WESTERN INCIDENTS. 53

fence during the night; and not unfrequently were the
guests of the house stopped in the middle of a meal
(while waiting, perhaps, for more warm cakes), by intelli-
gence from the waiter that the stove had just been thrown
out of the kitchen. Fortunately for us, however, Mrs.
Brownson’s stove was outside of the fence when we
arrived, and remained so during the following day,
Sunday.

But the condition of affairs about the hotel seemed
so unsettled and critical that Mr. Williams concluded
to cross over the river to Council Bluffs, during Sunday
afternoon, where he could enjoy that rest and quiet
which he so much needed after his long and fatiguing
journey ; and at the same time be prepared to take the
stage on Monday morning for Dennison, and there take
the cars of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, for
his home at Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In parting from Mr. Williams, I desire to say, that it
has never been my good fortune to spend so many weeks,
either socially or professionally, with a more agreeable
and intelligent gentleman and travelling companion; and
I hope he may live long to give the world the benefits
of his sound judgment, and professional skill and expe-
rience, in all matters connected with our great national
improvements, such as the Union Pacific Railroad, with
which he has been so long, and so honorably connected.