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"If you wish that I should act a part, and yet so altogether amusing, that for the first if that will restore comfort to our household, time for a long while she laughed aloud, why should I not do it? I will act towards completely forgetting her rôle of housekeepyou exactly as I did in the theater." This er, and cried: "Shame on you, Emil. What he murmured, one morning, while drawing affectation! You act like a coxcomb." on his white stockings, reaching to the knee, and by the time he had descended to breakfast he was firmly resolved to try the effect of his new idea.

Hortense, to her astonishment, found him as gallant, as tender, as amiable in behavior, towards her, as he had been towards the ladies upon the stage.

"Did you sleep well, my angel?" he whispered with ardent gaze, and giving her an artificial kiss. "Oh, that rejoices me. It lightens my heart to hear you say so," and Emil pursed his lips, and gracefully inserted his hand in the arm-hole of his waistcoat. "How brilliant you look, how youthful and beautiful, just as if you were made for kissing; the gods never created a more beautiful woman; no, not Juno, not Venus, could compare with you," and then Emil threw her an enraptured kiss.

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"May I pour you a little cup of coffee, loved one? Some milk, little lamb? small lump of sugar, little wife? Will you have a morsel of bread, beloved Hortense? Ah, the footstool! How could I forget the footstool!" and my grandfather skipped like a roebuck across the room to bring a footstool for his Hortense.

His wife was unspeakably surprised; she did not know how to interpret her husband's behavior; directed towards herself it seemed so peculiar, so unnatural and artificial,

"You would have it so," replied Herr Emil; "you wanted me to be so, and because I was not, you have kept me in hot water all this while. Now, you have your wish."

"Oh, you look like a well-trained dancingscholar," cried my grandmother, still laughing; "it does not suit you at all to act so."

Suddenly, to my grandfather's great discomposure, for he was apprehensive of an unfortunate termination to the affair, she flushed a deep red, and for several seconds sat speechless, showing great agitation; then she rose, and throwing herself on her husband's breast, sobbed out: "I have done wrong. You come before me like a mere lad, like a monkey. I was wrong; now I know that you always loved me. Your lovemaking on the stage was acting, empty acting, only a spectacle. Let my folly be forgotten, Emil. Forgive me. Now, I know you love me."

As if by magic, everything was changed in Emil's household; as if, after a month of rainy days, the sun shone brightly again. My grandmother's curls rippled forth in their old fashion, almost down to her eyes; her waist-girdle was in its old position; my grandfather relished his morning coffee, his rice and milk at noon, and the pipe again in the evening. But never again did he take part in a play; at least, not in one written by the unfortunate Kotzebue.

Eva V. Carlin.

UP SNAKE RIVER.

ON former geographical maps of Oregon, the main affluent of the Columbia River is designated as the "Shoshone or Snake River." The latter name is now in general use. Snake River, at its point of debouching into the Columbia, is very nearly as large as the river it joins, and swells into noble volume.

Rising in the Rocky Mountains, it wends its way north and west until it loses its identity in union with slightly superior waters. It is navigable, except in short periods of very low water, to Lewiston. Steamboats have ascended at high stages of water about seventy miles farther up, but with so much difficulty

and danger, that regular traffic above Lewiston has never been successfully established. Steamboat navigation on the upper Columbia was begun in April, 1859. During this year, regular trips were made between Des Chutes, fifteen miles above the Dalles, and Wallula; and an exploring trip was undertaken up the Columbia, to Priest's Rapids-the head of continuous navigation on the river. Priest's Rapids are totally impassable for any kind of boats, and are succeeded at short intervals by other rapids, until Fort Colville is reached, when a long reach of clear water intervenes, and a steamboat plies thereon.

Up to 1860 the character of Snake River was wholly unknown. No white man had ever passed up and down it. The information obtained from Indian sources was exceedingly meagre. But few of them pretended to any information or knowledge whatever. Those who did, simply held up their hands and exclaimed, “O! hias skoo kum chuck," meaning, tremendous strong water. Translation of their idiom may be so elastic as to include, in the sense of the above expression, anything from a strong rapid to a perpendicular fall. It was learned afterward that, short of perpendicularity, the terrible rapids, which are numerous, justified the Indian description.

