The San Francisco call., 1897-02-15

the west by verdure-clad or tree-crowned
or bald, rugged mountains, standing as
huge walls OF defense for this favorite and
secluded region
The writer has gazed in hushed awe
from the summit of a snowcIad peak in
far Alaska upon hundred miles of ma
Jestic mountains robed in eternal ice and
snow, and has felt the all-subduing power
OF nature in her unspeakable sublimlty,
her enchanting distances and her mighty
grandeur, but here in eastern San Luis
Obispo he has met her in nearness, tender
ness and loneliness, with q smiling well
come for all who have found her at home
here and have taken up their abode with
her among these hills and in these val
leys, showering her bountiful gifts upon
them and crowning all with her rarest
blessing, eIuberant health and a spirit OF
contentment, making one long to be OF
the happy NUM- Der who have here found
prosperity and peace as tillers OF the soil.
The climate of eastern San Luis Obispo
is decidedly different from that on the
western side of the mountains. There is
some frost in winter and the heat OF sum-
mer sometimes reaches 80 degrees but is
not oppressive, while the nights are cool
Though the air is dry it has touch of
the sea breeze, which imparts sense of
freshness quite unlike the parching heat
of the interior on the Mojave plains. Peo-
PIE dlulCleu Will dStuuld duu pulnOudIH
ailments find it most satisfactory and
agreeable climate. These climatic condi-
tions make this region peculiarly favor
able for ripeni1g and curing prunes, hgs
and raisins in perfection. In summer
time the mornings and evenings possess
charm seldom found elsewhere. Inc
bracing air and clear sunshine OF the
colder months give health and vlgor TO
the most elicate constitutions.
AS already indicated, the county OF san
Luis Obispo has not reached hlgh state
of industrial and commercial develop
ment This is owing TO its comparative
isolation from the great thor ughiares of
travel until within short time; but the
railroad has finally penetrated the center
of the county. and population and de-
yelopments will now increase more
rapidly. particularly as land values do not
range nearly so high as in other favored
portions of the State, which will invite
thrifty settlers 10 locate here unless the
blight of land speculation lnterferes with
the settlement of the people who are con-
tent with small holdings thoroughly
titled.
TempIeton, Paso Robles and San
Miguel on the line of the railroad, are
the chief centers of population on the
east side of the mountains. San LUIS
Obispo, the county seat, and Arroyo
Grande are the two larger towns on the
western slope fronting the ocean. The
chief town, San Luis Obispo, hes popu-
lation Of about 5000. l: is situated near
the base of the mountain in a charming
valley, within a semi-circle of lesser
mountain peaks which stand as guard in
sentinels about the quiet little city. 1t is
but nine miles to tidewater in the snug
harbor, where the steam amships meet the
railway train on the wharf at Port Har-
ford.
Fame assuredly awaits this beautiful
little city as place of homes for cultured
people of means and as a health and
pleasure resort On the delightful slopes
above the town some coZy homes are al
ready seen. The writer strolled in the al
ternoon up to one of these aoodes of peace
and ease. Trees and vines surround it.
About the doors in lavish profusion are
flowers and shrubs in endless variety.
Tender plants from the tropics flourish
here in the open air. The noble poinsetta
is here in all the glory of its royal gleam-
ing red:
Regal in its splendid glow,
Seeming like to her We know,
Who in ages lonE since fed
Lifted up her queenly head
BY the river OF the Nile
Winning Kingdoms by her smile,
Egypts sun within her eyes,
In her hair the midnighI dyes,
In her cheeks the sunset fame,
In her lips OF deathess fame,
In the brightness of her face
All the glo y of her race
CItopatJ alike to stand
Queen of ali our blooming land.
But space would fail me to tell of the
tropical vigor and luxuriance of a scarlet
passion-vine covering e eastern end of
the two-story residence, and of the stateli-
ness OF great royal Gold Of Ophir rose
bush, and OF its charming Rive dor
neighbor, and OF the scarlet by discus, the
camphor and hundred other rare plants.
conclude by saying that have only
half told the story OF what should be
written of San Luis ODispo County, assur-
ing the reader that he Will not be disap-
pointed when he goes there to see for him
self, provided, only, that his eyes are
trained to see and appreciate the country.
JOSEPH AsBURY JOHNSON.