The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-12-18

families from granny" down to the
little boy and girl, who always have TO
be watched and scolded 50 they don't
run too far off and lose Themselves
among THE moss and flowers. When the
tide is coming in, then all hands, gram
N.Y. and THE little ones included, go
down to the beach ito take a plunge in
the merry old ocean. When 1t Is out,
the sports are out racing with their
blooded horses, while others take in
good supply of claims for "a festive clam
bake I'm tha moonlight. Those who
prefer hunting and fishing VIII find
ample scope for their valor DIN the sur
rounding woods and rivers, which
abound in game and fish. Such is lie
In hhe Wild west, and jolly life indeed
It is. l would not go back to the dusty
streets and sitting air OF st. Louis for
Ianything.
But now l must tell you something
very strange. was told by AN old citd-
zen that although Astoria is one of the
Oldest cities ON the coast, 1t is only
for the last ten years THAT she has had
transoontfneratal connections by rail, and
before THAT happened, she was a city
of only some 5000 inhabitants. What
mysterious influences kept nature from
talking cts course here for such long
period, 1 do not know, but the fact re-
mains. THAT all attempts by the clti-
zens of Astoria to secure railroad con-
nedtions were frudtless until ten years
ago when a Montana syndicate OF cap
itlaltsds accepted a magnificent subsidy
for building road to this city along
the river from a place called Goble,
where the Northern Pacific crosses the
river to Kailama This road was budh
within a year from signing the con-
tradt, and now Astoria entered upon an
era of prosperity and activity never
rivalled since the early days of San
F1,andisco. Another road Us also now
built through THE famous Nehalem VAL
ley and connects with the Southern
Pacific at a place called Hillsboro This
opened UP one of the richest timber,
coal and dairy countries in the north
west, and brought untold wealth to AS
toria and surrounding country. l have
not visited this wonderful place yet,
which flows with milk and honey, but
will do so at AN early date and will
then tell you all about 1t.
And the salmon fisheries, have hard |
ly mentioned them yet. This is really
THE principal industry of Astoria, and
is What staueed the town from the first. |
will tell you all about 1t ait some flu.
ture time; 1T is REALLY what HAS inter-
ested me most of all the wonderful
Things 1 have seen since came out |
here.
Oh, tell you 1 had a beautiful walk |
in THE. city park up on the hill last
night after work. My pen fails me,
when ann to describe the lovely sight |
saw from there. The sun is just set.
ting, and gives a last finishing touch
to the beautifully illuminated land
scape. The river as far as the eye can
reach is dotted by THE white sails of
the fishing boats. There is still light
enough ito see some of them laying their
nets out. l can even hear the corks
ralubling; others are picking up" ano
once in while 1 cam see a spotted
baauty being lifted into the boat. Here
and There a bright light is shooting up
from THE bow of the boat. This is
some fisherman cooking his supper be-
fore startling in with his nights work.
To the west we see the jetty crawling
cut over THE sand banks five miles
long. 1t is now completed and has
made Astoria the safest and most ac-
cessIble haribor on the coast.
Right below and to the south we have
Young's Bay, surrounded by snug little
farms and villas. Like slveIy ribbons
Young5 and Lewis and Clarke rivers
are winding their way ledsurely
through grassy plains and wdllowy
banks ITO the bay.
Down ITO the northwest we see a clear
bright light tClat is the lighthouse at
Cape Disappointment, telling the sea.
faring men where the mouth of the
Columbia river is.
Now l must bring my letter to a
close. with the promise of writing soon
again.
Please bring my kindest regards to all
The folks at home, and write to your
faithful friend, ED. LUND