The Columbus journal., 1879-11-19
gentliest caresses while the sunshine


kisses them into radiant beauty. |
Far toward the river a fringe of
trees forms a lovely contrast to the
wide sweep of prairie and makes a
charming outline for my picture.
Standing there in their massive
strength, their rugged, naked arms
tossing wildly upward, they seemed
to me as the Druid priests of old,
ever imploring with uplifted fervent
hands the favor of God. And over
valley and hills and trees flood of
sunlight, that peculiar mellow, hazy
sunlight of our Indian summer, rest
ed in a shimmering halo of glory.
Do you wonder that 1 was en-
chanted2
Art, too, with all her witchery
and industry and energy, with their
brain and muscle, have added beauty
to beauty and enhanced the lowell
ness of nature a thousand-fold al
ready, although probably your little
city is yet in embryo life, large busi-
ness blocks, handsome court house
and school houses, substantial
churches, elegant residences, coy
cottages and pleasant houses, show
that the people of Columbus intend
to make their town one OF the larg-
est in Nebraska. That you will
succeed. / have no doubt. Lying in
the bosom of the great Platte VAL
ley, in the midst OF hundreds of
acres of wondrously fertile land,
you have only TO make your re-
sources known and immigration will
pour in as a food. This adverti5-
ing must be done by private enter
prize, for as the State does nothing,
everything must be done by the
citizen. 1t may please you when |
tell you that Columbus has 4 repu.
tation all through the State as one
of the liveliest and most rapidly
growing towns in our common
wealth. can only say she well
deserves her reputation.
Let me say a word about your
homes. All! L know | shall touch
the tenderest chord in every moth.
er's heart when | say home. And
even the men, though they proudly
boast of being made of "sterner
stuff" than We of the weaker sex,
tell me, my brother, does not your
heart throb little faster and your
eyes sparkle when you think OF
home? You know the wife and the
little ones are there, and you would
die for them, and because my own
home is such little heaven of peace,
because arms of love encircle me,
and baby kisses fall like softest,
lightest snOwflakes upon my face,
send greeting to you, oh! mothers,
in your homes, with happy husbands
and gleesOme little ones about you.
1t is fancy of mine that from the
outward appearance of the houses
can tell the character of the homes.
Let me try with Columbus, and you
who know so well shall Judge
whether l am right. Your houses
are built in substantial and conven-
lent though tasteful and pretty
styles, showing that you were build
ing homes, not homes for rent, that
the convenience Of the wife is
| studied Snd her work and care to be
made as light as possible, at the
same time artistic skill has been
mingled in the plan and beaut y
combines with use, and because it is
our nature to always place our most
beautiful offerings at the shrine of
love. judge by simply riding
through your city that your men
are peculiarly home men that are
exceptionally fond and pro1d of
their wives and wee ones. Am
right?
AS to the women,--ah, the bright
flowers blossoming in garden and
window illuminating the home with
rainbow tints and shedding odorous
perfume out upon the air, evidence
the dainty hands of loving women.
And oh, husbands if you knew how
thoughts of yourselves were rooted
in those flowers, are blooming in
their radiant hues, and coming back
to you in their rich fragrance, your
eyes would grow dim to think that
the little woman you call wife wor-
ships you so. Oh this homo love.
how il thrills us.
To my kindest of friends, Mrs.
Rosa T. Page, your cultivated music
teacher, and Mr.. and Mrs. Hickok
who so kindly entertained us, our
warmest thanks are rendered. To
the many strangers, but now may
surely say friends, who gave us such
hearty welcome, | shall say, their
pleasant words are not forgotten and
NAV be again We shall CLASH hands