In 1860, rumors of gold discoveries on the Clearwater River, and in the northern part of Idaho Territory, attracted universal attention-and many prospectors wended their way thither. The route of travel was from Walla Walla overland to the mouth of the Clearwater River, and thence up the valley of that stream into the gold bearing country. Mining camps sprang up with magical celerity, principal among them being the towns of Oro Fino and Florence. The diggings were a success, and other places were quickly found, extending over and opening up a large range of territory.

Early in the spring of 1860, the steamer "Colonel Wright" was employed by the Army Quartermaster at Fort Walla Walla, to try and ascend Snake River, as high as the mouth of the Palouse River, this being on

the direct line of road from Walla Walla to Fort Colville. Over this land route, army supplies for Fort Colville are transported on wagons. If the steamboat could reach the mouth of Palouse River, a long haul of wagon transportation could be dispensed with. Loaded with commissary stores, the steamer attempted and succeeded, and from this time on, a commercial depot was maintained at the mouth of the Palouse.

When, later, the news of gold was bruited, the problem of further ascending Snake Riv er was discussed. It was known that the river came through the Blue Mountains; and it was said that insuperable obstacles existed there; but the authority for this assertion could not be ascertained. In short, no information, definite or otherwise, of the river above Palouse could be acquired. It was plainly to be seen, however, that a formidable rapid was located in the river just above, and within sight of the Palouse, which was declared to be impassable-but which was not so regarded by Captain White, who was anxious to try it.

But beyond that-what?

One of the owners of the "Colonel Wright," having faith in the power of steam and the ingenuity of man, communicated his ideas to Mr. Seth Slater, an enterprising resident of Portland, who, becoming convinced that the introduction of a cargo of provisions and mining supplies into the new gold fields would prove a bonanza, agreed to risk a large shipment upon terms that would be remunerative to the boat in the event of success. Arrangements were therefore speedily consummated—and in June, 1860, the attempt to find the eastern slope of the Blue Mountains by water was undertaken.

In addition to the want of knowledge of the navigation, the question of fuel was important. It was known that no timber grew in the region to be explored. Unless the boat could carry from Wallula wood for the entire trip, driftwood alone, which might or might not be found upon the banks of the river—was all that could be depended upon. Of this drift the boat had a limited amount at a few points in Snake River below Palouse. Obvi

ously, the principal loading of the boat on an exploring trip must be wood for fire.

After the details of the undertaking had been determined, the writer was accorded the privilege of being a guest for the tripthe novelties of which proved fascinating to an extraordinary degree. The beauty and grandeur of the scenery, the sense of exploration and discovery, the excitement of danger, the companionship of dear friends, and the comforts of a cozy steamboat-all combined to render this trip one of the memorable events of a lifetime.

When it started from Des Chutes, the boat was full to overflowing with freight and passengers. Most of the voyagers were bound for the diggings, and mining talk-sluices and long toms, rockers and fans, pay gravel and bed-rock-was to be heard on all sides. These passengers were to be disembarked at Wallula, although nearly all desired to continue on, and share the fortunes of the boat. But the captain would undertake no further responsibility than the contract already existing with Slater.

The voyage to Wallula was without particular incident. One eccentric passenger was bound for the "Indian country," wherein he proposed to locate and seek his fortune, dime novel fashion, by trade and traffic with the aborigines. His sole stock in trade, how ever, consisted of a curious and gorgeous coat, apparently constructed of the skins of birds, feathers out. In this coat he strutted about with evident pride, notwithstanding he was greatly annoyed by the remarks and criticisms of his fellow-passengers. Becoming, at length, thoroughly exasperated by the jeers of others, he demanded of the captain that he should be landed then and there, although we were not within fifty miles of human habitation. Contrary to the advice of the captain, he persisted in severing his acquaintance and connection with white people and civilization, and the last we saw of him was the gleam of his feather coat of many colors, as he strode vigorously away from the river into the open plain.

On arrival at Wallula, passengers and freight were soon landed, and the boat pre

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pared for a continuation of her trip into unknown and unexplored regions, by taking on a prodigious amount of fuel, for this was to be the chief landing from here on.

