The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-07-13
PUEBLO, Col, June II, 1877.

IUEbLO, OOL', ouuO ~ AO'''
FRIEND H.
You will excuse me for neglect
ing you so long when l assure you tina
have had you in my mind daily, anc
wondered how the narrow gauge is pro
crossing and what your prospects were
but suppose things are about the same
as when / left. often think OF thu
boys there, many of whom were talking
of migrating to the Black Hills, but
suppose they are still talking, and
guess it is just as well and better to stay
there aud talk than to try the realities
of the trip, for unless man has money
it is poor place for him. The country
here is not as good as about Denver and
the natives are here in greater numbers
The Mexican element predominate, and
they are anything but pleasant. We
are about three huodred miles beyond
civilization, the country between being
one vast plain, worthless for anything
besides stock. grazing, and is the home
of the coyote and prairie dog. But here
in the city and between here and the
mountains there is some small show OF
life. There are some quite good farms
about the foothills and in the valleys
between the mountains, but the inhab-
itants turn their attention mostly to
stock and sheep growing.
Weather is very hot here during the
day but the nights are cold have a
little thermometer in front of me, in my
desk, and now at four o'clock p. N. it
stands 90o and your imagination can
picture what it is in the sun, but of
course it is better no on the hills. The
city is built in the valley of the Ar.
kansas river, about forty miles from the
grand canon, and is surrounded by bills
which are barren except of the cactus
and occasionally little bunch grass,
and the sun reflects its heat back in
tensely. The d. & r. g. Narrow Gauge
r. r. Co have just completed their ex.
tension over the summit of the SaDgre
de Cristo range over nine thousand feet
high, making it the greatest height ever
reached by any railroad in the United
States, and makes a man giddy to ride
over it, winding around and up above
terrible gulches hundreds and thousands
of feet deep, skip of the track en-
dangeripg the occupants of the train to
certain DEATH There are beautiful sights
and awe striking scenes in these noun.
tains that fill one with feelings of in
SEPARATION and bring out the latent pow
ers of mind, but they bring no money
or provision, which man must have to
exist. If man has money to enjoy all
these things it is pleasant, but many
are lured here by the fowery descrip
tions given by writers of this country
aud when realized by them they go
away cursing the whole thing. There
are many obstacles to overcome here
for which tender feet do not prepare,
aud have not the means nor mental or
physical stamina 10 battle with, aud
consequently start back thoroughly dis
gusted with themselves and everything
else.
The country is yet in its infancy and
it will take time to develope it, and any
one who has surety at home among
friends should be satisfied to remain
there unless he has certain other good
reasons for adventure, and if so, let him
work out at all hazards the line taken
Oy him, and bring about the desired re-
suits without giving up to little advers-
ties that beset him. Mans life is a
study one cannot perfect himself in
years of hard labor. We Judge
| man harshly sometimes when if We
knew the motives and circumstances
hat actuated him, we would extend to
Tim our sympathies instead of criticism
md sarcastic fault findings We see
men in everyday life who make no great
demonstration, and we are apt to think
hat everything goes smoothe with them
It the same time if their hearts secret
life was opened to us, there would be re-
'ealed to US burdens borne uncompain.
ngly that would rack the lives of others
nd show to the world wreck of such
magnitude that would be shocking to
'ehold, consequently, say give to all
aen sympathy and encouragement ir-
tead of sarcasm and a depreciation of
heir abilities. j.
The above is an extract from letter writ
On to gentleman in this county, and we pub
sh it, thinking it would be OF interest to many
our readers.-EDIroR.