The Ottawa free trader., 1879-11-29

business blocks to make II one OF the most lhi'
posing streets which ever graced city. once
1t dreamed of Il glorious future when lis warm
herat should send out the life blood Of com.
mcrce through handycd giant arteries OF the
Young metropolis. 1t woke one morning to
find that, like the leaves Of autumn before the
trosts its dreams had vanished. FlCkIc lash
ion had deserted her old iavOrltc and true to
Icoquettlsh nature had slyly coaXca sober sen
siblc business to depart with her, leaving
Grand Avenue securely stranded on the shores
of second class mediocnty. Fashion rarely
gives an intelligent reason for her acts IN tins
case She certainly could not Why She trans
ierred her smile to Main street is a question
beyond even the depth Of ii Philadelphia law
yer and therefore entirely beyond the comprc.
hcnslOn of IN ordinary mortal. Aside from
the grand buildings which loom up through
It's entire length and the dcusc restless mass Of
humanity that surgcs through il every hour
it does not possess a single favorable feature
II prOvOkingly leads you over steep up hllI
grade to disagrcCably 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 Ii curves in and out ike
Tennyson's Brook, It's SO miscraby crooked
that while supposed to run north and south II
is a matter OF very serious doubt as to what
point Of the compass its intentions do incline.
Three mammoth dry goods establishments
on this street represent the leading mcIcan-
tile interests Of the city \ little army oiWell
trained clerks, some Of whom have turned
their faces westward from leading Chicago cs-
stand behind the counters and
failing to find what you wish in this room,
you have but to signify your desire and noi,.
lcssly and swiftly the elevator conveys you
from the first 10 the second floor and from the
second to the third floor Every department
from the silk and yClVctCOuutcrt to that OF crash
IS complete in It's variety and, so far as our
casual observation wall permit lis to Judge,
choice in quality. These firms import their
foreign goods directly from Europe and carry
on an extensive Wholesale trade, supplying
many houses III Kansas with their entire
stock. The sales Of each firm amount to from
of a million to one million dol
ars yearly. Allthcir windows are fascinating
studies in color and SOilncsS and harmony OF
outline, tor these are filed with handsome loi.
ets, rich and costly fabrics III velvet silk and
wool and the charming nOthings which 90 So
ar in making WOmans costume exquisite.
Possibly Mr. Emcry's establishment eXCcls
hat of hIs rival Mr.. Smith, in tins particular
eature and for hls rare skill and taste IN max
ng the drapery of his windows an irresistible
cmptation to feminine tastes and feminine
purses. The gentleman who performs this
work receives the snug salcry of 500 per
month.
What would have been almost "a miracle
our years ago is now scarcely nine Gays,
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 impcrsonatiOn of
mercy and whose watchWord was constant
progress, had constructed no fountain had
erected no statue, had planted no trees or flow
ring shrubs on the only ground which was
he common property Of all its citizens. We |
ooked for wealth Of bloom and green luxu.
lance i'll the public square; We found a tree
css, grasslcss, dcsolate waste OF ground, occl.
)ied solely by movers wagons. Our surprise
leepcned INTO amaIcmcnt when we learned
hat pnlya short time before tue space covered
)y those grounds was a valley eighty feet he
Ow the level of the road over which we were
travelling. We were COmtOrtcd The indom-
table will which rolled that ravinc out into Il
plain will some day make it blossom rs the
'osc.
never did u cIty bost with more fairness
man 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
loman of agricultural skill. just here our
guide whispers to US Il most fitting and grace
ul fact. These grounds belong to the iaircr
md gentlcr part Of humanity. They belong
% Il lady and by her are leased to the associa-
ion.
\ large, substantial and homelike brick
mansion occupies the center of the grounds,
surrounded hv bountliul orchards of fruit
rces and a garden where flowers give to the
Shy their wealth of fragrance and color
without money ana without price. With de
IlcIOu5 gcnlcneSS the hills roll up and away
from the gate. No binding, chokng sand
sweeps up to your lips and clings To your brow
rs you enter TOR every foot of the enclosure is
3arpcted with luXurIaut turf of blue grass.
Every building is adapted To It's purpose and
kept in iasidioS order. The cay and coy lit.
tie homes OF the C&y Press, Times, JoHrRai
and others looked rs if their owners had
stepped out for an hour and would return rrcs-
emily. Everywhere were scattered seats for
The weary. TocrOwn this lovely picture grand
Did trees, true monalChs Of the forest, lifted
their massive trunks toward the heavens,
showing IN every movement of their stately
royal lineage. Beneath their shad-
ows poet might have set his thoughts To writ
ten and immortal music.
l liC hoItN VI NNllSdS Nlll III lntlI StllluHS
Of emerald green we're rs fair rs the homes
which originate IN the novclist's brain and that
is saying Il great deal. All that art and wealth
and the thousand Conyrnienccs which make "A
modern hahIlatiOn more inviting than
queens palace was IN the past century has
been done to 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 OF blossoms whose petals seem 10 have
stolen the matchess brilliancy of color from
the balmy tropical breezes. So prodIgal 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 sea shells arranged in fantastic
forms in the luXuriant grass was new and
beautiful feature Of garden ornanen-
tatlon. Often graceful statue or the slvcry