws were unavoidably 
 slaughtered in the fight. Fortunately I had made good 
 my escape before the fatal encounter. Acting upon 
 that belief, the soldiers took charge of the valuables 
 and the body, which were subsequently brought away, 
 as the result proves, while I was journeying hither, 
 after accidentally discovering the abode of her whom I 
 expected to find in New Orleans. Thus the mystery is 
 all solved!" 
 
 There was but little sleep that night in the house of 
 the Dentons and the Levasseurs. Such a combination 
 of remarkable and surprising events produced emotions 
 and excitement that would not subside very soon. But 
 the beautiful moonbeams peeped in at the window to 
 smile upon the reunion of hearts, where the forsaken 
 wife was made happy once more. They also played 
 among the rose-bushes outside, suifusing the green 
 leaves with a silvery glow, until finally disappearing 
 from sight beyond the hills. And then the stars came 
 out, laughing like choice spirits whom God had sent to 
 watch over the abode of lost love found ! 
 
 Two weary hearts, with much grief and but little joy 
 in their pilgrimage of life. Years of sorrow for a mo 
 ment of bliss. And then destiny must be fulfilled. 
 
332 TEUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION. 
 
 But the long box was not buried in the grave already 
 dug for Levasseur. It went to an unhallowed excava 
 tion in Potter s Field, while the multitude wondered, 
 and gossipers had a great deal to say. 
 
 " We must now leave this place !" said Levasseur to 
 his wife. " Town-talk will devour us, if we stay !" 
 
 " Anywhere ! It s all the same to me, with you !" 
 
 And thus Farmer Denton s dream of eventually get 
 ting Lady Levasseur for his second wife came to an 
 abrupt end. But he tried to comfort himself with pro 
 tracted reveries, in which the mutability of human 
 affairs was admitted by him beyond a doubt. He was 
 also convinced that miracles would never cease ! And 
 his daughters were quite unanimous in their belief that 
 truth was sometimes stranger than fiction. 
 
 But though Farmer Denton could never make Lady 
 Levasseur his wife, he felt very grateful for the extra 
 ordinary liberality she had shown him. And there was 
 that elegant residence deeded in his name. She said, 
 "No matter about that," and refused to acquiesce in 
 any settlement of the pecuniary account between them. 
 " It is scarcely probable that I shall need a penny of 
 what you have had from me. If I ever do come to want 
 we can settle it then ! When you are tired of living in 
 this fine house, no doubt it will bring a good price. 
 Dispose of it as you deem best. And perhaps you can 
 afford to give an equal share of the money to each of 
 your charming daughters as a marriage-dowry in my 
 name !" 
 
 " She s one in a million !" thought the farmer. "And 
 for the life of me I don t understand why it was that 
 her husband should abandon her for another, nor how 
 she could remain faithful to him an entire generation of 
 time ! Some women are as queer as anybody, and par- 
 
or THE 
 
 UNIVEBSITY 
 
 OF 
 
 DESTINY BEING FULFILLED! 333 
 
 ticularly in matters of love. If all wives were like her, 
 the divorce-law would stand a dead letter so far as their 
 action went ! A splendid woman that she is !" 
 
 And it did seem advisable for the Levasseurs to seek 
 a habitation elsewhere. For, even in St. Paul, at that 
 time there existed the usual aggregate of " happy fam 
 ilies," who are impelled by a sort of gossiping piety to 
 feast upon the sinfulness of their neighbors. I allude to 
 those exemplary moralists who endeavor to substantiate 
 their own virtue by exposing and denouncing the moral 
 weakness of others. A merciless fraternity, alike devoid 
 of pity and insensible to remorse ! 
 
 But Major Levasseur would not escape the fearful 
 penalty incurred by his rash violation of Divine law. 
 Go or stay, retribution must overtake him in the end ! 
 
 They were soon ready to leave St. Paul. But on the 
 morning of their departure, a letter came in haste from 
 the law firm of Crane & Burr, to notify the Major that 
 Leonore and her grandma had just arrived from Paris, 
 with the intention of instituting a civil and also a crim 
 inal action against him in the courts of law. No mat 
 ter; he would return to New York, and there meet the 
 issue. 
 
 But he was greatly disappointed when it became evi 
 dent to him that a proper degree of affection might not 
 be established between Irene and her mother. That 
 worried him. However, Irene s antagonism for Fleu- 
 rette might be obviated by a removal of the latter 
 whose claims were certainly less than the former. 
 After a while he could attend to all those matters, and 
 then be happy. But alas, the sequel will show the terri 
 ble result from his errors of the past, and then leave him 
 in the depths of remorse, still fruitlessly seeking for one 
 little moment of happiness that can never be found. 
 
CHAPTEE XXIII. 
 
 THE great Indian massacre of 
 62 is almost forgotten ; and new 
 settlers are pouring into every 
 part of Minnesota. They come 
 from the East and from the South, 
 from Canada and from across the 
 sea. Sturdy laborers, experienced 
 agriculturists, skillful artisans, and 
 business men with money and 
 enterprise, are industriously and 
 successfully developing the won 
 derful resources of the State. Productive farms, work 
 shops and factories, towns and railways, churches arid 
 stores, newspapers and hotels, school-houses and fine 
 residences are multiplying everywhere while the bright 
 new City of St. Paul goes on increasing in population, 
 wealth and beauty with a marvelous rapidity that is not 
 only astounding and gratifying to its enterprising citi 
 zens, but utterly incredible to people in other parts of 
 the world. 
 
 And Fanner Denton s prediction was more than ful- 
 
336 FOUR CRIMSON BLUSHES. 
 
 filled. That elegant property which he bought for 
 five thousand dollars during the panic caused by the 
 Sioux massacre, did prove a good investment for Lady 
 Levasseur s money. Among the consumptive invalids 
 who visited Minnesota the following year, was a certain 
 very rich gentleman, whose health became restored 
 almost immediately. And he joyfully resolved to live 
 in St. Paul the remainder of his days. With that in 
 tention, he accordingly desired to purchase a nice 
 house ; and willingly paid " thirty-three thousand seven 
 hundred and fifty dollars" as an inducement for the 
 Dentons to move. The price is specified in the deed 
 that was recorded by the county clerk, and hence I am 
 able to here state the exact sum. But one sour old 
 citizen exclaimed, " What a big sell !" 
 
 Then, after deducting five thousand, with interest for 
 the time he had been living there, Farmer Denton 
 Divided the balance into four equal parts. And he 
 looked very happy when he said: "Girls, you shall 
 have just seven thousand dollars apiece when you com 
 ply with one irrevocable condition !" 
 
 " And what is that ?" they all eagerly wished to know. 
 
 " Each of you must first marry the man you love !" 
 
 Four crimson blushes and four ejaculations of " O !" in 
 simultaneous response, brought a loud laugh from their 
 delighted father. 
 
 "I see how it is!" he then teased. "You are all 
 going to leave the old man alone, to darn his own 
 stockings and sew on his own shirt-buttons. That s 
 the way with most children in this ungrateful world !" 
 
 " Oh, no !" came in a chorus of voices. And four 
 sweet kisses, with sorrowful utterances of, "Father, 
 you should not talk so !" caused his heart to flutter, 
 and almost brought the tears. 
 
THE THREE BRIDES. 337 
 
 And there soon was one marriage. A retired mer 
 chant from the East made Julia his wife. And her 
 seven thousand dollars were invested by him in such a 
 way that she is receiving nearly eleven hundred a year 
 interest money, and the chances are that her personal 
 income will soon be a great deal more. She now re 
 sides in one of those elegant mansions that have recent 
 ly been erected in the suburbs of Minneapolis. 
 
 Then another marriage created some extra gossip. 
 And Mercy is extremely proud of a handsome husband, 
 who distinguished himself in the Southern war. He 
 
 O 
 
 was a furious rebel then. But he repented while re 
 cuperating his health in the climate of Minnesota, where 
 he found an entirely new world of love in a pair of 
 sparkling hazel eyes, which have since followed him all 
 the way to Florida, where he lives. 
 
 The well-pleased father then said, " Whose turn 
 next ?" " Mine !" answered Eliza, with an arch roll of 
 her eye. And in due time she did look very pretty as 
 a bride. The bridegroom was either a lawyer or a 
 banker, who said that he intended to retire from busi 
 ness and " tour in foreign lands." But he changed his 
 mind ; and she now frequently tells him to " hurry up 
 and go." He laughingly replies : " I hate to leave the 
 atmosphere of Minnesota !" 
 
 There has been no other marriage in the Denton 
 family, as yet. Though it is well known that more 
 than one masculine heart is attacked with severe palpi 
 tation when Miss Jane happens to be in the same room. 
 
 " Ah, she s my only boy !" her father said jestingly 
 one day to a friend, when Jane was by. 
 
 " Except Goliah !" was her tart reply. 
 
 "That s so ! And I hope he ll live until I die !" 
 
 Farmer Denton s admiration and respect for his 
 
338 . A PKIZE FOR SOMEBODY. 
 
 was not without the best of reason. Goliah is a splen 
 did fellow. And as the climate of the North-west is so 
 much like that of Switzerland, where his canine ances 
 tors lived, he will probably attain a ripe old age before 
 departing to the place where " all good dogs must 
 go !" Tourists who take any interest in that species of 
 "animal kind," should inquire for Goliah when they 
 visit St. Paul. 
 
 I might also mention that although Jane is the young 
 est of the four Denton sisters, she has a keen eye for 
 business. And the lucky wooer who makes her his wife 
 must be alive and stirring, or she will have him in lead 
 ing-strings before he is safely through the honeymoon. 
 As an instance of her discrimination in the investment 
 of funds, I may relate that when the stock of the St. 
 Paul and Chicago Railway was put in market, she 
 expressed a desire to have her seven thousand dollars 
 " dowry-money," w T hich had been acquired through the 
 remarkable generosity of Lady Levasseur, all invested 
 in the bonds of that corporation. And it did sound 
 very business-like for a lady to say, 
 
 "The stock of that road will eventually pay large 
 dividends, and I want to be counted in !" 
 
 Mr. Edmund Rice, the President of the new air-line 
 road, will not deny that the first seven one-thousand 
 dollar bonds signed by him, at the St. Nicholas Hotel, 
 in New York City, were subsequently delivered to Miss 
 Jane Denton of St. Paul. 
 
 From this I infer that the " musical " young gentle 
 man of her choice may yet be a stockholder in the St. 
 Paul and Chicago Railway, unless she is prematurely 
 proselyted by the "new revolution" doctrine of those 
 monomaniacal parratonnerres who emphatically declare 
 that " what s a woman s is her own," including the prop- 
 
339 
 
 erty of her husband, too. But, at all events, Jane has 
 chosen a good investment for her dowry, and I can not 
 believe that she will ever be inflamed by contact with 
 any of the gynecian firebrands. 
 
 Farmer Denton retired from agricultural pursuits 
 after the Indians made such havoc on his farm. He 
 sold his farm the following spring, and engaged in a 
 different occupation, at which he accumulated a great 
 deal of money in a very short time. He is not in any 
 business now. But, being an enthusiastic admirer of 
 horses, he drives a team which is seldom dusted by his 
 neighbors wheels. 
 
 I imagine that he is just now very much concerned in 
 railroad affairs. Perhaps he may also have an interest 
 in the Vermilion Gold Mine. And, judging from the 
 active part he took in a test of machinery for the prac 
 tical purpose of molding peat, an experimental operation 
 of which I was invited to witness during my visit to 
 St. Paul in the autumn of 67, he must be pecuniarily 
 associated with his friend Oakes and other enterprising 
 citizens, who seriously and enthusiastically contemplate 
 realizing an immense fortune from that monstrous bed 
 a short distance beyond the limits of the municipal cor 
 poration. But I think that fine residences, built on 
 speculation, suit his ideas better than anything else. 
 In fact, he has done a great deal toward adorning the 
 city, which is so admirably situated for grand and ele 
 gant villas that admit of architectural display. 
 
 The central part of St. Paul stands upon a beautiful, 
 level plateau, winch abruptly terminates in a precipi 
 tous bluff, with an elevation of nearly one hundred feet 
 above the water of the river. Upon each side of the 
 bluff there is a gradual slope, affording naturally easy 
 landing for steamers. At one time there was consider- 
 
340 ELEGANCE OF ST. PAUL. 
 
 able rivalry between the two landings. But recent en 
 terprise has permanently fixed the great centre of trans 
 portation at the lower point, where all the railroads 
 will soon be connected in a grand " union depot," ad 
 joining that of the North-western Packet Company. 
 And then passengers and freight, by water or by rail, 
 may be transferred from boats to cars, or from car to 
 car, all in the same building, without the least incon 
 venience or expense. 
 
 The architectural beauty of St. Paul is certainly 
 superior to what I have met with in any other city of 
 its size. This is saying a great deal but only what all 
 experienced and observing travelers, who have seen it, 
 enthusiastically declare. This peculiar feature of the 
 city may be accounted for in the undeniable fact that a 
 large proportion of its inhabitants are not only possessed 
 of great wealth, but highly educated and socially re 
 fined. Some proudly represent distinguished old fami 
 lies in the East, and their establishments here, whether 
 for business utility, or for domestic luxury, are, after all, 
 but the grand result of improvement upon the modes 
 of moneyed policy and opulent taste associated with 
 their recollections of youth. And again, in the popular 
 phrase, others are " self-made " men, who have accumu 
 lated abundant riches in the successful pursuit of a le 
 gitimate occupation, or from the profits of fortunate 
 speculation and remunerative enterprise in the develop 
 ment of the extraordinary resources of the State. Far 
 mer Denton is one of that class. 
 
 And they all seem to be perfectly well aware that the 
 style of architecture in any place is the first interesting 
 subject of consideration on the part of strangers just 
 as the garments of an unknown individual are taken in 
 judgment for or against him. And, accordingly, I may 
 
NOTHING LIKE MONEY ANYWHERE. 341 
 
 say that St. Paul (at home) is like a personage of re 
 markably fine form, clad in elegant and costly apparel 
 of the latest fashion, and possessing a noble countenance, 
 at once proud, dignified, intelligent and kind with a 
 sparkling eye of hospitality and humor that is ever 
 ready to laugh a fascinating welcome to any respectable 
 visitor knocking for admission.* And there is a loud 
 
 O 
 
 knocking every day. 
 
 But the Denton family are greatly indebted to the 
 patronage of Lady Levasseur for the social position 
 which they now enjoy. Her reputation for " immense 
 wealth " naturally attracted the " exclusives " from their 
 haughty reserve. They were all eager enough to make 
 her acquaintance. Thus the intimate relationship she 
 maintained with the Dentons, compelled Society to re 
 ceive them or ignore her. And as all the " upper ten " 
 gentlemen were intensely anxious to wed the " Beauty 
 of St. Paul" the popular and very appropriate sobri 
 quet bestowed upon Fleurette the " Four Sisters " had 
 an excellent opportunity for selecting husbands among 
 those whom she refused. 
 
 In this way the good, honest farmer and his amiable 
 daughters were pleasantly elevated to high fortune and 
 social position, which otherwise they might never have 
 attained. I trust that these personal allusions will give 
 no offense to those interested. 
 
 And here I shall hint to strangers who are not imme 
 diately received into the "best society" of St. Paul, 
 that the multiplicity of " external enjoyments " in and 
 about the city are quite sufficient for the creation of 
 new personal paradises of worldly bliss, in which they 
 may contentedly revel all alone. 
 
 There is a rapturous thrill experienced by every one 
 when they first breathe the atmosphere peculiar to the 
 * See " Appendix" for list of eminent and wealthy citizen?. 
 
343 
 
 place. I have felt it myself, and also heard others try 
 to express similar feelings ; but am not yet sufficiently 
 versed in the " physical laws of spiritual emotion " to 
 attempt a satisfactory elucidation of the wonderful en 
 chantment pervading that " bright realm of flowers, of 
 beautiful lakes and winding streams, where health and 
 happiness might dwell forever." 
 
 The Society of St. Paul is really superior to that in a 
 majority of American cities, either large or small. Arid 
 I have noticed that the proportion of " eminent " and 
 "distinguished" citizens is much larger than in any 
 other community of the same population. Military 
 chieftains, retired merchants, \vealthy professionals, and 
 affluent gentlemen of leisure are met at every turn. In 
 telligence and refinement are predominantly character 
 istic attainments of the people who constitute the 
 society of the city. All those palatial residences in 
 town, and the numerous suburban villas which dot the 
 great semicircular range of hills overlooking the entire 
 locality, with its magnificent expanse of bluff scenery 
 up and down the river, are conclusively indicative that 
 taste and luxury surround the elite " family circles " at 
 home. The countless and elegant equipages, blooded 
 teams, servants in livery, and the stylish whirl along 
 the public thoroughfares, are significantly demonstrative 
 of the existing presence of millionaires. And the pretty 
 cottages, all neat and clean, where cheerful Avives are 
 heard in songs of content, while their rosy-cheeked 
 children boisterously shout at play, impress strangers 
 with a pleasant conviction that happy firesides are 
 everywhere in the North-west. 
 
 When church-bells ring, beauty and fashion answer 
 to the call. The sidewalks are crowded with the lovely 
 and the fair just before and after the hours of worship 
 
344 INSTITUTIONS OF ST. PAUL. 
 
 on a Sabbath-day. And the Opera House, Ingersoll 
 Hall, the soirees, the festivals, and the balls, are well 
 patronized, too. Le beau monde in St. Paul are har 
 moniously pious and gay. 
 
 Sectarian, beneficial and educational institutions are 
 very numerous. Churches of almost every denomina 
 tion ; Masonic, Odd-Fellow, Good-Templar and Druid- 
 ical Lodges, fully and efficiently maintained ; a histori 
 cal society, library associations, classical seminaries and 
 excellent common schools; Bible, benevolent, orphan, 
 emigration, hospital and recreative societies ; a medical 
 and surgical academy ; and, in fact, all and every or 
 ganization for promoting morality, intelligence, art and 
 worldly happiness, in such a manner as to secure eternal 
 salvation beyond the grave. 
 
 The citizens of St. Paul are a reading and thinking 
 
 O O 
 
 community; and their Newspaper establishments are 
 creditable to the city. Whoever becomes personally 
 acquainted with the leading editors, the members of the 
 roportorial staif, and the Bohemian corps of the Pioneer, 
 the Press and the Dispatch, will not be surprised that I 
 < 1 t?signate those journals collectively " The North-western 
 Tripod of Diurnal Information." They are ably edited 
 :md well patronized. The daily Tribune, in Minneapolis, 
 is a very popular journal with the denizens of that enter 
 prising and prosperous city. And, indeed, the entire 
 public press of Minnesota is comparatively higher-toned 
 and far more progressive than that of some other 
 States. 
 
 But as IP demi monde will ever infest the precincts of 
 wealth, so dissipated prodigals rattle the dice-box, take 
 M hand at cards, fight the tiger at faro, or play keno on 
 the sly, while old men, and striplings, too, may bask in 
 the syren s smile, and riot with alcoholic ruin in their 
 
WHERE THE RIGHTEOUS LIVE. 345 
 
 downward career to perdition even "under the gas 
 light " of St. Paul. 
 
 And yet the dark side of this picture is extremely 
 bright in contrast with the criminal records of other 
 cities and towns. For, though seemingly incredible, it 
 is positively true that the criminals of Minnesota are 
 comparatively fewer than those of any other State in 
 the Union ! A careful comparison of city statistics 
 everywhere shows that the ratio of crime in St. Paul is 
 but one-half of New York and one-fifth of Boston. 
 Thus, actual figures prove that the immorality of puri 
 tanical Massachusetts, with all its self-righteous profes 
 sion and noisy solicitude for the piety of the rest of the 
 world, is five times worse than that of Minnesota ! The 
 skeptical or the prejudiced reader can not refute this 
 assertion. 
 
 Perhaps the pellucid water, the pure atmosphere, and 
 the steel-blue sky of "Dakota land" have the same 
 powerful influence upon morals as upon health. Far 
 mer Denton is of that opinion. He says : " I wouldn t 
 give Minnesota for all the rest of the world." But he 
 persists in retaining every one of his eccentric notions. 
 He is the same man with his great wealth and newly- 
 acquired social position that he was while toiling on his 
 Jersey farm. And during his first winter in St. Paul, 
 he felt it his duty to reprimand " those plaguy girls " 
 for the "new-fangled" ideas that would get into their 
 heads. He frequently lectured them upon the absurd 
 ity of making " such a fuss " about the weather. They 
 fancied that it must be very cold, because it was in 
 Minnesota. And he sharply ridiculed them for " piling 
 on ten thousand unnecessary garments, instead of fight 
 ing the cold with spirits and animation !" In that he 
 was right, and soon convinced them by practical illus- 
 15* 
 
346 THE CHANCE FOR CONSUMPTIVES. 
 
 tration. And they are now ridiculing the similar prej 
 udices of those who have not yet realized the truth. 
 
 Of late he freely expresses " his own ideas " about the 
 "chance for consumptives" in that region. I had a 
 long talk with him upon the momentous topic ; and he 
 then declared, " What s physic for one, might be poison 
 for another. Between the ignorant doctors where they 
 come from and the unprincipled quacks who follow 
 them here, they stand a very slim chance of being 
 cured, or having any money left to bury them when 
 they die. And that isn t all. This climate is intensely 
 dry ! Of course it is. Well, then ; if it heals an invalid 
 of a moist temperament, it must kill one of a directly 
 opposite peculiarity." I use the farmer s style of speech. 
 He says : " I m no physician ; but I do think there s a 
 little common sense in my head. And when a con 
 sumptive asks me if I think he will recover here, I feel 
 of his skin, and want to know whether his hands are 
 apt to chap. I don t feel of his pulse. If he says his 
 hands do chap easily, I urge him to go home as soon 
 as possible. It s too dry for him in Minnesota. He 
 should take a voyage to sea, and visit some region 
 where there is more moisture in the air. That s what I 
 tell him!" 
 
 I fully concurred in his simple illustration of " com 
 mon sense ;" and am much surprised that physicians do 
 not give the subject more attention. Certainly much 
 depends upon the temperament of an invalid going 
 thither for relief ! 
 
 Among other investigations made by that estimable 
 though very eccentric man, was a minute inquiry con 
 cerning the singular habits of the wild beaver. Animals 
 of every kind interest him. He went away up near 
 Crow Wing ; and Chief Hole-in-the-day there introduced 
 
347 
 
 him to a beaver community or town very eligibly 
 situated in the middle of a small but perpetual stream 
 emptying into the Mississippi River. When he re 
 turned, his narrative was a marvelous one, indeed. He 
 says: 
 
 " They re well worth going to see !" 
 
 I had a conversation with him also upon the " beaver 
 subject," as he calls it, and derived the information that 
 they and muskrats are slightly consanguineous. He 
 assured me that their habitations were quite similar in 
 many features. Though the beaver is by far the great 
 er engineer and the more perfect artisan. 
 
 A community of beavers will barricade the mouth of 
 a small river with a dyke, displaying quite as much 
 skill as though it had been constructed by human 
 hands. They make that obstruction for the purpose of 
 forming a pond in which to erect their habitations. 
 And they invariably select a stream that is never dry. 
 The most astonishing part of their labor is conveying 
 the large limbs and trunks of trees which are to be 
 laid crosswise or fixed in the bottom of the stream. It 
 is also interesting to see how they procure those pieces 
 of timber. And particularly so when they never use a 
 tree after it has been prostrated by the wind or felled 
 by the axe of man. 
 
 Having selected a tree on the bank of a stream, five 
 or six of them cut and saw the trunk with their sharp 
 teeth, while another one stations himself in the middle 
 of the water, and indicates by a peculiar sound or by 
 striking his tail on the surface, which Avay the top in 
 clines to fall. Thus the cutters and sawyers may avoid 
 being crushed to death. Soon bringing the tree down 
 into the water, they then all unite their strength and 
 skill in navigating the entire object to that particular 
 
348 BUILDING DAMS. 
 
 place where they purpose cutting it into proper lengths. 
 When the stakes are arranged to suit them, they en 
 twine small twigs like basket-work and cement all with 
 mortar, which was prepared by another party while the 
 cutters were bringing down the tree, in accordance with 
 their rule of impartiality in the equal division of labor 
 between them. Under the dyke, when completed, they 
 ionn a " flood-gate," to be opened in wet weather or 
 shut during a drouth, as necessity requires. Their 
 dwellings are made of wood and mortar, two stories 
 high and double, of a dimension suitable for the fami 
 lies who are to occupy them. The first story is a food 
 magazine, entirely beneath the surface of the water; 
 and the second is divided into dormitories, abov.e the 
 water, giving each family a separate chamber. Numer 
 ous avenues are opened under the dwellings for the pur 
 pose of going in and out beneath the water, and thus 
 hiding their retreat from the keen-eyed Indians. 
 
 Divided into tribes or bands, with separate chiefs, they 
 conform to rules of government that might shame a hu 
 man being who disregards an obedience to moral law. 
 When the magazines are stocked for winter, no pilfering 
 is allowed ; nor is any of the provision to be consumed 
 until the circumstances of season absolutely demand it ; 
 and even then, no individual is permitted to take a mor 
 sel without the consent, and in the actual presence of, 
 the chief. The store consists of very simple food, such 
 as bark of the common willow and the wild poplar trees. 
 Fhould bark be scarce, they will also collect the wood, 
 and divide it into distinct parcels with their teeth. 
 
 A particular territory is allotted to each tribe ; and 
 those who trespass are delivered up to the chief for pun 
 ishment. For the first offense a simple chastisement is 
 deemed necessary to produce a reform ; while an incor- 
 
SOCIAL LAWS. 349 
 
 rigible thief or miscreant of any kind is doomed to lose 
 his tail which is the greatest disgrace a beaver can 
 realize ! And the miserable convict is henceforth a dis 
 franchized pauper. But in some of those cases of cor 
 poreal decimation, the whole tribe of the mutilated cul 
 prit will fight in his behalf upon the same ground that 
 " State Rights " people defend themselves from national 
 aggression. And in " war " the victors seize and con 
 fiscate with a rapacity almost equaling that of belliger 
 ent Christians (?) ! The homes of the conquered are 
 ruthlessly taken possession of, and strongly garrisoned 
 for the benefit of young colonies in expectation. 
 
 The females produce their whelps with eyes open, and 
 three or four at a time, in the spring, and sustain and 
 instruct them with marked solicitude for nearly a year, 
 when the educated juveniles are compelled to launch 
 out in the " stream " of life, and build homes for them 
 selves contiguous to the parental abode. But if the 
 community is already over populated, the youngsters 
 are advised to join with other "new beginners," and 
 make a new settlement elsewhere. They seldom migrate 
 unless driven hence by the approach of civilization, in 
 which extremity their misfortunes are somewhat identi 
 fied with the human aborigine. 
 
 His Highness, the chief, told Farmer Denton that not 
 unfrequently a bitter feud between two tribes was finally 
 settled by their respective chiefs fighting in the pres 
 ence of the opposing armies, or by a set combat of three 
 and three. And thus fought the Horatii and Curiatii 
 of antiquity ! 
 
 Being remarkably virtuous, they live in matrimony, 
 without any laws of divorce, until one of the couple 
 dies. The infidelity of a female is punished with death. 
 In sickness, they express suffering by plaintive sounds 
 
350 THE "OUTSIDERS." 
 
 not unlike the human voice, and their wants are kindly 
 provided for by sympathizing relations or friends. 
 
 But, as in human society, there are some who decline 
 to labor for subsistence. In zoographical terms, those 
 are technically called Les paresseux. And they justly 
 merit the appellation of idlers ; for they neither " dam 
 nor toil " in any way further than to excavate long tun 
 nels for habitation. It is also a singular fact that the 
 vagabonds are invariably of the male sex, who burrow 
 together as many as possible in the same tunnel. The 
 supposition is that they are mostly vanquished candi 
 dates for the possession of admired female favorites, and 
 that their social improvidence and cynical barbarism 
 resulted from mortification and disgust at seeing the 
 success of bitterly-hated rivals. And thus the contest 
 of wooing man is represented in the amphibious castor 
 fiber of the dumb animal species. The Indians say that 
 when the Les paresseux have sufficiently recovered their 
 strength in solitude, they voluntarily return to the com 
 munity from which they seem to be ostracized, and 
 once more endeavor to establish a satisfactory matri 
 monial alliance. Hunters easily entrap the lazy drones, 
 and in that event their sorrows are at an end. 
 
 There is a peculiar odoriferous substance secreted by 
 the beaver which emits sufficiently perceptible to be 
 recognized by hunters a long way off. Scholars call it 
 castoreum, while trappers designate it by the plainer 
 term of " bark-stone." When used for " bait," it never 
 fails to lure into the death toil any unfortunate juvenile 
 who may chance to sniff its odor, which is the most 
 deliciously attractive sensation that their olfactory 
 senses can possibly realize. Yet while young beavers 
 are thus caught, the experienced, like old birds, fre 
 quently suspect harm, and so shy away, after cautiously 
 
" COME TO MINNESOTA !" 
 
 351 
 
 springing the trap and averting the danger to any un 
 suspecting youth or thoughtless simpleton. 
 
 But Farmer Denton did not confine his attention en 
 tirely to sledge-dogs, beavers, and the like. He was 
 more deeply interested in the welfare of thousands of 
 toiling and struggling men in the East, where he had 
 left them wearing out their miserable existence upon 
 land that would not pay to farm ; and that, too, when so 
 many million acres of productive soil in the great 
 North-west still remained waiting for the plow. His 
 letters all reiterated: "Come out here. Don t stay 
 where you are. Instead of working yourself to death 
 to avoid starvation, pack up, or sell out, and take the 
 first train. Get here in time to break up new land, and 
 the first crop will set you crazy with joy !" 
 
 And he told only the truth when he repeatedly wrote 
 that the first crop would pay for the land. He also 
 mentioned that the Exemption Law secured a home and 
 a heritage for the poor man s family in case some misfor 
 tune left him hopelessly in debt, 
 and named other extraordinary 
 advantages which should induce 
 his correspondents to " Come !" 
 
