cabalistic inscription all along the roadside, and they twisted the
initials into a name for their State. It was a happy thought.

The capital of Wisconsin derived its present name from a curious
circumstance that occurred in the time of the mound-builders, hundreds
of years before MCFARLAND went there to live. An architect saved a
woman's life, at the risk of his own, from a savage attack of
bears,--which made her husband furiously jealous. When he came home from
his mound-building, and ascertained what had been done, he sharpened his
trowel and went for the destroyer of his happiness. A medicine-man,
observing his momentary frenzy, grappled with and threw him, crying to
the neighbors, "Mad! ice on!" Ice was applied to his scalp, and the life
of his benefactor was saved. Ever since, the place has been called
Madison.

Milwaukee received its name from an eminent red predecessor of the
pedestrian WESTON. This tremendous strider was called, in his melodious
native tongue, "MILE-WALKEE"--because, to the infinite delight of his
trainer, HOR. SCREELEY--he could make a mile in four minutes, without
breaking.

The name of Superior was quite obscure in its origin, and the solution
only yielded to the most persistent and patient inquiry. Even CHARLEVOIX
does not mention it. It seems that the Chippewas who inhabit the
Southwestern shore of the Lake were formerly more wretched than now--the
squaws more ragged, and the pappooses more Squalled; and when CARVER
came through he established a charity soup-house near the western
extremity. The beggarly braves flocked in with their gingerbread-colored
broods, and for months the benevolent sutler who was left in charge of
the establishment stood on a barrel-head and shouted daily to the