Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-07-31
DOWN BY OLD OCEAN.
Observations OF a Missouri Tonderfoot
Through the Mountains to the Sea-

wallis / have frequently been entertained
by friends with stories of that delightful
trip through the mountains to the sea
and with true Missouri spirit i have Ions
had desire to ''be shown" But kline
Providence nor aay other fellow has
brought forth the prancing steeds Oh
golden chariot with which my fondesi
hopes might be realized. Patience and
perseverance, it mas been said, will ac
complish all thugs, and hence | bided
my time. Father Joseph Yates always
has an eye open to the interest and well
fare of his friends. and anticipating the
longings of my heart, harnessed up
"Billy''-young and nimble like his
owner-loaded the phaeton with all things
good people should take on a trip OF
this kind, and like the coynmaiden of
sweet sixteen accepted his company for
a grand promenade. Kind Providence
seemed to lend an approving smile, for a
mantle of cloud obscnred the burning
ravs of = summer sun and little Oregon
lnist iaiI the l,..,t, tins making the roads
delightful. The fields Of ripening grain
on either side of the road to fiIiInmat',.
now ready for the harvest, is inspiring to
to the soul of any man vino has in mind
theswelfare of his neighbor, and shows
conclusively that those who have soxn
will reap bountiful harvest.
In passing through the thriving little
village of philomath we notice with pride
and pleasure the pluck and perseverance
of the Benton County Lumber Com
pany in bridling the force of nature with
seventeen mile fume, and as We
watched the lumber issue from the water,
we said nothing seems impossible to the
Yankee ingenuity of man.
We found the roads through the noun
tains in fine condition, rejecting credit
on those who have in charge the expedi-
ture OF public money. thus lending en-
chantment to the scenes OF marvellous
beauty known only to the mountains.
We found the Blodgett Valley one
vast meadow of hay, reaching the full
length of the valley, and from the noun
tains and foothills reechoed the tingling
of bells from numerous herds Of cattle
aud sheep everywhere visible to the
naked eye. The greatest surprise to US,
however, was the fertile valley down the
Little Elk. We had conceived the idea
that after passing the Summit We would
find a dreary, desolate waste, suitable
only for sheep, when the coyotes and
other wild animals had become extinct,
But, instead, we found beautiful produc-
tive little valley, extending clear down
to the ocean. Fat cattle and sheep were
lying in the fence corners in rich, green
tame grasses; white clover was growing
profusely, fruit in abundance, and many
happy prosperous farmers enjoying the
fruit OF their toll. To our mind men
with limited means could find this valley
a haven of rest to their weary souls and
a glorious shelter in time of storm.
Here we found one of the noblest spirits
of our sex, whose soul goes out i'll sym
pathy for the weary traveller, for there
by the roadside he had tapped beauti-
full mountain stream, provided a water
ing place for horses, hitching rack,
ground, table and bench, so
you could put your big feet under the
table when eating, and then as the shades
Of evening gathered around you could
lie down under the beautiful pines and
enjoy your slumber without wave of
trouble rolling DER your peaceful breast"
We enjoyed his hospitality during the
the night and at the dawn of day climbed
the last lofty mountain peak known in
Uncle Sans domain, and for the first time
in life caught glimpse of that myster-
ons wonder of the world, the Pacific
Ocean. 1t has never entered into the
mind of man fully to conceive, painter
to portray. or pen to write the
grandeur of that scene, and as we looked
in wonder and amazement away out into
the immensity of space, We thought how
We were, and how little
we will be missed when we come to the
end of the journey OF human life.
We landed safely in time to partake of
a royal supper prepared by the ladies of
the Yates household, aad Mother Yates
seemed greatly pleased to see Father
Joseph and hear him crate On the pleas
ures OF the trip. He is slightly tongue
tied, you know, bnt she seems TO under
stand him quite we'll, and hence they
have drifted very peacefully down the
stream of time together for good many
years. To friends I would say, don't
worry about Joseph, for when weary of
tramping he can take down that old vio-
lin, and perform aa operation that would
surprise you greatly.
We We're pleased to see Prof. Horner
SO nicely situated. He has just added
fresh coat OF paint to his cottage, which
greatly adds to its appearance lie took
particular pains to make it pleasant for
us. He is we'll named, for when he pro-
fesses friendship for a man he never
blows his own Horn(er) fails to do his
duty toward his friend. AS par took OF