 But as Col. Hewitt, an enter 
 prising lawyer and real estate 
 financier of St. Paul, is now send 
 ing his "Book of Minnesota" 
 free to all applicants by mail, 
 Farmer Denton relies entirely 
 upon that. It contains a resume 
 of everything that would interest 
 strangers who contemplate set 
 tling in the State. 
 
 A Squatter 8 Claim. 
 
CHAPTER XXIY. 
 
 -v--- 
 
 SUMMER travelers in Dakota 
 Land are numerically increasing 
 every year. And I do not won 
 der at it. The only surprise to 
 me is that a few thousand more 
 of those " would-be happy but 
 forever miserable" people who 
 haunt, or rather infest the old 
 worn-out watering places in the 
 East, so pertinaciously every season, do not venture a 
 little further from home, and seek the benefit of relaxa 
 tion where actual enjoyment can be found. I am well 
 aware that merchants and others who can not leave 
 their business for any length of time, must content 
 themselves with spending only a day or two, now and 
 then, at the nearest place of attraction. But it is none 
 the less criminal, and unmitigatedly ridiculous to domi 
 cile their virtuous wives and innocent children at an over 
 crowded fashionable sea-side resort, or in a dissolutely 
 perturbed spring-house, or even upon an aerially " top- 
 loftical" mountain-eras; where all the wedded and celi- 
 
354 APOLLYONS AND CYTHERIANS. 
 
 bate "spooney" Toms, Dicks and Harries, and "sim 
 pering " Susans, Betsies and Janes are alike desperately 
 endeavoring to flirt themselves into the improper pos 
 session of new affinities ! And, with seemingly bold 
 assurance, I shall here sarcastically intimate that such 
 family-arrangements are unpardonable in husbands and 
 fathers who have the least particle of connubial or 
 paternal solicitude in them. Also (fully justified by 
 conclusive inferences, adduced from extended observa 
 tions in the past), I shall unhesitatingly take the liberty 
 of insinuating that the husband who leaves his young 
 wife in such promiscuous and pestiferous society, six 
 days and five nights in the week, while he is away 
 attending to pecuniary affairs, and then consoles him 
 self with merely visiting her from Saturday night to 
 Monday morning, may be a "darling duck" in the 
 lady s estimation, and at the same time appear like a 
 "silly gander" in the opinion of those who flirt with 
 her when he is not there. And yet, how many such 
 arrangements are annually consummated by those who 
 consider it distingue to come in contact with the ephem 
 eral butterflies and grasshoppers of le demi monde ! 
 
 I allude to those places of rendezvous only where 
 parasitical Apollyons and their Cytherian decoys sport 
 and flutter so notoriously in the devastation of all that 
 is good and pure ; where midnight cards and wine, with 
 paphian smiles and a voluptuous rendition of the lasciv 
 ious pas de cancan, fascinate innocence and prepare 
 souls for hell ! 
 
 Who says I am too severe ? He does ; and so does 
 she ! Indeed ! Perhaps I ought to apologize. Then, 
 also, perhaps I shall not. No ! I have been there, and 
 seen it all. And while some stood in front, timidly 
 gaping at the painted curtain, I looked in behind the 
 
"RETREATS IN DAKOTA LAND. 355 
 
 scenes. Certainly. Why not ? I had the pass-word, 
 and went in free. But how I got out, was quite another 
 thing. Oh, sneer at these lines, in welcome ! I admit 
 that I am writing in the same spirit with which a noted 
 reverend gentleman denounced the Black Crook. Well, 
 what if I am ? He said that the voluptuous beauty of 
 the Parisienne ballet might not demoralize his mind, al 
 though he cautioned the multitude against venturing 
 too near. 
 
 But as it was not my intention to make any consider 
 able portion of this volume read like a criticisingly 
 " moral essay," I will simply add that the better class 
 of visitors are beginning to shun those resorts which 
 
 O O 
 
 have become famous from prodigal extravagance, bought 
 with ill-repute, to quietly rusticate in the sweet retreats 
 of Dakota Land, where the moral atmosphere is not less 
 pure than the health-giving air which the lungs of hon 
 esty and virtue love to breathe ! 
 
 And since the opening of railways in harmonious con 
 nection with established lines of passenger steamers on 
 the lakes and rivers, summer travelers in the delightful 
 region of the great North-west will find first-class ac 
 commodations on their tour wherever the conveyances 
 are propelled by steam. And, as with the salubrity of 
 the climate there, the scenery is, in many respects, the 
 loveliest upon which the sun ever shone. A steamboat 
 voyage on the Upper Mississippi is now attended with 
 the comfort and luxury of a city hotel while rap 
 turously enjoying the grand and romantic panorama of 
 the strangely castellated bluffs of the mightiest river in 
 all the world ! But as any description of the natural 
 sublimity peculiar to the countless points of interest in 
 that voyage alone would fill a huge volume, I can allude 
 to only a few of them here. 
 
356 AN OCTOBER SCENE. 
 
 Trempeleau Bluff, on the east bank of the river, be 
 tween the cities of La Crosse and Winona, is a magnifi 
 cent study. (It has been successfully painted by Mr. 
 Gilbert Munger, a talented young artist from New 
 York, who did it while visiting his brothers, the popu 
 lar music dealers, on Third street, in St. Paul, when I 
 was unraveling the mystery of that curious mound of 
 round blue stones which had been accumulated by Hah- 
 zah-ee-yun-kee-winn in memory of her first-born child. 
 The painting proved very successful, not only in the 
 estimation of those who were familiar with the original 
 scene, but in the artistic judgment of a Scotch noble 
 man, who gladly paid a large sum for it while yet in an 
 unfinished condition.) 
 
 We will imagine that the soft haze of an October 
 morning is subduing the sunlight, which apparently 
 struggles to come forth in resplendent glory. And 
 there, towering skyward with solemn grandeur, all clad 
 in the richly-variegated colors of autumn, the giant hill 
 is perfectly sublime. Then, creeping down its side, a 
 great phantom shadow is faintly visible, not only upon 
 the surface, but far into the pellucid deep. And the 
 tiny pebbles along the silent shore seem to be kissing 
 each truant ripple as it comes dancing softly and clear 
 before the gentle breeze ; while further out in the bosom 
 of the mighty stream, there is a smiling archipelago of 
 clustered islets, where fairies might peacefully dwell in 
 a miniature world all their own. The little archipelago 
 presents a beautiful contrast with the stupendous bluff 
 whose almost perpendicular crest looks down in vivid 
 resemblance of some antique castle long since ruined by 
 time s decay. And as the mellow morning light is 
 quaintly gilding its imaginary walls, a strange fancy 
 inspires the beholder to muse until thought loses all 
 

 MOUNTAIN GRAVES. 357 
 
 conception in dreams that cannot be defined. I have 
 enjoyed pleasurable musings there. 
 
 Trempeleau is decidedly French. And I am told that 
 it signifies " dipping into the sea." But the river pilots 
 translate it " mountain island," from the fact that the 
 lofty eminence has no apparent connection with the 
 general range. It stands entirely alone; and the 
 steamers land at a little village which appears to be 
 doubtfully clinging upon the southern base of the dizzy 
 and almost perpendicular height. 
 
 Victoria and Prince Albert Peaks are seen upon the 
 opposite shore, two miles or so below. They are twin 
 bluffs, and the loftiest elevation along the entire river, 
 being about eight hundred feet above the surface of the 
 stream. The apex of one somewhat resembles the En 
 glish crown and hence their names. 
 
 Driesbach Bluff, also upon the west bank of the river, 
 and scarcely more than eight miles above La Crosse, is 
 so called because it was formerly, owned by the once 
 celebrated lion tamer of that name. But why he ever 
 bought it I am at a loss to comprehend. The last time 
 I passed there the sun was sinking to rest behind the 
 monster hill ; and I saw strange shadows hovering 
 about that lonely cemetery with its small white head 
 stones pointing out the graves of early settlers who had 
 been buried there. What a singular spot, I mused, for 
 a burial-ground ! At an elevation of nearly five hund 
 red feet upon a mountain side, among dwarf oaks, and 
 broken rocks all moss-grown and gray. How desolate 
 and wild ! And the weird-cast scene was all the more 
 thrilling from the soft light of parting day. 
 
 I leaned upon the guard-railing of the steamer, pen 
 sively questioning my own soul whether it would cheer 
 fully leave its poor body of clay in a hill-side grave as 
 
358 THE CITY OF WINONA. 
 
 dismal as those up there appeared to be. But a voice 
 within me, in sad response, cried out, " No !" 
 
 Then I fancied a beautiful night ; and tried to imag 
 ine how I would feel sitting up there all alone in solemn 
 communion with the dead ! Spiritualists say they can 
 talk with the dead. And they endeavor to convince 
 everybody how beautiful their " theory " is, while I can 
 not credit them with entertaining a very sincere belief 
 in all they pretend. But I dreamily thought that an 
 hour or so spent up there, in a calm moonlight night, 
 would seem quite novel, if nothing more. And then, if 
 I could have a magic wand to wave, my first wish 
 would make the moon disappear behind dark clouds, 
 leaving the air totally black. With another movement 
 of my wand I would call up a terrible storm. And 
 there, amid the tombs, with a tempest moaning through 
 the broken rocks and howling amid the tree-tops over 
 my head, I would invoke deafening peals of thunder to 
 echo in response when the lightning flashed an appalling 
 blaze ! Then, waving my wand once more, I would 
 command all the storm clouds to vanish, and let the 
 joyful moonlight reappear, so that I might contemplate 
 a million gold and silver ripples quivering and glitter 
 ing upon the surface of the mighty torrent stream away 
 down below ! 
 
 The City of Winona is the most important place be 
 tween La Crosse and St. Paul. It occupies the same 
 spot where the traditional village of Keoxa stood many 
 centuries ago upon Wapashaw Prairie, a beautiful plain, 
 which was dearly loved by the Winnebagoes of olden 
 time. Here it was that the great chief Wapashaw lived 
 and died. Some say he died in exile, in Canada. But 
 I have been shown the spot where his remains, with 
 those of his family, lay buried when white settlers be- 
 
THE "LAKE OF TEARS." 359 
 
 gan to build the new town. They found it inclosed by 
 a rude wooden fence, which soon disappeared, in the pro 
 gress of improvement, to make room for the erection of 
 stores. And by and by the bones were removed in ex 
 cavating for a cellar, in which a barber has since pur 
 sued his tonsorial manipulations without even asking 
 permission from the departed spirits of the illustrious 
 dead. 
 
 Gigantic bluffs rise up back of the pretty town, and 
 almost overhang the habitations below ; while five beau 
 tiful valleys, with each its stream, and bounded on 
 either side by a range of diversified hills stretching 
 away back to the interior of rich agricultural lands, all 
 converge on the plain. The surrounding scenery is 
 very grand from the tower of the colossal and magnifi 
 cent public seminary a new edifice, far surpassing any 
 similar building which I have seen in the East. And a 
 
 O 
 
 palatial temple, costing nearly a quarter of a million 
 dollars, is also in course of erection there, at Winona, 
 for the uses and purposes of the Minnesota Normal 
 School. 
 
 Lake Pepin is the choicest portion of the Mississippi 
 River. Father Hennepin called it the " Lake of Tears," 
 because Aquipaguatin, the old chief who captured him 
 and his men, wept and compelled his own son to weep 
 with him, all one night near the water s edge, for the 
 purpose of inducing his " court and councilors " to ac 
 quiesce in his wish to deprive the reverend prisoner of 
 life. But the tender-hearted old savage spilt all his 
 tears in vain, and the wandering Franciscan lived to 
 narrate his adventures for the edification of the world. 
 
 The scenery of Lake Pepin is both lovely and grand. 
 And there are few other localities of equal extent upon 
 the face of the globe which can even remotely compare 
 
HYSTEKY OF THE DEEP. 361 
 
 with it as a pleasant study for the painter or the poet. 
 The lake is formed by an expansion of the river to at 
 least three times its average width for a distance of 
 twenty-five miles, in shape like an amphitheatre, and 
 inclosed by lofty bluffs, which rear their dark outlines 
 in every variety of form, and at intervals seem to be 
 disconnected by elevated valleys or deep ravines. The 
 perspective in all directions is totally unlike any other 
 part of the river, from its source to the Gulf of Mexico. 
 Not a single island is in view. The Indians say that 
 "once upon a time" the bottom of Lake Pepin/d7 out, 
 and that the islands then all went down. Inasmuch as 
 soundings to the depth of four hundred fathoms, or 
 twelve hundred feet, have been made in some places 
 without any result, this tradition would seem true. 
 The water is remarkably clear, and does not appear to 
 have any current. But it is perfectly alive with fish ; 
 and among the aqueous novelties there, I might allude 
 to an occasional splash of the ever-restive sturgeon, who 
 is naturally addicted to a peculiar antic of leaping 
 above the surface, and instantly disappearing again, to 
 repeat similar performances in distant places. And 
 when a storm occurs, the whole expanse of element is 
 quite as tumultuous as an angry sea ! 
 
 The bluffs surrounding the lake are from four to five 
 hundred feet high, and the country recedes from them 
 at about the same level, with the usual undulations of 
 gently rolling land ; while numerous streams disgorge 
 here and there. Beside splendid fishing in the lake, an 
 abundance of grouse and other small game may be 
 found in that vicinity ; and deer are numerous among 
 the forest hills in winter time. 
 
 The village of Frontenac, situated upon an elevated 
 natural esplanade of singular beauty, seems to be nest- 
 16 
 
362 LEGEND OF LOVE. 
 
 ling at the foot of the western bluff of that mountain- 
 like range called Point-no- Point, which rears its bold 
 front ten miles or more along the Minnesota shore of 
 the lake, while the dark outline of Cap de Sioux, or 
 " Maiden Rock," is visible nearly opposite, on the Wis 
 consin side. And thos\ great cliffs appear like two 
 antediluvian monsters "of -earth in silent anger, perpet 
 ually frowning defiance at each other across the beauti 
 ful waters which bar their possible meeting in the actual 
 combat of physical strife. 
 
 "Maiden Rock" was the scene of a love tragedy 
 which occurred long before the first steam-signal of a 
 roaring patah-watah^ or " fire-canoe," disturbed the pri 
 meval stillness of the then unexplored caves beneath 
 those bluffs. And that tall promontory will ever be 
 memorable among the Indian legends of Dakota Land, 
 for a physical and historical peculiarity similar to that 
 of Leucadia, where the muse of Mytilene, more learned 
 than beautiful, precipitated herself into death as the 
 most convenient means of curing a passion which the 
 scornful Phaon requited with contempt. 
 
 But it was upon the wild shore of Lake Pepin that 
 Oholoaitha, or Winona, the " first-born," more beautiful 
 than learned, and quite as desperate as her illustrious 
 example, took a death leap because she was forbidden 
 to love and to be loved by the brave Anikigi. There 
 are many different versions of this romantic tradition. 
 But the most plausible one is that Oholoaitha a Sioux 
 child of ten years, whose parents lived at the village 
 of Keoxa, in the time of the great chief Wapashaw, 
 situated on the prairie where the City of "Winona now 
 stands was taken captive by a hostile band, and subse 
 quently reared in the teepee of the victorious chief. 
 And upon attaining the irrepressible period of female 
 
THE GAEEARD ESTATE. 363 
 
 existence, she fell in love with the chief s son. That 
 was all very proper, for the object of her love had him 
 self been the means of saving her life. Yet, unlike 
 Phaon with Mytilene, Anikigi gallantly and heroically 
 returned Oholoaitha s passion in the spontaneous ardor 
 of a young Dakota brave. And they might have loved 
 happily if their hopes had not been suddenly blasted by 
 the conclusion of peace between their tribes, which 
 made it compulsory that she should be restored to her 
 own people. However, the chief made a formal request 
 of her father that she might remain to marry Anikigi, 
 and thus become his daughter-in-law. But the proposi 
 tion only resulted in exasperating the revengeful feel 
 ings of the paternal old Sioux, who was very anxious to 
 avoid any alliance that might have a tendency to con 
 solidate peace. So he resolutely demanded his daugh 
 ter back again after her eight years absence in very 
 pleasant captivity. But Oholoaitha did not return to 
 her father s teepee, nor to his tribe. For, on the very 
 day that he intended sacrificing her by an odious union 
 with one of his own choice, she ascended the bluff and 
 precipitated herself to death among the rocks below. 
 And as the Indians deem suicide an unpardonable crime, 
 the living still curse her memory and attach eternal in 
 famy to her name ! 
 
 " Winona s Grotto," a cave lined with various colors 
 of sandstone, in strata of an inch or so thick, crumb 
 ling easily to the touch, and melting quickly in water, 
 is but half a mile below Maiden Rock. 
 
 The Garrard Estate embraces the extent of Ppint-no- 
 Point range, the whole of Marsh Valley, and nearly all 
 the hills and valleys for two or three miles in width be 
 tween the towns of Red Wing and Lake City. I pre 
 sume the whole area is not less than ten thousand acres, 
 
304 A SUMMER-PARADISE. 
 
 including the most picturesque and lovely scenery in 
 any part of Dakota Land. Brigadier-General Garrard, 
 and his two brothers, Dr. Garrard and General Garrard, 
 are busily superintending the transformation of the en 
 tire estate into an immense ornamental park. They 
 purpose making it the grandest and most delightful 
 summer resort on the continent. And, judging from 
 what I have seen already accomplished there by a lav 
 ish expenditure of money with " taste and wisdom," it 
 is safe for me to say that their enterprise will be entire 
 ly successful. When the valley gradings and the 
 mountain passes are all completed, there will be pictur 
 esque driving enough for several days without twice 
 going over the same track or repeating any one view. 
 
 An enchanting scene may be enjoyed from Point 
 Delight, an inland promontory of immense height, look 
 ing over Marsh Valley, and out upon the Lake, for at 
 least twenty miles, to the dimly visible bluffs against 
 the horizon. This is the loveliest landscape that I ever 
 beheld ! 
 
 The resident Society of Frontenac is that of educated, 
 polished, refined and wealthy people, who offer every 
 inducement for others of the same class to come and 
 join them. Lady McLean, the elegant and accomplished 
 relict of Judge McLean, late of the United States Su 
 preme Court, and also the mother of the Messrs. Gar 
 rard, is so delighted with the place that she intends to 
 reside there the remainder of her days. Strangers will 
 find a good new hotel upon the levee. Mr. Kennicott, 
 the landlord, is a hospitable host and a very kind- 
 hearted man. 
 
 If happiness can dwell anywhere upon the earth, it 
 may be found in the pretty village of Frontenac. It is 
 quietly breathing in those peaceful abodes upon the 
 
ABODE OF HAPPINESS. 365 
 
 beautiful esplanade at the foot of that gray old hill, 
 near where the waters ever flow ! I have seen it there 
 in the dewy morning, at noontide, and in the twilight 
 of evening. And I remember once sitting at a chamber- 
 window in the stylish residence of Dr. Garrard, during 
 the midnight hour, when all was hushed and still ; and, 
 while gazing out upon the silvery deep with sad and 
 mournful memories of the loved and gone, my listening 
 fancy heard a whispering murmur in the pleasant breeze, 
 which seemed to say : 
 
 " Where God is, and they his love doth keep, 
 Sobs nor sighs shall ne er disturb their sleep !" 
 
 Some marks are still existing in the vicinity of Fron- 
 tenac to point out the place where an old French fort 
 stood nearly two hundred years ago. And Indian 
 mounds are numerous in the neighborhood of Lake 
 City, where Mr. Lyon, a wealthy New Yorker, is keep 
 ing an excellent hotel for the accommodation of tourists 
 and invalids at all seasons of the year. The Lyon House 
 is now standing on a spot where the bones of an extinct 
 race have been found in such vast quantities as to in 
 duce the belief that, contemporaneous with the ante 
 diluvian boyhood of Noah, some vast city covered a 
 large portion of the wide prairie which spreads out far 
 beyond the limits of the present thrifty town. A small 
 steamer plies between Lake City and other landings 
 near, affording pleasure-seekers convenient facility for a 
 delightful trip over to Maiden Rock, the Grotto, the 
 Cave, and any picturesque locality which their fancy 
 may select. 
 
 When Le Sueur visited Lake Pepin, nearly one hund 
 red and sixty years ago, he saw numerous caverns of 
 over seventy feet in extent and three or four feet high 
 along the bluffs, in which bears slept during the winter. 
 
366 OLD "BED WING S" GKAVE. 
 
 The entrances to some of the caverns were entirely 
 closed with saltpetre. In the summer they became the 
 dens of rattlesnakes, who charged their gums with poison 
 in the morning and cast it out at night. 
 
 Red Wing is remarkable for the proximity of La 
 Grange, or Barn Bluff, a solitaire eminence, nearly five 
 hundred feet high, the western base of which is only a 
 few rods from the levee in front of the Metropolitan 
 Hotel, kept by Mr. Teele, an obliging host, who endeav 
 ors to make his guests feel at home. The grave of 
 old " Red Wing," the noted chief, is on top of the bluif, 
 overlooking an almost endless expanse of land and 
 water, which has already entranced a painter s eye and 
 fired a poet s brain. And, as if to compensate for the 
 entire absence of them in the lake, a " thousand islands " 
 intersperse the river above, forming the most romantic 
 ally diversified series of scenes. The site of Red Wing, 
 now a large and prosperous town, was occupied only a 
 few years ago by a group of teepees then forming the 
 Indian village of Remnichah. 
 
 But tourists voyaging upon the Upper Mississippi 
 River must not imagine that all the beautifully undu 
 lated scenery of Dakota Land is visible from the deck of 
 a steamer. For many of these great promontories are 
 but the termination or the beginning of long ranges of 
 bluffs, which meander beside tributary streams, in some 
 instances a hundred miles or more from their outlets 
 into the great arterial flood. And in that season when 
 nature is full of bloom, the countless hills and dells are 
 robed in dense foliage, imparting a joyful beauty to the 
 almost inconceivable shapes and attitudes of precipitous 
 heights, rugged cliffs and romantic slopes, which form 
 the kaleidoscopic valleys intersecting the lovely country 
 around. 
 
THE BOILING RIVEK. 367 
 
 The mighty river everywhere, except on Lake Pepin, 
 is divided into numerous channels by intervening 
 islands with a marvelously pleasant irregularity, which 
 even the combined efforts of art and nature have no 
 where else attained. Thus the eye of a stranger is fre 
 quently deceived with the impression that modern 
 horticulturists have been lavishing enormous expense 
 to perfect rural beauty with the utmost profusion of 
 foliage and flowers. 
 
 In the Algonquin dialect, Sepe, or Sepin, signifies 
 " running water;" and hence the name Mississippi. De 
 Soto called it St. Louis ; and Count Frontenac honored 
 the then French minister of marine by calling it Colbert. 
 But the great Father of Waters is not only wonderful 
 in magnitude, as seen to the living world, but still more 
 amazing beneath the reach of mortal vision. Or, rather, 
 it is supposed to be, according to a marvelous theory of 
 Dr. Percival, late geologist for the State of Wiscon 
 sin. The startling discovery of boiling water, which 
 suddenly spouted out from an artesian well at La 
 Crosse, induced the learned gentleman to conclude 
 that far beneath the bed of the Mississippi there exists 
 another and even more immense stream flowing in the 
 same direction, and whose waters are of much too high 
 a temperature for the ordinary preparation of soft- 
 boiled eggs. This strange theory has been concurred 
 in by " Brick Pomeroy," whose paper is more severely 
 political and widely-circulated than any other journal 
 west of the Allegheny Mountains. And the probability 
 is that he intends to use the boiling water of the arte 
 sian well to generate steam for propelling those mam 
 moth printing presses in the basement of that splendid 
 publishing house so recently erected there by him. 
 
CHAPTEE XXV. 
 
 A VERY remarkable peculiarity 
 of climate in Minnesota is that 
 the winters are equally as de 
 lightful as the summers. And 
 Southern and Eastern people of 
 delicate health who know this 
 fact, actually prefer a residence 
 in that State to one in any other 
 place during the frigid months 
 of the year. Consumptives who 
 might not survive the chilly 
 weather of " raw " localities, will find the winter at 
 mosphere of the North-west not only pleasant, but 
 marvelously exhilarating. No matter what the ther 
 mometer says. For, while freezing very hard, the air is 
 generally so still and dry that smoke from the chimneys 
 will ascend perpendicularly several hundred feet ; while 
 at night, a lighted candle may be placed out of doors 
 without perceptibly flaring. Numerous invalids are 
 now in the habit of spending the winter in Minnesota; 
 and since the Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and St. 
 16* 
 
370 CELESTIAL PHENOMENA. 
 
 Paul Railroad has been completed all the way through, 
 the number will soon be increased to thousands. 
 
 Among the natural wonders of Dakota Land are 
 many interesting celestial phenomena. And, as I am 
 such an enthusiastic admirer and demonstrative patron 
 of the canine species, I will first mention the PAKIIELIA, 
 or " sun dogs." Imagine a scene in St. Paul. His day 
 light majesty, old King Sol, is rising beyond Dayton s 
 Bluff, in a perfectly transparent atmosphere, and at 
 tended on each side by a grand parhelion, nearly as 
 large and luminous as himself. Mere words are inade 
 quate to describe the atmospherical display produced 
 by their combined rays shooting horizontally across the 
 perpendicular columns of pure white smoke curling up 
 from a thousand chimneys ; but the grand sight may 
 be seen at uncertain times during the winter, in Minne 
 sota, And a similar scene might occur in the evening, 
 w r hen the sun goes down behind the western bluff, oppo 
 site Fort Snelling. 
 
 Then sometimes paraselenes, or " moon dogs," will rise 
 with her nocturnal divinity, pale Queen Luna, in the 
 same way ; but less brightly, and perhaps accompanied 
 by an immense circle of pure white Lumen boreale, simi 
 lar to that strange halo not unfrequently seen around 
 the supposed throne of the chill-demon, whose freezing 
 breath silences the Polar region witli a mystic spell, 
 which can not be broken until the end of all time ! 
 
 Aquatically addicted " pic-nickers " are supremely 
 delighted with the grand "December Steamboat Ex 
 cursion" a time-honored celebration which is comfort 
 ably and hilariously observed by the elite citizens near 
 ly every winter ice permitting. 
 
 The mercury in the thermometer occasionally goes 
 down very low. Sometimes thirty, forty, and even 
 
WINTER IN MINNESOTA. 371 
 
 forty-five degrees below zero ! And yet the usually 
 clear sky, and the remarkable purity and intense still 
 ness of the atmosphere will so fascinate a stranger that 
 all idea of freezing is entirely dissipated by pleasurable 
 sensations of body and delightful emotions of mind. 
 
 I enjoyed a palpable and practical test of this en 
 chanting peculiarity of Minnesota " cold weather," dur 
 ing the winter of 67. It occurred while I was tempo 
 rarily sojourning at the Nicollet House, a splendid hotel 
 in the City of Minneapolis, kept by the Gilson Brothers, 
 who were previously known in connection with the Inter 
 national Hotel and Taylor s Saloon, a magnificent pub 
 lic palace formerly existing on Broadway, in New York, 
 and at the present time occupied as the head-quarters 
 of the " Merchants Union Express Company," who paid 
 nearly half a million dollars for the building alone. 
 
 We were discussing the beauties of the scenery 
 around the marvelousiy flourishing City of Minneapolis 
 which is not only a spirited rival to St. Paul, but des 
 tined to be part and parcel of the latter when the rapid 
 improvements of the future shall inseparably unite them 
 with intervening edifices of business and elegant pri 
 vate abodes thus forming an immense metropolis for 
 the great North-west ! 
 
 The Falls of St. Anthony, with their mills and their 
 factories propelled by the greatest available water 
 power in the world, were wonderful to behold ; and, by 
 crossing the great Suspension Bridge, I might visit 
 that colossal structure called the Winslow House, and 
 also a certain cellar where the spirit of a dead man is 
 said to appear. But had I seen the Falls of Minnehaha 
 in their winter garb of ice ? 
 
 No. That was something I had never seen. I could 
 easily do so, at almost any hour in the day, by cars on 
 
372 "LOUISE AND i." 
 
 the Minnesota Valley Railway ; yet did not imagine 
 that a waterfall was attractive when the thermometer 
 stood eleven degrees below zero. 
 
 Snow had fallen during the previous night, and was 
 then whirling in the air. So I imagined that it must be 
 terribly cold. And that thought presented itself with 
 an involuntary shiver when Mr. Deshon, one of the pro 
 prietors of an extensive livery establishment near the 
 Nicollet House, in Minneapolis, insisted that I should 
 drive one of their spirited teams down to Minnehaha. 
 
 To that proposition, I ejaculated something like 
 " Good gracious ! I d be frozen stiff when I arrived 
 there, if I drove down while the thermometer indicated 
 such a frightful depression !" 
 
 Deshon laughed at my fears, and said that if I would 
 accept a pair of stylish and nimble roadsters, one of his 
 expert drivers should "put them through." He did 
 not explain what he meant by " through ;" but I readily 
 comprehended the "put;" and finally decided to ven 
 ture, upon one condition. 
 
 A ride of four miles, with the thermometer eleven 
 degrees below zero, to look at Minnehaha, without a 
 lady companion to cheer and inspire me on the way, 
 would be a prosy exit from life ; and I at once thought 
 of Louise. Perhaps she might be induced to share my 
 fate. I shall not mention her other name in this con 
 nection. Though the reader must not imagine her to 
 have been a myth. She was real and living, with an 
 avoirdupois weight of just one hundred and thirty-two 
 pounds, and picking up half a pound or so more every 
 day. There is something very pretty in the name of 
 " Louise." It always comes musically to my ear. And 
 I particularly admire a certain bright-eyed lady, who 
 invariably responds with a sweet smile when I interrog- 
 
MINNEHAHA ENTOMBED IN ICE. 373 
 
 atively articulate the vowel melody of its dual sound. 
 Well, Louise s home is somewhere near the Hudson 
 River. She visited Minnesota for her health, and then 
 asked permission to reside there forever. 
 
