The weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1883, 1883-05-09
PARK CHRONICLES.
Chronicles on the Rail.

IN actual temptation and invitation to
al visitors. It seemed to say, "You are
full and I am empty, fill me up" You
are loaded, let me bear your burden"
"Let me be q memory and voice to
speak for you when you are gone" This
invitation was not made in vain. Each
visitor began to unload his overburdened
imagination of his contempt, of his
criticism, of his endorsement Of which
some one had already written. Some
merely recorded their names and the
date of their visit. They may, in mere
wantoness or in fun have improvised q
bon mot, pun q plagiarism or poem,
and then instead of their own names
NAV have written the names Of friends
or acquaintance.
No one need be surprised to sec his
name transcribed from the rail to these
chronicles. Many ap innocent man has
been compelled toride nail and at much
personal discomfort. So, ifsome one has
compelled you to write on 2 rail, i is 70
shofsd inst no great suffering win result
therefrom. This transcript Of the rail
may not be entirely accurate. Some Of
the names are indistinctly written, many
of the sentiments may be involved, me-
taphysical and obscure. Butsuch as they
are, and such as they might, or ought to
be, give them unto thee.
It might as well be understood that
the railing is of considerable extent, in
deed, there is surface enough to contain
the names of ten thousand visitors on
the side nearest the canyon walls and as
many more on the side next the falls.
have no doubt, but that as soon as the
safe side is filled up the daring and am
bilious tourist, will climb over the banis-
ter and cling to the rail with one hand
while he writes his name with the other.
Out of this foolhardy audacity will come
a tragedy, for some reckless man or fool
hardy boy will make misstep or mis-
hold and go headlong down the abyss,
into the mist, and the shadow to reap
pear in the song and the legend of the
"Grand Fall" of the Grand Falls.
Such a tragedy may be prevented by
the humane provision ofa book keeper Of
a book in which for small sum all visi-
tors might be permitted to inscribe their
names, and for larger sum they might
secure whole page on which to prosify
or poetise their thoughts. This book
would, in time, become of much interest
containing as it would the autographs Of
eminent men from all parts of the world.
Senators, congressman, presidents, kings,
queens, lords, dukes, generals, statesmen
and men of letters.
PscRs bad boy and his poor persecuted
pa may visit the Grand Falls in which
case one or the other would come to an
untimely end, to the sorrow of the "gro-
Gerry man" and the regret of an admiring
world. The record of the rail would be
the end of q Peck of troubles and will
derness of fun. Dates are omitted because
it maysas well be understood that these
records were made between August LIST
and October LIST, 1882. Therefore dates
are unimportant.
I came ffom the Hub,
| Am now on the tire;
And next comes the nub
| What most to admire.
| Comparisons fail me,
And faltes my tongue;
Ambition assails me
That these glories be sung.
Bunker Hill is before me:
All Its heroes are here,
And their banner floats DER me,
And their voices hear.
"This canyon, these falls, they are thine;
A heritage left unto thee,
These wonders Of nature divine;
For ever and ever made free.
Oh beautiful river, forever flow
From thy source in the mountains down to
the sea:
Let the tide Of humanity upward 60
From sweltring lowlands to summer with
thee.
To gather new strength in the mountain air
Midst the mighty forces Of flood and fire,
Where throned on his crag sits the grizzley
bear
Where the black eagle nests on the palisades
spire."
"For this boon, Oh voices 1 thank thee"
| This home in the highlands. of canyon and
lake;
This gift Of freemen to freemen made
Wei cherish it dearly for Freedoms sake"
Save my hardy pinto, alone am here:
Drink from the mountain rill, camp on the
hill;
Fish for my breakfast, for my dinner deer,
But my famishing soul grows hungrier still.
| But hunger or no,
Back, back must 60
To struggle and grub
At home, at the Hub,
Please do not assail
Ny theme on rail.
Myou must, and you do;
So, others will You.
Nthere's aught to condemn
| Here leave you my name.
| THOMAS MADDOX,
| 80 High Street, Boston.
Dear Tom, l admire your wonderful song;
1t has one fault, it's q little too long.
II many Bostonians leave US there light,
Where would the spokes ind room to write
| A. MCMILLAN, Chicago.
Niagara eclipsed, quess!!
A. ERWIN, Butte City.
In tin horn, yess!!
| FRANCIS E. GILBERT, Va. City.
Great God! in the geysers thy power we see ;
In the roar Of these falls thy voice we hear:
The magical rainbows are painted by thee
That dance on the tear drops that fall ON its
bier.
The Yellowstone, steadily, digging its grave;
Eternally, patiently, weaving its shroud
| From the mist Of its broken and tortured
| wave;
While the river itself hath vanished in cloud.
Vanished! ah no! there's silvery thread
Winding its way down the canyon below,
| Like spirit redeemed, and raised from the
dead,
Which peacefully, ceaselesly, onward shall
REV. H. D., Sheridan, Mont.
Oh Sage and venerable Hugh!
Duty bids me follow you,
Unreefng here my slender sail
leave my record on the rail.
There's "power in the geysers," most true:
There's power In the bullet that kills:
1