The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-05-27
Redwood RambleS.


Of the GAZETTE.
Numerous rambles about the woods and
pleasant places along the Redwood, and
visits to Ramsey Falls and the mineral
springs, impress me with belief that
these deserve attention at your hands as
well as the more material advantages of
soil, climate and society that the GAZETTE
has had something to say about lately.
In my native Yankecland such pretty
spots would not run to waste as they seem
to here, but would be overrun by summer
tourists, and hotel men with an eye to
business would very likely spoil the charm
of its native wildness by improving"
all the wildness out of it; would erect
summer hotels and watercures, bottle up
the mineral waters, and give every point,
glen, rock and pool name. Of course
there is nothing marvellous or overpower-
ing about our waterfalls and rivers, and
1 would not challenge comparison, for
instance. between the little stream of
water that tumbles down the falls of the
Ramsay and that more famous slender
Bridal Veil" that clings to the cliffs of
the Yo Semitic. None the less, Ramsey
merits description in "easy numbers
as gentle and musical us the sound of its
waters, and your correspondent will not
attempt 1t in feeble prose.
A walk in the woods nowadays is such
q pleasant thing. that marvel at not see-
ing more of our townspeople there in my
rambles. If you can 60 no farther, at
least cross the bridge as did last night,
lingering little and perhaps rejecting
with regret over the obstruction of the
rapid stream by the milldam below, which
makes the water stagnant there. When
you climb the hill beyond, turn and sec
how kindly the new-dressed trees try to
hide the ugliness Of some of the old build
ings at the river end Of our streets. and
notice how all the broad swells of prairie
visible are taking on spring tints. As you
60 on. keeping to the right. you will be
very apt to see sprays Of wild columbine,
clumps Of pinks, late violets, and other
posies, with punches of white, blossoms
in the bushes near by. Even if you keep
in the beaten track and 60 out on the high
ridge that is libeled with the horrid name
Of "hog-back," you will very likely get
glimpses of beauties you never noticed
before. Looking down the river in the
neighborhood of the mill, the ruggedness
of the rocks along the stream, that inn
pressed you week or two ago. seems to
have been quite subdued by new sur
roundings. Those ugly gashes down the
sides of the hills made by landslides ap-
pear to be healing under the universal
touch Of spring, and the half-uprooted
cedars cling in picturesque fashion, loyal
to the death. endeavoring to hide those
doomed banks Of clay. I like to stand on
that narrow ridge fronting the main fall,
where the town. with its pointing spire
near by. animates the picture, and where
the rushing rapids below and the roar Of
the distant falls blend to make lulling
accompaniment, while the. air mingfes the
spicy odor of the cedar berries with the
breath Of the, spring flowers.
Mr.. Editor, fear you will say that this
d not thai !" jewel" news you want 50
very much, yet what is this you call local
news but licensed gossip. after eli I
Rather than be gossipy. / win confess
myself sentimental SYLVIA.