 " Minnehaha !" she cried. " Yes, I ll be ready in no 
 time !" 
 
 " That s quick enough !" thought I. And she seemed 
 highly delighted at the prospect of freezing herself to 
 death in such a very romantic excursion. So I said to 
 Deshon, "We ll go!" 
 
 " All right !" he responded, with that pleasant twinkle 
 so frequently seen in his eye. And, accordingly, Louise 
 and I were soon seated together in a stylish vehicle, en 
 route to the Falls. My fair companion securely covered 
 her ears ; and so did the son of Ethiop who managed 
 the reins ; while my whole attire remained simply and 
 precisely as I wear it at home in New York City. I 
 put nothing over my ears ; yet a warmly-lined buffalo 
 robe enveloped our feet and otherwise protected us from 
 the cold. And, after an hour s ride, we were snugly 
 toasting ourselves by the fire at V hotel de shantie, while 
 criticising the melancholy remains of a despoiled regis 
 ter which lay upon a table in the public room, from the 
 suggestive contents of which an ingenious writer might 
 glean enough for a very readable volume in either comic 
 poetry or melancholy prose. But Louise was impatient 
 ly anxious to realize the satisfaction of contemplating 
 the beautiful cascade, and I closed the mutilated volume 
 very abruptly in response to her persistent exclamation 
 of " Do come !" 
 
 And then, arm in arm, out in the cold, with pleasantly 
 anticipative emotions, we cautiously descended the slip 
 pery path to that particular stand-point near the mystic 
 tree, against which so many thousands have leaned, one 
 
374 SHIVERING ROMANCE. 
 
 by one, for safe support while abstractedly lost in rap 
 ture with their first glimpse of the loveliest waterfall in 
 all the world. I need not relate how we shivered in 
 speechless admiration ; for the tongue of a stranger sel 
 dom disturbs the exquisite silence of the soul, which is 
 sure to be enjoyed at that particular moment, and per 
 haps never experienced so sweetly again in any emo 
 tional pleasure of remaining life. 
 
 " Is that all?" at length bursted Louise, in a sadly dis 
 appointed tone. I could not help regretting her lack 
 of enthusiasm; but the comical expression just then 
 pervading her countenance from the effects of such a 
 lengthy exposure in unaccustomed cold, and suddenly 
 " blasted hope," threw me into a violent fit of laughter, 
 which in turn so startled her that she grasped my arm 
 with a desperate violence that came very near precipi 
 tating us both together head foremost over the rocks 
 into the abyss of water apparently boiling beneath the 
 ice below. Her pretty cheeks were tinged to the hight 
 of rosy red ; yet her melting eyes seemed rather dim ; 
 and her luscious lips were tightly drawn and palely blue. 
 An odd semblance for sanguine beauty to wear. But 
 she was Louise, nevertheless. And I fancy that a simi 
 lar adventure would temporarily distort and discolor 
 the face of any other lovely woman. 
 
 Poets and authors have exhausted themselves trying 
 to picture Minnehaha, without a word touching its sub 
 limity in winter. And Louise was too full of ideal ex 
 pectancy to realize satisfaction from what she then 
 beheld. 
 
 " You must not reproach me !" said I. " What Long 
 fellow wrote was no fault, or merit of mine !" 
 
 Nor could I remove those huge columns of ice which 
 had crept up around the gorge until only a small por- 
 
A WORLD OF GLASS. 375 
 
 tion of the upper part of the cascade was visible to her 
 sight. It was too bad, after she had been for years pic 
 turing in her imagination 
 
 How the Laughing Waters sweetly dance and play 
 In the joyous sunshine of a summer s clay. 
 
 But she looked again ; and then saw something grand 
 to admire. For the surrounding objects below the Falls 
 were all covered with ice, presenting the most singularly 
 sublime spectacle that I ever beheld. Perhaps the 
 reader can imagine a world of pure, white glass, or 
 rather a magic scene of earth, rocks, stones, bushes and 
 trees, with every leaf and limb congealed into a bright 
 ly-crystallized form, while a million sparkling lights, re 
 flected from the rays of the blazing sun, are gleaming 
 with gorgeous splendor in the frosty air ! Such a pic 
 ture will disclose an ideal vision of what the external 
 features of Minnehaha represent when its eternally 
 showering mists have frozen in their fall ! So, instead 
 of hastening away, we lingered, on in contemplation of 
 the novel scene, which seemed to grow more and more 
 enchanting as we gazed. And during the remainder of 
 our lives, neither of us can forget the strange delight 
 experienced then. But there was a sadness in the roar 
 ing of the Falls. For, shivering 
 
 Together there, beneath that wintry sky, 
 "We heard the Weeping Waters gurgle and sigh, 
 While clad in funeral shrouds of drifting snow, 
 They darted to their icy tomb below. 
 
 But our toes were getting numb with cold ; and so 
 we scrambled back to the quaint little hotel standing 
 near. Then, promising to repeat our visit again the fol 
 lowing summer, we returned to the Nicollet House, 
 after an absence of only four hours. And, although the 
 weather must have been very cold, we each admitted 
 

INTERNATIONAL HOTEL. 377 
 
 that our suffering was less than it would have been with 
 the thermometer twenty degrees above zero in the raw 
 atmosphere sometimes experienced at home. 
 
 I also discovered a great mistake on the part of the 
 colored boy who drove us to the Falls. He tied up his 
 ears so warmly with " comforters " and furs, that they 
 became moist from perspiration ; and then, when a dis 
 placement of the covering let in the outer air, they 
 were not only all the more susceptible to the frost, but 
 liable to instantly freeze. This hint may serve to cau 
 tion " white folks " against too much fussy bundling up 
 instead of endeavoring to keep the exposed features 
 dry, and warm from within, by promoting a free circu 
 lation of the blood. I simply mean that vital heat is 
 more effectual than external warmth in repelling frost. 
 I have seen horses all in a glow while the copious per 
 spiration among their hair was frozen into a coat of ice ; 
 and I have also seen other horses shivering with cold 
 beneath thick robes and blankets put on to keep them 
 warm. 
 
 And here I shall refer to the four " leading " hotels of 
 St. Paul. The International is the largest of them all. 
 It is located in a central part of the city ; and most of 
 the " distinguished receptions " occur from its outer bal 
 conies or in its halls. For whenever a very great man 
 arrives, he is expected to stop at this house. And emi 
 nent statesmen as well as railroad generals all seem to 
 make it their home when in town. It is also a favorite 
 rendezvous of senators and representatives and poli 
 ticians. So that, during a session of the Legislature, its 
 reading-rooms, halls and corridors, are constantly 
 thronged with law-makers and law-rejectors, each anx 
 iously discussing " what s what, why, wherefore, and 
 when," with ambitious hopes, or heart-sick and in de- 
 
378 PARK PLACE HOTEL. 
 
 spair all eventually arriving at the conclusion that 
 influence is power. The International is kept by expe 
 rienced and competent gentlemen, who are devoted to 
 the proper entertainment of their guests. I have alluded 
 to the International in several chapters of this volume. 
 My home was temporarily there when I indulged in 
 those romantic midnight adventures upon the great 
 bluff beneath that solitary pine. And it was in a rev 
 erie from my chamber-window at the International that 
 I contrasted the moonlight of St. Paul with a dismal, 
 stormy scene in New York. Col. Belote and Col. John 
 son may justly pride themselves on having one of the 
 best hotels in the country. I was pleased with it in 
 every particular. The society of the International is for 
 the most part very good. Some wealthy citizens abide 
 there the year round ; and the regular guests are prin 
 cipally first-class. 
 
 Many tourists who annually visit St. Paul are sure to 
 stop at Park Place Hotel, which is generally filled with 
 gay cavaliers and charming belles from Eastern and 
 Southern cities. The edifice stands upon Summit ave 
 nue, in the vicinity of the State Capitol, and nearly all 
 its two hundred windows overlook the city. The waters 
 of the majestic river, and the colossal bluffs beyond, 
 give a picturesque and singularly romantic background 
 to the extended view. The apartments are all well- 
 furnished and airy, and many of them especially ar 
 ranged for the convenience and comfort of families. 
 And there is a shady park adjoining the house, in which 
 the ladies may amuse themselves at croquet and other 
 health-improving games, w T hile the little ones drive 
 " goat-carts " and extemporize circuses, if they will. 
 And then at even-tide, when tell-tale blushes are hid 
 den from sight, and the honeyed words of panting 
 
THE SUMMIT HOUSE. 379 
 
 ardor fall in accents soft and low, "the old love or the 
 new " may sigh or dream there beneath the foliage of 
 the trees. Many pleasant hours were spent in the Park 
 Place Hotel by some Avho now have passed away. But 
 in their places another and another throng of buoyant 
 hearts return from year to year. Mr. George W. Far- 
 rington, the landlord, is a gentleman possessing every 
 quality requisite to fill the position he occupies ; and I 
 am very certain that all his guests will heartily applaud 
 this testimony in his praise. The British lord who re 
 cently sent that magnificent and costly diamond-cluster 
 ring to Mr. Isaac "W. Webb, was a guest at the Park 
 Place Hotel for some time in the summer of 66. In 
 deed, it seems to be quite fashionable for titled or 
 wealthy travelers to assume a humble character, while 
 designing adventurers try to imitate the airs of a posi 
 tion they can not easily fill. But the guests of this 
 popular house are mostly known to be all, and, fre 
 quently, more than they pretend. 
 
 The Summit House commands a fine view of the city 
 and surrounding country the panoramic perspective 
 reaching eight to ten miles down the Mississippi, four 
 miles up the same river, and at least fifteen miles up the 
 enchanting valley of the Minnesota, which lies between 
 frowning high hills; where the flashing steel-blue waters 
 of its serpentine stream resemble a poetical vision of 
 beauty, appearing and disappearing among the green 
 verdure of fairy meadows and miniature trees. The old 
 trading-post of Mendota is plainly in sight ; and the 
 quaint little church of St. Peter s can also be seen. In 
 Dakota dialect, the word mendota signifies " meeting of 
 the waters." And there we can behold the great 
 Father of Rivers caressing his beautiful daughter, as 
 she seems to come laughingly and lovingly unto his 
 
380 
 
 panting, broad bosom. The Summit House is a large, 
 comfortable, and well-kept hotel, situated upon the 
 very verge of the great bluff overlooking the mighty 
 river, and immediately upon Summit avenue, the boule 
 vard of the aristocratic part of the city, with its mag 
 nificent residences and suburban villas, all continually 
 enlivened by equipages dashing along the beautiful and 
 shady drive. It is not a commercial house ; being more 
 particularly frequented by wealthy tourists and pleasure- 
 seekers, whose refined tastes enable them to realize the 
 enjoyment of such a delightful retreat. Mr. Carpenter 
 is a hospitable and genial landlord. 
 
 Commercial people, business men and hurrying trav 
 elers, frequent the Merchants Hotel ; which, though im 
 mensely large and " roomy," was never known to have 
 an empty bed. Its contiguity to the levee and railroad 
 depots, is some inducement to strangers. But the great 
 popularity of Col. Shaw, the "jolly landlord," would 
 keep any house continually filled, if his acquaintances 
 expected to find him there. When I say his acquaint 
 ances, I mean all those who have once tested his hospi 
 tality. It is now a generally admitted fact that many 
 hotel proprietors are entirely too autocratic for their 
 position. And I once overheard the unsocial monarch 
 of a great caravansera in his closet-sanctum bewailing a 
 lack of the popularity he so much craved! But Col. 
 Shaw is always to be seen. And he is sure to have a 
 welcome smile and a cordial shake of the hand for cither 
 rich or poor who seek food and shelter in his house. 
 The reader will remember that Lady Levasseur and 
 Fleurette made their home at this hotel for several 
 months after arriving in St. Paul. 
 
 It was at the Merchants Hotel where I became ac 
 quainted with his highness (?) Po-yo-na-ghe-shick, the 
 
381 
 
 erratically misanthropic Chippeway chief, whose famil 
 iar title, from some analogical inference totally beyond 
 my exploration of "Injun lore," is admitted even by 
 himself to be Hole-in-the-day. He was partly inclined 
 to assist in the extermination of the white race as 
 demonstratively proposed by the Sioux in 62 ; but for 
 tunately his hereditary abhorrence for Little Crow 
 deterred him from joining in the slaughter. And thus 
 he escaped the vengeance that would have overtaken 
 him as it did his mortal enemy. With bitter contempt 
 he informed me how his (Chippeway) grandfather be 
 stowed that ornithological sobriquet upon the grand 
 father of his late foe because the old fellow was so proud 
 of wearing a crow s skin across his breast like a shield. 
 He also expressed much delight when alluding to the 
 manner of Little Crow s death. That wicked old Sioux 
 perished in the vicinity of Minne- Wakan, or Devil Lake, 
 whither he fled, vainly hoping to escape pursuit. And 
 visitors to St. Paul may now see his skeleton among the 
 curious relics on exhibition in the rooms of the Minne 
 sota Historical Society. He was formerly chief of the 
 Light-foot Band, who inhabited the village of Kaposia, 
 a locality on the opposite side of the river, a few miles 
 below the city, and now called Pig s Eye. His Indian 
 name was Tah-o-ah-ta-doo-ta, His Scarlet People." 
 
 But whenever Hole-in-the-day visits St. Paul, his 
 excessive inebriety is sure to terminate in jail. He 
 said to me, " Chippeway chief love rum. White man, 
 stranger, much- whiskers (long-beard), come drink with 
 Injun. No ? Augh ! Then big Injun drink for white 
 man too. Rum ! Big Injun drink much rum !" He 
 soon kicked up a pleasant little row, and somebody 
 called in two strong policemen to represent the munici 
 pal law. His correct portrait is on the next page. 
 
PO-GO-NA-GHE-SHICK; or "Hole iii tlie Day." The number of 
 
 Eagle Plumes on his head indicate how many murders he has 
 
 committed; hut tell us of no good he ever did. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 THE Drives around St. Paul 
 are numerous and delightful 
 They include views of trans^ 
 parent lakes, rapid streams, 
 verdant mountain ranges fad 
 ing away on the distant hori 
 zon, leaping cascades, wild 
 and rugged ravines, prime 
 val forests, cool bubbling 
 springs, vine-embowered cot- 
 tagesj dark gloomy caves, 
 vast rolling prairies, grain fields and farms, gigantic 
 bluffs, and the great Father of Waters more wonder 
 ful than all ! 
 
 By driving three miles to the south-east, a panoramic 
 view may be had from the top of Mount Prospect. But 
 to be realized, the eye must see all that as it really is. 
 Description will fail to paint its beauty here. There is 
 the city, away down below, apparently a variegated 
 cluster of miniature abodes, where Liliputians might 
 dwell near the banks of the grandly beautiful stream 
 
384 DELIGHTFUL DRIVES. 
 
 which bears upon its silvery bosom those floating 
 palaces, with their banners of " red, white and blue " 
 streaming in the breeze, while bands of music pour 
 forth sweet lullabies or melodiously inspire the balmy 
 air. And then, through dim distance far beyond, the 
 enchanting scene becomes " absorbed, like memory in a 
 dream !" 
 
 " The Round Trip " is about twenty-three miles in all. 
 First, up the river-drive ; and while dashing out Sum 
 mit avenue there is a grand view of the mighty stream 
 and the great, long bluff beyond. That solitary pine, 
 beneath which I sat so long in reverie one November 
 night, may also be seen away over there near the 
 curious mound of round blue stones, where, at the ris 
 ing of each full moon, Old Betz is sure to add still 
 another silent memento in evidence of eternal grief for 
 her first-born child. Then, a few minutes at Fountain 
 Cascade, with a peep at the mouth of that unexplored 
 Cave, out of which ever flows a bright rivulet of delicious 
 water. The "Fairies Glen," with its tiny^ d\au, and 
 also the romantically spurting Mazas-ka, or " silvery fall," 
 point the way to Bridal Veil, Silver Cascade (which I 
 have had drawn and engraved for the reader), and the 
 Mineral Springs. The roaring of " many waters " will 
 break upon the ear, as the beautiful cities of St. Anthony 
 and Minneapolis appear, with a showery mist sparkling 
 in the sunlight between them, to startle the beholder s 
 mind after calmly dreaming upon the river scenery of 
 gorges and bluffs that were passed in the delightful 
 journey thither. 
 
 Then across the Suspension Bridge (which, I am told, 
 was originally devised and erected by the intrepid 
 Frank Steele, that pioneering gentleman who built the 
 first saw-mill in the State, near the great Falls, lie also 
 
LEGEND OF "ANPETUSAPA. 385 
 
 started the first lumber-train in that region, by hitching 
 a single ox to a rude cart, and now virtually owns a 
 large tract of land on the other side of the river, includ 
 ing the Falls of Minnehaha, Fort Snelling, and the Ferry 
 near the fort, worth nearly half a million dollars). 
 
 While crossing the river at a compulsory gait of " not 
 faster than a walk," there is a fitting pause to call up 
 the legend of Anpetusapa, whose jealousy was aroused 
 by the presence of a rival wife, whom her husband 
 brought into his teepee. She took her infant child in 
 her arms and entered a canoe above the Falls. Then, 
 pushing the frail bark out into the swift current of the 
 mighty stream, she chanted a death-dirge while plung 
 ing down among the boiling waters below. That was 
 many years before the first pale-face saw the Falls ; and 
 in the morning mist the Indians believe that they can 
 still perceive the spirit of the mother, with her child 
 clinging around her neck, while her wailing death-song 
 swells above the loud cataract roar of the element into 
 which she disappears. 
 
 I fancy there is no Indian wife now living in Dakota 
 Land who would consider the presence of one or a 
 dozen rivals in her husband s teepee sufficiently aggra 
 vating to warrant the immortalizing of her name in that 
 tragically romantic way. The Indians originally called 
 the great falls Kaboh Bikah, which signifies " Broken 
 Rocks;" and they now bestow that name upon the 
 Falls of Minnehaha, Having crossed over, the next 
 enjoyment should be a sumptuous dinner at the "Nicol- 
 let House." After which, while smoking a cigar (if the 
 ladies do not object), an extensive view of the City of 
 Minneapolis and its surroundings may be obtained from 
 the lofty cupola of that grand hotel. A glance at the 
 aqueous and mechanical wonders of those immense roar- 
 17 
 
386 DEVOTION OF "SCARLET DOVE." 
 
 ing and rumbling mills need not take long ; and then 
 the coachman will announce that he is ready for motion 
 again. In turn, the " Laughing Waters," Fort Snelling, 
 the valley of the Minnesota River, and Mendota will be 
 seen. There is another legend connected with Pilot 
 Knob, that great, dark bluff beyond where the rivers 
 come together. 
 
 More than a hundred years ago, Eagle Eye, the son 
 of a great war prophet, won the love of a maiden called 
 Scarlet Dove. And while on a hunting expedition near 
 the " Lake of Tears," he was accidentally killed by a 
 friend. But he uttered the name of Scarlet Dove with 
 his last breath. After mourning a few days and cutting 
 her flesh, she subsided into silent grief, and wrapped 
 the corpse of her lover in skins to carry upon her back 
 all through the long day s march. At night she laid it 
 out upon a scaffold erected with her own hands. And 
 thus she continued wearily carrying the ghastly corpse 
 by day and mourning beneath it at night, for more 
 than a hundred miles ! 
 
 Finally arriving at Pilot Knob, Scarlet Dove built 
 her last scaffold overlooking the spot where the antique 
 chapel of St. Peter now stands. Placing the remains 
 of Eagle Eye thereupon, she took her portage strap 
 with which she had been carrying them so far and so 
 long, and then hung herself to the scaffold and died. 
 
 After crossing the " Magic Ferry," the road may be 
 up the high hill, or along the meandering glen. In 
 either choice, the mind will be entirely lost in rapture 
 made delicious with a mental comparison of the poetic 
 ally romantic names of Osceola and Minneineeopa while 
 rolling back into the bright new City of St. Paul, 
 scarcely conscious whether the past six hours were en 
 chanting reality or a kaleidoscopic delusion ; and all at 
 
"BEAUTY AND FASHION." 387 
 
 a trifling cost, as proven by the reasonable charges of 
 the livery men, who, smiling, inquire " How were you 
 pleased ?" 
 
 Lake Como is three miles to the north, through a 
 rolling and romantic " oak opening," which terminates 
 at a remarkably pleasant spot. The waters of the lake 
 are the clearest I ever saw. And millions of fish may 
 be seen darting and leaping in those scaly pastimes pe 
 culiar to the finny tribe. Hotels, summer residences, 
 and rural cottages adorn the vicinity, and wealthy citi 
 zens love to congregate there. Equipages, quite as 
 stylish as anything in New York City, are frequently 
 met going to or returning from the lake. 
 
 The track is particularly delightful on a summer 
 evening. Lovers choose it after sundown, in the soft 
 twilight, or beneath the gentle rays of the silvery 
 moon. 
 
 A twilight drive out there is very pleasant in Novem 
 ber. I ascertained that fact by riding thither with Mr. 
 Webb, the owner of that celebrated team, Beauty and 
 Fashion, as shown in the illustration at the beginning 
 of this chapter. Beauty is a superb iron-gray, and 
 Fashion a splendid black. They flew out to the lake 
 in fine style ; and so swiftly, that I was obliged to shut 
 one eye and hold on to my hat. It was a dashing flight, 
 and terminated very unexpectedly to me in a contest 
 and a sensation. 
 
 Just beyond the hill overlooking the city, I noticed 
 that Webb seemed rather uneasy, and I asked him the 
 cause. 
 
 " He s coming !" said Webb, in a feeble tone of voice, 
 followed by an encouraging chirp to Fashion ! 
 
 " Who s coming ?" quoth I, with a look of inquiry 
 through the corner of my open eye. 
 
 
388 A KACE TO LAKE COMO. 
 
 " Farmer Denton ! I hate to let him pass ; but his 
 team beats anything I ever saw !" 
 
 I heard a terrific clattering of hoofs in the rear, and 
 began to feel my own blood rising. 
 
 " Putt tighter !" I suggested, with a nudge. 
 
 " Can t pull any tighter than I am !" 
 
 " Then sing out, and let em go !" was my next sug 
 gestion. 
 
 "That won t do ; they ll break and run !" 
 
 " Keep em steady, then !" I said. " And look alive, 
 now !" 
 
 Quickly doubling up my forefinger, I thrust it into 
 my mouth. The clattering of Denton s team behind us 
 seemed to come nearer and nearer at a very rapid gait ; 
 and Webb groaned : 
 
 " By George ! I believe he s bound to pass !" 
 
 At that instant, I blew with all my might. And such 
 a blast ! Beauty and Fashion must have fancied the 
 shrill scream to be an Indian war-whoop, or some other 
 sudden premonition of terrible destruction. It was at 
 least a tolerable imitation of a full-grown locomotive 
 signal. 
 
 " Hall ow !" ejaculated Webb, as his horses shot ahead 
 like two wild arrows. 
 
 But the alarm that put his horses down to a quicker 
 gait, broke up Denton s team. And so we arrived at 
 Como first. 
 
 Farmer Denton afterward said : " That wan t fair !" 
 
 Perhaps not. Yet fair or foul, it forever settled the 
 contest between his bays, and Webb s gray and black ; 
 and I am quite sure that the gentleman farmer will 
 never pass Beauty and Fashion again, while Webb holds 
 their reins. 
 
 But that same evening, after our return to St. Paul, T 
 
 
THAT " LOST KEY !" 389 
 
 saw Farmer Denton, and Mr. Dairy mple, who is com 
 monly called the " Minnesota Farmer," " confidentially " 
 seated vis-a-vis in the remotest corner of the gentlemen s 
 parlor at the International Hotel, and evidently dis 
 cussing the merits of some new enterprise. I judged 
 what the nature of their tete-a-tete might be from the 
 meditative attitude of Dalrymple, whose wide-brimmed 
 hat of " Southern dimension " and style, slantingly con 
 cealed his features, while Denton vigorously manipu 
 lated the tip of his nose a very inelegant but apparent 
 ly soothing habit, to which he always was addicted 
 when absorbed in speculative deliberation. Perhaps it 
 would interest the reader to learn that Dalrymple had 
 something of a wheat crop last season. From only one 
 thousand and seven hundred acres of land, he gathered 
 over thirty-five thousand bushels of grain; which, at 
 the price then ruling the market, certainly netted him a 
 comfortable little income. No wonder they call him 
 the " Minnesota Farmer !" And tourists who are inter 
 ested in modern agriculture will be pleased to form a 
 personal acquaintance with him, and learn to what an 
 immense extent he is carrying it on. He is an unas 
 suming, intelligent and pleasant man. I may add that 
 he and Denton are very intimate friends. 
 
 And while those representative farmers were matur 
 ing their plans for greater aggrandizement in the 
 future, I luckily slipped into a current of simple events, 
 which unexpectedly led me on to an interesting, if not 
 actually startling discovery. 
 
 In the second chapter of this extemporaneously writ 
 ten volume of heteroscian characters and agglomerated 
 scenes, there is an allusion to a Lost Key, which I acci 
 dentally found one day. I will here explain what that 
 means ; and at the same time reveal how it enabled me 
 
ACCEPTING AN INVITATION. 391 
 
 to unlock the mystery which had been so long con 
 cealing the ultimate fate of Pierre Pan-ant, the notori 
 ous old whisky-trafficker, who impiously retarded the 
 good results labored for by the better part of the com 
 munity identified with the early history of St. Paul. 
 
 But first I will simply recur to that adventure near 
 the square rock below Mendota, where Kaskadino and 
 Old Betz each played a part in lieu of Florinda. Dur 
 ing the encounter of the treacherous half-breed and 
 Parrant, the latter was supposed to have been killed. 
 But almost immediately after the tragedy his body and 
 his canoe disappeared. And the following day he was 
 seen back again in his whisky-shanty at St. Paul. His 
 head was bandaged, and he looked remarkably pale. 
 He seemed to be unusually active ; but during the en 
 tire day was not heard to speak. At night, a candle 
 was left burning near his bed until it flickered out at 
 the end of the wick. The next morning Parrant could 
 not be found. 
 
 Nearly a quarter of a century had elapsed after the 
 disappearance of the old whisky-trader, when, while 
 Denton and Dalrymple were discussing their plans, as 
 already stated, I made the acquaintance of an " Over 
 seer," who was superintending a gang of laborers en 
 gaged in the work of opening the route for the upper 
 division of the St. Paul and Chicago Railway, at that 
 time just begun. The Overseer was a good-natured 
 man, and kindly invited me to drive down and see how 
 they got along. But the invitation did not strike me 
 as being a very tempting one. However, just then 
 Professor Dodge chanced to join us ; and he said, " Go, 
 by all means !" I accordingly thanked the man, and 
 promised to come. 
 
 The name of Ossian E. Dodge is familiar to almost 
 
392 A GENIUS IN ST. PAUL. 
 
 every one in the United States. As a poet, a musician 
 and a wit, he is quite inimitable. Thousands remember 
 him as the editor of the " Boston Literary Museum !" 
 At present he is one of the most enterprising geniuses 
 in St. Paul. He went to Minnesota, some years ago, for 
 the health of one of his little boys. The lad was soon 
 afflicted with very rosy cheeks, and the father enthu 
 siastically concluded to stay. Having already laid up 
 a snug fortune by the exercise of his talents as a writer 
 and a vocalist, not only in this country, but nearly all 
 over the world, he said to himself: 
 
 " I ll travel no further ! Paradise is here !" 
 But Professor Dodge is endowed with one of those 
 extraordinary intellects which are too irrepressible for 
 inactivity anywhere. And he is remarkably fond of 
 blending ideality with the substantial requirements of 
 life; in which rare peculiarity he is more than a match 
 for a dozen "wiseacres" who persist in ciphering out 
 original problems by exploded or obsolete rules. He 
 has invested largely in city lots, and also built a number 
 of model cottages, each one of them being ornamentally 
 designated by an appropriate name. Indeed, he is never 
 at a loss to find the right name for anything. He dwells 
 in Alpine Cottage, an unique edifice, constructed to suit 
 himself. His extensive Cabinet of Indian relics, curios 
 ities culled from nature and produced by art, including 
 many antiquities and modern inventions, is not sur 
 passed by that of any other gentleman in this country. 
 Among the relics of historic interest treasured up by 
 Professor Dodge, is the "sacred pipe," or Calumet of 
 Peace, formerly owned by Winnesheik, the war-chief 
 of the Winnebago nation. (The pipe is seen in the 
 hands of the chief as he " squatted " to have his photo 
 graph taken for the engraving which adorns the second 
 
THE CALUMET OF PEACE. 393 
 
 chapter of this volume.) It was made from a very fine 
 grained, soft red-stone, quarried from the "Red-stone 
 Ledge" of the Yellow-stone River. There are two 
 colors used for Indian calumets. The blue represents 
 the " good spirit of peace ;" the dull red, that of the 
 " evil spirit of war." The "evil" is esteemed more than 
 the " good." Indian like ! They call the red-stone 
 eyanshah. When thoroughly polished, it is not only 
 impervious to acids, but perfectly infusible. 
 
 So sacred have the Indians considered this stone, that 
 for nearly fifty years they guarded the quarry night and 
 day from the approach of white men. But, since the 
 great massacre of 62, there is no holy ground to the 
 foot of the pale-face in any part of Minnesota. The 
 Winnesheik pipe, for many generations, was used by the 
 head chiefs at the close of their hostilities with other 
 bands, as a pipe of peace or treaty contract. A few 
 years ago, Hon. A. T. Sharp, then Mayor of Wabasha, 
 by legal skill and many months of untiring labor, suc 
 ceeded in saving to Winnesheik and his band a large 
 and valuable tract of land, which had been "jumped " 
 by speculative sharpers. In gratitude for that service, 
 Winnesheik called upon Mayor Sharp one morning and 
 said : 
 
 "You serve poor Indian and refuse gold! Indian 
 heart big ! warm ! grateful ! Indian give as pledge of 
 endless love what money no buy. Take this pipe, hund 
 red years in my family, and remember Winnesheik !" 
 
