Written for the Rogtotar.
MY WEDDING TRIP.
BY RUSTIC.
Having read in your paper from
week to" week, several very in
teresting stories of parted lovers,
disappoined love, cte.. all well cal
culated to attract ami interest the
gensatioual reader, I feel tempted
to recite a brief sketch of my wed
ding trip, and add to the proof of
the adage that "Truth is stranger
than fiction."
Thirteen years ago to-night let
rae nee yes, the first of January,
1859, 1 took upon ms the marriage
vows,' to love, honor and obey the
one whom 1 loved above all- on
earth. We had been engaged for
more than a year, and I had been
very impatient for the engagement
to terminate. Charley had "gone
west to make bis fortune, as
great many young men do, leaving
their alliances to watch and pray
tor their speedy, return.
The. nwt of stories liaYa the
lover go to the Tacific coast, aisd
having picked up a fortune in a
fabulously short time, come back to
his faithful Penelope with a large
diamond ring to replace the simple
gold laud. But my lover Was more
ot the real and "less imaninarim,
and had contented himself with go
ing to Nebraska, which at that
time, was considered as the jump-ing-off
place, and, settled on a quarter-section
ot land, had erected a
"can for his "bird-." and after
making other improvements, had
come back for me, and I was eagerly
looking forward to the moment
when we would start for our future
home.
I did not expect to find a palace,
ally exquisitely furnished, fur Char
ley had told me it was constructed
ot logs, and had attempted to ter
rify me by saying 1 should have to
climb up a ladder to reach the sec
ond story ; hut this did not discon
cert me in the least, but in my lm
agination 1 had pictured the floor
polished until it would shine, the
windows bright and scrupulously
clean, the little flower-bed before
the house should bo filled with ger
aniums and tulips, and a morning-
5 lory was to be twined over the
oor.
I had everything arranged and
planned before-hand, and now in a
few hours I would be on the way
there. The next morning was
lovely. The sun rose bright, and
the air, though cold, was clear and
bracing. All nature looked beau
tiful to my delighted eyes, as I
promised myself a pleasant and
agreeable "wedding trip."
In that day there were no rail
roads across Central Iowa, nor even
a regular line of stage coaches ; and
travelers at that season of the year
were very few, but we, in company
with Mr. and Mrs. Allen, a newly
married couple, were to travel with
a party of emigrants, and all being
ou band the order was given, ior
ward march."
A light spring wagon, drawn by
two horses, contained our stock ot
household goods. A similar outfit
was used by the other couple. Two
days brought us to the Mississippi
river, opposite Davenport, Here
we were to be ferried across in a
very flimsy, leaky old boat. I felt
wmchcsitatiou about leaving terra
firma, but Charley said there was
no danger, and of course he knew.
After that I walked upon the boat
with a firm step, wishing to show
my bravery, all of which was called
into requisition, for before we were
much more than half way across,
the engine became in some way dis
abled and stopped its motion ; the
boat was drifting slowly down
stream. Fortunately for us a brisk
breeze was blowing up the river
which was almost sufficient to keep
the boat in one position. Some
large oars that were carried along
in case of an accident of this kind,
were brought out and manned, ana
everyone who could pull to an ad
vantage lent a hand.
It was two o'clock in the after
noon when we left the Last side,
and instead of crossing in half an
hour, the .night had fallen ere we
oould effect a landing, which we
did about three miles below the
town. Snow had been falling a lit
tle, but now the wind shifted to the
east, tad a storm set in which
promised to prove no inconsiderable
obstacle to our journey.
Once on chore, we were soon in
oar wagons and on the way to
Davenport; -where we hoped to
spend the night. The darkness
was so intense that we could not
see any distance before us, and tak
ing a distant light for a guide,
pushed on at rapidly as fallen trees
and stamps would allow. The
wagon containing Mr. and Mrs.
Allen we had supposed to be follow
ing closely in our rear, but soon
fumid they were not wlQBlniear
ing distance, llii aid not loos si
nil pleasant, wit we whipped up the
horses who did not appear to relish
the journey any' mote- .thaofanvaiid;
in about two hours we were greet
ed with a pack of savage half-
starved dogs, and soon alter drew
up before a small squatty log hut.
with one door and on window.
