The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-09-11

q letter from this beautifui country Of wa
ter-falIs and lakes might possibly be &C
ceptable 70 some OK your readers In our
'sdry and thirsty land, have concluded
to attempt description Of some Of its beau
ties, as viewed through the eyes Of one to
whom nature speaks as God. Prom ny seat
Under this spreading tree, in the grounds'Of
Park Place, varied and extensive prospect
meets the gaze, and around me on every
hand, the pomp and glory Of late summer
time Is displayed The grass Is still Wv
idly green and luxuriant, the trees and
shrubs wear all the bravery Of their gala
summer dress, and there IS not yet hint Of
autumn, in the soft, sweet air. Across the
Father Of Waters (Which at this point Is
scarcely larger than our own Colorado) can
be seen stretches Of sloping wooded hills,
baking IN the sunshine Of this peaceful
Sabbath day. Church spires rise IN every
direction, and the spirit Of rest seems the
guardian angel Of the universe. Being a
stranger, in q strange land, inanimate crea-
ton has for me a greater sympathy and at
traction than the animated world of men
aud women. Rivers, lakes, mountains and
valleys speak the same Impressive, truthful
language, wherever they may be. What
they say one may believe, for they are liv-
ing poems, whose earnestness none can ques-
ton, and appeal more directly TO the good
within us, than all the learned discussions,
scientific discoveries, logical Arguments,
and flowers Of oratory that the student of
divinity dispenses from the pulpit. Have
you not found it sol But this is a long
preface TO letter, and I must beg
your pardon for thus daIlying by the way
women are proveFBial, you know, for their
difficulty in '1starting OF, rand lam not an
exception tony sex. fa trfgH
st. Paul is a beautiful city situated in
the midst Of the most romantic and diversi-
fed country that can be imagined. On one
side flows the great Mississippi, here quiet
and innocent as a sleeping child, and the
water is as clear as q mountain trout stream.
Wooded hills surround the city and tiny
rivulets of limpid water flash in all direc-
tons through the green openings and
vistas Of shade. What wonders of fairy-like
hooks, glens and glades meet the eye on
every sidel This is surely the land Of cas-
cades, fountains, lakes and all the beautiful
forms that the crystal element can assume,
and who can positively assert that this wild
and FeFdant region is not peOpled by wood
and water nymphs as bewitehingly lovely
as any classic Greece could boast in the dim
old heather days Of gods and gOddesses2
One bright, breezy morning, not many
days ago. the little Hunter and myself left
the hotel in a carriage 20 make the rounds
and see all the beauties and marvels of this
favored part of creation. We drove along the
banks Of the Mississippi for few miles, get
ting out at various turns in the winding road
to see choice bits Of landscape. We stopped
first at little fairy-like waterfall called the
Bridal Veil" which really seemed like
some filmy, silvery- looking fabric, hanging
from the cliffs--so slender and airy were the
tiny streams That formed it. We again
halted at the chalybeate spring, not far
from Minneapolis, and were greeted by sew
eral barefooted, untidy little cupbearers,
who were anything but Hebes in their APP
pearance, and clamorcus for Us to use their
cups-of course expecting some remunera-
ton for the privilege. We were completely
surrounded by these little female outlaws,
and only escaped by drinking the water
until We were uncomfortable, and distrib-
uting half dollar, IN ten-cent greenbacks,
among them. These springs are strongly
impregnated with iron, and the rocks from
which they fall are colored dark rusty red.
The little Hunter, who is remarkably in
credulous and doubtful Of his fellow-crea-
lures, suggested that these live Yankees
freshly painted the rocks every night, to i'm
pose upon confding tourists; but have more
confidence in human nature than that.
From the springs we went to the Silver
Cascade, which IS q graceful and beautiful
waterfall clear and silvery; and in a few
moments we were crossing the bridge be-
tween East and West Minneapolis-this is a
large h0urishing town, about eight miles
from st. Paul and there is considerable
rivalry between the places-but think
Minneapolis rather has the advantage, as the
water power from the Falls of st. Anthony
Is Immense, and the lumber mills, manu-
factories etc, arc very extensive. We
went down into the manufacturing part of
the town, among the mills, and had fine
view Of the great falls which turn so many
wheels. twas a busy noisy place, and above
all other sounds could be heard the rushing
and roaring Of the water, as it dashed
madly over the rocks-its foaning volume
looking yellow with the sawdust from the
mills To prevent the wearing away of the
rock by the force Of the stream, they have
put in what is called an apron on the falls,
thus breaking the force Of the water, and
claiming It TO do their bidding. It seemed
70 me great indignity thus to hamper the
Father Of Waters" by putting misera-
bic, contemplate beard apron on him, but
when people want to make money, all the
poetry is necessarily taken ont of them.
After riding through Minneapolis, and adj
mirinQ the beautiful and tasteful residences,
grounds, etc. we turned our horses heads
towards the fnr-famed Falls Of "AIinne-
haha.n Our route was most Of the way over
4 smooth prairie, and In a short time we
were absorbed in the contemplation Of that
pearl Of water falls so immortalized by
LongfeIlow. Il is Just here that covet
the "pen of a ready writer, to draw a
hfe-picture Of this perfect gem Of ma
ture, flashing, dancing, singing and
laughing, like q thing Of life, in its
setting Of vcrdant trees and shrubs. There
Is nothing magnificent or imposing about
this enchanting waterfall. But what words
can describe is exquisite lovelinessl I'm
agine q little stream as clear as our San Mar
COS, chatterlng and singing over the rocks,
until all at once il falls, in q cloud OF airy
foam-Wreaths and floating spray, down,
down into the green dell below, where mimic
rainhows chase each other Though the sill.
very mist, which seems the breath Of this
fairy waterfall Standing IN this sylvan glen
you can almost believe you have left the &C
tual world Of facts behind and have been
transported into some realm Of cnchant
mont. 1linnehaha, IN a burst Of musical
merEimont, PUSHES over the cliffs above,
scattering showers of diamonds and pearls
eferguh here. and freshcning the Wild flower
and grass. until they glow With deeper col
orin0 Tho trees aud shrubbery Of this
lovely glen are Of the most vivid green,
and an manner 81 ferns climbing vines
aad telFcly moses, and sweet creeping
plants cling % tAe dcWy rocks and sides
81 he raTines below The fan, you seem L
bo nnw born world fun 81 freshness
vcrduEc, sofa shadows. mellowcd sanshincs
ard TIE misty bresth 81 falling waters tn,
folieEo = s. dense there that Che very sun
alma seems cool. a. L drifts down from ths
1llupzcs Of deep blno sky, through the vivid
and tender green Of the leaves. Looking
around, yoa almost expect b sec the stat
wan figure Of HiSWafha, leading by %,
hand I5nnehahA. Laughing Waler. from
the door 81 .he s.ancicnt arrow makers