We found here quite a number of downward bound passengers, waiting the arrival of the steamer. A few of them cheerfully accepted an invitation from Captain White to make the trip with him up the river, as they must necessarily await his return to go below. Among them was a distinguished jurist of Washington Territory, whose genial smiles and winning ways were fully recognized as contributing largely to the hilarity and enjoyment of the trip. In this article I will designate him by the title of Judge, as he was then, and is now, in fact, universally known.

His bright eyes and silver hairs are noticeable on the streets of even so great a metropolis as the city of Portland.

After we entered Snake River, the voyage was uninterrupted until we arrived at an island, upon which an enormous tree had lodged during some former period of high water. This tree the Captain determined to add to his stock of fuel. We landed, and a liberal supply of axes-kept for this purpose -was distributed among the crew and volunteering passengers. Upon disturbing the trunk of the tree, in its bed, a nest of rattlesnakes was found, and thereupon a vicious war was begun. The snakes were routed, horse, foot, and dragoons. About a dozen were killed. Two, especially, were of enormous size.

Arrived at Palouse, we saw that an enterprising citizen had just established and got into operation a rope ferry across Snake River. Further passage up was consequently barred by a wire cable, swinging barely above the current in the middle of the river-far too low to pass under. The ferryman insisted that it was quite impossible for the boat to proceed further up the river anyway, on account of rapids of which he professed to have certain knowledge. In this I think he simply erred in judgment—although his opinion was undeniably liable to be warped. by the fact that if upper navigation was assured, his ferry would be ruined.

It was, however, decided to try and pass, without detriment to the ferry if possible, by slacking up the shore end of the wire cable, until the middle part should sink sufficiently for the steamer to pass over it. Forked poles were used on each side of the boat by men who pressed the cable down while the boat passed over. But, unfortunately, the projecting stern wheel of the steamer, being beyond the benefit of the forks, caught the cable, and snapped it like a pipe-stem. Thus the Palouse ferry came to a sudden and violent end. It was never reestablished.

After we had passed the ferry, the Palouse Rapids confronted us with appalling vigor. The water was in such immense volume, and ran with such fearful velocity, that its surface appeared to be as smooth as glass. The slightest disturbance of this placidity was to the Captain a warning of rocks submerged, and to be avoided. The steamer in the strong, smooth water seemed like a skater on glare ice, skimming over its glassy surface. The least turn of the rudder sent her hither and thither, from one side to the other, as desired-in any direction except ahead. Evidently, the ascent could only be accomplished by the development of a stronger power.

On board, the tide of speculation was at high water mark among the passengers. Some knew she never could go over. Others had more confidence. Numerous bets were offered and taken, the majority of them requiring the presence of the steward to finally liquidate.

To accurately determine whether we were making headway or not, we would get a range of the objects on shore, ourselves making the third point in the line of observation. Often for many minutes no forward move ment could be discovered, the steamer meanwhile quivering and belching forth showers of sparks and clouds of smoke and steam, when suddenly and without apparent cause, she would shoot ahead a few feet. A slight change of position, and she would again advance; and thus inch by inch, for about two hours, we climbed up the smooth hill of water, until the summit was attained and the first difficulty vanquished.

At the head of the rapids on the right hand side, we beheld the remains of Fort Taylor, a small earth embankment with a single cabin remaining, and a solitary soldier on guard. He waved his hat as we passed by. A few miles with but a single point of strong water, easily overcome, brought us within sight and hearing of a cascade, which was at once declared to be a question of the stoppage or continuance of the voyage.

The water seemed broken, and tumbling over rocks, the entire distance across the river. In appearance it much resembled Priest's Rapids on the Columbia. The head and foot of the rapids were sharply defined, showing in the interval a distinct fall. The river was here very wide, consequently shallow.

Cautiously the captain approached, selecting the most favorable place; but every advance was rudely repulsed by the overpowering current. An hour was spent in trying to find a vulnerable spot, on the one side, in the middle, and on the other, but without success. Finally, the captain decided to warp over, by a cable to be taken above in a small boat, and made fast at the upper end to a projecting rock on shore, the lower end to be brought on board the steamer, and hauled in by the capstan.