The inmates attracted by tlio nu
fisual disturbance of the dogs, now
opened the door, and attor consider
able scolding a. id kicking, with no
little swearing intermingled, the
s were driven off. and upon en
quiring we found the distance to I),
to be about six miles. That seemed
strange but after a brief discussion
we concluded to ask tor shelter tor
the night, which, after a prolonged
debate between the host and some
one within, was granted. We theu
alighted and went in.
it would be difficult to describe
the place, and certainly impossible
to do it justice. There was but one
room; the ceiling was low and
smoky; the rude log walls all
around us were besmeared with dirt
aud grease. The mistress of this
lovely placci now caraa turwaru, a
short, thickly-built, excessively
homely Dutch woman, who stared
at us with open mouth and eyes, a
periect picture of stolidity. I did
not feel at all comfortable in our
new quarters, but knowing it was
the next tiling to impossible to pn
cecd to D. that night, tried to feel
contented. Wc were offered the
only bed of which the house could
boast, but I affirmed ray Intention
of setting up all night To this,
however, my husband verystrongly
dissented, and as the dirty blankets
on the bed were not at all prcpos
a'ssing in appearance, I accepted
what is called a "shake-down" con
sisting of a buffalo rote and some
blankets, on the floor, on which,
without dis-obing, I threw myself,
ami was soon lost in the laud of
dreams. I thought wc were com
fortably settled in our little house,
nicely furnished, and a tall rose
bush in full bloom at the window.
This pleasant picture was cruelly
dispelled on awaking at day-light
the next morning and finding my
self in thedismal, dreary hovel. Our
host, the only one of the two who
could speak a word ot English, in
vited us to a breakfast which he
had hastily prepared, but all of
which I declined, except a cup of
water, and some eggs, which I
thought might be clean under the
shell. This sumptuous meal over, we
were soon on our way to v., where
we arrived without anything morj
serious than an upset, tarly the
next morning we, with the other
couple who had managed to get lost
the night before, proceeded on our
journey without waiting tor the re-'
inamder ot the company, who were
still unable to cross the river.
Nothing worthy of notice occur
red for, a day or two ; the snow had
been falling off and on, acf now
began to impede our progress very
much. Just at dusk ou Saturday
night we reached a village by the
name of Dogtown, where a census
taker would have great difficulty
in finding the population owing to
the superfluous abundance of the
canine tribe. There being no hotel,
we selected the largest and most
respectable looking house, a long,
two-story and a half. Driving up
to the door we asked for lodging,
which request being finally answer
ed iu the affirmative, we entered a
room very similar to the one in
which we passed our first night in
Iowa To make room for tlie vis
itors, a back door was opened,
through which was ejected several
dogs. I had thought myself in un
pleasant situations before, but this
certainly was without a parallel.
Supper consisted of a huge pot of
soup sat in the center of the room,
around which we all gathered sup
plied with a bowl and spoon. After
considerable scrambling and jost
ling, for the children seemed nearly
famished, all were helped, when 1
proceeded very suspfcicnisly to ana
lystc the contents of my bowl. I
think every kind of vegetable that
grew in tlie west was represented ;
most prominent, however, in this
compound conglomeration of indi
gestibles were onions, cabbage and
turnips. The hostess seeing my hes
itation came around to where I was
sitting and nudged me very famil
iarly telling me at the same time to
"pitch in," which I did not feel at
all inclined to do, as my appetite
had taken wings and disappeared.
I made a pretense to cat, however,
in order to escape observation.
With the daylight the household
retired, although to where I was at
a loss to know. I was not long left
in doubt, for the heavy snoreing
which soon vibrated through the
building told of their proximity. I
can safely say that all the sleeping
done by us four that night oould be
put in a very small space.
Although the next day was Sun
day we concluded that as were
would of c mree be no preaching it
would be but jurtly charitable to
ourselves to move on, and now, es
pecially the clouds looked threat
ening, and we had reason to fear
the roads would become impassable.'
Tlie day was pleasant, notwith
standing the season of the year, and
we hoped to reach our western
home by the next Thursday, incase
naaocideuts occurred to prevent.
All went well, and on Thursday
at three o'clock wo crossed the
Missouri river at Nebraska City,
which was, at that time, a mere
handfull of poorly built houses, but
we were still forty mtfes from our
jonrjsey's end. After a hearty din
nor, we concluded to try to reach a
tavern or ranch, called "1 Jobber's
Iloost," about twenty miles distant,
ever a bleak prairie. The other
team Was to take the lead and
break a road. About half jast four
the wind changed to the torthcart,
and wc were soon enveloped iu fly
ing snow. 0
Persons who liave lived on the
plains will understand what is meant
by a "regular northeaster," for
such this was. When night came
on we had still five miles to go.
