St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-23
En- Route to San Francisco.
BY REV. F. +. LEWIS.

When last met you, we had come
off from the plains and had had the
best dinner at the railroad dining
rooms in Pueblo that was ever served
to a horde of hungry excursionists
Being behind schedule time the trip
to Denver was omitted. Those who
were especially desirious to 60 to
Denver went forward on the regular
train.
Colorado Springs and Manitou
were crowded with Endeavorers, 400
cars being sde-tracked there. Two
enthusiastic delegates arose at half
past two in the morning and climbed
Pixies Peak on the cog railroad.
Others contented themselves with a
drive around Manitou and the Car
den OF the Gods. One of the most re-
markable springs in Manitou is the
soda spring. Here is one of natures
soda fountains, and only fruit flavor
is needed to make it a delightful
drink. The Garden of the Gods is
one of the most remarkable sights
seen anywhere. Great strata Of red
sandstone standing on edge have been
worn by wind and water into most
strange shapes, in which a vivid inn
agination finds dogs, bears, goats,
Lots wife, cathedral spires and SO
on. We return to our cars and after
some waiting the procession begins
to move. One hundred and two
special trains are scheduled to pass
over the Denver and Rio Grande. We
are about the twentieth on the list.
Soon after leaving Pueblo, we enter
the Royal Gorge. The track is laid
on narrow shelf on the bank of the
Arkansas, cut out Of the rock. On
either side rise the bare rocks for hun
dreds OF feet.
On we go, up, up, into the heart Of
the mountains. Every eye is strained
to catch the ever-changing view. In
spite of all the grandeur Vermonter
finds no cause to be ashamed of the
Green Mountains. Their rounded sum-
mits clothed in shifting shades of
green cannot be surpassed for beauty.
These rocky heights suggest majesty,
sublimity, rather than beauty. The
jagged rocks, scanned and twisted
tell of storm and conflict. The stubby
trees with their bent and twisted
arms seem to be growing in agony.
All night we toll up the heights.
We run at slow speed. The train
is heavy and the other trains are in
sight, before and behind. The officials
and trainmen take every precaution
to ensure safety. Now we have
crossed the backbone of the CONT
nent and begin to slide down the
giant ribs of the Western slope. The
train stops near the summit in a
snow storm and we get out and have
a game of SNOWFALL on the third day
of July. Downward we plunge
through the canon of the Grand river.
This is called one of the finest stretches
OF scenery to be found along any rail
road. For seventeen miles battle.
mented cliffs of gray limestone, hun.
dreds of feet high overhang us. Now
they assume the form of Egyptian
architecture; now the great blocks
of stone rise as regularly as though
laid by a master mason; now we
come to the foothills beginning to be
luxuriant with orchards, and then
we are out on the gray desert o.
Utah, the monotony relieved only by
the conical snow-capped peaks o
the Wahsatch range, far to the South
west.
The heavy traffic has delayed OUT
train. Wereach Salt Lake City long af
ter dark and our visit to the lake Sat
urday afternoon never takes place
Some may go on Sunday, but we have
more important things on hand.
Junior rally is held at the First Con
gregational church at go. Mrs. F
E. Clark, Mrs. Alice May Scudde,
and Others speak. At IL oclocl
came the regular church services. A
2 the monster c. E. mass meetin,
in the Mormon tabernacle, wher
10000 people listen to addresses OF
Christian Citizenship by Bisho
Arnett, George F. Pentecost an
President Clark. The singing led b
the great tabernacle organ wa
grand. The meeting ought to develo
the patriotic spirit in Salt Lake.