The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-24

A F'TERf an UNUSUALLY strenuous week,
IN Iawoke on a recent Sunday morn
~ ing with the delightful rest-day
- n feeling that I need not take the
-'--. seven thirty car, and therefore
might turn over and have another nap. I
mapped and had a. vision.E I rseemed to be
at the forking OF, two roads, uncertain
which to take. a u d.. }I:,s
Down one road$4I saw walking primly
and correctly, many men, women and
children, all in their Sunday best, very
clean and new and bright and rustling.
stern figure with 'Duty' written across
her brow, pointed me down this road, at
the end of which was a. magnificent
church. I saw entering the church it's
dignified pastor; and heard waited from
its open doors, the exquisite harmonies Of
it's great organ.
Down the other road passed an occa-
sional rather shabby-looking figure, some
times a group of two or three. Some of
these carried small bundles or covered
baskets. Here was a man with fshpole,
there a woman with a book. In the dis
lance I cleaning water, brilliant
foliage, f1eecy clouds sailing over a sky Of
the deepest blue. I felt a distinct desire
to walk that way myself, and I cast a
quick glance at the figure which stood
pointing me down that road. expected
to find written on her brow, forbidden
Pleasure" but instead read Duty also
there, and the face was a joyous and snail-;
ing one. 49, ~
Then I became very wide awake and
possessed of a determination to make the
most Of g. perfect day. I would lay in a.
supply of oxygen and sunshine to last for
all the coming week, and feast my eyes
| on pictures the memory Of which would
stay with me till another October.
No patent leather shoes and trailing
| silken petticoats for mo (even If had pos
sessed them); but my thick-soled boots
and short walking skirt. No deliberately
planned and served Sunday dinner but
a sandwich and some fruit, slowed away
in g. pasteboard box.
| A stuffy street car ride was soon over
and the entrance to our beautiful River
side park gained This park is so little
known and appreciated that it is to be
hoped that a short account of a blessed
Sunday morning spent there may induce
! a few who are unaware Of its existence to
hunt it, up and become acquainted with
it Riverside and Mnnehaha cars pass
within block or two Of it, The dwellers
on the flats and in the poorer portions Of
the south part Of town have within easy
walking distance it's graveled walks and
soft lawns and grand old trees; or if they
Chamber down it's river banks they can
find wild bits Of nature to transport them
miles and miles away from city life. Such
park in such q portion of large city
| exerts civilizing influence hard to esti-
mate, and Is a means of aesthetic culture
| that cannot but have its effect for good
upon those that frequent it.
Up and across the river rise from
| masses of foliage the buildings of the
state university. Down the river in the
| distance can be seen the airy outlines
| of the Franklin avenue and Lake street
bridges. ~
! This particular Sunday morning was
| sunny and enchanting, with enough brisk
ness in the air to give one energy. The
| hazy blue distances made every view an
| exquisite one, and softened the autumn
| foliage to dreams Of blended coloring.
| Following the broad graveled road which
| dips down toward the river, flight Of
steps was reached which lead to a grove
Of naples near the waters edge. It hap
pened to be just the day upon which
| these maple leaves had attained their ut
| most beauty, come to their fullest ma
| turity. After a life well spent they were
gently dropping, one by one, and cover
| ing the soft brown earth beneath them
with a. carpet such as no weaver Of the
| orient, with all mans richest stuffs and
! dyes, could ever hope to equal There
was no curled or dried leaf among them;
| all were perfect, each different. s..
| Kneeling on this carpet, with the sun
| fltering softly thru the gold and GRIM
son of the yet unfallen leaves, one was in
a more fitting place Of worship than any
man-made cathedral could be. Each slow
dropping leaf was sermon and psalm IN
/ one; and for. accompanying harmony,