The driving snow, fortunately, came
from behind us, but Sim the air so
that we could but just see from one
telegBiph pole to the next. Not a
star was to be seen, and our situa
tion was. fast becoming seriously un
pleasant, as the cold was growing
still more intense. The team ahead
of us seemed to be less jaded than
ours, and was soon beyond hearing
distance.
Our horses conld now no longer
follow the tracks of the advance
team, aud we found the telegraph
poles the only guide left us. I shall
never forget that memorable night,
nor do 1 ever want to experience
another such. Suddenly the wind
seemed to veer round and blow
directly in our faces. The drifting
sriow had filled up every little
gulch, and after stumbling around
awhile, the team came to a halt
evidently they were lost. This did
not look at all favorable, so, hand
ing me the lines, my husband got
out to look for tlie lost , course, tel
ling me to answer every shout, and
thus prevent his getting lost from
the wagon.
After considerable time spent in
walking around, calling constantly
and always receiving an answer,
whieh tested the capacity of my
lungs, he came back and was com
pelled to confess that we were on a
wide prairie, twenty miles from tim
ber and any habitation save the one
we were seeking, and lost. I spoke
of the sudden change iu the wind,
and asked if it was a common oc
currence. He said it was, except
in case of severe storms like the
present one. Suddenly a thought
presented itself, and stooping he
commenced feeling around on the
ground, and announced that the
wind had not changed, but that we
had turned around and were going
back towards Nebraska City.
Strange as it seemed, yet it was
nevertheless tnu, as was shown by
the little drifts of snow around the
weeds ami other obstacles.
Turning around again with the
wind almost directly behind us, we
started anew, and were soon rewanl
ed by comiug again to the friendly
telegraph poles. We now hoped
our troubles were over, and that
our stopping place for the night
would soon be reached. That such
was not destined to be the case, tlie
reader will soon see.
Three miles had been traversed
when suddenly, without a moment's
notice, we were precipitated over a
cliff into a snow bank, some six feet
below the horses, wagon and horses
badly mixed up. With, .extreme
difficulty we extricated ourselves
from the debris, but only to find
that one of our horses was . so
badly injured as to be unable to
proceed farther. Now we were in
a predictment, when, oh joy, a light
was seen iu the distance, and wc
knew, that help was not far distant.
As the snow was too deep to allow
of my walking, the' plan was for ms
to remain with tlie wagon while my
husband went for help.. Tfeltsajpe
misgivings about conceding to this
plan, but there seemed to be no
otlier feasible one ; sp, reluctantly
consenting, my husband mounted
the uninjured horse and was soon
out of sight, while I was left alone
iu a wide prairie, at night, in a
terrible storm. I said alone, but I
soon foiuid I was not, tor my atten
tion was attracted by a snuffling,
and on listening intently a footfall
was heard. . The manner in which
I got into that wagon must have
been more speedy than graceful. I
could not say bow I did get there,
but I know that in an incredibly
short space of time I was behind
the wagon-seat, protected on all
sides by the canvass cover, except
the opening in tlie front, which I
hastily blocked with an empty feed
sack.
I now felt comparatively safe,
and endeavored to collect my scat
tered wits. Tlie wounded horse
lying at a short distance raised h;s
I lead, and a short, piercing shriek,
such as a wounded and terrified
horse only will utter, smote upon
my ear, and seemed to chill my
blood ; but my pulse stood still an'
instant later, on hearing, but a short
distance! away, a long, dismal howl,
which was caught up and repeated
here aud there around me. Ves. I
was surrounded by wolves. 1 in
stinctively held my breath, and peer
ed from my place of safety into the
night. 'I'he shaggy dark gay jbrm
of the timber WW could lie dimly
seen. Had they been the common
prairie wolf (tayote) 1 should not
have felt so much alarm ; but the
timber wolf is larger aud fiercer,
and do not hesitate to attack man if
driven by hunger.
