The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-11-08
SANTA MONICA, BY THE SEA,
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

September 5th 1878.
am rounding OFF a year which has been ONLY
a thing Of beauty the memory Of which will
be "a Joy forever The grand majestic
scenery OF California has been shut out from
me, for was fearful OF undong what the rest
fu life OF the twelvemonth has done, by any
oyer-exertion: so, forego the qualification it
would be to go to Yosemite big trees. and the
geysers-it is enough 10 just 1--we in ambrosial
airs under the purple shadows of the noun
tains by the calm. ripping sunlit sea-and rest.
Such rest Of heart, spirit. body. never ex-
pected to enjoy, as am having, and have had
here
Leaving the north amid sleet and ice passing
through rich western lands, with the wealth of
golden grain just gathered-abundant evidence
OF natures bounty on every side-we. at
Omaha, branched out on the immense barren
plain which seemed sea of land in It's vast
ness. The university on the hill top seemed
the last stronghold OF culture aud the advance
guard OF knowledge and power upon the will
derness beyond. The motto OF Charles 5th
sprang to my mind: More beyond" And
that beyond Ages and ages the vast plains
have lain in uncuItivated, luxuriant,growth the
range OF the bison and wild deer: and the red
man OF the forest was king It is no marvel he
fights for bis heritage. But he has sunk into
form OF humanity vile and loathesome. as he
and his belongings gather at the station en-
route, and beg from the travellers passing over.
swiftly We pass over the barren PLAN, which is
now and then dotted with plot of green
wheat near some rude cabin, which sits monarch
OF all 1t surveys OF the vastness around. usually
little oasis Of green trees surrounding it.
A sparse population requires few school
houses or churches. Usually they are combined
and one email! building sufices. But dav
lntervenes between Chicago, where I stood
amid the debrlS of Field d Letters store
which had been burned the night previous:
where man jostled man in the rush of lustful
gam. And here, where silence became vocal IL
was so profound. Man and all his body needs
'uuh Out Va oiS W W tuo EdisluS OF wand, like
Robin Hoods men, in the Scottish gorse. II q
seemed then that we should never again meet {
he hustle and rush Of great city, Antelope '
led from the approach Of cars far over the I
'lain the cunning prairie dog, first cousin to ]
he red squirrel. barked IN tiny mimicry at the S
'ngine; while the pretty grey ground owl sat /
It the door Of the houses built by the little i
logs, wisely blinking 10 the sunlight. Settling {
oneself to the long stretch OF days and nights {
u cars, one begins to inspect ones fellow g
jewellers, discuss the pleasure Of companion 8
hip with this, or avoidance OF that, person. 1t Z
: a long stretch-four times twenty -four hours {
Wy companion and myself we're so fortunate as o
o have each the lower berth OF compartment g
Until the last day before reaching Ogden, where a
70 proposed leaving the cars for Salt Lake City. I"
Taking little railroad running through Utah. !.
Thich dropped us down in the evening in the
Few Jerusalem. The Jordan runs between. .,
ientile customs and habitudes and Gentle !,
ailinery make inroads upon the customs OF T