The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-11-06

/ ulu'c hNS UFptu WIN me Iiy VI INV SctlIuG
sun, and each wet leat rejecting the sunlight
added further beauty to the lovely scene.
| ST. Paul 10 u rather pretty city, with a popu
lation of about 30 30 But although aspir.
| ing to metropolitan greatness, itstil possesses
many of the characteristics Of Il country town
After putting up at the Metropolitan Hotel,
| asked the clerk if there was thcalcr in
town. NO ANY opera:' No Mig.
yer MINISTRIES =" NO" We'll, what is
there Nothing" In disgust retired to
my room and tried to kill time by reading
very stale Jokes in the Editors Drawer" OF
a very old Harper. The Metropolitan Hotel
is very good one. In the elegance OF apart
mcntS IL Is insignificant when compared with
the hotels Ol the great cities, but the rooms
are comfortable, and the tables are as well
furnished as those of any hotel in the land.
The house is, however, afflicted with the la
ziest walters on the continent 1t seems to
require Il sharp yell and hearty malediction
To get anything, and even then one has fine
opportunity to exercise that great virtue, pa
thence. The Sioux, in 1862, made great
mistake in not coming directly to this city
and scalping these insolent rascalS. The
while-aproned frauds would have been too
lazy To- run, and they are good for nothing eX-
cept to furnish sCalps to ornament the belt OF
an ambitious warrior
The day after my arrival, sunday, started,
early in the morning 10 view the many points
OF beauty and interest in and around ST. Paul
carriage, with double team and driver,
can be hired 10 go the rounds, AS 1t IS term
ed, for eigh; dollars The outfit being at one S
disposal for the entire day. the price is quite
moderate for "a livery bill We first took a
drive through the city, which is built on very
irregular ground, some of the streets extend
ing from the river to the summit of the high
bluffs on which the city is partly situated
Summit Avenue is the finest street in the city;
its elegant residences can hardly be surpaSs-
ed by those Of any city in the United States.
After seeing the sights of the ambitious
young metropolis, we started tor Fountain
Cave, west of the city. This cave, although
destitute OF any aWelnsplrlng grandeur, is
quite a curiosity. y brook which flows out
OF the cave, has, during the many years of the
past carved cut most picturesque series Of
vaults and corridors. The rocks around the
cave are soft sandstone, and are literally Gov
cred with names scratched or written by de-
luded mortals who fondly imagine they can
thus transmit their names TO posterity. The
same sentiment that drives philosopher TO
years Of ceaseless study, or impelS the soldier
ITO seek the bubble, reputation at the can
mons mouth" urges tourists to scratch, scrape
or write their names on picturesque rocks
which should ever be sacred 10 the cabalistc
sign, "S-T-1S60-X
Leaving Fountain Cave, we started at a !
brisk trot towards Fort Smelling. The wealth |
er was very damp, and there was cold,
piercing wind which was bitterly disagree
able, and which made sightseeing seem rath-
er like a duty than a pleasure. We soon
came IN sight of the fort, which Is admirably |
situated on "A high sandstone cliff, at the june
lion of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. !
We passed down long, winding road to the
river, which we crossed on decidedly priml-
i've sort of ferry. We reached the fort by
very circultous route which took us into the !
main enclosure. The officers quarters are
EXCELLENT and the fort is a beautiful one.
From the lookout" in the rear OF the com
quarters, most magnificent
view can be obtained; the high bluffs, the .
lear, winding rivers, the low river-bottoms
n the distance, combined with the deep green
Oiage of the vicinity, formed Il truly lovely |
panorama, which once seen, can never be for
gotten. passed the day very pleasantly ut
he fort. In the afternoon | visited the fa-
nous falls of Minnehaha. Those expecting
o find in these falls the grand or the wonder
III, would be greatly disappointed; but those
Sho can admire the picturesque and beauti-
ul in nature, would feel amply repaid by
,isiting this charming little cataract. A ratL-
II muddy path leads the spectator around be-
lind the falls. The sensation of standing
With ones back 10 vertical wall of solid
'OcE, with a sheet OF water falling in front of
am, while gentle spray dampens his trav-
ling costume, is both novel and pleasing,
md a person visiting Minnehaha without 60
ng behind the falls loses the best part of the
ntire view. Returning from Mlnnehaha,
rTIVpn at tlp fort in time IN hp0r hand. nrnc-
ice by the fine band of the Goth Infantry
The music consisted of various operate selec
ions, which were rendered In fine style
y hen the music ceased returned to the city,
veil pleased with the novel sights and be
vtchlng scenery; and with the intention of
listing the remaining points at some future
lay An unexpected, but not disagreeable,
rider was received the next day for me to re-
main in the city week and my duties being
light, | had ample time to visit Minneapolis
nd the falls Of ST. Anthony. On the road TO
ne Lowell Of the Northwest" l stopped at
he Bridal Veil Falls These falls consist of
very small stream Of water falling over quite
steep precipice; but although quite pretty,
hey would scarcely pay for making long
Quincy TO see them.
railway houses, and l have been pulling
ny brains of late to find out how the good
people of Minnesota get three halves INTO one
init Near Minneapolis are the Silver Cas-
ade Falls, which are a slightly picturesque
raud.
While crossing bridge to enter the city, |
obtained my first view of the far.famed Falls
If ST. Anthony, and was greatly disappointed.
expected to find ST. Anthony miniature
Niagara, but found it simply an immense
lam. With truly American industry and van
lalism, beauty has been sacrificed to the de.
hands of industry; aud old ST. Anthony in
tcad of being allowed TO waste his waters for
he qualification Of tourists, is compelled to
un multitude of immense lumber, wooden
md grist mills. But the feeling of disap-
at the disfigured appearance of the
alls, soon gives way To a sentiment of posi-
i've admiration for the energy ana skill dis.
played in the construction OF the wonderful
.pron which has compelled st. Anthony to
rive to Minnesota the grandest water power
n existence There is said TO be sufficient
,Ower 10 run any number of the largest kind