The gathering wolves tell upon
the wounded horse who was able
to offer but feeble resistance fotlicir
fierce attack. 1 found I was very
cold, scarcely able to move, and the
eold was Throwing even more in
tense. The din of the struggle
over the poor horse soon became
almost -unbearable. The clouds
breaking away, let a few rays of the
moon fall upon this scene o'ctirt age,
and on peering out f could see a
dozen or more wolves snarling aud
fighting with each other over the
remains of their scarcely cold vic
tim. 1 knew that as long as their
feast lasted, I should be safe, and
I looked toward the distant gliui
mc.ing light in hopes that succor
would speedily come.
Hut I soon saw to' my consterna
tion and liorror that the number of
wolves were rapidly increasing, and
that the the horse could last but a
few moments longer. Some of the
less favored ones soon left the strug
gle and circled around tba Wagon,
uttering the while the most chilling
howls, which seemed to pierce me
like a knife. One after another
they dropped off from the pack aud
joined in the chorus.
Things were getting to be pretty
desperate, and 1 saw that all my
energies would soon be called into
action.
One who has never been in a sim
ilar situation can scarcely under
stand the horror aud anguish TlclU
I consider myself possessed of at
least my share of courage, so arm
ing myself with a hatchet lying
within reach, I prepared to meet
my wolfish ft. Nor was I a mo
ment too soon, for one of the most
ventnrsome sprang upon the tongue
and had succeeded iu getting partly
upon the seat, when I delt him
some quick sharp blows that effect
ually silenced him. One of tlie foe
has "fallen, I thought, and if they
continue to come single handed I
can manage them ; but that did
not seem to be the programme, for
no sooner had one fallen than sever
al made a rush lor the gap which
had been widened by the first at
tack and through which they had
caught a glance of me. I fought
bravely, but soon "found it would
be impossible to hold out long
against such aids. Oh, will they
never come, I thought again and
again. My hands were bleeding
in several places, aud my strength
just exhausted, when 1 heard a
shout, the barking of dogs, and 1
knew I was saved. 1 hen all seem
ed a blank.
The next I remember, I was lying
on a bed in a neatly furnished room,
with my husband and Mrs. Allen
standing over me. They told me
that when rescued, I was lying in
the wagou in a swoon, and that the
exposure aud excitement had
brought on a fever, from which,
being possessed of a vigorous con
stitution, I was soon restored.
Should one of my readers charco
to pass along Salt creek, a short
distance west from Lincoln, he may
still see the little log cabin in which
i passed the remainder of my honey
moon. r A Well ox Kirk. A farmer
living fonr-and-a-half miles from
.Mattoon, Illinois, while boring a
.well in his dooryard, at the depth
of twenty feet , liberated a flow of
gas. A pipe was procured and in
serted in the well, projecting above
the ground several feet, and the
gas was ignited. For weeks the
flame produced from this pipe has
been plainly visible from Mattoon
at night. This gas is described as
pure hydrogen, almost without
smell, affording a bright light, and
giving out an intense heat. It ap
pears to be much better adapted to
heating and illuminating purposes
than that which 1 as been found in
the neighborhood of Buffalo. The
pipe placed in the well has a capac
ity ot 15,000 feet per day, and the
pressure of the gas is said by the
Siippriutendent of the Mattoon Gas
Works to be as great as in tho
mains in that city. The farmer
who owns the well proposes to
liirht and heat his house with the
gas which has been so unexpectedly
added to the products of his farm.
There are fifty lawyers in the
United States Senate.
It is reported that Carl Solium U the
paid Agent of the Prussian Govern
ment to secure to that government the
Island of Sen Domingo. Hence his bit
ter opposition to tit ii. Grant and Ills
policy nfnoiiulring that Island hy the
United Kates, Schiirz proves himself
to be the same infamous traitor to the
United States tlmt he formerly proved
to the ProssianGoveriiineut. A Tmit
or to hi very organization. A Trait
or to every goverumenfiind party that
admit- him to in protection or ranks;
and yet Missouri is to be mined for 4
years more with his infamies. Sueh i -some
of lite curses lwiipetl upoii Mis
souri by the Missouri JJz.ntKral. Mir
ror, H'heclnml Sb.
IMTOUT.VNT TO FlItK.MKJI.-'-Thc Fin
Jfcewtf, a new Illustrated quarto paper,
has just been issued by Frul. J". Miller,
dealer iu Fire Apjuiriitus and Supplies
of nil kinds, at 65 Wherry street. New
York. The paper is lull of interest
i'u-t nt this time, when v.e have all
iceii startled by the fearful ravages of
(Ire iu Chicago, and in Michigan and
Wisconsin, and is most timely in ftir
nlstuug very full and complete Infor
mation of Use in putting our means of
protection for property in the most
perfect condition against every emerg
ency. A list of remarkable conflagra
tions from that of the. destruction of
Home to Chicago. Notice is also given
the publication of the V'Vimwk'.s -n
d will lx- commenced o'n January 1st,
1S73. TIlU Vi c liK-mi will be mailed
to auv address for live cents.
