The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-05-11
BuRRO LOADED WITH PLANK.

counting your heart beats, not knowing
whether death turks in snowslide round
the next curve or hides behind a loOsened
bowlder a mile ahead.
You'll never forget that ride, the seem
cry, the atmosphere, the sky like sapphire,
the noise of the fOaming cataract, the clat-
ter of the horses hoofs on the hard, smooth
road, the shouts and Spanish oaths of the
driver.
He is a dandy, that one. with his leather
boots and his ''shaps" or leggings of buck
skin drawn to his thighs over his corduroy
breeches, jingling with silver ornaments
and filled with leather fringe, with his
corduroy coat and scarlet vest, and a SOM
brero as big as one of his wheels stuck on
the back of his head and a cigarette and
profanity issuing from his mouth. You'll
never forget him nor the way he glanced
at you from under his heavy lids as he
sent those horses flying down to see if you
were game and not to be ''phased.'
The road is superbly constructed, as solid
as the rock from which it was blasted and
as smooth as a floor. In some places it
cost the modest sum of $40, 900 a mile.
Here and there as You sweep along you
pass cabin of roughly hewn logs and see
typical group gathered in front waiting
to see the stage pass. Strong sturdy fell
lows picturesque in their very untidiness,
guns within reach, hands in pockets, pipes
in mouths. Ii gives you a queer sensation
when you see fierce faces in close proximity
to guns and it is at such moments that
the experienced tourist begins to tell the
exact state of his emotions when he was
held up" between Rico and Ridgeway
With an unerring fidelity TO details, he
describes the ride, Just such a piece of
road as this" The surprise, the command
to halt" the order to throw up your
hands," his feelings when he was looking
down zig inch water main only two
inches from his nose, and various other
cheerful and reassuring minutia.
The toll road passes through the Red
mountain mining region. one of the most
famous of the world, and if you can forget
the gloomy canyon that yawns below,
seemingly ready to enguf you. and the
awful avalanche" that may brew destruc-
ton in the way, and the road agents who
lie concealed in the woods yonder you will
enjoy many interesting sights. You will
see the tiny burros, called canary birds
in this country, loaded with huge planks,
toiling up TO the mines, patient little
creatures, plodding along half hidden I'M
Ger their burdens peering out with dull,
enduring eyes. You will see entrances TO
gold and silver mines on every hand, and
when You reach the great Uncomphagre
canyon, where the roadbed has been blast
ed from the wall rock of the gorge. you
viii gaze upon a scene second TO none in
grandeur and sublimity This three hours
stage ride Is an education in itself. and
when the lovely town of Ouray ., reached,
with no bones broken and your valuables
yet in your pocket, and the driver brings
up his foaming, painting steeds almost on
their launches, you are well satisfied with
the forethought which has given you
trip through the Rockies before the pass
ing of the siagecoach into innocuous des-
uetuie EDITH SESSIONS TUPPER-