The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-08-28
Pickering Passage.

Pickering Passage.
In looking over the country border
ing on Puget Sound in order to decide
where to spend summer, it would be
hard to find any place that was not a
dream of beauty and loneliness. And
unless the seeker of summer home
has not some fore-knowledge of differ
ent localities he would decide that
any place was delightful. picturesque
and all that could be desired. Such
was thought by us, party o. eastern
tourists, but fortunately one of our
party had an acquaintance with Pick
ering Passage and she assured us that
we would not regret spending some
weeks there, especially if we could pre-
vail upon Mrs. Morris to permit US to
board with her. This coveted permits
sion was secured, so happy company
left Tacoma one beautiful afternoon
on the steamer Multnomah, and later
we connected in mid-water with the
City of Shelton for Arcadia. Arriving
there we found rOw-boat waiting us
and after one of the most enjoyable
trips that could be imagined, we reach
ed Mrs. Morris hospitable home. Any
one who has been there knows the
warm welcome all receive and how
soon the home feeling possesses you.
1t was late when we reach ed there,
but after good nights sleep, what
wonders greet us; it is hard to tell
which should first claim our attention
the waters in front of the house or
the woods behind. Imagine a person
fresh from hot eastern city with so
much to choose from.
We continually exclaimed upon our
good fortune-boats for US if we pre-
ferred the water, and horses if we
chose the woods, and the kindest at
tention from all. It seemed the name
utopia" would be especially fitting to
this region, as it is surely an ideal
country. 1t would take long to tell
you how we spent our time, in collect
ing curios, pressing wild flowers, ex-
ploring swamps, visiting the islands,
picnicking one day by the side of a
lovely spring and declaring its equal
for loneliness could not be found. Then
the next day finding another place
which caused us to revoke our decision
Of the previous day and even to add
more adjectives to our former declara-
tiOns.
Then the day came when tn, bitter
was mixed with the sweet, when we
had to face the fact that we could not
stay forever. How we all longed to
possess little of the real estate of this
passage. We feel that we must return
to our homes and tell everyone of this
beautiful spot, and advise them to give
up the dismal grind in which they are
daily engaged and come where they
can live close to natures heart; per-
haps they may not make a fortune,
but they can make living, and then
think Of the compensation.
All that Pickering Passage needs to
make it the garden spot the of Sound,
is plenty of good industrious settlers
who are willing to work patiently. en-
10y the gifts that God give them and
wait for results. Surely as the coun-
ty settles up other advantages-so
many complain of missing-will be
theirs, but one thing is evident many
living in this region hardly know how
they are blessed; they forget their
Eastern trials, the heat of summer,
the cold of winter, the cyclones, the
hurricanes, the billiards, the failure of
crops and other drawbacks, which in
the distance seem slight. We are sure
anyone who could spend year in his
old home in the East, would return to
this country willing to live out his
days right here. If our own country
men do not find this a haven of rest
we can assure you, people from other
lands who know good thing when
they see it, will not be slow IN coming
in, and settling.
We all felt that we would like to
take unto ourselves a new profession,
that of land agent; how easy it would
be to say good things of such q coun-
try. To be sure all the farmers are
not under as high state of cultiva-
ton as Mrs. Morris. The fruit on this
is of the finest. One of our party
sent small box of gooseberries to her
home in Minnesota, they were such a
wonder, that her people called the
neighbors in, they sliced up two, so
that they might have taste,-(we
have all heard of making two bites of
cherry, but think of making four of
a gooseperry) then the remaining ones
they put in alcohol. Then they wrote
they were all wild to come at once to
this same Pickering Passage. If one
little box Of gooseberries could excite
so much enthusiasm, what would be
the result if these same people could
see all this wonders to which we were
introduced. We wish it were possible
that they might, and that they might
be entertained just where we were,
experience this same kindness we re-
ceived from all the people in this
region.
1t would be q revelation to many to
know how the spirit of kindliness
seems to dwell in this part of the
country, each one seems ready to do
his part in adding to the happiness of
others. MARGARET. @.
Chamberlain's Cough Remedy cures
colds, Group and whooping cough. Il
is nleasarft Rafe and roliahle For ala