Why I' a new bom balie like the re
lief of l.ncknow:' Because it U the
long expected sucker.
MiUd.M'.Ui . UlihiS AlAKiNti
MILLINERY. DRESS HUM,
LADIES' AKD CKILDREVS
FURNISHING HOUSE I
thf. uxnEKHusEti has opened a
X ii uw
,iew sio.-k of millinery rikvIs, trim
.a tftftlna' mid t'hflintnSi rni'iitshlniE
goods, of nil kin'!s,nf ihtt :a:cst aad u"t
fashionable stylos, which sbe Offer to Ine
belies of Albany and surrounding country
at the lowest me. ,ln,i!e
Dres MaJaag Eepartraent
I guarantee entire satisfaction. Charge
liberal.
SlECl7l7ffaES :
Clothing. -Always on hand, lalles'and
children' ready niaile under eiuiliiug,
cloaks, sacks, aprons, etc.
Brews Trimming. An extensive va
riety of silk, Willi, en ion and woolen
dress trfmniliiKS, always In store.
Cloaking. -ironey-omt,nstmelian and
water-proof ulotti, ti the uesi qualities.
Far, rie.-Ladies' and children's com
plete sots of furs and iwanduwn, of latest
style,
Chignon. latest styles constantly on
hand, at low figures.
JIIeIlineous.-l.tnln;;s and finding
of all grades and qualities, a full assort
ment. JACONETS. HVSUX8, KHnROIPERIES,
14APEK USES, Kill AND ALL
OT II K K VARIETIES OF
GLOVES, HOSK, ETC.
My determination bclrcr. to glvo pa'lsfnc
tloti in style and quality of work anj
prices, 1 ask a share of pulilie patronage.
Call at store
Opposite A. Carothers & Co.,
First street. Albany, Oregon.
MENIlKSHALL A GODLEY.
MHS. C C. Mkf.PKNHAM,.
SlItK. SAl'.AII O. GODLKY.
G3r" Agent for Mrs. Carpenter's Oil.E
Dlt.sTFli DKFHi Model. Xov. 4, 71-9v4
nun
PATENT GATE, ETC.
Self-Opening- and Self-Closing-
GATE.
PATENTED BY JOHN DICKASON,
June 4, 1SC7.
rrilE DATE 19 SO CONSTRUCTED That
1 when the vehicle approaches it Ihe
wheels on one side nam over a lover which
is connected to Ihe Kate hinge hy a rod,
thus ojieuinK the uatc before yon and fast
etiing it open. After going tbroncb, Ihe
carriage passes over a similar lever, also
connected wit h the gate hinge, causing the
gate, in Us rotation, to shut behind you
and fus'.cn.
No Getting Out of Tour Vehicle !
No Ralslug of Latches Nor Pulling
of Strings,
Eioept the "ribbons" of yonr team. It Is
often called
THE "LAZY MAN'S GATE,''
And a
"Dead Open and Shut."
This gate Is simple m Its construction,
hot h of iron and wood work, and not lllcoly
to get out of order. If a neat, cheap gate
Is desired, It may lie made light, wit h t hree
cross bars ol wood and one-fourth Inch
wire, neatly enrved at the top, the lower
end bid In the bottom bar, which is the
stylo of a factory made gate. The gates
arc now In practical use In several of Ihe
cou n t les around San Francisco, and plenty
of testimonials can bo given.
THOMAS j. 8AFF0RD,
Having purchased ihe
Right for Linn Co., Oregon,
Has now on hand, and will mannfactnre
he b0T doscrtbedgate.
been used it hau revived "e uneaten
comlums, as the large number of pertin
cates from prominent fanners In all ports
of the country, now In my hands, will
testify.
CARRIAGES AWD WAGONS,
Of AH Descriptions,
On band and manufactured to order,
niacksmltbing sad Repairing
none to order at most reasonable rates.
ShVfootof -rry stres)t,oppoite Beach,
Monteith A rm
Albany, Oct. SB, M7Wv
P. C. Harper Co.
59 3
p