 Major Sharp subsequently presented the pipe to Pro 
 fessor Dodge. But, aside from the innumerable curiosi 
 ties in Alpine Cottage, it is a peaceful sanctuary of 
 domestic bliss, made bright and happy by the perpetual 
 smiles of a beautiful and loving wife. 
 
 Dodge dined with me the day after I accepted the 
 17* 
 
394 EXHUMING A SKELETON! 
 
 Overseer s invitation. We fared sumptuously at the 
 International Hotel, and then drove down to look at 
 the workmen on the line of the new railway. 
 
 Just before our arrival at the scene of operation, there 
 had been quite an excitement among the men in conse 
 quence of discovering some portions of a human skele 
 ton, which they unavoidably exhumed while delving at 
 a point near the bank of the Mississippi River. They 
 were then in the act of replacing the bones in the earth, 
 just beyond the line, as we alighted. 
 
 " What s that ?" cried Dodge, at the sight of such a 
 crowd around one spot. 
 
 " Ah, an be dad, your honor, ets the decayed re- 
 manes uv a bhloody Injun baste, shure s me metherr s 
 name wus Biddy Mucklevarney !" replied a Celtic indi 
 vidual attached to the very short stem of an inexpen 
 sive but unpleasantly odoriferous pipe. 
 
 "That s so!" coincided the Overseer. "No doubt 
 we shall find lots of em between here and Hastings. 
 The Injuns did nothing but fight and kill one another 
 hereabouts, for I don t know how many hundred thou 
 sand years fore us white folks made em stop !" 
 
 "Put that down!" Dodge murmured in my ear. 
 " Item one. Fine enough for a large book anywhere in 
 Minnesota !" 
 
 After viewing the pieces of grim and frightful anato 
 my, we proceeded to inspect the locality where they had 
 been found. And there I trod upon a curiously shaped 
 object and stooped to pick it up. Upon close examina 
 tion, it proved to be a formidably large knife. With 
 considerable hammering we removed the adhesive rust, 
 and saw an unintelligible inscription. Then I looked at 
 Dodge for some suggestion. 
 
 " Here s another !" said the Overseer, handing us what 
 
SCENE IN "ALPINE COTTAGE!" 395 
 
 proved to be a very much neglected double-barreled pis 
 tol. I thought it was sadly out of repair. And, en 
 graved upon the upper stock-plate of that, we saw 
 another alphabetical signum. And then Dodge looked 
 at me for my opinion. But I had arrived at no conclu 
 sion. 
 
 Dodge and I continued to exchange glances, until at 
 length he said, " If you don t keep them I shall !" 
 
 Thereupon I expressed much gratitude for his sug 
 gestion, and threw the old weapons into the bottom of 
 the buggy, saying, "We ll take them home and de 
 cipher those inscriptions !" 
 
 " I comprehend !" shrugged Dodge. " You want to 
 find the plot for another one of those marvelous stories 
 which you are addicted to writing." 
 
 I smiled as ghastly as usual. We then lighted fresh 
 cigars ; during the process of which I mumbled, " You re 
 very clever at surmising." 
 
 " Just so ! I tended guessing school once half a 
 day," was his quick retort. 
 
 Hastening to Alpine Cottage, Dodge and I imme 
 diately began to scour the old pistol and the rusty 
 knife. 
 
 Dodge s curiosity equaled mine ; and we went to work 
 unfastidiously, in true scullion style. Indeed, he was 
 much delighted with the promise of a solution to some 
 thing perhaps worth knowing. 
 
 " What are you at ?" cried the sweet voice of Mrs. 
 Dodge, who came into the kitchen rolling her pretty 
 optics with inquisitive surprise. 
 
 " That s a mystery to be got at by soap and sand !" 
 said Dodge in grave response, and at the same time 
 casting a side wink for me to see. 
 
 "More of those horrible Indian traps, I ll be bound !" 
 
396 THE 
 
 continued Mrs. Dodge with a " Humph !" from which 
 I inferred that she did not cherish a very exalted opin 
 ion of the aboriginal race, " If you intend greatly in 
 creasing the number of such horrible objects, it will be 
 necessary to erect k a building expressly to hold them. 
 The house is now entirely filled with curiosities. Per 
 haps you and the Colonel had better establish a hypo- 
 dramatic museum in St. Paul.* He might introduce 
 the performing dogs and horses, and other living ani 
 mals, while you exhibit the inanimate wonders of the 
 world, extemporize poetry, and make funny speeches !" 
 
 " Bravo ! And twould pay, too !" cried Dodge. 
 " You see, Fannie, dear " 
 
 He did not finish his sentence. My scouring at the 
 old knife was successful; and I abruptly broke in, 
 " Look here ; I have it now ! The first letter is T. The 
 next A. Then s, and, and " 
 
 " And HAE !" Dodge articulated for me. 
 
 "Why, it spells Tashae!" I cried. "That was the 
 name of a fur trader who lived at Selkirk Colony, 
 twenty-five years ago !" 
 
 " And here s the other name !" exclaimed Dodge. 
 " P-a-r-r-a-n-t PIG S EYE ! sure as you live !" 
 
 And there it was, engraved in plain English upon the 
 upper stock-plate of the old pistol. 
 
 " You re a lucky fellow !" Dodge remarked to me 
 the next day. " Mr. Williams, Secretary of the Histori 
 cal Society, would have given anything for Parrant s 
 old pistol." 
 
 " Can t help that !" was my reply. " After I came 
 here all the way from New York, for the avowed pur 
 pose of compiling and writing up an illustrated history 
 of St. Paul, he announced in the editorial columns of 
 * Since then, Dodge has taken a lease of " INQERSOLL HALL." 
 
A GAME OF "BLUFF!" 397 
 
 the l Pioneer that he intended to do the same thing. 
 And then another gentleman made a similar announce 
 ment in the Daily Press. Mr. McClung published 
 a like intention.* And, as if to frighten me off entirely, 
 a country editor added his name to the list of my rivals. 
 Thus at lea^t four members of the Minnesota press, each 
 of them infinitely better posted than I am, and much 
 more competent in every other respect, have opened 
 their masked batteries upon me, while I have not 
 even a squib-cartridge to pop or fizzle in return." 
 
 I paused at this period for Dodge to reply. But he 
 continued to smoke his cigar without any sign of speech, 
 and so I went on to say, " five Histories of St. Paul at 
 the same time, will be rather too many ; and, therefore, 
 I shall unvalorously, but expediently, retire !" 
 
 Then Dodge took a long pull at his cigar, and hur 
 riedly blew out a mouthful of smoke to say, " Go ahead 
 and write your book, old boy. I ll bet on you !" 
 
 I bowed in acknowledgment of his kindly-intended 
 response, and suggested that he should have a fresh 
 cigar. He approved of the suggestion, and I resumed : 
 
 " Mr. Williams can send down and get what is left of 
 old Parrant s bones. They ll do to place in the rooms 
 of the Historical Society, beside the skeleton of Tah-o- 
 ah-ta-doo-ta, alias Little Crow, for the inspection of 
 inquisitive people. But, with your permission, I shall 
 retain the pistol and the knife, and leave to him and his 
 equally ambitious contemporaries, the coveted and re 
 munerative task of doing up St. Paul, separately or con 
 jointly, in as many histories as they please. Meanwhile, 
 I can retire to the peaceful quietude of that obscure 
 little village sportively called Gotham, but anciently 
 known as New Amsterdam, and more recently sobri- 
 * Mr. McClung s book will certainly appear. 
 
398 
 
 queted New York. And as a denizen of that remote 
 hamlet, I might boastingly say that it has some promi 
 nence in connection with the current events of the day 
 because of its contiguity to the more noted localities of 
 Hoboken, Coney Island, Tilletudlum and Tubby Hook. 
 There, in undisturbed seclusion, I will write aye, write 
 a book! Nor shall the subject matter thereof even 
 ever so slightly interfere with the grand project which 
 the aforesaid gentlemen collectively have in view. 
 And such a book !" I jocosely emphasized, for the 
 amusement of Dodge. " Such a book it shall be. And 
 the name " 
 
 "What?" interrupted Dodge, suddenly roused to a 
 demonstrative pitch of inquiry. "What will be the 
 name of your book ?" 
 
 "Dakota Land!" I spouted, in mock theatrical dis 
 play. 
 
 "Good! The best idea you ever had in all your 
 life !" Dodge exclaimed in a similar melodramatic 
 style. " And if twere done when tis done, then twere 
 well twere done quickly ! And, what s more, I ll help 
 you if I can !" 
 
 A few days after that conversation, I left St. Paul. 
 And since then, Dodge has proven, in more ways than 
 one, that he is not only a true friend to me, but also 
 the friend of every honest man ! His frequent encour 
 agement by letter has inspired me in the task and con 
 siderably lightened the tedium of my toil. May God 
 bless him and all that he loves in this life, and not for 
 get him when he dies ! 
 
 But neither he nor I can tell how old Parrant s body 
 came to be buried in that lonely spot, through which 
 the track of the St. Paul and Chicago Railway now 
 runs. And if Mr. Williams, or " any other man " should 
 
GHOST OF OLD PARK ANT. 399 
 
 meet with better success than we have in elucidating 
 the problematic fate of " Old Pig s Eye," I trust that the 
 public will be duly informed of the singular facts. 
 
 The "ghost story" which I have heard in connection 
 with the old whisky-shanty will not be doubted by 
 credulous people who believe in spiritualism. For my 
 part, I am unable to arrive at any satisfactory conclu 
 sion in reference to what they say. Those who knew 
 him intimately before he went away, still persist in say 
 ing that a strange light frequently glimmered in the 
 room where he slept the last time in St. Paul. And 
 my informant assures me that he can remember hearing 
 old Parrant s voice late one night several months after 
 he disappeared. He thought it sounded as if the old 
 miser was then in a violent encounter with some person. 
 " Let me have it, or you die !" was uttered perfectly 
 plain. At least, so my informant declares. He was 
 casually passing by the shanty at the time, and also 
 observed a dim light through the small window. But 
 when he approached to learn the cause, the voice was 
 silent, and the light vanished with a fitful flicker, like 
 that of a tallow candle burning the last particle of" 
 grease at the end of the wick. Another time he saw a 
 light at the window when there was every reason to be 
 lieve that no living being could be in the shanty. 
 Again he approached, more cautiously than before, in 
 hope of solving the mystery. But, just as he came near 
 enough to see through the window, one or two feeble 
 flashes extinguished the last glimmer, and left him in a 
 frightened state of feeling for several days afterward. 
 
 Perhaps when the gentleman here alluded to learns 
 what I have disclosed in this volume, he will come to 
 the conclusion that old Parrant s spirit did actually 
 return to the shanty every night in quest of some treas- 
 
400 "KASKADINO STILL ALIVE. 
 
 ure concealed there. Most likely this will be his theory, 
 inasmuch as he has always differed from a general belief 
 that the ill-fated wretch was extremely poor. He has 
 contended from the first that Parrant was rich ; but, 
 being miserly in the extreme, carefully buried every 
 piece of gold that came into his grasp. Therefore, if he 
 became the victim of an assassin, it is probable that his 
 buried treasures will never be obtained. 
 
 The knife found with Parrarit s skeleton was undoubt 
 edly the same that Kaskadino stole from Tashae and 
 which he unintentionally dropped in the sandstone 
 gorge of the bluff near the square rock below Mendota, 
 where he had such a desperate struggle to rob the old 
 whisky-seller of the gold intended for Florinda, as had 
 been agreed upon that day at the shanty in St. Paul 
 now almost a quarter of a century ago. 
 
 An individual supposed to be Kaskadino was among 
 the savages who escaped justice after participating in 
 the massacre of 62. But the laws of mortality will 
 shortly bring him to a final account. He is getting old, 
 and must soon yield up his life. From the perpetration 
 of that remorseless crime, instigated by Florinda, which 
 sent Leonore s mother to a grave near the waters of the 
 Red River, he went on with bad deeds, until eventually 
 deserting his numerous family by flight, to join a ma 
 rauding band of outlaw Indians, who were the cruelest 
 demons engaged in that work of death and plunder at 
 tributed to the Sioux. 
 
 Tashae has already gone to settle his account. Since 
 writino- those allusions to his liaison with Florinda, his 
 
 O 
 
 unsuccessful design upon Leonore and her mother, and 
 his subsequent discomfiture at Mendota, I have discov 
 ered the existence of a very estimable gentleman of the 
 same name, who is now living in the settlement at Red 
 
A COMMODORE MILLIONAIRE. 401 
 
 River; and in justice to the latter, I shall here state 
 that there was no relationship between them. 
 
 But I am obliged to leave future historians the task 
 of unraveling the mysterious connection previously ex 
 isting between Parrant and the incomprehensible Flo- 
 rinda, who subsequently committed suicide in the Le- 
 vasseur mansion, before its destruction by fire. 
 
 And I will merely suggest, in consideration of the 
 everlasting benefit which he conferred upon future gen 
 erations, that the skeleton of " Old Pig s Eye " should 
 be carefully preserved as a companion to the anatomical 
 deformity representing " His Scarlet People !" 
 
 Verily, everything about St. Paul is marvelous to see or 
 hear. And tourists voyaging thither on board the white 
 collar steamers of the "North-western Union Packet 
 Company," are here informed that much of their enjoy 
 ment has been provided for by the enterprising liberality 
 of Commodore Davidson^ the monarch of that immense 
 concern. His magnificent residence is situated upon 
 Dayton s Bluff, the gigantic hill which seems to be tow 
 ering immediately above the steamers as they make 
 their final turn just before arriving at the levee of the 
 bright new city. And in the once sacred Cavern of 
 Wakan-tebee, all wrapt in funereal silence, those myste 
 rious relics of the ancient dead are yet lying, far down 
 beneath the cozy chamber where the Commodore now 
 sleeps at night. And he is a " whole soul " man, whose 
 popularity has won for him an enviable reputation, 
 while recording his name among the millionaires of 
 Minnesota. His private office, banking-house, and the 
 executive offices of the " Company," entirely fill that 
 elegant new block which stands directly opposite the 
 Merchants Hotel, and adjoining the extensive "Livery 
 Establishment" of Messrs. Cook <& Webb, two worthy and 
 
402 THE VERY BEST OF MEN. 
 
 enterprising gentlemen, who were first attracted to Min 
 nesota on account of their health. They came from the 
 East, and carried with them the right kind of ideas for 
 speedily carving out a fortune. And as their health 
 improved, so matured their business plans. Prosperous 
 beyond their utmost expectation, they were speedily 
 wedded to the grand interests of the bright new city; 
 and to-day no influence could alienate them from the 
 scene of so much happiness and such great pecuniary 
 success. They enjoy an extraordinary popularity among 
 their fellow-citizens, and are inquired for by a majority 
 of travelers, who impatiently desire to view the charm 
 ing sights in the country around. I never before met 
 two business partners who were both such clever men as 
 Messrs. Cook & Webb. And I have heard similar re 
 marks by those who see them every day. Strangers, as 
 well as the personal friends of these gentlemen, find 
 them "kind and generous to a fault." 
 
 Their establishment is abundantly stocked with every 
 shape of conveyance that tourists or invalids might 
 select. They have elegant clarences, barouches, trot- 
 ting-wagons and other vehicles of the latest pattern 
 and costliest make, from our factories in the East. 
 Their matched spans of gray, sorrel, bay and brown 
 horses for style and speed are surpassed by very few 
 private teams. And saddle-horses, trained for the use 
 of ladies and children, add greatly to the popularity of 
 their establishment in summer time. They also own 
 the City Omnibus Line, with which they are very suc 
 cessful in pleasing the public. Their vehicles are 
 always in waiting at the depots and the levee upon the 
 arrival of the trains and steamers, to carry passengers 
 whithersoever they may desire. They also deliver pas 
 sengers to any public conveyance leaving the city. 
 
THE ASHES OF SNAKES AND BEARS. 403 
 
 In this connection I must also pay a slight tribute to 
 Captain Moulton, of the (white collar) steamer " City of 
 St. Paul." He has a heart as large as either of the 
 giant bluffs along the river shore, but keeps it all 
 within the compass of a good man s bosom. His em 
 ployers and his crew proudly honor him, while his pas 
 sengers are enthusiastic in their praise, and the ladies 
 all admiringly declare that he is such a "splendid 
 man !" I wish not to offend others occupying a similar 
 position, but must say that he is my ideal of a steam 
 boat captain ; and also add that I shall continue to think 
 of him very kindly until recollection has gone with 
 living time to join buried memories of the past. 
 
 (And now, in parenthesis, I conclude these explicit 
 Allusions by stating that they are purposely made for 
 the special benefit of strangers visiting St. Paul. Will 
 the reader appreciate my motive in that light ?) 
 
 One more paragraph, and then this chapter will be 
 done. To avoid the inconvenience of answering antici 
 pated applications for photograph pictures of Tashae s 
 old knife or Parrant s old pistol, I will state that I de 
 posited them in Barnum s Museum, on my return to 
 New York. They were hung up near the collection of 
 Indian Portraits, just at the top of the first flight of 
 stairs as I then thought, all nice and secure. But 
 alas ! a fire broke out during the coldest night in win 
 ter, at that unseasonable hour when editors and authors 
 are generally supposed to be in bed and asleep. I rode 
 down Broadway about noon the next day ; and where 
 the Museum so gaily stood the evening before, I then 
 saw only a magnificent spectacle of ruin, all enveloped 
 in strange and fantastic forms of ice. So I am sorry 
 to say that those singular relics are now unavoidably 
 mixed up with the ashes of snakes and bears ! 
 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 I A 
 
 Bill -^^ .::-^i,: ! 
 
 ^ .: %, 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING the appar 
 ently indiiFerent and contemptu 
 ous feeling of Madame Zorah at 
 the time of her abrupt departure 
 from the house of Levasseur, it 
 was but a turbulent prelude to 
 bitter regrets. For the Major 
 had scarcely quit Paris when she 
 began to realize the deplorable 
 consequences of her folly. In 
 the perpetual whirl of excite 
 ment, intensified by novel ex 
 travagances and costly pleasures, she seemed to have 
 forgotten the existence of any possible uncertainty that 
 might sustain the then exalted position of herself and 
 Leonore. When they both indignantly flouted from the 
 presence of the then irate man, and defiantly scorned his 
 support and protection, neither of them seriously esti 
 mated the enormity of their individual losses. The 
 demonstrative episode was not merely one of those peri 
 odical freaks of passionate ebulliency which immoderate 
 ly idolized beauties are specially privileged to by their 
 
406 THE GRANDMOTHER S REPENTANCE! 
 
 doting and indulgent lords, and therefore necessarily 
 susceptible of that delicious reconciliation generally 
 associated with the terminal crisis of a lover s quarrel 
 or a family jar. It was too serious for that. Madame s 
 untimely impertinence widened the trifling breach to 
 the impassable width of a boundless chasm, and thus 
 destroyed all opportunity for connubial restoration by 
 the personal exercise of an entente cordiale between them. 
 
 A novelist has the power of creating characters at 
 will, and placing them in any conceivable position that 
 his fancy may choose ; and if I were now writing a ro 
 mance, instead of narrating a series of biographical 
 events, the relative circumstances of Major Levasseur 
 and Leonore should be vastly different from what the 
 reader finds them here. And the devoted grandma 
 would accordingly occupy a less prominent position in 
 the story. But then, if all these seemingly preposterous 
 realities were omitted, I would not have any remarkable 
 developments to make. So, with a strict adherence to 
 the most extraordinary facts, I shall proceed to state 
 that when Leonore abandoned Levasseur at Madame s 
 command, she was unconsciously opening the first scene 
 in the last act of the petit drama of her own life, which 
 destiny seemed to have marked for a double tragedy in 
 the end ! 
 
 It was quite natural that Madame should rave, and 
 that Leonore should go wild with grief, when they dis 
 covered how the forsaken father had taken Irene from 
 the convent. And why not take her with him? He 
 innocently and sincerely believed them when they told 
 him that she was Lady Levasseur s child. And thus at 
 length they perceived the fatal consequence of that 
 long-fostered He ! 
 
 Tears will destroy facial beauty in a very short time; 
 
THE GRANDDAUGHTER S GRIEF ! 407 
 
 and Leonore s great, lustrous, black eyes were trans 
 formed into optical frights. Madame said that would 
 never do. She could not be seen in such a plight by 
 the gallant nobleman who admired her so. 
 
 " Let the nobleman go, in welcome !" she wept and 
 stormed. "I want Irene! Oh, it s all your fault, 
 grandma! He has left us forever ; and even Irene will 
 never love me any more ! You have made me incur his 
 hate ! Oh dear, there is no one to love me now ! But, 
 grandma, I say you must and you shall bring Irene 
 back ! And I can not live with the thought that, per 
 haps, he has returned to the arms of his beautiful wife ! 
 Oh, I m sure she will forgive him ; for he is so hand 
 some, so noble, so good, and so loving and kind ! 
 Grandma, I must get back the treasures of my heart 
 or die !" 
 
 A speedy repentance, a frantic struggle, and then 
 the dreary curtain would fall in mental darkness brought 
 on by despair ! 
 
 And so they followed Levasscnr across the sea. 
 Madame knew that he was a client of the great law 
 firm of Crane & Burr ; and, upon their arrival in New 
 York, she inquired at the office in Wall street to find 
 out where he was. Unluckily, they had just been noti 
 fied of his supposed death in Tennessee, and without 
 any hesitation told her all they knew. She asked only 
 one more question, and then hurried back to Leonore, 
 carrying the fatal news. 
 
 "Well, well," impatiently cried Leonore. "You 
 found him ; and we shall meet again very soon ! Why 
 don t you speak ?" 
 
 Madame related what she had heard, and Leonore 
 fairly shrieked, " No, no ! Not dead ! That can not 
 be!" 
 
408 PURSUIT OF THE FORSAKKX HUSBAND ! 
 
 But Madame bowed her head and murmured, " Alas, 
 they say it is true !" 
 
 "I will not believe it," persisted Leonore. "They 
 told you what they knew was false, to prevent our 
 meeting ! Yes, yes ; I see what they want to do ! A 
 ruse to deceive me. Ah, they ll fail in that. But 
 Irene ! Where is she ?" 
 
 " Gone ! They say she can not be found !" sighed 
 Madame. 
 
 " It s all a lie !" screamed Leonore. " I will go and 
 see them myself! They dare not tell me so. Come, 
 quick !" And she seized Madame violently by the arm, 
 ejaculating, " Now ! Now !" 
 
 Madame could not appease her short of immediate 
 compliance with that sudden resolve to go. And as 
 they went forth, Leonore half deliriously reiterated, " Be 
 quick ! Come, hurry ! Oh, why don t you run ?" 
 
 They reached the law office, and were shown into a 
 private room. The great Mr. Crane received them 
 with some condescension for a man like him ; and he 
 certainly had a particular motive when he was so re 
 spectful to the former mistress of his wealthy client, 
 whom he supposed to be dead. Perhaps there would 
 be additional litigation, and that was whereof he rapidly 
 accumulated abundant riches. Yet, despite Leonore s 
 impatience, he leisurely replied to her questions ; and 
 when he felt his dignity touched by her doubting insin 
 uations, he imperiously said : 
 
 " If you desire anything more than the truth, apply 
 to some other counsel. We never prevaricate here. I 
 repeat that Major Levasseur is dead, and his daughter 
 has not been found !" 
 
 To that Leonore mildly replied, " Husband dead ! 
 Irene gone !" For a moment she seemed to reflect ; 
 
THE BEAUTIFUL MANIAC ! 409 
 
 and then, as if gradually realizing the solution of a dif 
 ficult problem, her eyes expanded to their utmost capa 
 city, while every muscle in her face harmonized with 
 the startling expression. Drawing a heavy breath, she 
 uttered a slight shriek, and smiled with a vacant stare. 
 The next moment Mr. Crane bounded from his chair, 
 while he and Madame were both appalled to hear her 
 neighing a maniac s wild laugh. 
 
 Leonore was insane ! 
 
 Mr. Crane sent for a carriage to take her home ; and 
 all that day, and for many days to come, the fair lunatic 
 continually wandered about her chamber as if seeking 
 some one. Occasionally, she would burst into hysterical 
 paroxysms of insensate laughter ; but she was much 
 oftener heard mournfully articulating : 
 
 " Irene ! Husband ! My child not hers ! He is 
 dead ! And she killed him, because he loved me so ! 
 Now they are both gone ! Irene was to be the heiress ; 
 and they have lost her somewhere in the great world ! 
 Lost ! Dead ! Oh, this choking at my heart and this 
 pain in my head ! I feel it here, and here ! The day is 
 very tiresome and long. Will the night come soon ? 
 Ah, grandma made me do it all !" 
 
 The beautiful maniac could moan, and talk, and 
 laugh ; but she would never shed another tear ! 
 
 Madame visited the great law office again to inquire if 
 they had any tidings of Irene ; and then they told her that 
 Levasseur was not dead ! They said he was still living, 
 and had taken Irene with him to the City of St. Paul. 
 And, without learning what he had gone there for, she 
 gladly hastened back to tell Leonore the joyful news ! 
 But alas, reason had entirely left that beautiful form. 
 She could not understand. Oh, how sad it was to see 
 those magnificent eyes all swollen and staring like 
 18 
 
410 A MISSPENT LIFE. 
 
 globes of glass ! Her lips were blue, and a strange 
 pallor o erspread her cheeks. Yet her heaving bosom 
 was soft and warm, and her heart went on throbbing as 
 it did when she felt happy with conscious love. But 
 now it was utterly devoid of any manifestation to indi 
 cate the slightest emotion of a soul ! Pity it was that 
 Levasseur could not look upon her then, and contem 
 plate the speedy transition of loveliness to that inevita 
 ble doom of even the fairest of the fair. 
 
 In vain did Madame try to make Leonore compre 
 hend the joyful news. She uttered endearing words 
 and lavished caresses ; but the only uttered responses 
 she could get were like live coals of fire heaped upon 
 her own head. 
 
 " Yes, lost !" laughed Leonore, as though with joy. 
 " Away in the boundless world ! My child not hers ! 
 She would have been his heiress, too. Dead ! And I 
 loved him so much !" Then she would look sad, and con 
 tinue, " They are all gone now ! But grandma made 
 me drive them away ! Oh, my head ! And there is 
 such a weight on my heart !" 
 
 Madame was an old woman. She would soon be 
 threescore and ten! Her faculties were failing fast, 
 and the terrible results of a misspent life began to palsy 
 her senses, too. One moment she thought of appealing 
 to the law, and the next she resolved to personally see 
 Levasseur, and either coerce his return, or upon her 
 knees beg and implore him to take pity on Leonore. 
 She would confess her crime in substituting Leonore s 
 child for that of Lady Levasseur s, and go and seek the 
 true heiress. And then she recoiled from all those prop 
 ositions. She was undecided what to do, and really 
 powerless for any decisive action. 
 
 At that juncture Levasseur returned to New York. 
 
THE SELF-WILLED MAN. 411 
 
 The letter of Messrs. Crane & Burr, which he received 
 previous to his departure from St. Paul, announcing the 
 arrival of Madame and Leonore for the avowed purpose 
 of settling certain matters in the courts of law, would 
 have caused most any other man in a similar strait to 
 prudently avoid the needless risk of an unpleasant 
 collision between the parties interested. And the safest 
 guarantee for avoiding that risk would seem to be in 
 their wide distance apart. But Levasseur never did 
 anything like other men. He had his own way, and in 
 all cases predicated by personally selfish decisions. It 
 would be no injustice to say that the Major was a de 
 terminedly self-willed man. An individual possessing 
 that predominant trait of character is more than likely 
 to incur no little unhappiness for himself while creating 
 an abundance of trouble, if not downright misery, for 
 those who become associated with him in any position 
 of life. And the past, present and future events con 
 nected with Levasseur s existence would ultimately 
 satisfy even him that there is " a right and a wrong," 
 which, in the choosing, leads one way to sunshine and 
 another way to impenetrable gloom. 
 
 Having already started when the letter came to hand, 
 he resolved to continue on. And it was quite possible 
 that the chances of a collision would really be less in 
 the great city, though they were near together, than by 
 remaining at the mercy of scandal-mongers, whose 
 thirst might not be quenched with an ocean full of 
 tears. But, anxious to remain incognito until a secluded 
 abode could be obtained, he took the precaution of re 
 cording an assumed name at the hotel. Yet even that 
 did not avert the wrath to come. 
 
 And while Madame was not aware of his presence, he 
 did not suspect the deplorable condition of Leonore. 
 
412 FLIGHT OF IRENE. 
 
 He was in no haste to meet coming events by a visit to 
 the office of his attorneys, where intelligence of his dis 
 carded proteges awaited him. But even though he was 
 tardy in that particular inquiry, the agglomeration of 
 variform fatalities rapidly thickened about him un 
 awares. 
 
 Irene acted very strangely, and he could not help 
 noticing the fact. She had changed greatly since her 
 sojourn in Louisville, during his adventure in Tennes 
 see; but he attributed it all to the inharmonious feel 
 ings pervading his newly organized family, and accord 
 ingly endeavored to decide upon some plan of permanent 
 reconciliation. And while he thus exercised his mind 
 in her behalf, she stepped out of the hotel to take a 
 walk, leaving a letter addressed to him, in which she 
 intimated a preference for sharing life with some one 
 whom she loved ! 
 
 He never was more astounded than when reading the 
 contents of that letter. But still Lady Levasseur did 
 not seem to worry herself much about Irene s choice. 
 And Fleurette whispered, " Ma, dear, perhaps it is very 
 wicked in me to do so, but I can not help wishing that 
 Irene would never return !" 
 
 " Hush, darling !" was the warning reply. " Be care 
 ful that he does not hear what you say !" 
 
