A SHORT ABSENCE.
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We were absent. on trip 10 CiarRs'iie,
Texas, when our last paper was issued,
and We arrived at home too late to give the
necessary attention to the present number;


but we trust to the indulgence of our readers


in this instance, in as much as we were
away on business, and from the fact that
we but seldom leave our post.


The distance between this place and
Clar,syille is about one hundred miles.


After leaving Hampstead, the road passes
through a desolatc region of country until
it comes upon Walnut Prairie, in the vicin-
ity of Lanesport. Here the land is rich,


but subject to overflow, and the prospect
fine. From this on, with the exception of
a large plantation at the Mill creek ferry,
the settlements are stew and lar between.
until suddenly emerging from the timber,
the Sulphur Fork Prairies burst upon the
view, and cause the dreariness of the road
YOU have travelled, and all the annoyances
and fatigue of the journey to be at once
forgotten. For miles. as far as the eye can
reach, the praries spread around you, in
tsrsected here and there by strips OF timber,
and rendered doubly charming and inter-
estingly variegated by herds Of fat cattle,
and waving lines of fencing and luxuriant
crops Frightening in the distance. Nor do
YOU find The good land here, as in most
parts of the world, confined TO particular or
circumscribed sections. Ifthe soil beneath
Your feet is as rich and productive as our
Mount Prairie or Ozan lands, you have
likewise the assurance that the last spot on
which your vision rests, across the exPan-
sive prospect before you, is equally as fertile.
We have seen lands perhaps as rich, but
never before in so large body. They are
truly republican, affording equal benefits
and blessings alike to all.


The appearance of Clarksville cores
ponds with the country around it, indicating
the spirit as well as the means Of improve
ment. As might be expected, from the
regency of its sediment, the town is yet
small. but evinces signs Of fprogressiveness
not to be mistaken. Its buildings, gener-
ally, are neat and tasteful, and some OF them
elegant. The people appear to have acted
upon Davy Crockett's motto-they are sure
they are right in the location oi their town,
and they are consequently determined to
90 ahead.


The District Court, the Hon. ]. L. Mills
presiding, was in session during our stay,
and numbers from the counties around were
in attendance. There was ability both on
the bench and at the bar, and the appear
ance and general demeanor of the people
were such as to produce highly favorable
impression upon the mind of a stranger.
Here we were in Texas, about whose fero
city we had heard so much; but where
were the drunken brawlers and bullying
ruffians always associated in the mind of an
eastern exquisite with the very name of
Texasl We saw none such in Clarksville,
and the moral spirit and intelligence of the
people assured us that for such it was no
suitable residence.


We were informed that there was an
excellent female school in town, and our
praise of the well.known and fourishing |
school in the neighborhood, conducted by |
the Rev. Mr.. Mckenzie, would be alto
gether supertiuous.


We would say, in conclusion, that we
consider Texas considerable country
that we deem Red River county and its |
District 'very hard to beat" and thai
Clarksville will, ere long, glitter like a star
upon her north eastern borders.