The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-12-31

| whistle the train goes out into the darkness.
-'.sixty FIVE rn1les % breakfast, we hungriIy
ponder-buf. no, We had not anticipated the
resources OF fertile brains. Lunch baskets
were opened and rival breakfasts spread. Our
| thoughtful housewives had forgotten nothing:
chicken fxins and cheese, rusk, sandwiches,
cake, crackers and goodies innumerable, were
spread before our astonished eyes. ''If we on
1 ly had some Coffee" whispers Ego, but the
wish is anticipated, for the aforesaid hardware
dealers are staggering down the aisle. bearing
aloft nondescript vessel which might be wor-
SHIPPED without violation, OF the dccalogue, for
it resembles nothing in the heavens above or
the earth beneath. Surrounded by shining
satellites of tin cups, it dispenses to the right
and LEFT the most delicious coffee, ali creamed
and sugared. All, that explains the early foot
step, and we suspect our friend Thomas, of the
Madison, who sits there looking so happily I'M
conscious, had hand in its preparation
Breakfast is scarcely over ere the mysterious
depths of the great coat pockets begin to dis
gorge apples and confectionery for dessert-but
meanwhile the train has been rushing on, and
the warning whistle gives notice of our arrival
somewhere, and the brakeman sings out
"Amerieus.". The sleeping denizens of that
remarkable city are in blissful ignorance of our
coming Our reporter goes out on the back
steps to take notes, but reports that he doesn't
see A-1aert-cus,' and on we go.
Council Grove is reached and passed before
we know it. and the prairies beyond arc just
becoming visible in the gray of the early morn
ing, when cry Of ''bufralol 7" is heard from the
sentinel at the rear door, and general rush is
made 10 see the wonder. 1'Not there! On the
other side," and another rush; windows are
thrown Hp and heads projected, but it is too
late; they have disappeared, and Foote, Dam
ford and the DIR. are smiling out Of the back
window at something behind US on the track.
A sudden turn. and Junction City is in sight.
a few more revolutions OF the wheels and we
are there, and the car is cmptied of its jolly
freight. Expected omnibuses are non est, an
hour ahead of time we subsequently learn)
-and after moment Of blank astonishment, we
accept the situation, and forming in double
file, ''gents to the right" begin the ascent.
Half way up we meet the hacks that have been
hurried down on hearing the arrival of the
train, greet them smIlingly and pass on. Fill
ing up the long street, We are met on the steps
of the Hale House by the gentIemanly propri-
etor. and soon find ourselves in a comfortable
parlor by a cracking fire. Dispensing to rooms
we finish the toilettes began In Emporia five
hours ago, and prepare for breakfast, which is
tiful.
Reassembl'ng in the parlor, there is an in-
terrogation point in every eye, and the great
question of life, "what neXtr' is propounded.
A trip to Fit. Riley, of course, and the mascu-
line element disappear as If by magic. Soon a
row of liveres are drawn up in front of the
hotel Everything in the way of such estab-
lishments is brought into requisition, and then
the accommodations are insufficient. Generous
citizens tenser their private carriages, all are
equipped, and we arc ''up and awa.'''
oh, that we could paint for you the picture
that is ours forever more-the fairy scene that
every coming Christmas in life will bring back
in all its freshness and beauty. On the brink
of the hill just outside OF town we instructive
ly draw rein, and pause to gaze on the beanti-
full scene below US. Far down at our feet the
Republican winds through the valley on its
way to join the Smoky Hill. On the hither
side the arrowy track of the railroad points
southwark, and from the smoke stack Of our
engine the blue wreaths curl upward and melt
in the still, frosty air. Beyond stretch away
the everlasting hills, their steep sides and even
margins seeming as if fashioned by the hand of
art, their deep gorges in the shadow, and their
shining tops flushed and sparkling i'll the glory
of the morning sun. oh! thou beautiful
Christmas, thou day Of days that gave to us
Christ our Redeemer, it is meet that the smile
of the Father should thus hallow and perfect
thee. Back roll the shadowy years and the
misty centuries, our feet stand on Judea's hills,
and the tenderness of the ever loving Saviour
shines down into our hearts with the mute
questioning "Lovest thou me?'' Earth is in
deed fair, but oh thou glorious, eIoudIcss sky.
bending so lovingly over our heads, beyond
your blue depths is there not heaven?
The hoofs OF our horses spurn the smooth
road, and fly away over bill and valley. The
river is passed, the city grows dim in the dis
tlnce, and FIT. Riley looks down upon us from
her stronghold amid the hills. Groups of SOL
diers are busy here and there and long line
OF them on horseback are returning from the
river. The horses feel the inspiration of the
morning, and the riders have much ado to make
them preserve military respect, as we drive up
the steep entrance to the fort. On one side are
rows of mounted cannon, long unused, their
covers weather beaten, and the snow drifted
about their wheels; on the other long and SUBJ
stantial looking stables. A few rods farther
and we are in the center Of an ellipse, ON either
end of which are the officers quarters, and on
the sides the barracks for the soldiers nearly all
built of the creamy colored stone for which this
-ON"iA1! - ~ justly A"InouH' DeSonu' dcIoSs
deep wooded gorge, are coy looking houses,
surrounded by trees and shrubbery, residences
of the Government officials. How high up we
seem! Emporia, AS we recall it, lies far below
us. But beyond the Fort is a higher point,
and we are ambitious to reach it, so we drive
on, past the outer sentinel pacing patiently on
his beat, and dash away, reach Lookout Point,
and turn to see the whole scene reduplicated,
with the city in the blue distance,
Perhaps we didn't get intoxicated and jubi-
liant over the scene, and wild with delight.
Perhaps we didn't race horses on the return
trip. Ask TIGER; don't ask Nc. One more
''point Of some interest," as Prof. N. would
say-the junction City marble quarries whence
has sprung our beautiful State Capitol, and
then-back to the warm parlors, to re-enjoy the
whole. The piano, under the nimble fingers of