 The father then had a heavy heart, indeed ! He 
 sought Irene, but she was not to be found. With 
 whom and whither she had eloped he could not even 
 conjecture, much less ascertain. And the apparent 
 apathy of his wife was so painful to him that he quite 
 readily accused Fleurette, in his own mind, of steel 
 ing the mother s love against her natural child. Thus 
 he permitted an ugly feeling of jealousy to enter his 
 mind. 
 
THE WIFE S PROPHECY FULFILLED. 413 
 
 Yet he no longer loved Leonore. From that fatal 
 moment, when she turned her back upon him in Paris, 
 he had been shuddering with vivid reminiscences of the 
 past. The mad spell was broken. And his fond wife, 
 who was waiting for him, said that he would return 
 just as he had done. She also said, that as he left her 
 at night, he would reappear to her in the twilight of 
 evening. How fully her prophecies were verified in his 
 final restoration to her arms. She said that her spirit 
 would not leave him and that the old love must tri 
 umph when his heart grew sad. And thus all her pre 
 dictions had come to pass ! 
 
 But if Levasseur really did not wish even to see 
 Leonore again, what would be the final consequence of 
 his oath? Had he entirely ceased to remember the 
 nature of that vow, while his wife was listening at the 
 door, and Leonore unconsciously lay in his arms ? And 
 what did Madame say to him when he swore to cherish 
 Leonore in future instead of Lady Levasseur ? With 
 his hand raised and his arm tightly grasped by the old 
 woman, he articulated : " I solemnly swear that Leonore 
 shall be my only love to the end of life !" Then she 
 responded : " Your oath is recorded in the Book of 
 Fate ! Violation of it will be death !" And the sacrifice 
 was then before his eyes. 
 
 But atonement and repentance were not both one ! 
 He had repented. Atonement would follow soon. If 
 the words of his wife came to pass, why not dread those 
 uttered by Madame ? Yes ; he would realize the terri 
 ble end, all in a very short time. Even then a strange 
 event was about to happen. And Fleurette would be 
 instrumental in accomplishing that. She saw a melan 
 choly item in a morning paper, which read thus : 
 
 " Among the bodies now lying at the Morgue for 
 
THE "DEAD HOUSE!" 415 
 
 identification, is the corpse of an apparently beautiful 
 young lady that was discovered, some time yesterday 
 afternoon, floating in a dock on the East River." 
 
 Fleurette could not banish that sad announcement 
 from her mind ; and the answers she received in reply 
 to numerous questions only increased her desire to 
 know more. And, at the solicitation of Lady Levasseur, 
 the Major half reluctantly ordered a carriage to visit 
 the Morgue. She naturally shrank from such associa 
 tions ; but in that instance some irresistible inspiration 
 seemed to be urging her on. 
 
 The porter at the Morgue informed them that the 
 corpse of the beautiful young lady had been identified 
 and taken away. But whither? Fleurette must see 
 that one in particular. She did not so much as pause 
 to view the other bodies lying there. 
 
 The porter wrote the street and number upon a blank 
 card, and evidently wanted to be paid for the favor. 
 Lady Levasseur placed a dollar bill in his hand, and 
 then he took off his hat to bow and blarney : " Thanks ! 
 You are a lady, I m sure !" 
 
 " This is the place !" said the coachman, opening the 
 door of the vehicle for them to alight. " A boarding- 
 house. Mrs. Cline keeps it. Her name s on the door!" 
 
 They rang the bell, and were admitted. 
 
 " Front room, up first flight of stairs !" grunted the 
 servant girl who received them. She did nothing more. 
 Quite the style of reception in many boarding-houses 
 where the scale of prices would certainly warrant some 
 respect from the mistresses, and a little more attention, 
 if not civility, on the part of the Celtic females who 
 superintend the domestic performances necessarily re 
 quired. But as the front room door was slightly ajar, 
 it did not seem necessary to knock. 
 
416 FATE OF LEONORE. 
 
 The Major softly peeped in, and then started back all 
 pale, and gasping " Leonore !" 
 
 Lady Levasseur shrank from the door with the in 
 tention of quitting the house ; for she remembered that 
 name, alas, too well ! 
 
 The corpse lay with its face uncovered; and those 
 who had ever seen Leonore alive, would recognize her 
 in death. 
 
 " You must not leave !" said the Major, in a hoarse 
 whisper, as he tightened his fingers around his wife s 
 arm. " She is dead ! Do not permit your feelings to 
 overcome you now. Heaven " 
 
 " Who comes here to talk of Heaven ?" wailed Madame 
 Zorah, lifting her head off the bosom of the corpse, where 
 she had been crouching in tearless grief. " Hah ! Major 
 Levasseur ! Then you are here to exult in mockery 
 over the destruction of my child ! But you come too 
 late ; for the poison is here !" and she pressed her finger 
 against her throat ! 
 
 " Peace, woman ! The occasion is unsuitable for re 
 crimination or random talk, by you or me !" 
 
 Then, perceiving Fleurette, she naturally mistook her 
 for Irene, and exclaimed : " So, so ! And you ve brought 
 her back with you to look at her mother now !" 
 
 "I am not Irene," promptly answered Fleurette. 
 " She has fled !" 
 
 A shadow crossed the Major s brow ; and Madame 
 started up as if to inquire for explanation, when a severe 
 spasm pulled her down. But she muttered in half- 
 strangling accents, " No m mat er ! It w will all 
 be be over very soon ! That stuff is wor king home ! 
 There, upon the the table !" 
 
 She pointed while writhing in pain ; and they beheld 
 an empty vial that told too plainly what she meant. 
 
417 
 
 And with a violent effort she rose and staggered for* 
 ward upon a chair. 
 
 Rousing herself, she endeavored to say something else ; 
 and began with, " Lady lady !" and pointing at Leo- 
 nore s corpse, " I ch changed her babe babe for for 
 yours /" And there she failed again. 
 
 " Oh, what is she saying ?" cried Fleurette. " Do 
 listen, ma, and try to understand !" 
 
 Then Madame hysterically resumed by saying, "I 
 took tock your child child to the orphan phan asy 
 lum and forgot to remove move move !" 
 
 " What what ?" frantically implored Fleurette. 
 " What did you forget to remove ?" 
 
 " That neck lace of Job s tear beads ! Engraved 
 upon pon the locket, was the name of my my own 
 child ! Leonore s mother ! Ah ! I am dying ! Hold 
 me ! Air ! Oh, I want air ! I am blind ! Let me 
 breathe !" 
 
 " The name upon the locket ?" they cried all together, 
 as the miserable old woman fell back into the Major s 
 arms. " The name ? The name ?" 
 
 " Fleu Fleurette /" came in a scarcely articulated 
 groan. And then almost immediately a sudden and vio 
 lent spasm raised her up once more, to fall back upon 
 the corpse. Quivering there a moment, her muscles all 
 relaxed, and her body slid down in a heap upon the floor. 
 
 "O, merciful Father!" exclaimed Lady Levasseur, 
 kneeling in horror. 
 
 With her also knelt the Major and Fleurette ! 
 
 Neither of them prayed aloud ; but when they rose 
 again, a flood of tears was streaming from each of their 
 eyes! 
 
 " I can at least see that they are decently buried !" 
 groaned the Major. 
 18* 
 
418 ALL AT LAST REVEALED. 
 
 "Yes. I forgive them as I have already forgiven 
 you !" replied Lady Levasseur. 
 
 And, after that terrible scene, what else could there 
 be yet to find ? 
 
 Husband and wife ! Parents and child ! They were 
 all restored, while other hearts would beat no more ! 
 
 But poor Irene ! Where was that rash arid wayward 
 girl ? Though, while reflecting upon the circumstances 
 in which she was reared, I am more inclined to pity than 
 to condemn ! The blame rested with her mother, or 
 rather her mother s grandma, who was an unwise pre 
 ceptress for a beautiful girl. The old creature s love 
 and affection might have been very deep and pure for 
 the offspring of her darling grandchild ; but alas ! she 
 thought too much of the vanities of the hour to instill, 
 into the susceptible young heart such lessons as would 
 serve to guide her happily through the temptations and 
 vicissitudes which must inevitably come ! 
 
 And Levasseur did not become aware of the actual 
 consanguinity of himself and Leonore until after he had 
 put her and her grandma in the grave. He then dis 
 covered all from a perusal of some letters which were 
 among Madame s hoarded treasures. The terrible 
 truth staggered his very reason. But it was then too 
 late for any purpose except to make his unhappiness all 
 the more complete; and he resolved that the secret 
 should remain in his breast and go with him to oblivion 
 when that grew cold. Yet, a short time before her 
 death, Madame had also learned the fraternal relation 
 ship of Leonore s father and the man whom she so dear 
 ly loved ; and in her complaints against Levasseur, at 
 the office of Crane & Burr, she divulged the singular 
 fact. And from that mere chance I was enabled to un 
 ravel the entire web of their fate, which may be dis- 
 
THE "ACCURSED" CHILD! 419 
 
 cussed here without fear of wounding the feelings of 
 those particularly interested, or in the least compro 
 mising any one, since a sharp contest at law has already 
 made known to the world what Levasseur and his living 
 wife would have concealed for the sake of Fleurette. 
 
 Nearly four years have elapsed since the flight of 
 Irene, the accursed child of that almost incestuous alli 
 ance ! And still her father does not find any one who 
 can tell him where she is. Possibly she will never 
 know the curse of her origin, nor how her mother be 
 came a maniac, nor yet the manner of her death. She 
 may also remain ignorant of the melancholy fate of her 
 great-grandma. And indeed, even now, her own soul 
 may have already gone to join theirs beyond the grave ! 
 
 Major Levasseur is failing fast. There is a fixed sor 
 row in his eye, and his hair is almost entirely gray. He 
 tries to be happy ; but recollection haunts him so that 
 there is very little pleasure in what he realizes now. If 
 wealth could smooth his path, he might pleasantly 
 glide along to the end. If the devotion of an angel 
 heart, which is throbbing warmly near him, could destroy 
 the canker eating into his own, some earthly hope might 
 be left for him still. 
 
 He perceives that Fleurette is more affectionate to 
 him than Irene ever was. And then their wonderful 
 resemblance haunts him. What a contrast between 
 two lovely sisters, so perfectly alike in all the external 
 beauties of life ! And what a sorrowful reflection for 
 their father. Yes ; and far more painful to me than my 
 readers will believe for I once saw them both together ; 
 and could here relate much that is left unsaid, for rea 
 sons not necessary to explain ! The world will never 
 know all ! ! 
 
 But now, whenever I meet a young lady whose head 
 
420 MARRIAGE OF FLEURETTE. 
 
 is adorned with a great profusion of exquisite, light 
 golden hair, I inquiringly scrutinize her face. I am 
 irresistibly and perpetually seeking for Irene. And I 
 have seen very many tresses of light golden hair ; but 
 none so beautiful as that of the prototype daughters of 
 Major Levasseur. 
 
 I often see Fleurette ! She was married some time 
 ago ; and is now a fond mother herself, as well as a 
 happy wife. Her husband was formerly a Navy Cap 
 tain ; and he did much good service at the bombard 
 ment of several of those strong fortifications defended 
 by the rebels during the war. But he resigned when 
 he saw her. 
 
 Their nuptial ceremony was performed at a fashion 
 able church in New York City, and chronicled in some 
 of the newspapers the following day. The joyful hus 
 band proposed a voyage to Europe, a tour of the Conti 
 nent, and a visit to the Paris Exposition. But his bride 
 much preferred a trip to St. Paul, where she might revel 
 once more in the delicious atmosphere of Minnesota. 
 And never having been there to " see and feel," of 
 course he reluctantly assented to her choice. 
 
 Yet, instead of going direct to St. Paul, Fleurette 
 suggested the Nicollet House, in Minneapolis, until she 
 could settle her nerves, as she said. The circumstances 
 of her departure from St. Paul had been rather peculiar ; 
 and she trembled somewhat at returning. However, 
 they quietly went down to the Summit House one day. 
 And when the Captain asked permission to " scratch his 
 name on the register," Mr. Carpenter did not for a mo 
 ment dream that he was the husband of Fleurette, 
 " The Beauty of St. Paul." But when he saw her in 
 the parlor, he could hardly believe his eyes. Of course 
 he wanted to tell everybody " who had come." And 
 
FLEURETTE AND " GOLIAH !" 421 
 
 such a guest would have made the other landlords in 
 the city just as proud as he was. But that very even 
 ing Fleurette had a delightful call. Farmer Denton 
 drove up with his " double team," not only bringing Miss 
 Jane, but also the dog Goliah ; and the Captain was 
 amazed to see the enthusiastic meeting of that sagacious 
 quadruped and his lovely bride. The next day there 
 was a continual coming and going of the elite, who were 
 " ever so much pleased (or delighted) to see her, though 
 * ma did not come along !" Indeed, some of them were 
 determined that she and her husband ("the Naval 
 Officer," as Carpenter persisted in calling him) should 
 go home with them and stay. 
 
 " That s all very well !" said the Captain to his bride. 
 " But I never was fond of staying to test the hospitality 
 of my friends. We ll return their calls, and dine, sup, 
 dance, or ride, or drive, or hunt, or fish, or pic-nic 
 with them, and gladly, too. But I prefer lodging at a 
 hotel, or on shipboard, unless it is in my own house." 
 
 Fleurette replied that there were some ladies in the 
 city whose kindness to her dear ma and herself she 
 could never forget. And she must visit them imme 
 diately. 
 
 " But that terrible dog !" said her husband. " I can 
 no understand why you should make such a time over 
 him !" * 
 
 " Goliah my old preserver, " laughed Fleurette. 
 "He surely doesn t make you jealous. Remember, I 
 have told you how he once saved my life." 
 
 " That may all be," persisted the Captain. " But it 
 would have been quite as well if some of the men on 
 board had done so in his stead." 
 
 " But they didn t, though !" retorted Fleurette, with 
 slight derision. "And I shall always believe that no 
 
422 THE "VAMPIRE" FINALLY CAUGHT. 
 
 other assistance would have been in time to rescue me 
 from drowning. Those heroically gallant gentlemen who 
 plunge into rivers at the risk of their own lives to save 
 others, are less numerous than you imagine. Goliah 
 had me out of the water while Dr. Passion was still 
 struggling in the current, and vainly shouting for help !" 
 
 " Speak of the Old Nick, and he s sure to appear !" 
 observed Mr. Carpenter, who casually entered the parlor 
 while the Captain and Fleurette were in conversation. 
 "Dr. Passion has just passed the window. I believe he 
 is coming in. And here he is !" 
 
 The Vampire softly glided in, like a feline monster, 
 fearful of making the least noise. As he removed his 
 hat, the whole of his face suddenly dissolved into a 
 great confusion of wrinkles and smiles. And he made 
 a short, queer bow, while smoothly uttering, " Ah, 
 how de do ? Ehem !" And his fat hand carefully ran 
 through the greasy black hair upon his very round and 
 very large head. 
 
 Then Fleurette raised her eyes with a shiver, and the 
 Captain stared. Whereupon Mr. Carpenter courteously 
 articulated the words of a formal introduction. 
 
 "Oh," said the Vampire, with a pathetic smile of 
 sentiment which made the Captain frown. " I purposely 
 came to congratulate the beauty of St. Paul ! It gives 
 me intense pleasure to see her still looking so beautiful 
 and fair !" 
 
 Fleurette courtesied coldly in reply ; and motioning to 
 her husband that she wished to retire, he politely led her 
 to the door, where she whispered something in his ear. 
 
 " I understand," he murmured in reply. And then, 
 turning to Mr. Carpenter, he said: "Now then, if you 
 are ready, sir, we will go down into the city. I wish 
 to call on Bishop Grace and also see Father Ireland !" 
 
PITY MINGLED WITH LOVE. 423 
 
 " Of the Catholic religion, I presume ?" inquisitively 
 quoth the Vampire. 
 
 " No, sir ; not at all. My visit to one is strictly a 
 matter of business ; the other I became acquainted with 
 elsewhere some years ago." 
 
 And when they walked down the avenue toward the 
 city, the Vampire did the same thing. But Mr. Car 
 penter felt sorry for his cool reception, and kindly 
 inquired how long he intended to remain in St. Paul. 
 
 " Oh, business is very dull up here, now-a-days. So 
 many quacks ; they disgust all the invalids, and leave 
 us physicians nothing to do." As the Vampire spoke 
 thus, Carpenter quietly smiled with a slight twitch of 
 his mustache, in his own comfortable way. But the 
 great man also said, " I arrived here last night, and shall 
 take a steamer back again this evening." 
 
 Since then the newspapers have published a startling 
 case of criminality in St. Louis which seriously involved 
 a notorious " quack," whose description corresponds 
 with that of Dr. Passion ! 
 
 But Fleurette s visit was a very pleasant one ; and 
 when they left, the Captain acknowledged that he would 
 need no coaxing to return. 
 
 Poor Irene has not been heard from, since the hour 
 when she fled. Where she is none can tell. And her 
 father s mind continually wanders out into the world 
 after the absent one. He begins to court solitude, and 
 restlessly walks the chamber-floor while his thoughts 
 are living over the past. 
 
 Pity mingles with love in every look and action of 
 Lady Levasseur, when she sees how melancholy he is. 
 And while her own eyes seem to brighten more and 
 more, she frequently weeps for him when alone. 
 
 They travel in the summer, and visit pleasant scenes ; 
 
424 THE DESTROYER S REMORSE. 
 
 and yet no place nor view has attraction enough to 
 divert his troubled mind. Associations of what " has 
 been," will intrude to cast a pall upon the surface of 
 every glad picture that meets his gaze. 
 
 But when at home, he frequently steals off to Green 
 wood Cemetery. And he goes there alone. He gen 
 erally chooses a stormy day, when no other visitors are 
 likely to be there. And lest his wife might know of 
 his going, he even does not ride down in his own car 
 riage. The coachman would talk about it, if he did. 
 Therefore he hires a livery coach to convey him, and 
 takes a different one each time. The gate-keeper has 
 become accustomed to his eccentricity of a stormy day, 
 and invariably salutes him with a nod and a smile. 
 And while the shivering coach-horses and driver wait 
 for him, all wet with rain, at a particular crossing of 
 the avenues in the city of the dead, he wanders away 
 among the tombstones and monuments, with a huge 
 umbrella hoisted over him to effectually hide his face 
 from the scrutiny of other visitors, if any should chance 
 to pass ever so near. 
 
 A strange fancy, to steal away in a great cemetery on 
 a stormy day and stroll among the sober white columns 
 and the elaborately chiseled obelisks, which are more 
 spectral than otherwise to an imaginatively superstitious 
 mind. To meditate there alone beneath an immense 
 umbrella, while the pouring rain patters down upon the 
 marble slabs, and floods the bending grass, and washes 
 the graveled walks so clean. 
 
 A sad enjoyment for one like Major Levasseur ! The 
 world would say it was. But the world does not know 
 what is passing in his unhappy mind. The world does 
 not see him wandering or standing in silent contempla 
 tion of the memorials sculptured by the living for the 
 
NOW, AND FOREVERMORE ! 425 
 
 loved who are lost in eternal decay. Yet, he knows and 
 he feels what the world cares nothing about. 
 
 And God is watching him there all the time, when he 
 imagines himself entirely alone. Yes ; and God and 
 his soul go down there together with him, to commune 
 in that retired spot upon the steep hill-side facing the 
 water of New York Bay there, not far from the old 
 vault near the weeping willow tree there, in the vicin 
 ity of that grand floral design, carved upon a colossal 
 monument of polished marble there, at the foot of a 
 plainer, and seemingly sadder, memoria technica of white 
 stone, upon which he can read the simple words of 
 " Zorah and Leonore /" 
 
 And near that spot there is now an empty tomb, en 
 tirely new, in which a living victim of bitter remorse has 
 willed that his own body shall be laid when he dies. 
 There is abundant space in that new empty tomb for 
 others beside himself. So that, perhaps, in time to 
 come, those who live may also read another inscription 
 on marble there, in which the names of Levasseur and 
 his more than faithful wife shall both appear ! 
 
 Then, perhaps, by and by, the dust of the lovely 
 orphan victim and her avenging grandma will mingle 
 in the earth together with that of the beautiful " angel 
 heart" and her destroying husband, while their souls 
 have gone to meet the great Judgment which is FOR- 
 
 EVERMORE ! 
 
 I now pause in a sad reverie, and mournfully wonder 
 if Irene will ever visit Greenwood, and there, on the hill 
 side beneath the weeping willow, shed tears over the 
 spot where her devoted grandma and her misguided 
 mother both lie in the same grave ? 
 
The " Silver Cascade, betvreeu Mhiueapolis aud St. 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE 
 
 Impatient ;L Sight-seers," Stavtiwj 011 a Tour. 
 
 THE seeming ambiguity of title used to designate the char 
 acter of this appendicated effusion will vanish as the reader 
 perceives what interminable enjoyment might be realized by a 
 practical observance of the many brief suggestions herein con 
 tained. Though, perhaps the reader s definition of Pleasure 
 will not accord with mine. Noah Webster defines the word at 
 some length. He says, it is " the gratification of the senses or 
 of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excite 
 ment, relish, or happiness produced by enjoyment or the ex 
 pectation of good ; and that it is opposed to pain" Therefore, 
 
428 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 some of us receive pleasure from the indulgence of appetite ; 
 others from the view of a beautiful landscape. "While one 
 experiences pleasure from the harmony of sound, another does 
 so from agreeable society. There is pleasure to some in the 
 expectation of seeing absent friends ; and the avaricious derive 
 much pleasure from the prospect of large gains. Thus, bodily 
 and mental, carnal and spiritual pleasures constitute the sum 
 total of our positive happiness, just as pain produces all the 
 misery we endure. But while pleasure is derived from an 
 excitement of the passions or the mind, it may also be expe 
 rienced from an absence of excitement which gave us pain. As, 
 for example, when we cease to labor, or repose after fatigue, or 
 when our mind is tranquilized after emotional distress. And 
 simple pleasures, qualified by an intensity of excitement or 
 happiness, become joy or extreme delight. Therefore, pleas 
 ure is a state of comparative beatitude which we all desire to 
 find. And the mere suggestion of a perfect " Round of Pleas 
 ure " should excite a lively interest in the reader s mind. 
 
 Fancy the condition of a pent-up citizen, when the mercury 
 in the thermometer indicates that he or she is breathing an 
 atmosphere of scalding " blood heat !" At each panting res 
 piration of the stifled lungs there may be a vague comfort in 
 the contemplation of heavily-laden ice-carts or in the concep 
 tion of airy chambers on the shady side of cool houses, tradi 
 tionally existing amid the parched walls of the sweltering city. 
 An inexpensive comfort, which the humblest pauper may 
 imagine at will. But such imagination does not entirely sat 
 isfy bodily feelings when the weather is steaming hot. For 
 no enjoyment can be a luxury until the carnal senses have pal 
 pable contact therewith. And during "summer heat," it is 
 no wonder that citizens are more or less anxious to realize the 
 pleasure of wandering through old oak groves, where cool 
 springs and purling brooks and bird-songs might lull weary 
 and heart-sick mortals to happy dreams in rural repose. We 
 then long to sail out upon the waters of lake and river, and 
 watch the sparkling ripples as they dance to the music of a 
 delicious breeze. We also yearn to gather the tempting fruits 
 
A BOUND OF PLEASURE. 429 
 
 of summer from the stems whereon they grew, all rich and 
 luscious and rare; and pluck wild flowers among bush and 
 thorn, while panting with intoxication from the natural odors 
 of the air that is whirling across wide open prairies, sighing in 
 vine-clad grottoes, and murmuring through the shade of cozy 
 little dells. At such a time, we are impatient to leave the 
 ceaseless strife of hungry, frantic, crazy men and women, where 
 hearts grow cold and souls are daily bartered by the rich for 
 enormous gains, or by the starving poor to secure the meanest 
 pittance on w T hich the hopelessly lost and sadly forlorn may 
 live. When cynical Sirius is seen among the stars at night, 
 we would gladly fly from the " devil s bake-oven," in which 
 the fairest of the pure, by dire necessity are crisped to moral 
 cinders, or consumed like fuel-fagots beneath a mighty holo 
 caust which must burn on to the end of time. Oh, if we could 
 then wander away into " a bright realm of flowers, of beautiful 
 lakes and winding streams, where health and happiness might 
 dwell forever !" And in this ejaculative prayer, the extreme 
 climax of my most ardent desire is that I may be permitted 
 once more to taste of the rustic bliss which Nature s sweetest 
 laugh spontaneously imparts beneath the steel-blue sky of 
 Dakota Land ! 
 
 And that lovely region with its ten thousand lakes and five 
 thousand streams, its broad prairies, giant bluffs and romantic 
 waterfalls, is a reality which claims sober attention from the 
 reader, while in plain terms I endeavor to lessen the seemingly 
 great distance between here and there. I say here, because the 
 grand point for radiating disquisition is not improperly sup 
 posed to be located at the commercial centre (?) of the conti 
 nent and metropolis of the nation. That grand point is New 
 York. Yet the Round of Pleasure herein defined, can begin 
 at the Metropolis or elsewhere. Starting from any point, the 
 result will prove the same. 
 
 But an examination of the accompanying Map is advisable 
 before an actual start. It is not a very large sheet, but cor 
 rectly represents the face of that vast country known as the 
 Great North-west, to the hundredth degree of longitude from 
 
430 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 Washington, and also a part of the British Possessions beyond 
 Lake Superior and up around the Red River and the Assineboine, 
 which were colonized by Earl Selkirk little less than half a 
 century ago, as far north as the fifty-first degree of latitude. 
 
 This promised Round of Pleasure is no less than a grand 
 Excursion to Dakota Land; thence down the Red River of the 
 North, to the settlements of the Hudson Bay Fur Company ; 
 and sojourning as long or wandering as far thereabout as cir 
 cumstances will permit. At the proper time of year, that 
 detour of nearly four thousand miles, will prove a more delight 
 ful round of pleasure than could be realized in any other direc 
 tion. 
 
 There are several routes leading to the North-west. Starting 
 from the Metropolis, or the Hub, or Quakerdom, or anywhere 
 in the East, perhaps nine tourists out of ten would make 
 Chicago their first chief point of destination. To reach that 
 city immediately, and without stopping on the way, or any 
 ^pleasure from changing cars, the experienced traveler will 
 go by the Allentown Line of Silver Palaces, which leave New 
 York every morning at nine o clock, arriving at Chicago in 
 advance of all trains on any other route leaving at the same 
 hour. And the Silver Palaces are the only conveyances for 
 traveling the entire distance of nearly one thousand miles 
 without a change. This may well be called the Air Line ; for 
 it is the straightest, shortest and quickest of them all. 
 
 First, to Harrisburg, over the Central Railway of New Jersey, 
 with the enjoyment of scenery, including every variety that 
 would please a stranger s eye. Bordering on the Lehigh River, 
 it is both wildly romantic and exquisitely fine. 
 
 A good old-fashioned meal of " plenty and the best," may be 
 had at Kunhle s Hotel, in Lebanon, where the cars stop for pas 
 sengers to dine. 
 
 Mr. H. P. Baldwin is the general passenger agent for this 
 road. His office is at 103 Liberty street ; and travelers seeking 
 special information, will find him a veiy communicative and 
 courteous gentleman. He sells through tickets to all points 
 which may be reached by connections with the Allentown Line. 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 431 
 
 The town of Bethlehem, Pa., is a favorite resort for pleasure 
 seekers ; and the Sun Hotel has quite a reputation among tour 
 ists who have stopped there while en route to more remote 
 places. 
 
 The Keystone House, in Reading, is a lively place in the sum 
 mer season. 
 
 At Harrisburg, the Capital of the State, with so many asso 
 ciations and such delightful scenery around, there is a large 
 and excellent hotel, widely known as the Jones House. 
 
 Next, from Harrisburg to Pittsburg, over the Pennsylvania 
 Central Railway ; the whole length of which runs through 
 beautiful valleys along meandering streams, or around and 
 between, up and down, and even over the tops of gray old 
 mountains that are perfectly sublime. 
 
 A greater part of the Pennsylvania Central Railway is famous 
 for a boundless continuity of kaleidoscopic scenery, in which 
 the ingenuity of man has surmounted the formidable obsta 
 cles placed in the wild mountains by Nature s mysterious 
 hand. The innumerable architectural monuments of human 
 skill impart a marvelous significance to the perspective view 
 of rugged precipices, frightful chasms and picturesque valleys 
 below. Great boulders seem to hang mid-air overhead, while 
 tiny cascades leap far down among rocky gorges and hasten on 
 to the beautiful streams where tall grass and sweet flowers 
 grow. And then dashing out of the wilderness with a scream 
 and a roar, behold the neat farm-houses, the cultivated fields, 
 the fruit-trees and the garden-vines which delight the eye and 
 cheer the mind in a lightning approach to the happy village 
 and the thrifty town beyond. 
 
 The loftiest peaks of the Allegheny Mountains are suffused 
 with a glowing air of repose which luringly fascinates the 
 very soul of every human mortal who is happily permitted to 
 contemplate their serene grandeur from the car- windows while 
 dashing along by rail. Some European travelers enthusi 
 astically admit that many views along that line, where they 
 wind around upward among " the storm-clouds of a summer s 
 day," are more really beautiful than what they have seen in 
 
432 
 
 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 the Alps or in the Pyrenees. Many times I have gazed with 
 wonder and almost awe upon those charming wilds. And, 
 lost in dreamy rapture, I scarcely realized how the terrific iron 
 horse was darting on with his loud yells and scalding screams. 
 At Altoona, perhaps half a mile above the ordinary country 
 level, there is a splendid hotel called the Logan House. As an 
 eating establishment, it is among the best anyw r here; and 
 withal, a delightful boarding place for tourists who desire to 
 explore the Allegheny Mountains. It is well kept by Messrs. 
 Miller & Son, two clever gentlemen, who thoroughly compre 
 hend the requirements of their position. The hunting, fishing, 
 wild rambling, and " berrying " thereabout, are prolific of 
 " sport " for individuals of bifurcated attire, and afford " bound 
 less rustic fun " for ladies. 
 
