Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-17
AN EAGLE CORRESPONDENT
COMES HOME.
To tn. Editor Of III. Daily Eagle:


sass" AS We approached Kansas
City, the su. broke through the clouds
that had sullenly lowered all the after
noon, Frightening up the landscape,
and drying away the depressing in
fiuence of a gloomy, chilly atmosphere.
In passing slowly through glen OBJ
served tree standing apart, which,
from the size of the trunk, must at
sometime have been gigantic. A storm
had shorn it of every limb, leaving
an ugly trunk ten or twelve feet high.
At the top new growth Of foliage
was springing up, and close to the
foot, Virginia creeper was reaching
out TO clasp and drape the unsightly
old tree. wondered if any of my
fellow travellers noted as did, that
tree, or read in il the poem that it re-
vealed. All! there are many poems
by the wayside of our lives, could our
eyes but be opened to perceive them.
From Kansas City, by the Santa Fe,
fields, gardens and orchards seemed to
gain in growth and greenness with
each succeeding mile. aud the very
finest that noticed, lay very near
Wichita Having to hurry 10 change
cars there, | Mad scarcely moment
for looking around, but one hasty
glance showed me vast Improvement
within the four years have known
it. The accommodation train on the
w. & W. travelled at such leisurely
rate that l would have greatly enjoy
ed the opportunity afforded for OBJ
servation, had not been so near the
end of the "home stretch" But how
[ did enjoy the drive from Cheney!
The air was pure and free, and 10
prairie ever looked prettier. with the
emerald sod gemmed with blossoms
of every hue. Little birds warbled
on all sides, and the dron-
ing of various insects made a
pleasant accompaniment. The Min
nescah rippled and glittered in the
sunshine with so peaceful and inno-
cent an aspect that one would never
dream it capable of such destructive
pranks as 1t had but recently played.
Scattered over the prairie in abund-
ance are Oscar Wilde's favorite flow
ers, but l confess lack of aesthetic
taste when state that they are my
particular aversion.
A field of corn oil our place, about
three inches high at the time of my
arrival, is now so tall as TO obscure the
outlook up the road, and pollen is fly-
| ing from the tassels. | notice some of
it beginning to "shoot." Almost mag
ical has seemed its growth, but re-
Numbering the rains that have seat
cred it, one should not wonder at it.
Twice since the first of June the
river has risen. The first rise was
very rapid, with a mighty rush and
roar, reminding one of the descriptions:
allow the waters come down at Lo-
dore." In short. the Minnesota was
again on the rampage, and Clearwater
people fully realized the fact. The
last rising was perfectly calm, and
quiet "ss thief in the night"
A picnic notice in late issue of the
! EAGLE reminded me of some remarks
made by Teutonic citizen of Chicago.
at whose store was dealing.
Of course the weather was discussed
and / remarked that while we in Chi
cago were shivering near fires, heard
from friends in Kansas that their pic
mic season has begun. "How is dot?"
exclaimed the worthy Teuton, II
thought Kansas was temperance
state!' $50 il is" | replied. "But
vot will dey drink" "Why, lemonade,
tea, coffee, milk. etc." rejoined, but,
oh! such look of scorn for such
weak" beverages accompanied his re-
mark: "Dot might do for some bee
pies, but most any body would dink
il vas too thin" learned one mans
idea Of picnic, but | fear he is only
one of the very large class, not all of
Teutonic origin, either.
Within a month we have experienced
every variety of weather. One day
the clouds have dispersed moisture
pretty freely, and the next "Old Sol"
has scorched and blistercd those who
were obliged to endure exposure to
his rays. Last week proved a disap-
pointment to many who had begun
harvesting wheat. but thus far this
week the weather has been favorable.
Just at present showers are not far
away.
In the year and a half of my alb
sence number of changes have been
made in the neighborhood. New houses
have sprung up. new corners possess
a portion of the land, and a new pas
tor fills the pulpit of the Presbyterian
church, where Mr.. McCrae formerly
officiated. Mr.. Nc e. is now preach
ing in Rice county, whittier he in
tends removing with his family in
September. We shall miss them from
our social gatherings, but congratu-
late the new charge" on the acquisi-
ton of what we lose.
Mr.. Merwin still prcsides over the
anvil at the old forge, and under
stand that the corner is now known
by his name. Who knows but in the
course of time, the church, school
house aud forge, so near together,
each on the corner of quarter" may
form the nucleus of a village, through
which some railroad, as yet uEdreamed
of, shall run daily trains? In this pro-
gressive age, there is no judging what
the future has in store.
am sorry the controversy between
Mrs. Lease and Mr.. Irwin has subsid-
ed, just as it was gaining in interest.
Speaking of controversy, reminds me,
that wish TO thank "Philo Pacifcus"
for his article in my defense sometime
ago. 1t seems he exactly understood
what had written in answer to an
other correspondent. UNA.
VIOLA, July 10th.
The prince of Wales and his mother
seem to take different views OF the
Pail Mall Gazette exposures. The
former ordered his paper stopped and