Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-01-01

| above its real worth while the more
favored who hold large possessions
are measured at nominal value from
/! the fact that as an investment it does
not pay an annual interest equal to
money.
"Men's spirits are like water that
sparkles when it runs, but in still
pools it stagnates and is covered over
with green and breeds corruption and
filth" III. w. Beecher. am sure
there are hundreds in Gratiot county
who can 90 west and better their
condition. Don't be afraid than you
will be deprived of schools and
churches and good society. The
Indian is thing of the past between
here and the Rocky Mountains aud
the barbarous people who have often
been quoted are but the shadows of
a narrow mind and more prosper
Gus and enlightened people are
seldom found than those of the west.
In every town clear to the crest of
the mountains you will find the tall
church steeples towering toward the
celestial world which are well written
and elaborate volumes of the truth
that the idols are broken and none
bend the knee to the image of Bael.
The numerous editices erected for
educational purposes and dedicated
the goddess of learning, like the rose
of Sharon deck the hilltops and
valleys on every hand in token of
of that terse remark, uttered by a
modern sage, that an enlightened and
virtuous people cannot be enslaved.
The Denver and Rio Grande rail
road system is the eighth wonder Of
the world and the greatest of them
all. 1t traverses the mountains IN
their different ways through the most
difficult canons, through the great
range and on TO Angden, running up
Arkansas river through the Royal
George to Salad. The main branch
bears to the left through Black
Canon and makes summit on the
top of Marshall pass. AS the train
progresses up the steep, this view
b ecomes less obstructed by the
mountain side and the eye roams
over miles of cone shaped SUBMITS.
The timberless tops of the towering
range shows him that he is among
the heights and in a region familiar
with the clouds, there he beholds
stretching away to the left the most
perfect of all the Sierras. The sun
light falls with light transfiguring
radiance upon the snow crowned
spires of the Sangre de Christie range.
To the right towers the front of
Ouray. Grand, solitary and forbid
ing Ouray holds the pass standing
sentinel at the rocky gateway to the
fertile Gunnison.
Slowly the sleeps are conquered
until at last the train halts upon the
summit of the continental divide
which separates the water of the
Atlantic and Pacific. The travellers
look down upon the four lines Of
roads, terrace beyond terrace the last
so far below as to be quite indistinct
the view and wonder at the triumph
Of the engineering skill is strangely
mingled with the feeling of awe and
admiration at the stupenduous
grandure of the scene. The feelings
of the tourist is beautifully expressed
by the poet Alice Mitchell, which /
quote.
Above the worlds wild roar and clash
| Unnumbered waves of cmrald dash,
| our giant rears a lofty dome.
His rinkled forehead hccked with foam.
| Here smoky pcnons wave in air,
| To Armies grand, the brave, the fair
| Wind swiftly up the mountain side.
They reach the cleft the great divine
With joyful shout upon i's crest,
| The east gives greeting TO the west
| Here generations yet unborn
| Shall watch the sunset kiss tho morn
And glad wind haeuiah sing
AS winter clasps the hand OF spring.
Upon the summit OF this crest
| COlumbias 5 eagle built his nest
| The plumage of his mighty wings
| From sea to sea their shadow ilings
Sheltered beneath this faithful breast
| a continent doth safely rest
| Guarded by peering eyes so true
| His beak holds fast its banner blue.
| Sometimes TO mortal man tbs given
| To breath the perfumed air of heaven.
| The folded wings of souls unfured
Like soaring birds above the world.
| Mounting beyond our love and hate
We rev"rent whisper, God is great
AT Montrose the traveller leaves
the main line of the ns.continental
route to reach Ouray beautiful
city surrounded by mountains on
every side. The branch road runs
! IN the IIncnmnannre river fWentv