 River-side View, where the "Iron-Horse" runs, in "Dakota Land." 
 
 vMuch of the pecuniary success and great popularity of the 
 Pennsylvania Central Railway may be traced to the wise policy 
 and liberal plans of President J. Edgar Thomson and Vice- 
 Presidents Thomas A. Scott and H. J. Lombaert. The efficient 
 labors of Superintendent Williams also deserve mentioning. 
 H. W. Gwinner is general passenger agent for the company. 
 
 Captain Elliott is the New York representative of the Penn- 
 
A ROUND OF PLEA8UKK. 433 
 
 sylvania Central Railway. He is an elderly gentleman who has 
 occupied that position many years with perfect satisfaction to 
 the managers of the road, while continually winning increased 
 popularity among the countless multitude who meet him in a 
 business or a social way. At the company s office, No. 1 Astor 
 House, he likewise sells through tickets for almost any desti 
 nation. 
 
 Right at the depot in Pittsburg, there is now a grand new 
 house called the Union Hotel, which offers superb accommoda 
 tions for repose and the most sumptuous fare to tempt the 
 inner man. Few railway hotels can compare with this palatial 
 inn. And the name of Inn recalls the " good old time" when 
 those marvelously comfortable Dutch Taverns were scattered 
 along the great turnpike highway stretching the entire length 
 of the venerable Keystone State. But, alas ! the days of the 
 green-jacket and brass-buttoned mail-coachmen who triumph 
 antly announced their coming with merry notes on the bugle- 
 horn, have passed away. And many a pleasant chat I have had 
 with those ruddy-faced Jehus while riding beside them up on 
 the "box." Thirty years ago, I heard one of them sighing 
 that " Times ain t now as times used to was !" He then had a 
 painfully rubicund nose, and doubtless lived not long enough 
 to witness the mightier change in " times " which was to come. 
 I have since wondered what he might say at beholding how 
 we now travel, eat, sleep, read, think, love, hate, live and die, 
 all by steam! And, indeed, what our manifestly and pro 
 gressively fast posterity will eventually do, some generations 
 hence, the Lord only knows ! 
 
 The great Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway is the 
 Western division of the Allentown Line, and comprises more 
 than half the entire distance from Gotham to the Garden City. 
 
 The excellent hotels at Alliance, Crestline and Fort Wayne 
 were established (or promotingly encouraged) by the managers 
 of the road to guarantee first-class meals for travelers journey 
 ing that way. Mr. Sourbeck, the landlord at Alliance, is just 
 the man to keep such a hotel. Hewett & Russell, at Crestline, 
 set a table which would satisfy the most fastidious city epi- 
 19 
 
434 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 cure. Capt. Kinnie has immortalized Fort "Wayne as the best 
 place in all Indiana to get a sumptuous dinner. 
 
 Mr. J. N. McCullough, the experienced and efficient general 
 superintendent, who has done much for the Fort Wayne Road, 
 should be properly complimented for his successfully persever 
 ing efforts to secure that consolidation of mutual interests in 
 the various lines along the route which is now so happily ac 
 commodative to travelers and beneficial to shippers between 
 the old metropolis of the East and the young metropolis of the 
 "West. And Fred. Knowland, the general Eastern passenger 
 agent of the same road, also merits eternal gratitude from the 
 stockholders thereof, for his sagacity and wisdom, and the 
 indomitable zeal and untiring industry manifested by him at 
 all times in behalf of the interest which he so faithfully serves. 
 His office is at 271 Broadway, where through tickets may be 
 had to any prominent railway station or steamboat landing in 
 the North-west. Apropos, in this paragraph I shall also sub 
 mit the inference that there are some affable traits in Fred. 
 Knowland s gentlemanly method of doing business, which 
 might be emulated by numerous other railway and steamboat 
 representatives, who, while inordinately estimating their own 
 personal importance and self-distinguished position, very erro 
 neously interpret the diplomatic trust necessarily reposing in 
 the agency which they are permitted to assume. This infer 
 ential allusion is not intended for any agent in particular; but 
 doubtless some may feel that it fits them " odiously precise." 
 If so, their own application will be more justly discriminate 
 than mine. 
 
 The Pittsburgh and Cleveland Railway is also controlled by 
 the managers of the great Fort Wayne. This is convenient for 
 those who wish to visit the Forest City, from whence they 
 may proceed by way of the Lake Shore Route to the City of 
 Toledo, and then continue on over the Michigan Southern 
 Railway, to Chicago. The same divergence from the Air Line 
 at the Iron City, will be necessary for those who wish to take 
 a Lake Steamer direct to the remotest port on Lake Superior. 
 
 Mr. W. C. Cleland, of Chicago, is the general Western pas- 
 
A KOUND OF TLEASUEE. 435 
 
 senger agent for the great Fort Wayne road ; and Mr. F. R. 
 Myers, of Cleveland is the general ticket agent for the road 
 from that city to Pittsburg and to Wheeling. 
 
 The Kennard House and the Weddell House are the two best 
 hotels in Cleveland. 
 
 The Lake Steamers are very popular in hot weather. Several 
 lines start from Cleveland every day. There is the Meteor and 
 the Keweenaw, which make a round trip of over two thousand 
 miles, with less expense to passengers than would be incurred 
 at a hotel for similar accommodation. The entire voyage oc 
 cupying about two weeks ; and the average charge for meals, 
 state-room, etc., being only thirty dollars, each way. Besides 
 the two above-mentioned boats, there are also the Northern 
 Light, the Concord, and the North-west. They are all splendid 
 and safe vessels. But I must recommend tourists to return by 
 way of the Upper Mississippi River, and Railway. They should 
 go one way and return another, so as to fully realize a perfect 
 round of pleasure. 
 
 The attractions of Lake Superior are varied and rare. Cool 
 air, clear water, fishing, strange and beautiful scenery, and the 
 marvelous features of mineral mines on land. And the western 
 part of this immense lake actually penetrates Dakota Land. 
 
 The Lake Superior and Mississippi Railway, from Superior 
 City to St. Paul, will be completed in 1870. Meanwhile, the 
 coaches of the Minnesota Stage Company make that connec 
 tion satisfactory to the multitude relying upon them. 
 
 For visiting Niagara Falls while en route to Dakota Land, 
 either by boat or by cars, the tourist should take a morning 
 train over the Erie Railway, which (with its western connec 
 tions) is called the " Great American Route ;" and realize a 
 whole day s feast of pleasure in contemplating the grandly 
 beautiful scenery through which that road runs. The scenes 
 of either the Erie, the Pennsylvania Central, or the Baltimore 
 and Ohio route, are richly worth the cost of traveling over once 
 a year. But those of the Erie may be enjoyed while going to 
 Niagara. The broad gauge track admits of colossal and pro 
 portionately magnificent coaches, which advantage is more 
 
436 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 than manifest in the "ladies car," the "sleeping palace" and 
 the gentlemen s " smoking saloon." 
 
 There is a fine eating-house at Turner s Station ; another at 
 the village of Susquehanna; and also one at Homellsville, 
 where the branch road to Buffalo diverges from the main line 
 which extends on to Salamanca and Dunkirk. 
 
 William R. Barr is the general passenger agent for the Erie 
 Railway. His office is in the large building at the foot of 
 Chambers street, New York, which was erected expressly for 
 the head-quarters of all the executive and managerial officers of 
 the road. The ticket office is at 241 Broadway. Mr. Barr is a 
 very courteous gentleman, and yet extremely methodical in 
 supervising the interests he has charge of. His brother, H. C. 
 Barr, at 247 Broadway, is the Eastern passenger agent for the 
 Michigan Southern Railway, which is the Toledo and Chicago 
 end or division of the Erie Route, via the Lake Shore Line from 
 New York to that city. I will also state that the fare over the 
 Erie road to Niagara, in the summer season, is invariably lower 
 than by any other route. 
 
 From Buffalo, there is a choice of four routes. One by 
 steamer up Lake Erie ; the others by rail. The most popular 
 way is over the Lake Shore Line to Dunkirk, Erie, Painsville, 
 Ashtabula and Cleveland ; and thence on to Sandusky and 
 Toledo, the same as when diverging at Pittsburg for the Forest 
 City. This is the middle division of the " Great American 
 Route" to the North-west. A pleasant, safe and expeditious 
 one, indeed, with well-kept depot-hotels, at Erie and Cleve 
 land. The Union Depot- Hotel at Erie, is liberally managed by 
 Mr. Moore, who delights in seeing passengers "come, and eat, 
 and go away contented." 
 
 I very particularly, and only, allude to those eating stations 
 where good meals can be Tiad. My own sad experience in pur 
 suit of subsistence, while accomplishing no less than thirty-six 
 journeys to the West during the last twenty odd years, at 
 length enable me to criticise sharply, if not discriminatively, in 
 that important topic to hungry travelers, who really desire a 
 moderate quantity of palatable and digestible food in exchange 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 437 
 
 for their money. And the time is coming when all railway 
 managers will give this subject more attention. 
 
 Otis Kimball, Esq., of Buffalo, is the general agent for the 
 Lake Shore Line. Mr. Kimball has a solid reputation among 
 railroad managers; and he also enjoys the confidence and 
 respect of all who know him. Captain Geo. M. Gray, of Chi 
 cago, is also an agent of the same line ; and he, too, deserves a 
 compliment similar to what I have given Mr. Kimball. 
 
 The Tifft House and the Mansion House are the leading hotels 
 in Buffalo. Both are fine establishments and well conducted. 
 
 A division of the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada connects 
 Buffalo with Detroit. I have been over that road a number of 
 times ; and was always pleased, not only with the scenery, 
 but all else beside. And I am confident that Mr. Charles J. 
 Brydges, the managing director, is scrupulously careful to 
 have everything operate as it should do throughout the intri 
 cately complicated ramifications of the immense concern. Mr. 
 Ed. P. Beach, (office 175 Broadway, New York,) is the general 
 United States agent for this u thousand miles and more of rail." 
 
 Niagara Falls are reached in half an hour from Buffalo. 
 And at Suspension Bridge, a branch of the New York Central 
 Railroad connects with the Great Western Railway of Canada, 
 which expeditiously and pleasantly conveys passengers North 
 to Hamilton and Toronto, or West to Detroit. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Swinyard, the general manager of the Great 
 Western, has made every effort to meet the wants of the trav 
 eling public. And by a consolidated operation with the Hud 
 son River and the Harlem roads, and the Hudson River Steam 
 ers, which make close connections at Albany with the New 
 York Central from the East, and also with the Michigan Cen 
 tral going West, a continuous and popular Northern Route has 
 thus been permanently and profitably established for busi 
 ness travelers and summer tourists in quest of pleasure. Mr. 
 Geo. E. .Jarvis, 273 Broadway, New York, is agent for the 
 Great Western Railway of Canada. 
 
 At Detroit, there is another chance to embark on the Lake 
 Steamers. And if desirable to avoid (?) Chicago, the railway 
 
438 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 to Grand Haven, (with first-class cars, and the staunchest and 
 swiftest steamers across Lake Michigan to the City of Mil 
 waukee,) is certainly a pleasurable journey, on land by day and 
 water at night. Mr. Thos. Bell, the indefatigable general super 
 intendent of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway, has done much 
 toward popularizing it as a grand " cut-off" in connection with 
 the Milwaukee, St. Paul and Minneapolis Line to the North 
 west. 
 
 The Michigan Central Railway, from Detroit to Chicago, al 
 ways has been managed well. Its cars are among the finest and 
 most luxurious in daily use upon any road. And in order to 
 more effectually provide for the comfort of the vast multitude 
 who travel that way, the directors have added a " hotel palace " 
 to each express train. By the new arrangement, meals are 
 served up in restaurant style as the train goes dashing along. 
 Thus, with day palaces for boarding and night palaces for 
 sleeping, surely travelers ought not to complain. 
 
 The Biddle House and the Russell House are the best hotels 
 in Detroit. 
 
 The Michigan Southern Railway, from Toledo to Chicago, has 
 also an extension to Detroit. And, as necessarily expected, 
 there is a spirited contest between the two Michi-" ganders " for 
 all the patronage each can get. However, they indulge in no 
 extremes ; and both, harmoniously and prosperously, do the best 
 they can. For the sake of some comparison, I will quote the 
 language of an unknown little boy who said, " They re both 
 alike ; only one s more so than t other." But when I asked the 
 unknown little boy which " t other " was, he really could not 
 tell. Those magnificent and luxurious Drawing- Room Cars 
 on the Michigan Southern and the Lake Shore through to 
 Cleveland, without changing, are unsurpassable in every fea 
 ture. 
 
 Mr. Chas. F. Hatch, the general superintendent of the Mich 
 igan Southern, is a rare embodiment of the fine qualities of a 
 gentleman and extraordinary capacity for skillfully managing 
 the great concern which he so safely guides. 
 
 The Island House and the Oliver House are the two best 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 439 
 
 hotels in Toledo. The former is immediately at the Railway 
 Union Depot, and not only a very convenient but really an 
 excellent eating and lodging place for hurried travelers. The 
 latter is pleasantly located in a quieter part of the city, and its 
 accommodations are fully adequate to the expectation of first- 
 class guests. 
 
 Patrick s Hotel, at the depot in Elkhart, is a first-rate house 
 for meals and lodging. The Air Line, and Adrian and Detroit 
 Divisions of Michigan Southern Railway, unite at that point, 
 and consequently it is the great " refreshment station" between 
 Toledo and Chicago. 
 
 Absolutely, the Allentown Air Line, and the Erie Great 
 American Eoute and their connections, are the two only direct 
 Railway thoroughfares from New York to the North-west. 
 And the difference between them is apparent to any one having 
 a correct knowledge of their geographical bearings. Therefore, 
 a choice will depend upon what the tourist or the traveler 
 wishes to realize. But in any case, the stranger will certainly 
 see more by going over one route and returning on the other. 
 
 Some go by way of the Quaker City. To do which they 
 must take the New Jersey Railway, through Newark, New 
 Brunswick and Trenton, to West Philadelphia, where imme 
 diate connection is made with the Pennsylvania Central to 
 Harrisburg. There they strike the Air Line to Pittsburgh, Fort 
 Wayne and Chicago. For that matter, one might go from 
 Philadelphia to Baltimore, or even to Washington, and thence 
 over the Baltimore and Ohio Railway to Wheeling, where there 
 is a link of connection with the Fort Wayne at Alliance and the 
 Lake Shore at Cleveland. Indeed, since the recent completion 
 of numerous "cross cuts" and "junctions" uniting the great 
 " through lines " running East and West, an erratic traveler, 
 with a correct Railway Guide in his hand, may zigzag and 
 ramble from diverging points to almost any locality desired. 
 Thus, while en route to the North-west, it is merely a question 
 of time and expense whether the tourist shall arrive at St. Paul 
 in a directly speedy flight of only three days, or by incessant 
 travel for as many weeks or even months. Those going by 
 
440 A BOUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 way of Philadelphia will arrive at Harrisburg as quickly as by 
 the Eastern and Allentown line, with the obligatory difference 
 of starting somewhat earlier to accomplish a greater distance 
 in the journey. 
 
 Tourists, who desire a "long run" and wish to include the 
 utmost scope of an unlimited round of pleasure, would realize 
 quite enough for one season by taking the Ocean Line of Steam- 
 sliips from New York to Portland, which is the eastern termi 
 nus of the Grand Trunk Railway. Over that great road, sight 
 seers can safely reach the White Mountains, the quaint City of 
 Quebec, the beautiful City of Montreal, and any point North 
 west, with perfect satisfaction and extreme delight. From 
 Quebec, steamers run up the Saguenay River ; from Montreal, 
 to Quebec, up the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. 
 
 St. Lawrence Hall is the American Hotel in Montreal ; and it 
 has a gay time every summer. 
 
 In warm weather, the route by Hudson River Steamers to 
 Albany or Troy, and Railway to Lake George, and then Lake 
 Ohamplain to St. Lawrence River Steamers, via Montreal or 
 Ogdensburg, is very pleasant for those who love the water and 
 enjoy romantic scenery. 
 
 Some take the New York Central Railway, from Albany to 
 Rome, and then to Oswego, Cape Vincent, or Ogdensburg, via 
 the Rome and Watertown Railway, which runs in close connec 
 tion with Ontario Steamers and the Grand Trunk Railway, for 
 destinations in the North-west. 
 
 The Merchants Union Mvpress Company will take charge of 
 any baggage which is troublesome to tourists, and carefully, 
 safely and promptly deliver it precisely where and when re 
 quired. Their messengers are on most of the railway trains 
 and river steamers, and they have offices, agents and wagons 
 in nearly every town. Adams Express and the American 
 Express are also everywhere. 
 
 In Chicago, a great number of Parmalee & CoSs Omnibuses 
 and Carriages are found backed up at the entrances of the 
 railway depots, or lining the wharves where the steamers 
 land. The " Omnibus Line " of Chicago entirely surpasses all 
 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 441 
 
 attempts of the kind which have been made in other cities. 
 The arrival and departure of every passenger train is marked 
 with the uniform coming and going of those vehicles to an ex 
 tent which creates astonishment in a stranger s mind. A 
 larger, or a more perfectly systemized arrangement of public 
 carriages does not exist in the world. Even the regulation of 
 that famous omnibus establishment in Paris, can not compare 
 with the order of Parmalee s coaches in Chicago. They are 
 the speediest and cheapest conveyances at the service of travel 
 ers, whether passing through, stopping, or leaving that city. 
 
 Hotels numerously exist in Chicago. Many of them are 
 commodious, and all seem to be well patronized. But the 
 Sherman House and the Tremont House are much the largest of 
 all. The Sherman is a magnificent palace, and fully equal to 
 the grandest hotels in New York City. And the Tremont is 
 not less conspicuous for elegance and size. The Sherman may 
 surpass the Tremont in some features of minor importance, 
 and the Tremont is as surely superior to the Sherman in other 
 peculiarities of slight consequence. I have lodged and supped 
 and dined at both of them, time and time again ; and yet can 
 not decide which I like best. The chambers of the Sherman 
 are furnished in a luxurious style that ought to please Monte 
 Cristo and his bride ; while the tables of the Tremont fairly 
 groan beneath their burden of epicurean subsistence and de 
 licious dainties that fail not to appease a ravenous appetite or 
 a fastidious taste. And then reverse this comparison, (all who 
 will,) to find either line of praise befitting one as properly as 
 the other. For while Messrs. Gage and Rice, the popular pro 
 prietors of the Sherman, endeavor to please their guests, Mr. 
 Drake, the no less popular proprietor of the Tremont, forgets 
 nothing which might contribute to the enjoyment of his 
 patrons. Colored waiters actively pace the dining-halls of the 
 Sherman with the most approved urbanity of Ethiopian 
 figurantes ; and White waiters " hurry up the cakes " for the 
 early or the late breakfast at the Tremont, with a refreshing 
 Celtic suavity of homiletical necessities and extremes. Messrs. 
 Gage and Rice have the good opinion of thousands, and Mr. 
 19* 
 
442 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 Drake is liked by every one. And no stranger should think of 
 passing through Chicago without making a brief sojourn there 
 to behold what a " mighty peepels " have accomplished since 
 the Garden City was a half-submerged prairie, only thirty 
 years ago. But in the puzzle of making a choice of those 
 grand Chicago hotels, as with the railways thither, I shall 
 recommend tourists to patronize one while en route to St. Paul, 
 and then stop at the other on their final return from a happy 
 round of pleasure amid the enchantment of Dakota Land. 
 
 One division of the Chicago and North-western Railway runs 
 to Fulton, on the Mississippi, connecting there with the 
 " White Collar " Steamers from St. Louis to St. Paul, and then 
 on to Council Bluffs and Omaha, thus forming the first five 
 hundred miles of the Union Pacific Railway, which will event 
 ually cross the entire western part of the continent. The 
 Chicago and Rock Island Railway likewise connects with the 
 Mississippi Steamers, at Davenport ; and will also soon reach 
 Omaha. (See page 222.) Those two lines are the chief com 
 petitors for the great traffic which is expected to follow a com 
 pletion of the almost interminable road to the Pacific Ocean. 
 At Freeport, another division of the "North-western Consoli 
 dation " joins one branch of the Illinois Central Railway, which 
 at Dunleith, makes a regular connection with the Daily Line 
 of " White Collar" Steamers for St. Paul. Still another divis 
 ion extends to Fort Howard, on Green Bay ; from which port 
 steamers run to Escanabia, where the Peninsular Railway final 
 ly reaches Marquette, on Lake Superior. 
 
 The Chicago and Milwaukee Railway, up the western shore 
 of Lake Michigan, is also a division of the North-western Con 
 solidation and the pleasantest line of all. Mr. Geo. L. Dun- 
 lap is the general superintendent of the Chicago and North 
 western ; and the extraordinary managerial ability displayed 
 by him in the discharge of the arduous duties devolving there 
 from, prove how fitly he was chosen for that responsible posi 
 tion. Mr. Dunlap is " one among a thousand." He was born 
 to be a railroad man and now enjoys the respect of his asso 
 ciates and subordinates, and the confidence of the people. 
 
A. BOUND OF PLEASURE. 443 
 
 At Harvard Junction, where the Madison branch of the Fort 
 Howard division connects, there is a Depot-Hotel kept by Mr. 
 Ayers, who has the reputation of providing bountiful meals. 
 And St. Paul may be reached ftbm that point, by way of Madi 
 son and Prairie du Chien, or Watertown Junction and La 
 Crosse. Mr. B. F. Patrick, an experienced and affable gentle 
 man, is general passenger agent for the various divisions of 
 the " Northwestern Consolidation." 
 
 The peculiar color of brick and stone almost exclusively 
 used in building up Milwaukee, led to its being fitly sobri- 
 queted the " Cream City." And when tourists have reached 
 that place, they are then at the " great distributing point " for 
 Wisconsin, Northern Iowa and Minnesota. A glance at the 
 new map of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway and Connec 
 tions, which was recently issued by the management of that 
 eight-hundred-and-twenty-fi ve-mile concern, will instantly elu-. 
 cidate their asserted claim of " distribution." But " before the 
 next train starts," there is always plenty of time to get a 
 " rousing breakfast," or a " warm supper " at Fox s New Depot- 
 Hotel, which is pronounced the best eating-house in the coun 
 try. That is saying a great deal for Mr. Fox. But his patrons 
 have no fear of him failing to sustain them in their eulogistic 
 assertions. 
 
 The Newhall House is the fashionable public establishment in 
 Milwaukee. It is one of the largest and most elegant hotels 
 in any city of the Great North-west. The proprietors say. 
 that six hundred guests can be well accommodated by them, 
 all at the same time. Milwaukee is a beautiful city, overlook 
 ing the seemingly boundless waters of the mighty Lake. 
 
 From Milwaukee to St. Paul, there are two direct routes 
 open in summer. The all-rail line is by way of Madison, the 
 capital of Wisconsin, where passengers dine, and then on to 
 Prairie du Chien ; at which terminal point, the Dousman House 
 stands within a few rods of the railway track, and immediately 
 upon the eastern bank of the longest river in all the world. 
 Mr. Williams is one of the nicest landlords I ever met. (The 
 word nice comes in " so nicely," when one wishes to indicate 
 
444 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 that which is pleasant to the eye and agreeable to the mind. 
 But "Friend Williams" is more than nice. He is generous, 
 jolly and kind. And those who have once tested his hospital 
 ity, will never pass the " Dousman " unlodged, or at least unfed. 
 Hunger is positively interdicted where such men as Williams 
 live.) Tourists can pleasantly spend a week or so fishing, hunt 
 ing and sailing, in the vicinity of Prairie du Chien. 
 
 But the beautiful City of Madison should first detain all 
 tourists at least a day or so to view the rare scenery of its five 
 romantic lakes, which may be enjoyed from the observatory of 
 the superb new Capitol building, at a grand elevation in the 
 centre of the picturesque town. There is one fine large hotel 
 there called the Vilas House. And beside that first-class 
 establishment, there are several others of less pretension. Hon. 
 Samuel D. Hastings, the Grand Worthy Chief of the Order of 
 " Good Templars," is a resident of Madison. 
 
 After crossing the Mississippi River, the railway from 
 McGregor extends through those rolling prairies where farmers 
 accumulate wealth with so little toil. And at Owatonna, Mr. 
 McNamara is sure to have a substantial dinner smoking hot. 
 Then on again like a streak of lightning, through more prairies 
 of waving grain, and the towns of Faribault, Dundas, North- 
 field and Farmington, with a distant view of that marvelous 
 object called " Castle Rock," and eventually arriving at the 
 very verge of grand old lofty Pilot Knob, which frowningly 
 overlooks the mouth of the Minnesota River. And then, after 
 darting down to Mendota Junction, in twenty minutes more 
 time the train will have arrived at the foot of the great Inclined 
 Bridge, where travelers are sure to find Cook and Webb s 
 omnibuses waiting to carry them up into the bright new city. 
 
 The other route from Milwaukee, is to La Crosse, with dinner 
 or supper at Portage, on the way. A steamer runs regularly 
 between there and Winona, to connect with trains on the 
 Winona and St. Peter s Railway, by which a final connection 
 with the St. Paul Line can be relied upon at Owatonna. Those 
 who prefer going on up the river by boat, should so elect when 
 buying tickets through. 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 445 
 
 The International Hotel is a pleasant house to stop at in La 
 Crosse. 
 
 Winona is an interesting locality for the tourist to sojourn 
 awhile. (See page 358.) Chief among the hotels, is a large 
 edifice called the Huff House, which has accommodated, in 
 turn, a vast number of guests ; and thereby enabling Messrs. 
 Cockrell and Williams to accumulate abundant riches. Their 
 reputation is extremely nattering among those who are ac 
 quainted with them. I will also add that sweet, snow-white 
 bed-linen and sumptuous meals, are characteristic features of 
 the Huff House. 
 
 No stranger voyaging up the Mississippi River should fail to 
 inspect the beautiful evidences of marvelous prosperity which 
 abound in that city. The Winona Republican ranks very high 
 among the political journals of the North-west. Indeed, the 
 newspapers of Minnesota are all intensely political, so far as I 
 can discern. (See page 344.) Mr. J. H. Stewart, superintend 
 ent of the St. Peter s Railway, has his office near the levee at 
 Winona. 
 
 Mr. S. S. Merrill, the general manager of both lines from 
 Milwaukee to St. Paul and Minneapolis, is very careful to em 
 ploy exemplary conductors, and also fastidiously exacting in 
 the matter of clean vehicles. He says the people pay their 
 money for comfort as well as conveyance. In fact, the new 
 palace-passenger-coaches which he has had built, with the 
 consent of the directors, are much superior to those on many 
 of the vaunted express trains in the Eas* . One pleasant pecu 
 liarity connected with both lines of the Milwaukee and St. 
 Paul Railway, is the peculiar patent construction of the " bay- 
 windows," which project from the side of the car, so as to 
 allow a view forward or to the rear, without thrusting out the 
 head to incur a risk of decapitation. Mr. Merrill is not only a 
 successful railroad manager, but withal, a very agreeable gen 
 tleman in the amenities of social life. 
 
 Tourists from the South, can ascend the Lower Mississippi 
 River to St. Louis, on board the magnificent floating palaces of 
 the Atlantic and Mississippi Steamship Company ; and there 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 447 
 
 they will find the splendid side-wheel steamers of the New 
 Line of the North-western Union Packet Company, for Dunleith 
 and St. Paul. 
 
 And now, having designated the principal routes to the 
 metropolis of the great North-west, I shall respectfully submit 
 a few hints which are suggested by my own experience of the 
 past. 
 
 The reader who contemplates making a tour, will greatly 
 enhance his or her comfort on a long journey, by filling a 
 satchel with all the portable etceteras of personal utility. The 
 bag may be a slight incumbrance, and a real nuisance at cer 
 tain times ; but then no active enjoyment whatever is entirely 
 disconnected with more or less trouble. And beside the usual 
 toilet requisites and minor habiliments, which none forget, 
 there should be stowed away in the satchel, a little bottle of 
 camphor, another of smelling-salts, a third of laudanum, and 
 also a large flask of pure Hennessy brandy. Take a small 
 whisk-broom, a pair of scissors, needles and thread, and at 
 least a score of other articles which are known to be indispen 
 sable necessaries of every-day life, whether at home or abroad. 
 Also a railway guide, for information ; and likewise something 
 substantial to eat on the way. The contents of your traveling- 
 bag should include such a variety of articles, that if they were 
 unexpectedly turned out in a heap, almost any spectator would 
 burst into laughter at the ludicrous collection. 
 
 Parties or families should carry a Luncheon-box with them ; 
 which may be a large square tin caddy, stuffed with nice boiled 
 ham, fowl, or corned-beef, and good bread and butter. No 
 rich cakes or sweetmeats, to sour on the stomach and provoke 
 thirst and cause a headache. Boiled eggs are very bad while 
 traveling, and so is cheese. But a huge bottle of strong black 
 tea, although cold, will never come amiss. And plenty of 
 sound, ripe fruit. Peaches, apples, pears, oranges, and even 
 lemons, are palatable and digestible at all times. But avoid figs 
 and raisins, and those abominable "gum-drops" so frequently 
 sold on cars. Ladies and children are the special beneficiaries 
 of a well-filled Luncheon-box. While traveling, my rule is to 
 
448 
 
 A HOUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 eat very often; but only substantial food. I usuaDy get a 
 sandwich and a cup of tea wherever and whenever they are 
 found. Coffee is unwholesome for travelers ; and at a railway 
 station, it is seldom ever pure. 
 
 Some people are afraid to drink water while traveling. 
 They fancy that it might make them sick. Such squeamish 
 tourists would be happier and safer at home. It is from the 
 change of icater as much as from the change of air, that actual 
 benefit to health must come. Suppose the water does make you 
 sick ? A dose of medicine would produce a similar effect. Yet 
 it is not good to drink over-much water at a time, anywhere. 
 
