The Daily Texarkanian., 1898-09-18

fastness. aud your mapping hours
are over.
One moment you are climbing a
steep and rugged path upon a
ledge of rocks overlooking the un-
certain depth below, the next you
are dashing down a serpentiue
track into the swift running, Cos
satot river, the cleanness of whose
waters are most deceptive. The
tired horses pause to drink, and
you have time to absorb little of
this beautiful scenery. The river
runs with a murmuring and gurg-
ling song oyer its bed of many
colored stones, which appear to be
only a few inches under water,
whereas its depths vary from three
to ten feet, yet so clear and pure is
it that tiny fish can be plainly seen
at its very bottom.
A quick call-"Get up, Bess, go
long, Daisyw-and you grab for
the seat in front to keep from
spllling into the river behind, as
once more you start up hill upon
your journey. The road winds
ever upward into dark forests of
hanging vines and matted wild
flowers, by the side of sombre gorg-
es, and over mountain streams into
the very heart of untamed nature,
until at last you reach an open
valley, Just as the fair form of the
dying day is shrouded in the black
folds of a sombre night.
Baker Springs by electric light
is beautiful, in a weird uncanny
way, and stamps an impression up.
on the mind of the dreamer that
the light of a commonplace day
cannot quite dissipate.
The great event of the day is the
arrival of the hack, for it meyer fails
to bring one or more pilgrims to be
numbered with the Jolly, good ma
turedlittle band of pleasure-seekers-
and, what is almost better yet, it
brings letters, letters, letters from
far-away, outside world,
So at dusk all games are finished,
each sport or pleasure is forgotten
for the time in eager expectancy, as
the guests, both young and old gath
er about the hotel, awaiting with
keen delight the mellow call of the
drivers voice as it rings out upon
the cool night air as the hack comes
rumbling down the valley.
Now is the time for the gooC
"man Friday" to rush forward with
his flaming torch and ignite the
mighty "hambeau' standing six
feet above the earth and built Of
rich pine knots. The twilight
gives place to a scene worthy a
Raphaeps brush as the cracking
of the pines catch and burn anc
send forth myriads of sparks like
frebugs with ieweled wings, Great
volumes of yellow smoke twist anc
roll as it ascends heavenward, filling
the air with odors as sweet ano
pure as burning incense flung from
the bowl of the acolytes lamp,
The flames leap higher and higher
now red, now gold, then blue and
crimson, Transforming the common
place into such pictures of beauty
as only an artists soul can conceive
or understand. The valley that
with the gathering shadows became
a gloomy glen now finds itself the
center of a wonderful dreamland
| The mountains rise on either side,
a solid wall Of Lying green, with
here and there great sprays OF
early autumn leaves that are klsscc
into sudden life and throb anc
Quiver like bleeding hearts in this
glaring fire, A mighty giant pine
that sacrificed its life in an electric
storm stands devoid Of foliage, anC
in this shifting light casts gloomy
shadows across the mountain side
The bluffs and jagged rocks take
on a sCuptual effect that form a
constant study and fill the mine
| with strange sensations as you sit
! in groups of merry companies, OF
all alone and listen to the soft low
breathed melody Of mandolin anC
guitar keeping time, time, time, &c
the leaping of the ruddy flames.
The prosaic supper bell awakens
you from delicious reyeries to a
mad rush to the dining-hall, where
the inner nature is fed most bountt
fully upon the good things spread
before you.
Supper over, all adjourn to the
dancing pavalion, where English
Baker, grandson of the pioneer
whose name the springs now bear,
dressed in leather breeches, high
top boots, snakeskin belt, buckskiu
,an anl 5ark flannel shirt takes