The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1905-10-06
Among the Note Books Of Our
Summer Travellers
OUTIITII0I

They were PalmOrenSeS paSt, pre-
sent, and future, though they were
but two. They were accompanied by
the most reticent and patient, as we'll
as the most thoughtful and generous
of brothers. They grew upon the
billowy plains of Kansas, but their
longings to feel dash of salt sea
spray was as If strain Of old viking
blood flowed in their viens.
On the 10Th of July, they were care
full to preserve the date, they had
actually set out for the Gulf. Like
one who hurriesa purchase lest better
Judgment or prosalc necessity should
forbid the cherished possession, they
bought their tickets on such short
notice that only chair cars were left
for the first stage Of their journey.
The sleepless member OF the party
kept watch and ward while others
dreamed, and the ceaseless shuttle OF
thought few back and forth, with
flying thread, weaving magic tapes
try, first of the quiet home lying un-
der the stars of Kansas; then of the
spires and domes, the ancient towers
and magnificent modern houses,
crowded streets, the white uniformed
soldiers. the swinging bells, the old and
new, the foreign and home-like, that
make the Wondrous charm Of the City
Of Mexico; now of bright, low hung
star ever mountain peak. and the
witchery of moonlight over hill and
valley; then of the troops of marching
heroes of history and the shadowy
forms of traditlOn,-thes were the
visions of the night.
The dun light OF early morning
brought Puebla, the stronghold oil
conservatism, into view, and there, al
the lei t, were the great snoW-cresteo
mountains still towering ABOVE the
clouds, keep ng watch Iii he SPHINX
IL the desert; knowing 50 much of the
wonderful past of Mexico, and hliing
one with awe by their mysterious
silence. At their feet were great
stretches of cultivated land, greer
and fresh as garden. Little brown
adobe villages lay near the railroad
men ia white manta and high-peaket
straw hats walked about the streets
and the ever present mother and bab'
were pictured in the doorway.
| Now the train ran rapidly over a
high plateau, the mountains Wer
lower and the soil dry and dusty; sooI
after it was flying swiftly among tn
clouds, winding 10 and out, doublirl
oack and forth, crossing AID recross
ing the narrow-gauge track, making
its perilous descent. Now it huggel
close to the mountain side again |
ran over three per cent. grade int
a very narrow gorge supported b.
| Immense treStle work. But tn
climax came when it entered a grea
canon where the travellers looked up
ward to a height passing into thou
sands of feet, up to the rugged noun
ain tops, and then down TO th
gradual appearance of vegetation; low
shrubs, trees, and finally to magni
ticent pine forest. AS they looked Lh,
clouds were drawn into the gorge az
| # by some unseen force. Mountain
streams flashed out between The grea
rocks, and down the preclpitous side
to reappear farther on. Once a grea
stream of water came gushing RICH
| Jut of the mountain side and fell 81.
hundred feet over a perpendicular
wall The track passed round
shoulder and shut out this land o
| dnQ UdO fStiSio " ~
nad been silent and almost breathles
with wonder and awe, at the grandeu
of the deep s0litudes, sighed to hav,
lost it so quickly. At the next breath
and many times after, the canon CAM
flashing back into view, near, aut
lien far, as the train wound about tn
curves on tie mountain sides.
The travellers we're now about hal
way to the coast, and rapidly descend
ing to the sea leyel. The ever chang
ing scenery grew more and more tro
ulcal. Coffee plantations came int
Sight. Tall bananas extended thei
| oroad leaves sheltering tende
plants from the excessive heat of tn
un. In the uncultlvated spots lux
uriant ferns rose to the height q
rees, and In and out among the grea
piles of gray lava stones smaller fern
OF endless variety and rare beauty
crept and nestled and waved a grac
Gus welcome to the children Of tn
vikings.
On went the train into the countr
OF daily rains, Gentle showers wer
falliag. The earth was all fragrance
aud beauty. Men and women worket
IN in the rain, as if it were sunshine
and the wonder OF the travellers wa
In the primitive implements AM
methods they employed. Great palu
trees lifted their Jufted fronds il
air." and the train ran at time
through jungles that looked impene
trable. Tue cocoa palm stood lik
young Saul. head and shoulders above
his brothers. Tall trees we're drape'
from head to foot with gray moss
The banyans made each his sep arat
grove. The houses of the village
we're low, matched roofs withou
sides and their inhabitants wor,
scanty clothing. At every station
women, bearing baskets Of tempting
tropical fruits, crowded up to the ca
windows, but the travellers were pru
dent. They had been forbidden T.
eat of the fruits or drink the waite
of the hot country.
Lower still lay the road. the tree
were all palms Of one family or an
other; beautiful parrots few anon
them; sea gulls sailed about 10 tn
air, and zopiloies few ominously an,
lazily across the sky. Veracruz wa
near, and with hearts beating wlCl
excitment, the travellers peere'
through rain and mist and gathering
dusk for one glimpse Of the coast
/ n - Il.