The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1895-09-28
EDITORIAL OUTING.
ATRIP IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

anu Impressive Royal Jorge CANON we
entered the little city, Salida, which
IL q town of 5000 and 7.O49 feet above
sea level. The view Of the mountains
from Salida is grand aud especially in
teresting. The College Ranges shows in
the west with the Yale, Harvard and
Princeton Peaks in plain view with per-
petual snow, while to the south stands
the Sangre de Christie Range, aud the
southwest tower Onray Shaveno.
While the train rolled through the
mountains we passed several small towns
Of more or less interest. Every traveller
passed his time at the car window in
wonderful amazement at the beauties
Of nature, while the train which is pull
ed by two powerful locomotives ascend
the mountain until Leadville is reached.
This little city is called Cloud
City, being the highest through which
we passed. 1t is city of 10000 people
and 1920 high. and when we souther-
ner reached that point We thought it
was cold.
Leadville il the third city Of Colorado,
and the greatest and most unique car
Donate mining camp In the world. II
is enc OF the most interesting cities to
the tourist. 1t at0unds in scenes OF
novel aud characteristic nature-min-
ing methods are here illustrated in every
form.
Leaving the interesting Leadville we
proceeded along tOrtuOus path cut at
heavy grade into the side hills, we
mounted slowly into Tennessee Pass.
which feeds the head Of Eagle River on
ole side and one source Of the Arkansas
Oh the other. 1t is comparatively low
and easy pass covered everywhere with
dense timber. Reaching an elevation
Of lO.433 feet, the train darts iatO tun-
mel half mile long and on emerging at
the western end We are on the Pacific
slope. Nothing but hay will grow at
this high elevation.
WebOw approach the Mount Of the
Holy Cross. and can do no better than
to quote the description oft by Ernest
lngersoll: "0ne of the side Valleys. CON-
ing down to the track at rights angle
from the southwestwari-I think it is
HOmestake Gulch--leads the eye up
through a glorious alpine avenue to
xuhora fh., ra fhodroI erocf N unhlo naot
pierces the sky. 1t is a summit that
would attract the eye anywhere
feet hidden in verdurous hills. guarded
by nightly crags. half buried in seeth
ing clouds, its helmet vertical, frOwn
ing, plumed cleaning snow
'Ay. every inch a king
1T is the Mount Of the Holy Cross,
bearing the sacred symbol in such her
ole character as dwarf all human grav-
ing. and set on the pinnacle of the world
as though in sign of possession forever.
The Jesuits went hand in hand with
Cheralier Dubois, proclaiming Chris
tiaR Gospel in the northern forests; the
Puritan brought his Testament to New
England. the Spanish banners of vic
tory on the Golden shores Of the Pacific
were upheld by the fiery zeal Vt the
friars Of San Francisco; the frozen Alas
kan cliffs resOunded to the chanting Of
the monks of st. Peter and Paul. On
every side the virgin continent was tax.
en- in the name Of Christ, and with all
the eclat Of religious conquest.
Yet from ages unnumbered. before
any Of them centuries Oblivious in the
mystery of past time, the Cross had been
planted here. As prophecy during un-
measured generations. as a sign Of glo-
riOus fulfilment during nineteen centu-
ries, from always and to eternity re-
minder of our fealty to heaven. this di-
vine seal has been set upon our proudest
eminence. What matters it whether we
write God i'm the constitution of the
United States. where here in the sight
OF all men is inscribed this marvellous
testimony to his sovereignty. Shining
grandly out Of the pure ether, and above
all turbulence Of earthly clouds, it says:
Humble myself, o man. Measure thy