Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-05-19
Above the Clouds on q Railroad.

n recent "TRIP 10 IlnnlSOn lily aIOfucu
me an experience not often enjoyed by
any, and utterly unknown to those read-
ers of the Interior whose homes are away
from the mOuntains-a railroad ride
through a dense stratum of clo,h-to
the clear sky above the storm. Return
ing from GunnisOn the Denver & Rio
Grande Railway crosses the continental
divide. through the Marshall Pass, at an
altitude of nearly 1000 Q0,SS2) feet
above the sea level. AS specimen of
ingenious engineering and Il proof of the
success of interchangeable energy, it is
marvel as well as a curiosity. Upon the
occasion referred to. we left the dining
station (Sargent's) at about two p. IN.
II was raining-a cold, disagreeable,
drl1xling rain. Slowly the train began
its long and difficult ascent of the grade
of over POO feet to the mile, toward the
summit. As we advanced the veil of
cloud whose fringes we had been watch
ing resting on the mountain tops and
waving from point to point, drew cl'.-"r.
Soon its damp folds had shut lis in, and
we were in the bosom of the clouds. All
view WAS shut out; nothing to be seen
but the grey mass of mist; nothing to be
heard but the labored breathing of the
asthmatic little engine, buckling down
to its task. At snail'S pace. ten miles an
hour, we crept up the mountains side.
Now we paused at tank to repleniSh the
engines supply of water. and again we
resumed the ascent. Gradually the mist
became brighter; soon CLEAN of light
shot through; then the light; tleecy, up
per clouds became visible, with blue sky
between. Up. up we laborcd till the
! mist had passed beneath our feet, and
/ he shun shone as brightly as ever. We
we're above the clouds. Blue, intensely
plue was the sky, relieved here and there
| by Il few light summer clouds. Below
vs. the mist lay like Il vast gray sea, from
she bosom of which emerged the frosty
I ,icads of Ouray, AntOro. Shawano and
Gheir companion peaks, like isletS against
whose rocky sides the pillows of cloud
Yolled and rece,ied. 1t was sight not
Above the clouds, imagination. aided by
HI1nory, could picture the poor mortal>
only Il few miles below lis shivering in
their rubber coats. while we were revel-
ing in the bright sunshine. But like,
lime and tide. the Rio Grande Railroad
waits for no man. and we began our de.
scent 1t is not long before we left the
aunny heights. and again approached
she damp folds of mist. The gulche.
beneath us resembleL huge cauldron'
from which great masses OF steam wer,
Yolling up toward heaven. 1t was ,
; grand. IN awful sight. thus 10 see ;
whole ilountain-side apparently envel
Oped in boiling water. while the grea
clouds of vapor rolled and tossed lik,
the surf of a tempest-lashed ocean. W.
entered the confines of the cloud; slowl.
and carefully the train crept down tn
mountain-side. clinging tenaciously a
with life-grip to the steep slope. Agail
the rain reappeared, increasing in force
I'LL upon our arrival at Poncho Spring
; we were in a pouring storm. In tn
short space of six hours we had rise
from the region of storm and discomfOr
through and above the clouds. baske,
: for little time in the unclouded ligh
of heaven. gazed upward to the dee
| blue above. and looked triumphant
!, down upon the source of our morning
! discomfort; then descended again to tn
common level to have our share Of tn
2 ? disagreeableness of life. What pictur
! of life'S journey. Often from the mid,
:, :, of discouragements and trials and petit
u y annoyanccs may we rise for Will
! above them all. and on the mountai
tops rejoice in the unbroken sunlight {
4 Divine love and paternal care. But val
. is il for us TO wish to remain. 1t is nt
J Gods purpose that we should ever sta
!, |, on the heights. Forbldding though I'll
q clouds may look, we must descend agai
!. to encounter the storm, the driving rail-
II the chilling dampness of the mist, but
u be supported by the memory Of our LAT
= exatation and the consciousness tn;
IL "behind the clouds is the sun still shii
< ing" that our Father still smiles upo
;, even the clouds. and that in due tin
a the storm shall pass away, the blue sb
/ again appear, and the sun of joy m
10 peace shine once more upon our heads.
i, Rcv. John +. Reid. IN Chicago interio