The morning call., 1890-10-26
sides. told of the sportsman's presence, not

sides, told OF the sportsman preseucc' uoo
far off, but no one appeared in sight through
out the whole long climb.
One hour from the base of the hill, ana
now the ascent had become matter OF Dusl-
ness. The little mare no longer trotted put
Strengthened her back and put her shoulders
down to the task before her. Another mile
or two and the canyon was left behind, the
road winding among cultivated fields ana
open stretches.
Looking backward wonderful glimpses may
now be caught of the valley below. the dis
tant bay and the redwood forests OF San
Mateo. Beyond this point the road begins
to wind around the peak to the other SIDE,
overlooking Warm Springs miles below. The
traveller begins to get upstairs. The sun
shines up there with a warmth and vigor and
cordlality untaiIted by contact with tie
rude, sordid world below 1t is n very pure
article of sunshine, and gets in its work IN
great style. On the particular morning re-
ferred to it was just becoming most oppres,
sive when the road took sharp turn around
the mountain, and then short cut across a
stubb!e field, from which the waving gram
had been harvested, and finally sudden,
rocky descent, steep as flight of stairs, and
just as comfortable for wheels.
After this came good road, another turn
and the CALLER was driving through as
pretty an orchard as is to he found in Ala.
media County. 1t was, of course. empty OF
fruit at this season, but the trees were as
vigorous and thrifty rs any down in: the val
ley, while the VOWS of vegetables between
were fine enough to do honor even TO Cali
fOrnia. Soon comfortable, substantial
locking house was reached, and amid the
barking of several fine specimens OF the
canine tribe, tall, dignitied, white-haifed
gentleman appeared and courteously invited
the newcomer to alight Mutual introduce
tons followed, and soon the representative
was seated in an easy chair on cool, shady
veranda, enjoying the matchless view ana
n u nf ina n
little mare was cooling off in the barn before
rack full Of hay. The ascent had con-
sumed two full hours, but it was worth 1t to
lean back and gaze across the bay, and note
the spires end chimneys of Redwood CITY,
many miles away, while listening to Mr..
Thomas MilIard's account of how he climbed
the peak four years ago, built his house,
set out his fine orchard and garden, piOwed
his field, and with his wife and family OF
bright boys settled down TO enjoy life.
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD"
Up there among the clouds he has 200
acres under fine cultivation. Mr.. Mlllard IS
an Englishman by birth, but resident of
California since 1852 He poured forth an
interesting string of remembrance as he
sat there that day of farm life in Alta Cali
fornia that made the hours pass all too
quickly before dinner was announcej, the
family summoned and all sat down to de-
liciUus r3,Ast that, varied though 1t was. by
no means taxed the resources OF that noun
tain laStueSS.
After dinner and an hours rest a saddle
was put on the little mare, for Mission Peak
still lowered 200 feet above the Millard
ranch, and the representative must make
the ascent first planned. The peak Itself Is
composed of solid sandstone, soft and easily
cut Un fresh surface, but hardening to ada
mant on exposure TO the air. 1t looks as II
Il fortune might be in store for some one VINO
will convert this huge pile, with its almost
lie int, kni I'M .lf
Up the steep ascent climbed the sure-fOoted
pony, until, probably at a greater height
on the mountain than ironed hoofs had ever
before fallen, it seemed unsafe 10 lake her
further. 30, dismounting, the correspondent
tucked the bIidle-reins uDder a big stone
and went on alone to the very highest stony
tip of the peak, and there stood to view the
landscape 0'er."
But it was glorious. Miles upon miles of
country spread out like panorama before
the aspiring scribe's admiring eyes, The
bright green OF the vineyards, the darker
hues of the orchards. the gold and brown
of stubbe and plowed field, the blue sheen
of distant water and the winding ribbons oil
roads, in every direction, presented scene
of rare delight. San Jose, sixteen miles
away, seemed but step, and III the oppo-
site direction the great city herself, on her
hundred hills, was plainly visible. while a
score of little villages could be counted be-
tween. To the front lay the Santa Clara
Valley. with its vineyards and orchards,
while behind were the blue slopes and fertile
fields of the LiveimOre Valley and the
wooded hills of the Calaveras. Over all a
fleckless. azure dome, the cerulean Califor-
MIA sky lent an added splendor TO the scene
Suddenly, gazing upon this brilliant piano.
rama of teening life, the lone scribe OF the
mountain-top was seized with sense OF
the CHASTITY sOitarineSs OF such a position,
and filled with sensation that i'll any other
being would have been strangely like fear,
turned and fled down to where the patient
pony STOOD cropping the short brown grass
as placidly as she would have done on her
naive heath. There was certain comfort
in the brufe's .unc0nceru and your carrcN
spondent becoming convinced that only the
rarefied atmosphere had caused that sudden
acceleraliun OF pulse and corresponding de-
preston of spirit, took heart OF grace TO
proceed 1t was ticklish undertaking to
lead the little mare down the steep hillside to
point where it was safe TO mount and ride,
but this was finally done, and the descent
proceeded without interruption until, round
ing a stGny curve, there swept into view,
walking in majestic procession. flock of
stately white Angora goats, headed by
patriarch whose comic dignity rendered him
an object at once of awe and mirth. His
long horns must have measured fully four
feet from tip to tip, aud his heavy, silky
wool touched the ground at his sides, and
trailed behind him as he walked, lmparting
to him ludicrous AIR of statelinesS that was
irresistibly funny. The wondering scribe
could think of nothing but the Mikado,
while watching his progress up the noun
tam His herd is descended from pair
Mr.. MillaId bought as kids and brought
home in his coat-pocket, one of them being
the yeritable monarch who headed the
flock. They are of nearly pure breed, and
the fleece is quite valuable, but during the
past year the coyotes have played havoc
among the kids, and the herd is sadly re-
duced.
A few minutes after meeting the goats the
farmhouse was again reached, and here the
cart was once more brought out, the pony
harnessed therein. and with an earnest in-