 Never think of taking a meal at any station unless the con 
 ductor says he will wait a sufficient time for that purpose. 
 
 A Hungry Tourist Left Behind. 
 
 The foregoing scene pictures the absurd dilemma of a thought 
 less tourist who rushed out to the table at a way-station, leav 
 ing his hat and other effects in the car. " Plenty of time !" 
 smiled the female who poured out his coffee. Meanwhile the 
 train started. " No hurry !" some one mischievously observed, 
 to quiet his fears. But the train went on ; and when it was 
 too late, he saw they were jesting. " Good gracious !" came 
 from him in a groan, as he darted out upon the track to catch 
 the fast receding cars. The hatless dupe could not run more 
 than a mile or so in the broiling sun. The train was then far 
 beyond his sight, and so he sat down under the shade of a 
 bush to cool. He is now a much wiser man than he was then. 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 449 
 
 Always purchase a through ticket, no matter how often or 
 long you intend stopping on the way. But see what the con 
 ditions of your ticket will permit, before accepting it in ex 
 change for your money. Have what is most desirable, if you 
 possibly can. Be sure to own a good strong trunk ; and get it 
 checked to the place where you intend stopping. Also pur 
 chase an Insurance ticket. Twenty-five cents a day for five 
 thousand dollars, is reasonable enough. 
 
 The best seats are in the middle of a car. The most comforta 
 ble berths in a sleeping palace, are the lowest down. There you 
 will have less dust and more cool air. The established theories 
 of pure air in an ordinary dwelling-house, do not apply to a 
 railway car, where the velocity of its motion produces unphilo- 
 sophical and erratic draughts of atmosphere in violent commo 
 tion. Take a lower berth ; or, what is better, the whole sec 
 tion. But not the whole, to a total exclusion of some other 
 weary mortal who would then have no place to lie. A still 
 better plan is, to stop over night at a good hotel ; and resume 
 your journey next day. You may see something by sunlight ; 
 but what can you see in the darkness of night ? All the Depot- 
 Hotels which I have mentioned, are abundantly well provided 
 with pleasant chambers and excellent bedding for exhausted 
 invalids or worn-out travelers. 
 
 When you discover a brakeman locking the car-door, remon 
 strate with him. If he does not listen to you, try the conductor. 
 Should neither of them heed your objections to such a dan 
 gerous custom, perhaps you can turn back the bolt with 
 another key. A great many lives have been horribly sacri 
 ficed, and a vast amount of inconvenience and displeasure 
 incurred by unnecessarily locking car-doors ! 
 
 Be sociable to those who sit near you. A railway car is like 
 a ball-room, in the matter of acquaintances. Talk, laugh, ask 
 questions, and answer all you can. Leave all your airs at home. 
 Affectation will only make a laughing-stock of you where you 
 are unknown. Hotel servants can easily distinguish natur 
 ally " gentle blood " from the innately coarse and depraved. 
 And a real gentleman or lady need never mention the fact to 
 
450 A BOUND OF PLEASUKK, 
 
 have it known. By the same rule it is utterly impossible for 
 the vulgarly-bred to successfully assume what education and 
 social customs create. And I often notice that those who most 
 complain abroad, generally have the least at home ! 
 
 To receive enjoyment from those with whom we are unavoid 
 ably placed, it is first necessary to arouse kindly feelings in 
 them by some mark of attention pleasantly bestowed. For 
 without their sympathy, we may expect little or nothing. 
 Among plain people, be also plain. Even the lowest are dis 
 pleased with those who seem to look down upon them with 
 indifference or contempt. 
 
 I mention these matters because it will be useless to start on 
 " a round of pleasure," if false pride and self-conceit go with 
 you everywhere. While, by seeming to take an interest in what 
 pleases others, as a general rule they will gladly endeavor to 
 make you happy in return. And let me beg of you not to set 
 up a pre-emption claim to a double vis-a-vis seat for the exclu 
 sive convenience of your portable traps and nether limbs, when 
 others need the comfort of which you thus contemptibly de 
 prive them. 
 
 Do not feel yourself too far above the man and the woman 
 in coarse apparel. It will not compromise you in the least to 
 give them a seat. Indeed, their honesty, their piety, their 
 wealth, and their social position, where they live, may not be 
 inferior to your own. Treat them kindly while traveling to 
 gether ; and when you meet them elsewhere, recognition will 
 not be absolutely necessary, unless you feel disposed. Yet, it 
 is well even then to remember that, as we are all social beings, 
 none of us can realize much happiness without contributing 
 more or less to the enjoyment of those among whom we tem 
 porarily or permanently exist. 
 
 CITIZENS OF ST. PAUL. 
 
 My frequent allusions to the very excellent society of that 
 bright new city, would be vaguely incomplete without per 
 sonal mention of the most eminent persons residing there. I 
 shall, accordingly, select the following names, with a hope 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 451 
 
 that my choice will not be obnoxious to those included nor 
 grievous to the multitude necessarily omitted. But if the list 
 is injudiciously or erroneously formed, I humbly beg pardon 
 for thus unintentionally giving offense to any one. 
 
 Lorenzo Allis, 
 Wm. L. Ames, 
 John W. Armstrong, 
 Gen. John T. Averill, 
 Hon. Wm. L. Banning, 
 Jacob W. Bass. 
 Joseph I. Beaumont, 
 Bruno Beaupre, 
 Hon. Geo. L. Becker, 
 E. C. Belote, 
 Peter Berkey, 
 Ira Bidwell, 
 Horace R. Bigelow, 
 Charles.H. Bigelow, 
 H. Blandy, 
 John M. Bohrer, 
 Zene C. Bohrer, 
 J. Wesley Bond, 
 J. B. Braden, 
 Newton Bradley, 
 Henry J. Brainard, 
 Hon. Wm. Branch, 
 Sam l S. Breed, 
 Hon. John B. Brisbin, 
 J. C. Burbank, 
 L. C. Burt, 
 T. B. Campbell, 
 C. W. Carpenter, 
 Warren Carpenter, 
 A. H. Cathcart, 
 A. H. C a vender, 
 Rev. Mr. Chase, 
 John B. Cook, 
 
 D. D. Merrill, 
 
 Hon. Henry L. Moss, 
 
 Munger Brothers, 
 
 D. R. Noyes, 
 
 Sabin S. Murdock, 
 
 Nathan Myrick, 
 
 Hon. Chas. W. Nash, 
 
 Hon. Rensselaer R. Nelson, 
 
 Col. Monroe Nichols, 
 
 Charles H. Oakes, 
 
 Harvey Officer, 
 
 Ex-Mayor Geo. L. Otis, 
 
 Hon. Parker Paine, 
 
 J. W. Paxton, 
 
 John D. Pollock, 
 
 B. Presley, 
 
 Chas. Proal, 
 
 Ex-Mayor John S. Prince, 
 
 S. K. Putnam, 
 
 Capt. Wm. Rhodes, 
 
 Hon. Edmund Rice, 
 
 Hon. H. M. Rice, 
 
 Sheriff D. A. Robertson, . 
 
 Hon. Chas. Scheffer, 
 
 Mrs. Stella Selby, 
 
 Joseph S. Sewell, 
 
 Col. J. J. Shaw, 
 
 Gen. H. H. Sibley, 
 
 Mrs. Singleton, 
 
 Hon. James Smith, Jr., 
 
 Wm. J. Smith, . 
 
 Wm. A. Spencer, 
 
 Hon. Frank Steele, 
 
Hon. Lieuteiiaut-Colonel W. R. Marshall, the present 
 very popular Governor of Minnesota. (1868.) 
 
A BOUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 453 
 
 Wm. S. Combs, 
 John Curtis, 
 
 0. Curtis, 
 Joseph Dailey, 
 Hon. C. K. Davis, 
 
 1. V. D. Heard, 
 Commodore W. F. Davidson, 
 Win. Dawson, 
 
 Hon. David Day, 
 
 F. E. Delano, 
 
 Clarence De Montreville, 
 
 Prof. Ossian E. Dodge, 
 
 Col. E. F. Drake, 
 
 Sam l S. Eaton, 
 
 Erastus S. Edgerton, 
 
 Hon. La Fayette Emmett, 
 
 Charles Etheridge, 
 
 Geo. W. Farrington, 
 
 Frank B. Farwell, 
 
 Geo. L. Farwell, 
 
 A. Finch, 
 
 Lewis E. Fisher, (Ed. Pioneer) 
 
 Hon. Chas. D. Gilfillan, 
 
 Hon. John M. Gilman, 
 
 C. S. Gilson, 
 Wm. Golcher, 
 
 Col. Augustus J. Goodrich 
 Earle S. Goodrich, 
 Gen. Willis A. Gorman, 
 Right Rev. Bishop Grace, 
 De Witt C. Greenleaf, 
 Gilbert G. Griswold, 
 Mrs. Hawthorn, 
 Henry J. Horn, 
 
 D. W. Ingersoll, 
 Rev. John Ireland, 
 Hon. John R. Irvine, 
 
 Dr. John Steele, 
 
 John A. Stees, 
 
 Mayor J. H. Stewart, 
 
 Gen. A. H. Terry, 
 
 Lieut. J. G. Telford, 
 
 Charles Thompson, 
 
 Horace Thompson, 
 
 James E. Thompson, 
 
 Hon. Eugene Underwood, 
 
 D. H. Valentine, 
 
 Isaac W. Webb, 
 
 Walter W. Webb, 
 
 Jos. A. Wheelock, (Ed. Press) 
 
 Dr. S. Willey, 
 
 James M. Winslow, 
 
 W. H. Yandes. 
 
 Col. S. B. Holabird, 
 
 M. Auerbach, 
 
 Major Hatch, 
 
 R. Blakely, 
 
 G. G. Bowen, 
 
 H. A. Bromley, 
 
 Col. H. L. Carver, 
 
 Greenleaf Clark, 
 
 J. R. Cleveland, 
 
 Hon. E. C. Palmer, 
 
 Hon. W. R. Nobles, 
 
 Hon. John Nicols, 
 
 Chas. T. Miller, 
 
 Chas. E. Mayo, 
 
 Phillip F. McQuillan, 
 
 J. W. McClung, 
 
 Harlan P. Hall, (Ed. Dispatch) 
 
 Pennock Pusey, 
 
 Dr. Russell Post, 
 
 Lewis L. Dunbar, 
 
 Col. J. Farrington, 
 
454 
 
 A. ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 P. H. Kelly, 
 
 Hon. Norman W. Kittson, 
 
 Uri L. Lamprey, 
 
 Morris Lamprey, 
 
 A. L. Larpenteur, 
 
 Wm. Lee, 
 
 Charles Leonard, 
 
 Wm. B. Litchfield, 
 
 Chas. A. Mann, 
 
 Dr. T. T. Mann, 
 
 Governor Wm. R. Marshall, 
 
 Lucien B. Martin, 
 
 Rev. Dr. Mattocks, 
 
 Richard Marvin, 
 
 James Maxfield, 
 
 Chas. E. Mayo, 
 
 Hon. Charles Mcllrath, 
 
 Major J. P. Mcllrath, 
 
 R. N. McLaren, 
 
 Major McLean, 
 
 Rev. Dr. McMasters, 
 
 Col. John L. Merriam, 
 
 Col. C. S. Uline, 
 
 Gen. H. P. Van Cleve, 
 
 Dr. C. D. Williams, 
 
 Hon. Wm. Sprigg Hall, 
 
 Dr. John B. Hall, 
 
 W. J. Cullen, 
 
 J. Ham Davidson, 
 
 Hon. Wm. Colville, 
 
 Merrill Ryder, 
 
 Rev. J. G. RicLeldaffer, 
 
 John H. Randall, 
 
 J. E. Martin, 
 
 Wm. Constans, 
 
 H. S. Fairchild, 
 
 Henry Eames, 
 
 Hon. R. B. Galusha, 
 Hon. J. H. Gilnian, 
 Farmer Denton, (?) 
 Ex-Governor Ramsey, 
 J. H. Sanders, 
 W. S. Johnson, 
 L. E. Reed, 
 G. P. Peabody, 
 Robert A. Smith, 
 Chas. D. Strong, 
 John C. Terry, 
 O. B. Turrell, 
 A. H. Wilder, 
 Hon. Wescott Wilkin, 
 H. L. Williams, 
 Ferd. Willius, 
 Gus. Willius, 
 Aug. F. Knight, 
 Gates A. Johnson, 
 Col. Girart Hewett, 
 Henry Hall, 
 Col. Wm. Crooks, 
 Dr. J. H. Murphy, 
 H. P. Boylan, 
 Dr. A. G. Brisbine, 
 John X. Davidson, 
 Hon. R. F. Crowell, 
 E. H. Burrit, 
 Rev. F. T. Brown, 
 D. H. Monfort, 
 Rev. H. Oster, 
 Levi Nutting, 
 Butler Comstock, 
 John Holland, 
 Chas. A. F. Morris, 
 W. P. Southworth, 
 Williams H. Knox. 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 455 
 
 The MINNESOTA HEADQUARTERS in New York City, is at 
 No. 2 Astor House, where Mr. J. W. Prince, Eastern agent of 
 the Milwaukee and St. Paul Double Line of Railway, keeps an 
 open Register for recording the names of North-western people 
 on a visit to the Metropolis, and other information pertaining 
 to that bright and happy land. Mr. Prince is just the man for 
 rendering such an institution advantageous to all concerned, 
 and attractive to every one. 
 
 Everything necessary for hunting or 
 fishing Outfits, may be found at the well- 
 stocked stores in St. Paul. Guns, fishing- 
 tackle, camp-fixtures, etc., precisely adapt 
 ed to the peculiarities of the country and 
 sports contemplated. 
 
 Merrill, Randall & Go s., bookstore, should 
 be visited; and so should the bookstore of 
 \ Cunningham Brothers. Whitney s Photo 
 graphic establishment is filled with inter- 
 i; esting things ; and Martin s Gallery of 
 _^ Minnesota Scenery is a perfect temple of 
 descriptive fine arts. 
 
 A walk up or down Third street will 
 cause any* stranger to ejaculate eulogistic- 
 ally in reference to many objects of interest n9t alluded to in 
 this volume. And perhaps the most remarkable features visi 
 ble in every thoroughfare and byway of the city, will be the 
 intelligent and hospitable countenances of the citizens, who invari 
 ably greet all respectable tourists with a cordial welcome. 
 And, doubtlessly some of the aforesaid citizens may smile 
 when told by happy tourists (prospective) that the author of 
 Dakota Land had been the primary cause of their meeting. 
 
 I may also add that Mr. Charles Thompson, the General 
 Ticket Agent in St. Paul, will send tourists to any point which 
 can be reached by stages, boats, or cars. And there are a 
 number of splendidly progressive railway lines diverging from 
 that beautiful city. 
 
 The St. Paul and Pacific Railway is already in fine order to 
 
 Ft. Snelling Flag-Tower. 
 
456 A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 Minneapolis, and on beyond, to St. Cloud, for a distance of 
 seventy-five miles, whence a daily line of the coaches of the 
 Minnesota Stage Company run up the Sauk Valley, and a tri 
 weekly line to Fort Abercrombie, Little Falls and Crow Wing. 
 A glance at a map of the North American Continent, must con 
 vince any one of the great importance of the St. Paul route to 
 the Pacific coast. And the surveyors reports prove that the 
 cost of its construction will be far less per mile than what is 
 unavoidably incurred on the other lines which have been pro 
 posed. The Hon. President Geo. L. Becker, and Mr. Wm. B. 
 Litchfield, the general manager, are exerting themselves in the 
 right direction ; and a few years labor will bring forth won 
 derful results. Jolly Frank Delano is the superintendent, and 
 Mr. J. H. Randall the ticket agent of that road. 
 
 St. Cloud, out on the St. Paul and Pacific Railway, is a 
 flourishing young city of nearly five thousand inhabitants. 
 The splendid bridge recently completed at that point across 
 the Mississippi River, is something which they have good 
 reason to feel proud of. I will here relate an incident con 
 nected with its erection. Before it was quite finj^hed, a 
 mechanic lost his footing and fell a distance of twenty feet 
 where he struck some timbers and bounced on forty-four feet 
 further down, finally pitching into a friendly snow bank. Of 
 course he was very much excited. But strange to say, he 
 afterward walked home to supper, and resumed his work the 
 following day just like " any other man." The Central House 
 will accommodate tourists who wish to participate in the 
 marvelous fishing and " sure-pop " deer hunting in that vicin 
 ity. (I intend to do a little of " that sort of thing " there my 
 self, before another month passes by. Mr. T. A. Reed, that 
 genial-hearted man known all over Minnesota, as the editor 
 and proprietor of the St. Cloud Times, has invited me to come 
 and bring all my friends. He says the people up there require 
 assistance to help diminish the great superabundance of game. 
 The reader is included among my friends. Shall we all go 
 together ? Mr. Reed is always happy to welcome strangers in 
 quest of homes, health, or pleasure. A fact worth knowing.) 
 
A BOUND OF PLEASURE. 457 
 
 The Minnesota Valley Railway, which will eventually reach 
 Sioux City, on the Missouri River, is now actively and profit 
 ably operating as far out as the town of Le Sueur, sixty miles 
 up the romantic valley of the " Green-leaf" River. The road 
 also runs to Minneapolis, by way of the Junction at Mendota, 
 passing almost under old Fort Snelling, and directly over Min- 
 nehaha Falls. Mr. J. F. Lincoln is the superintendent, .and 
 Mr. J. C. Boyden ticket agent. President Col. Drake, and 
 Vice-President, Col. Merriam, are both the right kind of men 
 for that position. 
 
 The St. Paul end of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Rail 
 way, is als^pjii traveling condition and actual operation toward 
 the North. * And Hon. Win. L. Banning, the President, is en 
 ergetically forwarding a speedy completion of the whole line. 
 
 The St. Paul and Chicago (Great Air Line) Railway, of which 
 Hon. Edmond Rice is the President, will likewise be open very 
 soon. (Sec page 338.) Mr. Rice is bravely and successfully 
 pushing matters on to a state of perfection. That road will 
 follow down the course of the Mississippi Rive^ passing through 
 Hustingpj Red Wing, Frontenac, Lake City, and Winona, and 
 so on to Madison and Chicago. (See pages 391 and 398.) 
 
 The Coaches of the Minnesota Stage Company run in con 
 nection with all the railways%fid steamboats^and over all the 
 principal thoroughfares in that State. 
 
 The splendid steamboats of the North-western Union Packet 
 Company carry the United States mails and passengers to all 
 landings on the Upper Mississippi, Minnesota, St. Croix and 
 Chippeway Rivers. The boats of that company are designated 
 by a large white band painted around each chimney, which 
 may be distinguished some miles off, and e\ren at night, if not 
 totally dark. Tourists who wish to enjoy the lovely scenery 
 of "he North-western Rivers will find the cheapest rates of fare 
 and the best state-rooms and meals on board the " white col 
 lar " steamers. And strangers who are obliged to ask questions, 
 will invariably receive prompt and courteous answers from the 
 captain and the employees of every boat which has a white sig- 
 nuin around its dark " smoke-stacks," away aloft. That they are 
 
458 
 
 A BOUND OF PLEASURE. 
 
 safe vessels, may be inferred from the fact of no disaster occur 
 ring among some thirty in daily use for several years. Cap 
 tain Davidson, at La Crosse, is superintendent of the "white 
 collar" steamers, one and all. 
 
 I shall also take the liberty of appending the names of a few 
 of the most prominent 
 
 CITIZENS OF MINNEAPOLIS, 
 
 Who are blessed with large pecuniary incomes, or otherwise 
 exalted in position. I deem this slight compliment but justly 
 proper after having represented that prosperous place in the 
 light of a spirited rival to St. Paul. And I am very confident 
 that the residents of the latter will not object tq4i^e courtesy 
 thus shown their enterprising neighbors : 
 
 Hon. R. P. Russell, 
 
 Hon. F. R. Cornell, 
 
 Hon. Geo. Bradley, 
 
 Mayor Morrison, 
 
 Hon. Chas. E. Flandreau, 
 
 Wm. Harrisoi^ 
 
 T. A. Harrison, 
 
 H. G. Harrison, 
 
 Gen. W. D. Washburne, 
 
 W. P. Westfitf, 
 
 Hon. D. A. a^ombe, 
 
 R. J. Mendenhall, 
 
 J. K. Sidle, 
 
 H. G. Sidle, 
 
 S. W. Price, 
 
 W. B. Hill, 
 
 O. B. King, 
 
 A. Kelley, 
 
 W. E. Jones, 
 
 Hon. R. J. Baldwin, 
 
 Levi. Butler, 
 
 Hon. Henry T. Wells, 
 
 D. C. Shepard, 
 
 A. H. Lindley, 
 
 Wm. T. Lee, 
 Wm, H. Lee, 
 Geo. Witmore, 
 Gil son Brothers, 
 Hon. Cyrus Aldrich, 
 Col. Mace Eustis, 
 O. A. Pray, 
 
 J. Martin, 
 
 Major A. C. Morrill, 
 *Col. Brackett, 
 G. B. Brackett, 
 E. S. Brown, 
 A. H. Linton, 
 O. M. Laraway, 
 G. H. Christian, 
 Jos. Dean, 
 W. W. Eastman, 
 John H. Shuey, 
 Peter Walford, 
 Jas. Webster, 
 W. S. Judd, 
 C. M. ILinlenbergh, 
 II. B. Hancock, 
 C. E. Vundenberg, 
 
A ROUND OF PLEASURE. 459 
 
 Edward Harvey, Photographer, on the Grand Plaza, near 
 the Suspension Bridge, in Minneapolis, always has on hand a 
 great variety of beautiful Scenic Pictures taken from nature. 
 
 Upton s Stereoscopic Views are sold by Merrill & Co., in St. Paul. 
 
 The City Omnibuses are at the Depots on the arrival of 
 every train, to convey passengers to the Nicollet House, or any 
 other locality in the city. 
 
 Strangers will find stjdish horses and vehicles at Deshon & 
 Lem s Livery Stables, in^Re vicinity of the Nicollet House. 
 POPULAR RESORTS, NEAR ST. PAUL. 
 
 Lake Como, 3 milfe distant ; Haines Hotel, Aldrich House, 
 and Como^Iouse. 
 
 White Bear Lake, 12 miles ; Murray s Hotel, Dunn s Hotel, 
 and Leip s Hotel. * 
 
 Lake Johanna, 7 miles ; Powers -Hotel. 
 
 Lake Calhoun, 12 miles; Thornton House. 
 
 Lake Harriet, 14 miles ; Thornton s Hotel. 
 
 Black Bass Lake, 7 miles ; St. John s Hotel. 
 
 Tanner s Lalce, 5 miles ; Tanner House. 
 
 Bollcs Trout Creek, 16 miles; Farm House^ 
 
 All of the above places are famous fishing resorts ; where 
 Knights of the Rod, if skillful, can, in a few minutes, catch 
 enough of the finny tribe to feed a very large camping party. 
 
 Oneika Lalce, 15 miles ; no hotel. But the <%untry abounds 
 in deer, duck and partridge, and parties should supply them 
 selves with tents, and remain three or four days, to enjoy a 
 taste of Minnesota camp-life. 
 
 Wyoming, 30 miles ; Conger s Hotel. In the heart of what 
 the Chippeways have always called "the best deer woods in 
 the world." Deer can be seen there almost every day in the 
 year ; and, at the right season, fawns may be procured in any 
 quantity for a few shillings each. 
 
 Stillwatcr, 18 miles; Sawyer House. The forests in that 
 vicinity are wild, rocky and picturesque. A favorite resort for 
 intrepid hunters in pursuit of wolves, bears and catamounts. 
 . Cottage Grove, 16 miles; Nissell Hotel. The drive thither is 
 through one of the finest agricultural districts in the State 
 
460 
 
 A ROUND OF PLEASUEE. 
 
 justly famous for its rich, large and beautiful farms, its oak 
 and maple groves, and its myriads of prairie fowl. 
 
 Lake Minnetorika is a great resort for fishing and camping out. 
 
 In Chapter XXV, I have sufficiently alluded to the Hotels of 
 St, Paul. The Tourist can select either of them and not regret 
 the choice. And when once there, the landlord will cheerfully 
 give more information than I can in reference to the innumer 
 able resorts and indescribable enjoy ments with which the city 
 and the entire country so marvelouslyHibound. 
 
 Nearly all strangers arriving in St. Paul, are sure to meet 
 old acquaintances before they leave. 
 
 Ingersoll Hall, under the management of Pro&kOssian E. 
 Dodge, that inimitable genius and very pleasant gentleman, 
 offers something attractive every night. It is the finest estab 
 lishment of the kind in the North-west, and really has the best- 
 lighted and easiest-speaking stage and plainest-hearing audi 
 torium in the world. The Opera House is also generally open 
 for lovers of the drama. 
 
 When the beautiful sights have all been seen, and the wan 
 dering pursuit of ^pleasure is at an end, perhaps the sweetest 
 enjoyment possible to realize from such a grand detour, will 
 be that of once more returning home. Yet there will be no 
 riding on the locomotive then, to see e*ery object in advance. 
 For the lightnfcig train will come dashing on through the 
 forests and hills, and across rivers and plains, as shown in this 
 final scene, while its precious burden of hearts and souls 
 within, are silently and contentedly musing upon the strange 
 enchantments of Dakota Land, and hopefully dreaming of their 
 own dear sanctuaries where the purest earthly bliss is found. 
 
JIIS 
 
 AND 
 
 fc a Elegant JU t s 
 
 Edited, by COJL,. 
 
 jm Illustrated Jovurncbi of 
 
 Current Literature, 
 
 Biographical Sketches, 
 
 Ethological Science, 
 
 Personal Beauty, 
 
 Incidental Gossip, 
 
 Fashionable Phenomena, 
 And Popular Customs. 
 
 Also, a great variety of Other-Topics, particularly entertaining to those 
 who are interested in the 
 
 MANNERISMS OF THE POLITE WORLD. 
 
 PRICE OF SINGLE NUMBERS, EIGHT CENTS ; 
 
 ONE DOLLAR A YEAR, MONTHLY; THREE DOLLARS, WEEKLY. 
 
 Sample Copy sent by mail on receipt of a red stamp- for postage. 
 
 HANKINS & SON, PUBLISHERS, 
 No. 1 PARK PLACE, NEW YORK CITY. 
 
 Liberal Compensation offered to LADIES who will act as Agents for the 
 JOURNAL OF SOCIETY and ELEGANT ARTS. Address as above. 
 
MERCHANTS UNION 
 
 EXPRESS COMPANY. 
 
 General 
 
 FoTivcurcieTs ounoi Golleoiion 
 Agents, 
 
 By Special Trains and Messengers, over leading Railroad lines from the 
 
 ATLANTIC SEABOARD TO THE WEST, 
 
 SOUTH-WEST, 
 AND THE GREAT NORTH-WEST. 
 
 Owned and controlled by the Merchants and Manufacturers of the 
 United States. 
 
 GENERAL OFFICE: 
 
 365 AND 367 BROADWAY, CORNER FRANKLIN STREET, 
 NEW YORK CITY. 
 
 TOURISTS SURPLUS BAGGAGE Speedily Delivered at any point 
 of destination. 
 
MINNESOTA AS IT IS IN 1868, 
 
 PROSPECTUS: 
 
 I propose soon to issue from the press the first edition of an octavo volume of 
 300 or 400 pages of reading matter, bearing the above title, containing a township 
 map of the State handsomely bound and illustrated with many fine engravings 
 giving accurate descriptions ot every town and county in the State, and official 
 and reliable statistics of their resources and advantages, and resources of the 
 State, together with 
 
 ITS ATTRACTIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS, INVALIDS, TOURISTS, 
 
 CAPITALISTS, AJ*D BUSINESS MEN. 
 
 The book will be replete with FACTS AND INFORMATION for immigrants, 
 and all who are looking Westward for homes and fortunes ; and will be so in 
 dexed and arranged as to make it a book of reference, indispensable to every 
 Minnesotian, or those interested in Minnesota or tiie West a dictionary of facts 
 and an encyclopedia of useful knowledge for our citizens as well as others. Each 
 subject, population, nationality, soil, timber, water-power, lakes, mills, and 
 everything else will be under its proper head, and so lucidly arranged that the 
 reader can draw at sight for just what he wants, without reading over a mass 
 of other matter to find it. It will not be a Directory, a Gazetteer, nor a History. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Among other things it will give a list of Government lands in each county 
 still open to entry by homestead claim or otherwise, obtained officially from the 
 land office up to the latest dates ; an official description of the soil, timber, water 
 courses, and general topography of each township in all the recent surveys, and 
 of the vacant lauds in the State, taken from the United States Surveyors Re 
 ports, which alone will be worth double the price of the book. Also prices of 
 wild and improved lauds, lots, rent, wages, board, amount of business in each 
 town, statistics of the different churches, schools, Masons, Odd Fellows, Good 
 Templars, products live stock, assessed property, population, ratio of different 
 nationalities in each county, information about the gold niinea and other min 
 eral resources of the State, "Life iu the Pineries, and in the Chippewa Indian 
 Country," much new and valuable intormation about the unsettled and wild 
 frontiers, which are still unsurveyed, and the vast areas North- West of us which 
 bear so important relations to our future development and railroad interests- 
 something alwutthe old settlers in each county, together with a thousand other 
 matters of interest to Minnesotians, and others looking Westward, and to tour 
 ists, sportsmen, capitalists, invalids and business men generally. 
 
 Frioe, $3.5 O. 
 
 The map alone would cost half the money at retail. It will be sold by sub 
 scription only not to be had in book stores and will be placed in the hands of 
 agents on such liberal terms, and so advertised as to insure 
 
 A MOST RAPID AND EXTENSIVE, CIRCULATION BOTH IN MINNESOTA AND 
 THE OTHER STATES OF THE UNION. 
 
 CARDS will be inserted at the following rates: 
 
 One Page, $30; one-half Page, $ 15 ; one-quarter Page, $10; one-eighth Page 
 (about two inches square), $5. 
 
