22d.  The body of snow on the ground, and the continuance of cold, give quite a wintery aspect to the landscape.  In the course of the day, Mr. Ferry, Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. Stuart call.

23d.  S. Cold.

24th.  Wintery feeling and aspect.

25th.  The temperature still sinks.  Visits from Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Ferry, and Mr. Stuart.  Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Hulbert, Mr. Chapman, and Mr. Johnston spend the evening.

26th.  Drove, with Mr. Ferry, to Mr. Boyd’s, and thence to Mr. Davenport’s.

27th.  Ice still lingers in the harbor, but the day is clear and sunshiny, and the snow melts rapidly.  Visit the mission, and inquire into the effects of its government and discipline on the character of the boys, one or two of whom have been recently the subject of some scandals.  Accompanied in this visit by Mr. Hulbert, Mr. Stuart, and Mr. Mitchell.  Thomas Shepard, a mission boy, calls on me at an early hour, and states his contrition for his agency in any reports referred to.

28th.  Weather mild; snow melts; wind S.W.; some rain.

     With this evening’s setting sun,
     Years I number forty-one.

Visited the officers in the fort.  Rode out in my carriage in the evening, with Mrs. Schoolcraft, to see Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, and Mr. and Mrs. Ferry.  Satan’s emissaries appear to be busy in circulating scandal respecting our pastor, Mr. F., a person of high moral worth and probity.

To put these down effectively, it appears necessary to probe them to the bottom, and ascertain their length and breadth.  This was a duty of the eldership, and it could be thoroughly performed without fear, respecting a man of Mr. F.’s character.  It was necessary, I found, to unmask all the actors.  The scandal appears to be one originating with certain Metif boys of the Mission school.  One of these, it was averred, had looked through the key-hole of the common parlor door of the Mission house, and beheld the Rev. Mr. F. sitting near a Miss S., one of the assistant missionaries of the establishment.  The door was locked.  The hair of the young lady was dishevelled; her comb had fallen on the floor.  It was early in the morning.  Another boy was called to look; no change of position was observed—­nothing that was not respectful and proper.

This story was detailed, a night or two afterwards, by Thomas Shepard, one of the boys, at a drinking conclave in the village, where bon vivants, and some persons inimical to Mr. F. were present, and created high merriment.  From that den it was spread.  It appeared that Miss S. had, for some time, had doubts on the subject of her conversion, and sought a conversation with her pastor to resolve them.