The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-02-25
Above the Clouds on a Railroad.


A recent trip to Gunnison City afforded
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 dense stratum of cloud-to
the clear sky above the storm. Return
ing from Gunnison the Denver q Rio
Grande Railway crosses the continental
divide, through the Marshall Pass, at an
altitude of nearly IL, 1000 90, 1922 feet
above the sea level. AS a specimen of
ingenious engineering and proof of the
success of interchangeable energy, it is a
marvel as we'll as curiosity. Upon the
occasion referred to, we left the dining
station (Sargent's) at about two p. m.
1t was raining-a cold, disagreeable,
drizzling rain. Slowly the train began
its long and difficult ascent OF the grade
of over 200.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 closer.
Soon its damp folds had shut us 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'g 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, fieecy, up
per clouds became visible, with blue sky
between. Up, up we labored till the
mist had passed beneath our feet, and
the shun shone as brightly as ever. We
were above the clouds. Blue, intensely
blue was the sky, relieved here and there
by few light summer clouds. Below
us the mist lay like vast gray sea, from
the bosom of which emerged the frosty
heads of Ouray, Antoro, Shawano and
their companion peaks, like islets against
whose rocky sides the pillows of cloud
rolled and receded. 1t was sight not
soon to be erased from the memory.
Above the clouds, imagination, aided by
memory, could picture the poor mortals
only few miles below US shivering in
their rubber coats, while we were revel-
ing in the bright sunshine. But like,
time and tide, the Rio Grande Railroad
waits for no man, and we began our de-
scent. 1t is not long before we left the
sunny heights, and again approached
the damp folds of mist. The gulches
beneath us resembled huge cauldrons
from which great masses of steam were
rolling up toward heaven. 1t was
grand, an awful sight, thus to see a
whole mountain-side apparently envel-
oped in boiling water, while the great
clouds of vapor rolled and tossed like
the surf Of a tempest-lashed ocean. We
entered'the confines of the cloud; slowly
and carefully the. train crept down the
mountain-side, clinging tenaciously as
with'a life-grip to the steep slope. Again
the rain reappeared, increasing in force
till upon our arrival at Poncho Springs
we were in aspouring storm, In the
short space of six hours we had risen
from the region of storm and discomfort
through and above the clouds, basked
for little time in the unclouded light
of heaven, gazed upward to the deep
blue above, and looked triumphantly
down upon the source of our mornings
discomfort; then descended again to the
common level to have our share of the
disagreeableness of life. What a picture
of life's journey. Often from the midst
of discouragements and trials and petty
annoyances may we rise for q while
above them all, and on the mountain
tops rejoice in the mbroken sunlight of
Divine love and paternal care. But vain
is it for US to wish to remain. 1t is not
Gods purpose that we should ever stay
on the heights. Forbldding though the
clouds may look, we must descend again
to encounter the STORM, the driving rain,
the chilling dampness of the mist, but to
be supported by the memory of our late
exaltation and the consciousness that
"behind the clouds is the sun Still shin
ing" that our Father still smiles upon
even the clouds; and that in due time
the storm shall pass away, the, blue sky
again appear, and the sun. of Joy and
peace shine once more upon our heads
Req. John E. Reid, IN Chicago Interior.