 As the book will probably be in almost every hotel in the State, and in the 
 hands of almost every merchant and business man, it is confidently recom 
 mended to MERCHANTS, LAWYERS, MANUFACTURERS and others who may 
 wish to extend their business in this prosperous and rapidly improving State. If 
 one customer alone is attracted bv a card in this book from the thousands who 
 will refer to it as a standard authority tor years, that alone will pay for the card. 
 
 J. W. McCLUNG, Attorney -at-Law, 
 August, 1868. ST. PAUL, MINN. 
 
 N. B. AGENTS WANTED IN EVERY- STATE. Circulars and sample copies now 
 ready tor Canvassers. 
 
 J3P Correspondence solicited. 
 
THE MUTUAL 
 Life Insurance Company, 
 
 OF NEW YORK. 
 F. S. WINSTON, PRESIDENT, 
 
 Furnishes Insurance combining the Advantages offered by all 
 other Companies, with unequaled Financial Security. 
 
 ASSETS OVER $28,000,000 IN CASH. 
 
 RICHARD A. McCURDY, Vice-President. 
 
 JOHN M. STUART, Secretary. 
 
 F. SCHROEDER, Ass t Secretary. 
 
 SHEPPARD HOMANS, Acturary. 
 
 LEWIS C. LAWTON, Ass t Actuary. 
 
WESTWARD BOUND. 
 
 CENTRAL RAILROAD OF NEW JERSEY. 
 
 ALLENTOWN LINE 
 
 IS THE 
 
 Shortest Route between New York and the West 
 
 THKEE DAILY EXPKESS TKAINS. 
 
 Passengers by this route save 60 to 130 miles and three hours time 
 over other lines, WITHOUT CHANGE of cars to Chicago or Cin 
 cinnati, and but one to St. Louis. 
 
 FAST LINE at 9 A. M. (Sunday excepted), with elegant passenger 
 coaches to Pittsburg, and 
 
 SILVER PALACE CARS TO CHICAGO. 
 
 CINCINNATI EXPRESS at 5.00 P. M. (Sunday excepted), with 
 splendid sleeping and day cars .through to Pittsburg, arriving at Chi 
 cago, Cincinnati, and all other competing points, six hours in advance 
 of other routes. 
 
 WESTERN EXPRESS at 8.00 P. M. (daily), with sleeping and day 
 cars through to Pittsburg, saving three hours time over other routes 
 West. 
 
 SILVER PALACES leave at 8.00 P. M. Saturday evening, and ar 
 rive at Chicago early Monday morning, without change, twelve hours 
 in advance of other routes. 
 
 JSP This is the only route on which Palace Sleeping Cars are run 
 between New York and Chicago without change. 
 
 PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN NEW YORK, AT 
 
 254 BEOADWAY. 
 
 Tickets can also be had at 271 and 526 Broadway, No. 1 Astor House, 10 
 
 Greenwich street, and at the principal Hotels. 
 Depot of the Central R. R. of N. J., at the foot of Liberty street. 
 
 II. P. BALDWIN, Gen. Pass. Agent. 
 
SHERMAN HOUSE, 
 
 CHICAGO, ILL, 
 
 This palatial edifice was first opened to tlie public in July, 
 1861, and having been enlarged and refitted in 1867, is now 
 
 THE LARGEST HOTEL IN CHICAGO 
 
 and one of the finest in the United States. It has all the 
 
 MODERN IMPROVEMENTS 
 
 including a Passenger Elevator. 
 
 GAGE BROTHERS & WALTERS, 
 
 Proprietors. 
 
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, 
 
 GRAND CONSOLIDATED LINE, 
 
 Comprising all the principal Railroads from Chicago, directly 
 NORTH, NORTH-WEST AND WEST. 
 
 TWENTY PASSENGER TRAINS LEAVE CHICAGO DAILY 
 
 (Sundays excepted), on the different Divisions of the Chicago and 
 North-western Railway, for Dixon, Fulton, Clinton, Cedar Rapids, 
 Boonc, Sioux City, 
 
 COUNCIL BLUFFS AND OMAHA, 
 
 Where connections are made with the Union Pacific Railroad (Main 
 Line), for Cheyenne, Denver, Bentou and all parts of Nebraska, Col 
 orado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, California and Oregon. 
 
 The Chicago and North-western Railway is the Only Direct Route 
 to Freeport, Galena, Dunleith, Dubuque and Cedar Falls, Janesville, 
 Madison, 
 
 PRAIRIE D V CHIEN, LA CROSSE, ST. PAUL, 
 
 Watertown, Berlin, Green Bay, Marquette, Hancock and Houghton, 
 Kenosha, Racine, 
 
 And all Points in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Lake Superior 
 Country. 
 
 Connections are made at Dunleith, Prairie du Chien and La Crosse 
 (during the season of navigation), with a Daily Line of First-Class 
 Steamers for all Points on the Upper Mississippi River. 
 
 BAGGAGE CHECKED THROUGH TO DESTINATION. 
 Superior Arranged. Sleeping Coaches on all Night Trains. 
 
 Passengers for any Point West or North-west of Chicago, to avail 
 themselves of the many advantages offered by this Company, should 
 be particular to ask for tickets via Chicago and North-western Railway, 
 which can be purchased at all principal Railroad Offices in the East 
 and South, and in Chicago at the Depots as above. 
 
 G. L. DUNLAP, General Sup t 
 
 B. F. PATRICK, J. P. HORTON, 
 
 Gen. Passenger Agent. N. W. Passenger Agent, Chicago. 
 
NEWHALL HOUSE, 
 
 MILWAUKEE, wis., 
 A. C. BENTLEY & Co., PROPRIETOKS. 
 
 The Newhall House is a grand edifice, of cream-colored 
 brick, with decorative iron balconies, window and door cor 
 nices, and a spacious cupola commanding an extensive view 
 of the Lake and surrounding country. It may well be called 
 one of the finest hotels in the world. Having 285 rooms, all 
 furnished in superb style, it is capable of accommodating a 
 vast number of guests with a degree of elegance and comfort 
 unsurpassed by any other palace of luxury devoted to the en 
 tertainment of first-class travelers. 
 
 Omnibuses and carriages are always in waiting at the 
 Union Depot on the arrival of trains, to receive guests for the 
 Newhall. 
 
 MORGAN & METCALF, 
 
 REAL ESTATE BROKEES, 
 
 191 THIRD STREET, ST. l^TJIj, "MINN. 
 
 Having made REAL ESTATE a specialty during the past 
 fourteen years in St. Paul and vicinity, we offer our services 
 to those wishing to make profitable investments in a rapidly 
 growing City and State, as well as to non-resident property 
 owners who wish to make quick sales at fair prices. 
 
 We deal in Real Estate on Commission only, and also at 
 tend to Payment of Taxes, Collection of Rents, Loaning and 
 Investment of Money, and all business pertaining to a first-class 
 HEAL ESTATE AGENCY. 
 
 We offer for sale the largest list in the city, of Houses and 
 Lots, Building Lots, Suburban Property, Lake Residences, 
 Stores and Business Property, Farms and Farming Lands, 
 " Broad Acres," Mill Sites, Water Powers, etc., etc. ; and in 
 vite attention to our Catalogues, to be had on application, by 
 mail, or otherwise. 
 
 CIIAS. A. MORGAN, 
 
 St. Paul, Minn., Aug. 22, 1868. T. M. METCALP. 
 
MILWAUKEE & ST, PAUL 
 
 ONLY ALL KAIL ROUTE TO 
 
 St. Paul and Points in Minnesota. 
 
 To make close connections Going North- West, 
 
 LEAVE CHICAGO 4.30 P. M., 
 
 Arrive at Milwaukee at 8.00 P. M. Plenty of time there for 
 Supper at Fox s celebrated Depot Hotel. 
 
 SPLENDID PALACE SLEEPING CAES 
 
 Are attached to trains at this point and reach 
 
 Prairie du Clden for Breakfast at 7.00 A. M., at Dous- 
 inan House, kept by Fox & Williams ; 
 
 Arrive at 
 
 Owatonna, 4.20 P. M., for Dinner ; at St. Paul, 7.50 
 P. M. ; and Minneapolis, 7.55 P. J 
 
 A. Y. II CARPENTEE, 
 
 General Passenger Agent. 
 J. W. PRINCE, Eastern Agt., No. 2 Astor House, N. Y. 
 
TKEMONT HOUSE, 
 
 COR. LAKE AND DEARBORN STS. 
 
 CHICAGO, ILL. 
 
 REBUILT, REMODELED, 
 
 Handsomely and Richly Refurnished in 1867 and 1868. 
 Has had all the Modern Improvements introduced, includ 
 ing one of 
 
 Atwood s Vertical Railway Elevators, 
 
 foi conveying guests to the different floors. 
 
 SUITS OF ROOMS, BATHS AND WATER-CLOSETS 
 CONNECTED. 
 
 One of the largest and best appointed Hotels in the West. 
 
 W. W. FELT., Late of Lindell Hotel. 
 SAM L M. TURNER. 
 
 JNO. B. DRAKE, Proprietor. 
 
 1 
 
THE CHEAP, PLEASANT AND EXPEDITIOUS ROUTE 
 BETWEEN THE EAST AND WEST 
 
 IS NOW BY THE 
 
 Detroit and Milwaukee Eailroad. 
 
 Two Express Trains leave Detroit daily with 
 Passengers for 
 
 Pontiac, Holly, Fentonville, Flint, Saginaw, Owosso, 
 
 Johns, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Grand Haven. 
 
 Muslcegon, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, 
 
 St. Anthony, and all Points on 
 
 the Mississippi. 
 
 THE FIRST-CLASS STEAMSHIPS 
 
 DETROIT & MILWAUKEE, 
 
 Built expressly for this Line, ply on the Lake to and from each train. 
 
 Close connection made at Detroit with the 
 
 GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY of Canada. 
 
 Through Fare $3 Less than by any other Route. 
 
 For Buffalo, Rochester, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, and 
 with Grand Trunk Railway for Montreal, Quebec, and with Cleveland and 
 Lake Superior Line of Steamers. 
 
 For Emigrants this Line offers Cheap and Comfortable Transit. 
 
 For particulars see Company s Time Tahles, to be had at any of the sta 
 tions on application. 
 
 The Telegraph Line is open for Public Business. 
 Depot in Detroit, foot of Brush street. 
 
 THOS. BELL, Gen l Sup t 
 
 D & M R. R. OFFICE, Detroit, 1868. 
 
Minnesota Stage Company, 
 
 1868. 1868. 
 
 This Company runs stages in connection with all the Rail 
 roads and over the principal thoroughfares in the State. 
 
 FKOM WASEOA, 
 
 Terminus of the Winona and St. Peter Railroad, to Wilton, 
 Winnebago Agency, Mankato and New Ulm. 
 
 FKOM LE SUEUE, 
 
 Terminus of the Minnesota Valley Railroad, to St. Peter, 
 Mankato, Garden City, Winnebago City, and Blue Earth 
 
 City. 
 
 FEOM SAINT CLOUD, 
 
 Terminus of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad to Saint Jo, 
 Cold Spring, Sauk Centre, Alexandria, and Fort Abercrombie. 
 Also, to Little Falls, Fort Ripley, and? Crow Wing. 
 
 FEOM EUSHFOED, 
 
 Terminus of the Southern Minnesota Railroad to Preston, 
 Spring Valley and Austin. 
 
 FEOM WDsTO^A, 
 
 To Fountain City, Wis., Wamandee Valley, Gilmanton and 
 Eau Claire. 
 
 FROM ST. PAUL, 
 
 To Wyoming, Sunrise, Cheng watana and Superior. Also, to 
 Stillwater, Marine and Taylor s Falls. Also, to Hudson, Wis. 
 
 BLAKELEY & CABPENTEK, 
 
 PROPRIETORS. 
 ST. PAUL, MINN., 1868. 
 
THE FIRST DIVISION OF THE 
 
 ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC K. R. COMPANY. 
 
 1868. LAND DEPARTMENT. 1868. 
 
 FAKMS AND HOMES IN MINNESOTA. 
 
 This Company now offers for sale 
 
 500,000 ACRES OF LAND, 
 
 Located alone their two Railroad Lines, viz : From St. Paul via St. An, 
 
 thony, Anoka, St.- Cloud and Sauk Rapids to Watab, and from 
 
 St. Anthony via Minneapolis, Wayzetta. Crow 
 
 Eiver, Waverly and Forest City to the 
 
 Western Boundary of the State. 
 
 FOE GEAIN 
 
 The lands in the Connties of Hennepin, Wright, Stearns, Ben ton and 
 Meeker, present unsurpassed advantages. Farmers from the Eastern 
 States are selecting these lands in preference over all others for the purpose 
 of raising wheat, the great staple article of Western Commerce. These 
 counties also contain an abundance of fine hardwood timber, which is in 
 great demand tor various purposes, and finds a ready market along the 
 Railroads, and pays not only for the clearing of the land, but for the land 
 itself. 
 
 FOE STOCK RAISING, 
 
 fine running streams, which are bordered by an abundance of good meadow 
 lauds, affording an unlimited supply of grass and hay. They are easy of 
 access to the mines on Lake Superior, and the great Pineries of the north 
 ern part of the State, which affords the best and principal markets for 
 cattle in the country. In connection with stock raising it is necessary to 
 call attention to the fact, that the Dairy Business is as yet in its infancy, 
 which is shown by the high prices of butter and cheese, and the large im 
 portations of those articles every season from the Eastern States. 
 
 WOOL RAISING 
 
 Is al o becoming very profitable in Minnesota, and. besides the lands in the 
 Counties of Anoka, Isauti and Slier burne, described above, the prairie 
 lands in the Counties of Meeker, Kandiyohi and Monongalia, are particu 
 larly sought after for that purpose. 
 
 TERMS OF PAYMENT : 
 
 These lands are offered in tracts of 4d, 80 and 160 acres and upwards, at 
 prices varying from $5 to $10 per acre (with some few tracts at higher 
 figures), rated according to the quality and nearness to the Railroad. They 
 are sold for cash or on long credit (ten years, if desired) with 7 per cent, 
 annual interest, thus enabling persons of small means to acquire, on easy 
 terms, a home in a healthy and productive region. Those who have already 
 settled along the lines of these Railroads have found their lands increase in 
 value at the rate of 5,J per cent, per annum. 
 
 These lands have been reserved from sale since 1857; they are in the 
 midst of considerable settlements, and convenient to Churches, Schools 
 and established roads and markets. 
 
 For further information apply to 
 
 GEORGE L. BECKER, 
 Land Commissioner, St. Paul, Minn. 
 HERMANN TROTT, Secretary. 
 
PARK PLACE HOTEL, 
 
 ST. PAUL, MINK 
 
 
 BTTUA SED 
 
 ON SUMMIT AVENUE, RICE AND ELEVENTH STREETS, 
 
 Overlooking the entire City, with an extended view of the 
 Grand Bluff and River Scenery, having a Shady Park and 
 CHALYBEATE SPRING on the premises. 
 
 Croquet, Ten-Pins, Billiards and Quoits every day, 
 with a Social Hop once a week. 
 
 Guests conveyed to the house by Omnibus Line, 
 
 free of charge. 
 
The Minnesota Yalley Kailroad, 
 
 COMPLETED BETWEEN 
 
 SAINT PAUL & MANKATO. 
 
 A delightful trip for Tourists along the beautiful Valley of 
 the Minnesota River. 
 
 The Minnesota Valley Railroad Company offers for sale, on 
 liberal terms and long credit, 
 
 500,000 Acres 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BEST WHEAT LANDS IN THE WORLD, 
 
 With the advantages of HEALTHY CLIMATE. 
 
 Good Roads, Churches, Schools 
 
 and Markets. 
 
 OFFICE OF THE COMPANY AT SAINT PAUL. 
 
 E. F. DRAKE, .... President. 
 JOHN L. MERRIAM, - - Vice-President. 
 G. A. HAMILTON, - - - Secretary. 
 HIRAM THOMPSON, - - - Treasurer. 
 JNO. F. LINCOLN, - - Superintendent. 
 
International Hotel, 
 
 ST. PAUL, MINN. 
 
 BELOTE &. JOHNSON, Proprietors. 
 
 THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND BEST HOTELS 
 IN THE NORTH-WEST. 
 
 Situated in the heart of the City, it overlooks the surrounding 
 business establishments and private habitations. 
 
 The TABLE is always supplied with the best in the 
 season, and its Apartments are airy, well-furnished, and 
 in all respects particularly comfortable. 
 
 BEING A 
 
 POPULAR HOUSE WITH SUMMER TOURISTS, 
 
 The Proprietors take all pains to study the pleasure of 
 their guests. 
 
 COOK & WEBB S "CITY OMNIBUS LINE" is always at 
 the Levee and Depots to receive guests. 
 
 E. 0. BELOTE, W. S. JOHNSON. 
 
TH 
 
 Plankinton Hoiise, 
 
 SPRING STREET 
 MILWAUKEE 
 
 WISCONSIN. 
 
 THE FINEST AND 
 
 MOST COMPLETE HOTEL 
 
 IN THE WEST 
 
 H. A. CHASE, PROPRIETOR 
 
NEW YORK TO CHICAGO 
 
 WITHOUT CHANGE OP CAES. 
 
 Pittsburg, Fort Wayne 
 
 AND 
 
 CHICAGO BAILWAY, 
 
 AND 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA CENTRAL RAILROAD, 
 
 Yia Allentown, or Philadelphia. 
 
 SILVER PALACE AND FAMILY COMPARTMENT CARS, 
 
 Pronounced by all to be the most luxurious and comfort 
 able coaches in America, run THROUGH between New York and 
 Chicago WITHOUT CHANGE. 
 
 advantages of this Line over all others in STATE 
 ROOM SLEEPING CARS, SAVING IN TIME AND DISTANCE and so 
 FEW CHANGES OF CARS, combine to render this the most pleas 
 ant and desirable route, especially to families or ladies travel 
 ing alone, placing it beyond competition as a THROUGH 
 ROUTE between the Seaboard and all Western Cities. 
 
 THREE EXPRESS TRAINS DAILY. 
 
 Tickets and reliable information can be obtained at the 
 Company s Principal Offices t 
 
 271 Broadway, cor. Chambers St.. New York, . 
 and No. 65 Clark St., Chicago. Ill 
 
 F. KNOWLAOT), Gen l Eastern Passenger Agt. 
 
THE PHILADELPHIA EOUTE 
 
 FROM NEW YORK CITY 
 
 TO ALL POINTS WEST, 
 BY THE NEW JEKSEY AND 
 
 Caniclen and Amboy 
 
 EAILWAYS, 
 
 "MANTUA JUNCTION," 
 
 THE 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA CENTRAL 
 
 AND 
 
 PITTSBURG, FORT WAYNE AND CHICAGO RAILWAYS. 
 
 THREE EXPRESS TRAINS 
 
 Leave foot o* Courtlandt street, New York City, daily, except Sundays, 
 with through cars via "Mantua Junction," to Pittsburg, where sure 
 connections are made beyond. 
 
 ALSO A 
 
 SUNDAY NIGHT EXPRESS TRAIN. 
 
 FAMILY COMPARTMENT DAY AND SLEEPING CARS. 
 
 THROUGH PKOM NEW YORK TO CHICAGO WITHOUT CHANGE. 
 
 SILVER PALACE" CARS ON NIGHT TRAINS. 
 
 Through Tickets and Sleeping Car Berths for sale in New York 
 at No. 1 A*f,or JJou.w, JJepotfoot of Courtlandt street, No. 8 Battery place, 
 271 and 526 Broadway, and at the Principal Ilotela. 
 
LAKE SHORE 
 
 AND 
 
 Michigan Southern Railway Line, 
 
 THE LAKE SHORE AND MICHIGAN SOUTHERN RAILWAY 
 LINE commences at Buffalo, passes along the south shore of Lake Erie, 
 through Dunkirk, Erie. Cleveland and Toledo, terminating at Chicago a 
 distance of 538 miles. This great thoroughfare was opened for business in 
 the summer of 18.")2 and was the first line of railway in successful operation, 
 connecting the Atlantic Cities with the Great West. In all of its appoint 
 ments it stands unequaled, and has ever been regarded by the traveling 
 public as the favorite route between the East and the West. 
 
 At BUFFALO, trains upon this line connect in Union Depot with trains 
 of the New York Central Railway, thus forming a direct and desirable 
 route between. Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Schenec- 
 tady, Albany, Troy, Saratoga, New York, Boston, the New England States, 
 and all points West. A connection is also made at Dunkirk and Buffalo 
 with the Erie Railway for Hornellsville, Corning, New York, Boston, and 
 intermediate points. 
 
 At NIAGARA FALLS, passengers make a direct connection, morning 
 and evening, with trains of this Line. 
 
 Passengers via River St. Lawience and Lake Ontario steamers, take 
 New York Central cars at Lewiston, and thence to Buffalo. 
 
 At DUNKIRK, passengers from New York, Bostc n, and intermediate 
 points via New York and Erie Railway, connect in Union Depot with trains 
 of this line. 
 
 At CLEVELAND, passengers for the South and South-west connect in 
 Union Depot with trains of the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Rail 
 way, and Sandusky, Dayton and Cincinnati Railway ; also with Cleveland 
 and Pittsburg Railway, for all points in Pennsylvania. 
 
 At MONROEVILLE, with Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark Railway, 
 for Mt. Vernon, Newark, Zanesville. Wheeling, etc. 
 
 At CLYDE, with Cincinnati, Sandusky and Cleveland Railway, for 
 Sandusky, Springfield, Dayton, Cincinnati, etc. 
 
 At TOLEDO, trains connect in Union Depot with Toledo and Wabash 
 Railway, for Fort Wayne, Lafayette. Danville, Springfield, and the South 
 west ; also, with Express Trains for Detroit and Jackson. 
 
 At CHICAGO, trains are arranged so as to connect, morning and even 
 ing, with all tlie various lines from and to the West, North and South. 
 
 i-iP Baggage checked through between the principal points East and 
 West. 
 
 LUXURIOUS SLEEPING CARS accompany all night trains, and will 
 run through between Cleveland and Chicago without change, making but 
 ONE CHANGE between Buffalo and Chicago. 
 
 BUFFALO AND ERIE RAILWAY. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, President; 
 CHARLES H. LEE, Vice-President ; and R. N. BROWN, General Superin 
 tendent, Buffalo, New York. 
 
 LAKE SHORE LINE (C., P. & A. and C. & T. Railways). A. STONE, Jr., 
 President; J. H. DEVEREAUX. Yice- President; and H. NOTTINGHAM, 
 General Superintendent, Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 MICHIGAN SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN INDIANA RAILWAY. 
 E. B. PHILLIPS, President, and C. F. HATCH, General Superintendent, 
 Chicago, Illinois. 
 
 OTIS KIMBALL, General Arent, Buffalo, New York. H. C. BAUR, Agent, 
 247 Broadway. Now York. G. M. GRAY. Western Ag^nt, under Trc- 
 mont House, Chicago. J. S. SMITH, Agent, Old State House, Boston. 
 
ERIE RAILWAY 
 
 THE BKOAD GAUGE DOUBLE TRACK ROUTE 
 
 BETWEEN THE 
 
 ATLANTIC CITIES 
 
 AND THE 
 
 WEST AND SOUTH-WEST. 
 
 HP Four Express Trains Daily, 
 
 With New and Improved Coaches, running through, without change, 
 
 BETWEEN 
 
 NEW YORK AND CINCINNATI, 
 
 Dayton, Gallon, Mansfield^ Salamanca, Dunkirk and 
 
 K U F F A L . 
 
 The Best Ventilated and Most Luxurious 
 
 SLEEPING COACHES AV THE WORLD, 
 
 ACCOMPANY ALL NIGHT TRAINS. 
 
 Through Tickets can be procured at the Principal Offices o, 
 the Company, and of Connecting Lines. 
 
 H. RIDDLE, WM. 11. BAliR, 
 
 Gen l Supt., Now York. Gen l Pass r Ageut, New York, 
 
NORTH-WESTERN 
 
 UNION PACKET COMPANY, 
 
 Regular U. S. Mail and R. R. Passenger Line. 
 
 One of the Splendid First-Class, Fast-Running SIDE-WHEEL 
 STEAMERS of this line will leave St. Paul every morning, Sundays 
 included, for 
 
 La Crosse, Prairie du Ckien and Dunleitli, 
 
 touching at all intermediate Landings, and making elose connections 
 with all rail routes touching the river between St. Paul and Dubuquc, 
 
 ALL POINTS EAST, WEST AND SOUTH, 
 
 AS FOLLOWS: 
 
 Wiuona, with Trains of Winona and St. Peter Railway. La Crosse, 
 with Trains of Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway. La Crosse, with 
 Southern Minnesota Railway. Prairie Du Chien and McGregor, with 
 Trains of Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien, and McGregor Western 
 Trains. Dubuque, with Trains of Dubuque and Sioux City Railway. 
 Dunleith, with Trains of Illinois Central Railroad. 
 
 Through Tickets for Passengers and Through Bills of Lading for 
 Freight given to all points on the 
 
 CHIPPEWA, ST. CROIX, MINNESOTA, 
 
 And Mississippi River. 
 
 A Tri-Weekly Line will be run between ST. PAUL and TAYLOR S 
 FALLS, touching at all intermediate points. 
 
 LEAVES ST. PAUL EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY 
 AND FRIDAY. 
 
 Persons traveling on this route will enjoy the Picturesque Scenery 
 of the St. Croix, the " Dalles of which are pronounced equal to the 
 Palisades of the Hudson." 
 
 General office of the Company, corner Third and Jackson streets, 
 St. Paul, Minnesota. 
 
 A. M. IIUTCHINSON, Supt, 
 
The Northwestern Union Packet Co. 
 
 ALSO RUN 
 
 A DAILY LINE TO ST. LOUIS, 
 
 Leaving St. Paul every morning, Sundays included. These boats will 
 connect at St. Louis with the Regular Packets for Louisville, Cincin 
 nati, Wheeling, Pittxburg, and all Points on the Ohio River, and with the 
 Magnificent Steamers of the 
 
 ATLANTIC AND MISSISSIPPI STEAMSHIP COMPANY, 
 For all Points South to New Orleans. Through Bills of Lading for 
 
 freight will be given to New Orleans and way points. 
 FOR PLEASURE SEEKERS, TOURISTS AND TRAVELERS 
 Generally, this route is Unsurpassed. The Upper Mississippi affords 
 the Finest Scenery on the Continent. Passengers enjoy all the COM 
 FORTS OF HOME, or of a First-Class Hotel, on the 
 
 ELEGANT STEAMERS OF THIS LINE. 
 And no efforts arc spared by the officers of the boats to secure their 
 
 enjoyment and safety. The Boats of this Line have been 
 THOROUGHLY OVERHAULED, REPAIRED AND REPAINTED, 
 And arc in splendid condition for business. For Comfort, Speed, 
 Safety and Reliability, these Boats are Unsurpassed by any in the 
 Trade. The Company own Twenty-Four Steamboats of Different 
 Classes, suitable for High and extreme Low Water Navigation, and 
 
 MORE THAN SEVENTY BARGES AND LIGHTERS, 
 Which were built expressly for the Trade, and are adapted to the 
 Transportation of all kinds of Grain and Merchandise. These Boats are 
 manned by Careful and Experienced Officers, who will use every ex 
 ertion for the Comfort and Convenience of Passengers, and see that 
 Freight is handled Carefully and with Dispatch. 
 
 Thankful to a generous public for their liberal patronage during 
 the past fifteen years, we hope to receive and deserve a continuance 
 of the same. 
 
 GENERAL OFFICES, 
 
 PRINCE S BLOCK, COR. THIRD AND JACKSON STS., 
 
 SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA. ^ 
 
 WM. F. DAVIDSON, President, St. Paul. 
 
 WM. RHODES, P. S. DAVIDSON, 
 
 Sec. and Treas., St. Paul. Supt., La Crossc, Wis. 
 
PEOPLE S LINE 
 
 OF 
 
 STEAMERS 
 
 BETWEEN 
 
 NEW YORK AND ALBANY. 
 
 NEW YORK TO ALBANY. 
 
 STEAMERS ST. JOHN, Capt. W. PI. CHRISTOPHER, Monday, 
 Wednesday, Friday. DREW, Capt. S. J. ROE, Tuesday, Thursday, 
 Saturday, from PIER 41, NORTH RIVER, near Jersey City Ferry, 
 Desbrosscs street, at G.OO P. M., connecting with Trains of New York 
 Central, Albany and Susquehanna, Rensselaer and Saratoga, and Bos 
 ton and Albany Railways. 
 
 fgp Tiekets can be had at the offiee on the Wharf, and Baggage 
 checked to destination. 
 
 Telegraph Office on the Wharf. 
 
 jjggP Passengers leaving Washington at 7.45 A. M., Baltimore at 9.35 
 A. M., Philadelphia at 1.30 P. M., arrive in New York at 5.12 P. M., in 
 time to connect as above. 
 
 ALBANY TO NEW YORK. 
 
 STEAMERS DREW, Capt. S. J. ROE, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 
 ST. JOHN, Capt. W. H. CHRISTOPHEK, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 
 from Steamboat Landing, at 8.00 P. M., on arrival of Trains from 
 North and West. 
 
 PASSENGERS CONVEYED FROM N. Y. C. R. R. DEPOT 
 TO THE BOATS, FREE. 
 
 B3P Tickets to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington City, for 
 sale on the Boats, and BAGGAGE checked to destination. 
 
 Hudson River Railroad Tickets taken for passage. 
 
 JOHN C. HEWETT, Gcu l Ticket Agent, 
 P. C. SMITH, Gen 1 ! Agent. 
 
LIBEAEY, 
 
 t DIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 BERKELEY 
 
 Return to desk from which borrowed. 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 Q|C9 
 
 1952 U 
 
 LD 21-100m-7, 52(A2528sl6)476 
 
U 
 
 ^-AT 
 
 F 
 607 
 
 H 3