Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-02-13
w. p. CONVERSE.
The DenudatiOn 0fthe Sierras,

1t will be but very short time before
we shall be able to observe the effect
that stripping the pine forests from the
sides and summit of the Sieras will have
on the climate of this State and Califor-
MIA, In few years every accessible
tree, even to such as are only of value
as firewood, will be swept from the
mountains. Even now this has been
that a new growth of pines or timber
trees of some kind may spring up on the
ground that has been cleared, but we do
not hear that any such growth has yet
started,
Already one great change has occur
red that is evident to the most ordinary
observer, which is the speedy melting
away of the snow on the mountains. It
now goes off at once-in food-with
the first warm weather offspring, whereas
formerly, being shaded and protected
by the pines and other evergreen trees,
it melted slowely, and all summer sent
down to the valleys, on both the eastern
and western slopes of the Sierras con-
slant and copions streams ofwater. In
stead of a good stage of water in our
streams throughout summer, as in for
mer times, there is flood in the spring,
and when this is passed by our rivers
speedily run down, and, being no longer
| fed from the mountains, evaporation
leaves their beds almost dry when the
hot weather of summer comes on.
The mountains being stripped of their
trees, there will be nothing to shade the
rocks and earth, and both will absorb a
| sufficient amount of heat from the rays
of the sun during the fall, and even till
far into the winter, to melt any light fall
of snow that may occur. The result
will be that our autumn weather will
reach further and further into winter,
until at last we shall have no winter
worthy of the name.
| On the California side of the mountains
! the effect will be much the same. The
hot weather Of the valleys will extend
over the foo thills, and gradually reach
up into the mountains Virginia { Neu. J
! Enterprise. ~
Old Maids.
Never be afraid of becoming an q old
| maid" fair reader. An old maid is far
more honorable than a heartless wife,
and single blessedness" is greatly SUI
perior in point of happiness to welded
life without love. Fall not in love,
dear girls, beware" says the song. But
we do not agree with the song on this
| question. On the, contrary, we hold it
a good thing to fall in love, if the loved
object be worthy one. To fall in love
| with an honorable man is as proper as
it is for an honorable man to fall in love
with an amiable and virtuous woman;
and what could be more gratifying
spectacle even to the angels in Heaven
than a sight SO pure-sO approaching In
| it's devotion to the celestial?
No; fall in love as soon as you please,
ladies, provided it be with suitable
person. Fall in love and then marry;
but never marry unless you do love.
That's the great point. Never marry
| merely for a "home" or husband
Never degrade yourself by becoming a
party to such an alliance Never sell
yourself body and soul, on terms so
contemplate. Love dignifies all things;
it ennobles all conditions With love
the marriage rite is truly sacrament.
Without it the ceremony is base
| fraud, and the act human desecration.
| Marry for love or not at all. Be an
"old maid," if fortune throw not In
your way the man of your heart, and
| though the witness may sneer, and the
jester may laugh, you will still have
your reward in an approving conscience
and a comparatively peaceful life.