The Red Cloud chief., 1897-09-24

Cnrrara marble by master artists IN
days ot yore. Even the sun seems to
pause and smile more ecnially ne no
sees himself reflected in a thousand
brilliant icc-fdccts which separate its
rays into their prismatic hues. Bl,
finger as he may. the time m when
only the moor and stars see the won
derful beauty of the place. for boats
ust say good-hy when Soils chariot
passes on, as II Is not safe for a vessel
to he overtaken by night in that ice.
dotted bay. which is so unlike that
ether bay which caresses the banks rf
SitSa. the most interesting settlement
III Alaska. A single street. at the
head of which is the old orthodox
Greek church. with its picturesque
green minarcts. chime of bells and fine
CLOCK, divides the village into two
Decentralization and h%eathenism. On
the one side is the Indian rancherie or
settlement. FOR the government now
compels the natives to live In houses
or huts which front the beach in a
double row. each place being white.
washed ana numbered. The inside
consists Of ono large room with a hole
in the middle of the roof, through
which the smoke Of the fire escapes,
the SCOT on the ceiling forming black
staIactites of the most fascinating
Hhapc and form. In this common liv-
ING room, the entire family. includins
hof0es OF dogs, eat and sleep. while
the only touch of picturcsqueness about
me rancherie are the beautiful canoes
covered with gay blankets. which are
drawn IN on the beach. On the other
SIDE OF the gravcled highway are the
trading store. custom house, barracks,
mission schools and governors castle,
which is a most interesting square old
structure made of huge logs held to-
gether by iron bolts. its foundation be
ing a rocky elevation which is sur.
rounded on three sides by water. while
The fourth springs abruptly from ID.
surrounding land. thus forming a nat
ural and impregnablc fortress. The
view from this commanding height lis.
closes 4 semi-circular bay which nigh,
he the twin Of the beautiful bay of M
pies. moi even the fire mountain heinz
absent, for the extinct volcano. Edge.
Cumbe. far I'm the distance TO the right.
wrapped In a royal purple mantle,
guards the hundreds of emerald islands
which stud the silvery. glittering ex-
ranse Of water. Back of the town arc
the everlasting hills. whose rising
slopes as blue as lapis lazuli. gradually
hide themselves in wells OF nlmy. fleecy
clouds until they change their gowns
10 the pure w%hiteness of perpetual
snow.
Nature seems 10 he Setting for her
picture" for everything about Sitka
presents views to I'LL a water color ar
tist with rapture. Even the sun fingers
long before closing his eyes on this
perfection, for Q o'clock in August finds
him still out OF bed. flooding the scene
with glorious mellow light, which
gradually fades through the red of re-
greet. and the gray OF resignation. to the
tender amethyst Of hope, for the gentle
afterglow which tints the ~snow-cappad
mountains. and Is reflected by the Is
land-set bay. seems to be a promise of
tomorrow's return. and one secretly
envies him the sight, for ere that time
comes the steamer will have carried
Its human freight many miles from this
haven of perfect beauty, on the home
ward voyage from this land OF poetic
Observation-Disclosures Switzerland.