The age-herald., 1898-09-11
ii That ArG-> 2 Books :!B|.! !,!: o!!: -Read R cad


 the visiting Of new scenes might very worthfIy find it's compensation in the zest and pleasure the experiences give one In reading the literature of that particular locality. Some years ago it was my good fortune one wintry night, to enjoy to great extent a little novel by Anna Fuller. This popular author does some exceeding ly good work, but this one, "A Literary Courtship,' is especially clever. Naturally I felt perfectly content, feeling that 1 had enjoyed 1t thoroughly; yet, after reading 1t under the auspices of "Pike's Peak" where the scenes are laid, realize the im- mense difference. Even the illustrations which had formerly been passed by with but superficial comment, now were of in estimabIe value. They are perfect repro auctions of many of the most popular scenes to be visited in this locality. "A Literary Courtship possesses a unique value as we usually estimate fiction of this class. It is so original and yet so natuial in the development of the plot, which is hardly sufficient to be sgnifed by that name. Told in the first person masculine 1t Is difficult to remember that 1t Is writ ten by woman, so thoroughly manly and strong is the characterization of the men of the "Pow-wow'' club, while the dainty conception, and delicate touches in tEe portrayal of the heroine Miss Lillian Les lie Lamb, is grateful and striking con- trast proving the happy versatility of the author
 When I thought of visiting Colorado Springs, this little volume, which I held in delightful remembrance, occurred to me as being worthy of a second reading after I, too, had enjoyed the scenes of the book, and was not mistaken. Naturally the enc great point of interest which is supreme in the mind of the visitor Is "Pike's Peak" Like big, manly, delightful John BIunt," in "A Literary Courtship,' we were at first woefully disappointed in Pikes Peak" We expected to see it from the time we left Pueblo, and finally, after arr.vaI at Colorado Springs it had to be pointed out to us and then in the words of John Brunt, 'swore he had never seen anything half hideous. and I quite agle eed with him. But then the charming Miss Lamb Is reassuring when she states that Every real Coloradoan hates it at first. But Pike's Peak does improve acquaintance Just before I left Birmingham I heard it related of the young fellow who visited Colorado Springs and arose bric ht and early the next morning to take q little walk to the peak which he supposed to be some mile and a half, before breakfast The truth is. it is over seven mics, Break fast passed then dinner still he did not return and his friends started out to look for him and found him taking off his sho=s preparatory to fording a stream about two feet wide. Upon inquiry, he replied that he had been so deceived as to the distance to Pike's Peak that he decided that may be this stream which appeared to be so small might indeed prove to be young river One can thoroughly apprecia4e the experience. and had been given to morn- ing rambles, I, too, might have been be- trayed into taking a stroll to its tase, which looks very inviting.
 On the way from Kansas City to Colora- do Springs over the popular and delight full route, the Missouri Pacific. one travels in a straight line, cutting the state of Kansas just in half. It is ride of twenty four hours through the most beautiful farming district have ever seen. It was harvest time, and the mowers and reapers were at work, while the enormous and abundant ricks of wheat and oats and hay were monuments of faithful labor, faithful ly and conscientiousy performed. It was my first visit west and I naturally felt keen interest in the scenes which have long been familiar through writers of the western section The wide, extensive farm lands-yisible in one unbroken line as far as the eye could see-were made unusually picturesque and attractive by the ab- sence of fences" The use of the "redge' is becoming universal in the west Most in is the beautiful rich dark green foli- age of the osage orange. In Its richness and strong contrast to the intervening fields of grain it is very much like the stately Hawthorne" so universally used in England, and when "slashed" as they term it, forms magnificent hedge. It was an exceptionally hot August day. the warm winds, as they blew over miles and miles of farm lands, were laden with the delici- ous odors of new mown hay"
 The glare and intense heat of the wide prairies recalled the writings of many peo- pie of the west who have gained not only recognition, but fame. Foremost to my mind stands the name of "Hamlin Gar land" He has made the literature of the west As each physical sense drank in the beauties of the prairie life, the mind as- scented to the perfect portrayal in Garland's realistic work.
 Kansas has just passed through one of its drouths that parches the fruit of the soil if it comes at an inopportune season. In the withered young corn and other evil dences of intense heat I remembered "Jason Edwards" I think it was anyway one of Garland's books where he describes with such vivid reality one of the scorching droughts, when man and beast, and every live thing pants and parches beneath the blighting rays of the hot sun. And water becomes scarcer and scarcer until each drop is meagerly counted. A rich land, surely flowing with milk and honey. but it does possess some unavoidable disad- vantages. Read the literature of the west and when you VlSlt IL, tWlll seem ike G long familiar and dear land of your inti- mate acquaintance. From one days real experience I have sympathy for Jason Edwards I never possessed before
 Every one who visits Colorado Springs pays personal homage to Cheyenne Can on," if be fails to go anywhere else. It is now irrevocably associated with the name of '.Helen Hunt Jackson" It is more than possible that many a pilgrim who has never read or. what is more, purchased" her books, feels it encumbent upon him to do homage to her last resting place To