Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-27
wATCHMAN g. JOURNAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 81,

healthy, as well as rest for the weary aud heal
ing for the sick. The mountains furnish plenty
OF game from the grouse to the elk and CHINA
mon bears, while the upper waters Of the Gal
llnas are said to abound in trout. The mascu-
line Imagination is so productive Of fish stories
that | won't vouch for the truth OF the latter
report, but my eyes and palate had tho best
Of evidence as to the abundance Of game.
Then there are no end Of excursions to be taken
on foot or horseback to the top Of the peaks near
by and over the old trails, while all kinds OF In
door and outdoor games are TO be had. And the
ever-present appetite which this exhiarating
climate excites finds an abundant and varied
arder to satisfy its cravings, and the appoint
ments of the hotels will crafty the most luxurious
tastes. The afternoon Of Thanksgiving day
passed astride Navajo pony riding up the canon
over the old Sante Fe trail and had glimpses Of
some very wild and grand scenery. Although
attained an elevation Of eight thousand feet or
more, l found very little snow and was warm
without overcoat or gloves. Yet In the shade the
air was quite cool and the night brought sharp
frost At five dinner was announced and some
one hundred twenty people assembled from half
the states Of the Union and even from the
an Englishman present) sat down to din
ner which in every respect would be a credit
to any hotel In New York. As I looked
over the bright dining-room, while resting
and waiting for the next course, tried to i'm
agine the surprise that would overcome King
Montezuma, or even one Of his nineteenth CEN
fury plebian descendants, could he walk into
the steam-heated, gas-lighted, hower-decorated,
broadcloth- waitered, pale-face-guested room, un-
der the shadow Of the great hills, which but few
years since were unknown save to the roaming
natives, who came here periodically for healing.
imagine they derived none the less Of the latter
for not having any Montezuma hotel Thanksgiv-
ing dinners to digest! But am taxing your pa
thence and paper. Let me however chronicle the
wish that kept rising in my mind during my stay
in New Mexco-that the people whom the rigor
OF u northern winter keeps shut up In close rooms
when their health demands an abundance of sun
light and fresh air, might try a year in sunny
New Mexico. And life in the territory is not such
a fearful thing as most eastern people suppose.
Las Vegas is as orderly town as most Of Its size
its police reports show no more crime or immor-
atty than many which call themselves more civ
ilzed, and it has a small circle OF very intelli-
soh' anu p'oasanS PooPio' Anu ish ~ "ortn
something to feel well physically the whole twen-
ty-four hours Of every day?
Since writing most Of the above, Ihave enjoyed
half day with Mrs Bancroft and Fred and Mr.
and Mrs. Page. They were here during most OF
December 9th and seemed to be in good spirits
and looking forward with anticipations of pleas
ure to their winter in California. John w Page
and wife came down from Nebraska to meet his
parents. The country evidently agrees with
John and II a "boom " should build up city
around his ranch, there will be at least one man
Of proportions suitable for an alderman's chair.
Kansas City, No., Dec. 10. d.