The purser volunteered to take the small boat and cable over, which he and his crew accomplished by hauling and towing along the bank. Having made fast the upper end, the purser and two men descended in the small boat, paying out the line as they dropped down, and bringing the end of the cable on board. This difficult and dangerous feat won hearty applause from all on board.

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The cable being taken around the capstan, the slack was hove in with a song. prow of the boat was forced into the foaming and boiling waters, which often dashed over the forward deck, as if protesting against an intrusion into their domain.

Meanwhile a stiff breeze was observed coming up the river. The "Colonel Wright" was fitted up with a mast, which carried a huge square sail. As the favorable wind reached us, the sail was hoisted, and its effect was wonderful. It supplied the lacking

quota of power, and immediately the boat like a troop of cavalry, in line, one a little in forged ahead, even faster than the cable advance, as if the leader. Getting within a could be hauled in. The slack of the cable, short distance we sounded the steam whistle accumulating, was soon flowing alongside. for their edification, whereupon they turned Presently it became entangled with the stern and raced up the mountain side, headed by wheel, and was picked up and wound around their leader, until, having attained a safe disNothwithstanding, the boat, propelled tance, they stopped for another inspection of by steam and sail, still kept up her headway, the unknown. During the afternoon we and finally rushed over the summit as if be- passed several bands of horses, which uniwitched. The sail lowered and a landing formly developed the instinct of curiositymade, an hour was consumed in cutting the some even following us along the bank as far cable off the wheel. as they were able.

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Up to this place the river had been flowing through a country of high hills and plateaus, seemingly cutting through an irregularly elevated table land. In front of us now appeared the high, smoothly rounded, grass-topped hills, known as the northerly spur of the Blue Mountains. The valley of the river was perceptibly narrowing, hemmed in by the towering heights. No timber nor foliage was to be seen, but the land was covered from the water's edge to the mountain top, with the luxuriant and nutritious bunch grass.

From the head of the Texas Rapids-as the Captain named the cataract we had just climbed over the river appeared smooth and serene, quietly rolling between grassy banks, and apparently incapable of such turbulent motion as displayed at Texas Rapids.

Since leaving Wallula we had seen no Indians, but a short distance brought us within sight of an encampment, which seemed almost patriarchal in its surroundings-deerskin lodges situated beside a trickling brook, canoes and fish-nets upon the bank, and a herd of horses browsing upon the hill side; while the Indians themselves slyly peeped out at us from within or behind their tents. The Indians universally abhor being detected in betraying any curiosity, and while they keenly inspect, they do so with an assumption of utter indifference.

Not so the horses. They were deeply astonished, and admitted it frankly. In this band were probably about forty. As we came puffing up the river, the horses galloped snorting and snuffing down to the bank, heads and tails erect, and ranged themselves

While the river was calm and placid, there was still a strong current to contend with, and our progress was correspondingly slow. At one place, where there was quite a stretch of bottom land on the north side, with a bold bank, and good water close up, we overtook a party of mounted Indians. Riding alongside, we soon discovered that they were engaged in ascertaining the speed of the boat. First they would walk their horses, then trot, and then with a gallop complete all points of comparison. Their experiments amused us for several miles, and until a bluff point shut them out from our view.

We were now fairly in the heart of the Blue Mountains, which closed in abruptly to the river. Their tops towered above us almost perpendicularly. Sitting in the cabin at the supper table, and looking out of the transom windows of the upper deck, we could see no sky. One could easily imagine himself upon a mountain lake, so tranquil were the waters, so dreamily soft and blue the atmosphere, and at every point the scenery, beautiful and imposing beyond description, while varying like the views in a kaleidoscope.

The Judge had on a former occasion visited the Lapwai Indian Reservation in an of ficial character-going overland from Walla Walla, and crossing Snake River by ferry at El Powaway. As he was the only person on board who had ever seen the river east of the Blue Mountains, his views and opinions of our final success were deemed to be of superior importance. After he became aware of this fact, he was not backward in ventilating the same, making many observations

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