The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-09-11
WHOLE NO 1915

mountain goats, and up and up ] went, thi lugh
the driving rain through the binding flashes OF
lightning and pealng thunders, the rugged
path wet and slippery, until grew weary in my
struggles to keep sure foot-hold, and felt that
to ascend farther was almost impossible but
dimly recognizing the scenes that would open
up to me II succeeded in reaching the top
nerved myself to the task, and on and up
went, painting and almost breathless, until l
found myself stranglng in the heavy water
clouds that closely hugged the side OF the noun
tain. To cease effort would precipitata me to
the base OF the mountain mangled corpse to
take another step upward seemed beyond nv
strength. Sensations Of drowning were fast
becoming overwhelming, and realizing my fear
ful position, there was a moment OF confused
despair when the heart gave one mighty ejacu-
latory PRAYER, 40, God save me " and can
not tell howl vent up like sn eaglo- ON the
wing, soon emerging into the clear sunlight.
my feet resting safely on the top Of tho noun
tain.
The wonderful scenes that met my eager eyes
were too vast and varled TO be comprehended
ID the first far-sweeping glance ] gave. but
each feature presented itself my whole being
gave silent thanks to God that was granted to
look upon that which is so seldom seen BY
human eyes, No pen picture can do the scenes
adequate Justice.
An area OF ground no larger than tho roof OF
Cathedral stood above the cloude, while all
around, and reaching of into distance, lay
sea OF rarifed undulating water. The summit
ridge of the Sierra Nevada mountains lay high
along the eastern horizon, presenting dark,
sulsy-lool,ipg background which threw out in
bold relief the dancing spray cast mp by the
bursting thunder, TO qulver and to catch the
rainbow colors. aud play. and toy moment
with the sunbeams len sink giving place to
others. On every slue thin. wh,te clouds here
and there would rise like curli.. smoke and be
hurled hther and thther. evolving INTO every
conceivab fantastic form while as often as
the lightning rent the heavier clouds, countless
balls Of faint light sprang up to trembie mo-
ment mid heaven and vanish quickly succeed
ed by innumerable minute glo5ules OF water,
catching the rays Of the sun, shining, sparkling,
dazzling gems Of exquisite perfection, poising
themselves a moment in air, and an quickly
sinking to be los in the ocean OF clouds.
The near. reverberatiDg thunder Jared the
mountain upon which stood from summit TO
base the thn rare ocean Of water ctced and
whirled az the heavier clouds lifted themselves
over the tops of mountains, OF sunk into canon
or deep gorge, forming in my immediate vicin-
ity fearful whirlpool, and 10 the far distance
the points Of high mountains iutting above the
clouds presented far simlle of the Grecian
Archipelago. All around and ben III the angry.
contending elements rushed AM roared in the
widest confusion, while above. the suu rode in
calm high majesty, together and presenting
grouping a scene of terrific grandue, and ex-
ceeding beauty.
For an hour l drank at this n il treat, then,
as the mighty storm moved Oh towards the
Sacramento Valley well satisfied, returned by
less PERCEPTIONS path homeward.