Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-12-15

of the stock industry, II q solid back
ing to commercial affairs. Business
men are cheerful and contented and a
spirit of satisfaction pervades the COM
munity. The streets are busting with
activity, the air is resonant with the
hum of industry and the evangel of
progress is perched on the cupola of the
court house.
A wave of prosperity has struck the
place, and, unlike the semi-occasional
Wash-outs that sweep down from the
hills, it has no intention of departing
and will not cause the %populace to climb
a tree.
There are but few idle men in the
community, and most of these are idle
from habit or inclination, and not from
necessity. Furthermore, no ~meandering
cattle or meek-visaged orphan burros
are found on the streets. No doubt, if
such a state of affairs existed. some en-
terprising citizen would crafty his nat
ural aptitude for progression by attach
ing street cars to them.
Business is good. And the business
men of the town are tremendously unit
ed and unanimous when they tell a
| stranger that it is good. SO much for
business conditions.
Considerable snow fell here during the
past week. Not so much as at Santa Fe
or Albuquerque, but enough to deter me
from ascertaining whether or not Sill
yer City ranks as a pleasure and health
resort. No grass is visible to the naked
eye and the keep off the grass signs
have been taken indoors and stored
with last summers mosquito netting.
Strawberries are not quite ripe and the
birds that one carolledi in the trees have
turned their job over to the church
choir and are nursing sore threats.
From casual observation, | infer that
southern California has places that
rank above Silver City as winter re-
sorts. However, the denizens of the 10
cality, with proverbial optimism, aver
that the snow storm was a good thing,
because the ranges needed it. If an aV-
alanche would sweep down from some
the citizens would probably say that it
was a mighty opportune occurrence, be-
cause the streets needed grading, any
way. But perhaps this generally as
serted optimism is the cause of making
Silver City n of the liveliest and most
progressive localities in the west.
1t is amusing to note the condescen-
sion-even patronage-that some Silver
ditions in Santa Fe are in comparison,
the topic of conversation. They point
with pride to their mines, their stock in
t~erests, their tributary districts and
their numerous other resources. Then
their eyes fill with tears and they re-
gret that Santa Fe isn't in a similar po-
sition. The stand taken reminds me OF
an after-dinner story told by the inim,
table Colonel Ralph Twitchell:
IAN Irishman, possessing the fantas.
tic name, O'Hoolihan, engaged in the
poultry business and kept his stock il
the cellar of his city home. One day the
sewer busted, bedad,' and drowned hi:
chickens.
"O'Hoolihan was an influential politi
clan and somewhat upon to- the way'
of the world, and he determined to maxi
the city pay damages. He applied frs
to the police sergeant of the precinc
and unfolded his tale of woe thus wise
me name is Michael O'Hoolihan. o
: hov fohrty votes in the precinct. Th'
/, soccer bushted and drownded m
= chickens and I wants for the city to pa.
5 the dahmages.'
THE sergeant listened to him atten
lively, then patted him on the back ant
, said:
"I regret the occurrence exceedingly
l and would be glad to aid you, but, un
fortunately, the matter is one that doe
not come within my jurisdiction. I an
forced to refer you to the captain
: THE police captain likewise deplore'
. the incident, patted him On the bacl
r and referred him to the street commits
Y sioner in the city hall.
"O'Hoolihan trudged off to the cit,
. hall.
, "Of course the street commissions
had heard of Mr.. O'Hoolihan and kne,
| that he was a valuable citizen and re
5 spected member of the church, but, un
/ fortunately, the matter was properl
: within the jurisdiction of the waite
: commissioner.
I 1.-THE water commissioner likewis
; considered O'Hoolihan a good thing, S
; he patted him on the back and pushe
> him along.
Disguised, furious and tired, O'Hoo
; Than at last stood in the mayors office
= He had reiterated the story of his mis-
: fortune so often that it was decided
monotonous.
! mister Mayor he said, desperately
OF want damages. The sooer bushte
and drownded my chickens. Phwa
t would yez do about it?'
: "The a swung around in his re
i volving chair and replied:
why the devil don't you rails
. ducks?"
u Silver City may as well say to SAINT
{ Fe, why don't you raise ducks?' Blu
I Silver City is a good country for duck
+ and perhaps Santa Fe is not. There ar
no Santa Ritas, Central. Mogollon:
u Fort Bayards, etc, to supply up there.