The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-09-03
FLOR the Advanced
VACATION NOTES.


age daily, attendance, tho averagen1um-
Der belonging, and the hundred other
statistics which completed our annual|
report Of the school-room ;;sapassed it
over to. the proper official, piled up the
books, turned the key in the book case;
and with tired hands and an aching
head, turned our back upon the school,
room, thankful for the rest which the
months of work gave me the right to
anticipate. None but. they who have
stood in similar place can know how |
at such time the he.srt naturally longs
for the country; how the tired nerves
and wearied brain cry out, for change.
Nothing seems so fitted to recuperate
as the peace and quiet which the coun-
try brings. Therefore we turned from
the great city, assured that not only
green fields in nature, would welcome
us, but friends of long ago had hidden
us, and made us feel that an interest
had out-lived years of separation. This,
of itself, was an inspiration, and before
entered upon bespoke the needed rest.
On we rushed through WISCONSIN, fol-
lowing the Mississippi River to St. Paul,
then to the Falls of Minnehalla, which
from childhood we have held in antici-
patton. The poet has lent so much TO-
nance to this. locality that we were
prepared to be enchanted, and were not
disappointed. Truly it is
Laughing water,
Cleaning, glanciaI through the branches"
and they
Flash and CLEAN among the oak trees,
Laugh and leap into the valley"
forming an exquisite pattern of lace
work more beautiful than any bridal
veil. Here we began to experience the
freshness of Minnesota atmosphere, and
felt that thereI was Healing in it's
wings' The coy little sitting room
of the hotel, with it's neat but primitive
air, invited me more cordially than
words could have done, to remain. Had
not friends beyond called me, we should
haye said, let this be our Summer re-
treat. Our next stop was at Minneap-
oils, and the Falls of st. Anthony, in
the mighty q Father Of Waters" This
sulging, boiling, rolling, tumbling
MASS, surrounded rs it was with manu-
factories, impressed me with sense of
its utility, Niunehaha in her beauty
rested me. St. Anthony in his grand
car soon tired ; but gave me Il feeling
of pride that thinking Americans, by
applying brain power, could thus turn
such a force to the use of man.
The engine whistled, and we were on
our way back to St. Paul, feeling a
sense of intoxication from the invigor-
ating air. AS we surrounded Fort
Smelling OH the river, the American flag
with it's colors of purity, sacrifice, and
loyalty, flashed in the sunlight, and
seemed to wave to us goodbye. The
bluffs on the river are many Of them
abrupt and high but, to a New Eng
land girl, did not seem so remarkable us
we had expected. The twilight hour
brought to us the most beautiful sunset
view we have ever seen. From horizon
to zenith the brilliancy was reflected,
and the thousand gilded points and
pinnacles seemed to bring the city of
gold very near. While we we're in the
midst Of this splendor, there came to
me q new revelation, and one we can
never lose the influence Of. BY the road
side was stagnant pool--the only sew
erage of the hut of poverty-yet on the
surface was reflected as brilliant colors
us from the sky ITSELF; and we seemed
to see in it picture of redemption.
When the light Of Gods love shines
into the vile places of earth, and pene-
trates them, it reflects Ills image.
Would that His children might thus
always reflect God s light in their hearts
and lives
The midnight hour brought us to our
friends in Worthington. On the NOR.
row we were introduced to the most
extensive prairie it has ever been our
privilege to see. Such sweep of Wis.
ion as to lead one, first, to exclaim,
How large the world is and, secondly,
to think-"And what am I then ~
but an atom midst immensity.''
I Through the Kindness of friends we
were furnished with horse and carriage,
and rode 1T will all about what seemed
to us Gods Conservatory. The prairie
literally rejoiced aud blossomed as the
rose. Many flowers which we have
been wont to cultivate, here grow wild,
and were ours only for the picking,
making me feel that into our lives had
come the gladness which the prophet
has said should come to the solitary
place, making it "rejoice even with joy
and singing" Other days gave us WIS.,
ions of golden harvest, and brought to
me an imaginative picture of the sweet
cleaner of Israel, in the time of barley
harvest Surely with the hope of the
future, these people as they see their
broad lands laughing with the harvest,
must feel that to them is given the in
herltance of a "land flowing with milk
and honey" The pretty little lake,
but few yards from our window, las
given us many pleasant hours in these
weeks, delighting the senses by it's
80. :-1A