The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-06-11

JUNE IL, 1903.
well hooked up in financial way, but
1t was his custom to take an annual
vacation in the mountains at the ex-
pense of would-be miners. Inthis re-
spect he was rather close but in other
matters wildly extrayagant.
Arrangements completed, we left
w early one morning, Charley wav-
ing farewell to numerous friends, the
writer painfully self-conscious, it being
his first appearance in Western regalia,
sombrero, boots and spurs. We headed
north, having planned to spend the
first night at Charley's ranch on the
Methow. Our road for the first ten
miles led through an unbroken expanse
of sagebrush, not tree or drop of
water in sight, nothing but sagebrush
aud dust, as desolate a country as one
could find. Charley proved himself a
prophet by remarking that this land
would all be under cultivation in ten
years. Since then irrigation bitches
have been built and one can ride along
the same road to the foothills in an
electric car, a line having been built
recently for the sole use of fruit grow
ers and small farmers who have trans
formed wilderness into land of
plenty. It is one of the few strictly
rural electric lines in this country.
But to return to the SOS. We kept
pushing along and finally reached the
foothills where our horses enjoyed
much needed drink of water. Wind
ing among the foothills the trail was
as monotonous as ever, one hill looking
much like another, but the bunch grass
was relief after the miles of sage
brush and we would see an occasional
flock of sheep, herd of cattle or a stray
horse. Charley remarked that we had
been steadily ascending since leaving
the valley and what seemed many
small hills was one large cne In reality.
It was only then that / fully realized
that there had always been hill ahead
of us, but that we seldom went down
hill, it was always up and up again.
1t was just before dark that we sud-
denly reached the summit and before
lis lay the prettiest spot have ever
seen, Charley's home on the Methow.
On his side of the range, the hills Tor
rather mountains now were heavily
timbered; far to the left in little niche
in the mountains came the stream
which watered the valley. The valley
itself was very small, toy-like IN ap-
pearance, but its beauty could not be
surpassed. I never envied anybody as
l envied Charley and his home on the
Methow. We commenced the descent
and it was only then that realized how
high we had been. We appeared to be
going straight down, yet the descent
occupied nearly two hours. AS we
drew near the spacious log house our
way was barred by gate so modern as
to be out of harmony with its surround
ings. Its uselessness was apparent as
there was no fence on either side. 1t
was supported by two large uprights,
one on each side of the road. With
great pride Charley manipulated the
lever without dismounting and the
gate swung aside to permit our passage.
1t was simply toy for the big six
footer to play with. Charley had seen
it exhibited at the Wa1la Walla fair
and brought it home. 1t was the only
patent self-operating gate north of
Spokane and Charley was justly con-
ceited as he jerked another lever and
the gate closed behind us.
Having no idea of how the big ranch
ers lived, was agreeabIy surprised to
find supper waiting complete in every
detail, including game, fish, homemade
wine, fruit, in fact everything that is
considered luxury in the city. After
our meal pipes were produced and
Charley told me something of his life
on the Methow. He had lived in the
valley for twenty years; his wife was
the first white woman to live in that
section. He had seen the country
grow up around him and had great
faith in its future. He had thousands
of cattle on the range, together with
several herds Of horses; had sons in
college and daughters at school in
Montreal, yet he was going prospecting
on agrub stake" It was hard to