The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-11-29


business blocks to make 1t one Of the most I'M
posing streets which ever graced n city, once
II dreamed of Il glorious future when lis warm
herat should send out the life blood Of com.
merce Through hundred giant arteries OF the
young metropolis 1t woke one morning to
find that like the leaves Of autumn before the
frosts, its dreams had vanished. Tickle fash.
ION had deserted her old iavoric and true 10
coquettIsh nature had slyly cOaNca sober, sen.
sible business to depart with her, leaving
Grand Avenue securely stranded on the shores
of second class mcdiocrty. Fashion rarely
gives an intelligent reason former acts; IN tins
case She certainly could not. Why She trans
ierred her smile to Main street is 4 question
beyond even the depth Of II Philadelphia law
yer and therefore entirely beyond the comprc
henson Of an ordinary mortal. Aside from
the grand buildings which loom up through
Its entire length and the dense restless mass Of
humanity that surgcs through it every hour
il does not possess single favorable feature.
Ii prOvOkingly leads you over steep up hui
grade TO disagrceably dump YOU IN low de-
preston on the other side. II Is too narrow
for the height Of the lofty buildings that line
il on either side Il curves in and out Ike
Tcnnyson's Brook. 1t is 50 mi,craby crooked
that while suppOscdto run north and south 1t
is q matter Of very serious doubt rs 10 what
point Of the compass It's intentions do incline.
Three mammoth dry goods establishments,
on this street represent the leading mcrCan.
tile interests Of the city. 4 little army Orwell
trained clerks, some of whom have turned
their faces westward from leading Chicago cs-
stand behind the counters and
falling to find what you wish in this room,
you have but to signify your desire and nois-
lcsslv and swiftly the elevator conveys YOU
Al ~ 4 a.. 81
second 10 the third floor. Every department
from the silk and velvet Cuuntcrto that Of crash
IS complete in It's variety and SO far H. our
casual observation Will permit Us to Judge,
choice in quality. These firms import their
foreign goods directly from Europe and carry
on an extensive wholesale trade, supplying
many houses IN Kansas with their entire
stock. The sales Of each firm amount TO from
Of a million to one million dol
lars yearly All their windows are fascinating
studies in color and suitncsS and harmony Of
outline, tor these are filed with handsome tot
lets, rich and costly fabrics IN velvet silk and
wool and the charming nothings which go So
far in making woman's costume exquisite.
Possibly Mr. Emcry's establishment eXCels
that Of ms rival Mr.. Smith, in tins particular
feature and for his rare skin and taste IN max
ing the drapery of his windows an irresistible
purses. The gentleman who performs this
work receives the snug salcry of 800 per
month
What would have been almost "a miracle
four years ago is now scarcely u nine days,
wonder. All business portions Of the city are
within telephone communication and many
houses constantly use it,
We were surprised to find that this city
which seemed to be the very mpcrsonation Of
energy and whose watChwOrd was constant
progress, had constructed no fountain, had
erected no statue, had planted no trees or flow
ering shrubs on the only ground which was
the common property of all its citizens. Wei
looked for a wealth Of bloom and green luXu.
rance in the public square; We found "A tree
less, CRASHES, dcsoatc waste of ground occu.
pied solely by movers wagons. Our surprise
depend INTO amaIcmcnt when we learned
hat only a short time before the space covered
by those grounds was valley eighty feet he
low the level of the road over which we were
travelling. We were cOmiorted. The indom.
table will which rolled that ravine out into Il
plain will some. day make it blossom rs the
rose,
Never did Il city bost with more fairness
than Kansas City OF her beautiful fair grounds
Dali to all lovely forms Of nature must be the
eye which can look unmOved upon this forest
domain of agricultural skill. Just here our
guide whispers to us most fitting and grace
Iul fact These grounds belong to the tairer
and gentler part Of humanity. They belong
to lady and hy her are leased to the associa.
ton.
\ large, substantial and homelikc brick
mansion occupies the center Of the grounds,
10y bounuiul orchards of fruit
trees and a garden where flowers give to the
n Inv tnnr u1ultI, 1f md rnlnr
without money ana without price. With de
licIou5 gcntlcncss the hills roll up and away
from the gate. No binding, choking sand
sweeps up to your lips and Clings TO your brow
rs you enter for every foot of the enclosure is
CarpCtcd with a luXurIaut turf of blue grass.
Every building is adapted to It's purpose and
kept in laStidius order The gay and coy lit.
tie homes OF the CHy Press, 1tHlrs, J0Rraal
and Others looked as if their owners had
stepped out for an hour and would return rrcs-
entity. Everywhere were scattered seats for
the weary. ToCrown this lovely picture grand
old trees, true monarChs Of the tor.st lifted
their massive trunks toward the heavens,
showing IN every movement Of their stately
branches royal lineage. Beneath their shad-
ows a poet might have set his thoughts to writ.
ten and immortal music.
The homes OF Kansas CITY IN their settings
of emerald green we're rs fan Is the homes
which originate IN the novclist's brain and that
is saying great deal. All thatart and wealth
and the thousand Convcnicnces which make u
modern habltation more inviting than a
queens palace was IN the past century has
been done 10 enhance their charms. Around
their stately portals sweep lawns OF velvet soft
blue grass, the most magnificent upon which
our eyes had ever rested. Here and there are
beds oi blossoms whose petals seem to have
stolen the matChless brillianCy of color from
the bamy tropical breezes. So prodlgal OF
their floral wealth are the happy possessors of
these treasures that they have introduced de
lightiul innovation by placing beds OF bloom
between the sidewalk and street. The soft
pink Of great seashclls arranged in fantastic
forms in the luXuriant grass WAS new and
stnkingly beautiful feature of garden ornamen.
tatIOn. Often graceful statue or the sllvcry