Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-08-25
\ BISBEE BILLET.
A Graphic Description of an Overland
 Trim

Trip.
 BIsBEE, August H. l EDITOR CITHEN:-After twenty-one
 mile drive from Tucson, over the unpic- turesque grease-wood plains, at just sun- | set We reached Mountain Spring valley. This valley is about a half mlle wide, | and in shape almost a perfect circle. | Surrounding it are seven tall, rugged ] peaks, looking for all the world like the seven evil genii that stood guard over the captive princess in the fairy tale. A soft south wiud swept the tall tree tops, making a peculiarly delicious music, most soothing 10 the senses. Vagrant gleams of sunshine clung lovingly to tree and vine, and great golden splashes wavered and shadowed ou the dark, vel vety mass underneath, as though 10th to leave 80 lovely spot.
 Beside the road there grew stunted walnut tree, curiously shrouded in wild grapevines, and from beneath this dense foliage came the rich, clear notes of a mocking-bird's vesper hymn, now sink ing down to sad, sweet cadence, carry ing ones imagination to scenes of sor- TOW and desolation; anon, rising up in joyful pean, like a spirit set free from bondage. Passing out through forest Of beautiful trees and vines, whose wild luxuriance seemed peculiarly appropri- ate to the time and place, we drew up before Mountain Spring Station. IL was too dark to distinguish anything Of Its appearance. During the night a slight shower fell, but morning dawned bright and clear. The house Is quietly seated on a gentle acclivity, embowered m giant cottonwoods, whose magnificent branches afford habitatiOn to whole col onies Of birds. It is square adobe building, one story high, with flat mud roof, the front shaded by narrow porch upheld by columns Of rough-hewn wood, sadly split by the sun-all after the almost universal architecture of this country. Some large mesquit trees, spriEging above a mass of shruobery, partially screens various out-bulldings at the back. If the valley was lovely as seen the previous night, it's loveliness was now enhanced a thousand-fold, with the bright summer sunshine vivlfying the many tinted trees, and flashing such rays Of glorious light on the still ciiuging ram drops as made them scintillate and sparkle like millions of tiny diamonds. The birds were gaily singing and the perfume of many flow .a short distance from the cottage, brook -lides along at snails' pace, holding its course through a lovely grove, and form ing little lslets covered with damp moss. Across thIs stream IS thrown a rough log bridge, and lew feet further along an aged brook-willow twists its complex roots about spring, and its loug branches droOp over swater-trough. On the opposite bank, immediately On the margin, Is situated the milk house or dury built of stones, the crevices filled in with mud, and just beyond it vegetable garden clothed with dimin- utIve growth of squash, cucumber and tomato vines, and occasional patches of cabbage, lettuce and potatoes. This is owned by Mr. s. Lick, and was, in the by-goue days of stages, station. This place is destined to be in the near future, a favorite summer resort.
 Early the following morning We con tiuued on to Benson, passing many farms and ranches belorglng to Ameri- can settlers. Signs of thrift are every where dIscernable. Tucson may yet be able to boast of its agricultural re- sources. Benson was reached in due time, but | must defer a description of that little town until my return, as 1t stor med the whole time We were there, preluding all possibility of sight-see- ing.
 From thence We drove over to Tomb | stone, passing a thriving Mormon set l tlement when about eight miles on the 1 road. Agriculture here receives con- siderable attention. The water for ir- | purposes Is brought from the l San Pedro river through ditches. There | seems to be an inexhaustible supply.
 was perfectly delighted with the | lively and elegant appearance of Tomb | stone. Despite the great number of people to be seen hither and thither | hurryIng, every one complains of dull | times, and the signs, "Selling out below | cost" meet ones eye at every turn.
 The natatorium, as one of Tom bstone's | objects Of interest, received our next at | -ention. IL was well worth the visit The | water looked as tempting that I thought | To myself, surely they cannot complain lf dull times here But the attendant said they were not making expenses, and iolefully predicted that Tombstone would soon ego in
 After a two-day's stay we left for Bis- q Is- | af at bad time to look about much, but am | -oing to go down m the mlne tomorrow More anon. FAY.