San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-02-13

-.:A Biographical Sketch.
One characteristic of the Rock
Mountains is that of vast indenta
tions, cutting through from the to)
TO the base. Some Of these take tn
shape of funnel, others form deel
winding galleries, known as passe
or canons. Ono of the most beauti
ful of these is South Cheyenne Canon
The linear length OF this canon i
ont of harmony with the winding
path around hugo rocks, between tnl
pines and across The mountain brool;
let that rushos and tumblcs owe
rocks and prempices, now spreading
Itself into a miniature lake, then be
ginning another descent, leapipg anj
dashing and sploshing, and singing
its merry song:
II chatter over stony ways, in little sharp
and trcbles;
I bubble into eddying bays, I babblo owe
pebSles."
1t is difficult for the eye to take il
the vast height OF these walIe; theil
tops seem almost to touch tho heav
ems, and the canon is so narrow that
only a little strip of the blue sky is
seen over head. Ah! how insignif
cant one feels when in this "cleft OF
the rock "A mere atom in the
scheme of nature-Whet thoughts OF
grandeur and sublim,ty take posses
sion of the soul and fll it with q long
ing to ponr itself forth in thsnksgiv-
ing and praise!
Only the MONDAY sun shines down
in this gorge and the dim cool light
at the base contrasts strangely with
the fierce glare reflected from the
tops OF the red sandstone walls,
Notwithstanding the fact that this
canon appears to contain no soil it
is by 10 means destitute of vegeta-
tiop. The sides of the wall in many
places seem to almost bristle with
rugged pines, which IN some in
stances, appear to spring from the
solid rock where, so fnr as human
eye can discern, there is not a parti-
Gle OF soil TO support life. Many
flowers, ferns, raepbarries and other
plants and shrubs grow, seemingly
with as much thrift % in the careful
ly cultivated soil Of our gardens.
This narrow gorge ends in a round
well Of sandstone and granite down
one side of which leaps, slides, gurgles
and foams g series of waterfalls.
Seven falls, in line, drop the water
from the melting snows above INTO
pool, from which flows the stream
before described. The roar Of the
falls, the fantastic and picturesque
beauty of its environments leave an
on the mind which is not
sasily efAced.
The top Of the wall, the lowest
place Of which is said TO be 300 feet
1igb, IS reached by flight OF steps,
md after cur long tramp through
he canon, climbing them IVES no
title matter. Often would we stop
% rest with feelings OF thankfulness
o the bnilder for having provided,
1t intervals, canopIes with seats and ,
platforms extending out TO The falls,
,uabliug us to drink Of their waters
nd admire their beauty from differ
mt standpoiats. Once moro on lev
:. ground we look down with pride
n the seven misty falls below US.
The immediate vicinity Of Chey,
nne Falls was q iavorite haunt of the
.ifted H. H. (Mrs. ". S. Jackson) /
uring her ten years residence in
colorado. she said that Colorado
prings bad nine places of worship,
aiming rs the ninth, South Cbey-
me Canon. 4 short distance above
le falls is n picturesque little rustic
ottage which VAS her summer re-
1rt ana where she did much Of her
Gitup. Doubtless many Of the
1biime and beautiful thoughts so
OF her writings were
Ispirca 10y the grandeur Of the
,enory and m0gniicenco Of the views
ON this place.
One more very difficult climb
vaited US, the loose sand and gravel
forded o. very insecure footing, so :
any slips and falls and tuinbies, re !
llcd The story of G5e school hoy =
hose excuse Tor being late toschool .
le sloo;y morning vas, that, every I
nc Lo took cuo atrp forward be /.
ppod Dack t=5 steps. After much
tgue we reached the top and stood
side fhat mecca II. HIS grave, 7
which every tourist 70 Colombo
,rnss feels almost duty bound 10
axe a ~7ror-r--a. and --r-f4 v.T