The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-05-18


of cultivated grain is beauty combined
with simplicity. The broad expanse
of rolling prairie is beauty robbed of
her charms. The mountains with their
deep ravines and towering peaks pos
sess beauty that is inestimable They
lure man to his death; they call upon
him to accomplish the impossible, and
they find in him an ever ready victim.
The tourist tolls hour after hour up
the steep and treacherous mountain
side for the anticipated pleasure of
lovely scene; and after reaching the
summit he wonders what caused him
to make the effort. It is one of ma
ture's mysteries, admitting of no satis-
factory explanation.
The Rocky Mountains afford great
er variety of scenery than any other
range of mountains in the United
States, especially that part of the
Rockies which is within the borders
OF Colorado. The Royal Gorge is but
one item in the long list of lovely
scenes that greet the eye. Neverthe-
less it is no small item. 1t is fitting
example of the indomitable will of
nature, the warning of the elements,
and the final triumph of nature over
stone. This earth is one great battle
field. The elements combat each other,
and nature recognizes its common enc
my in stone; vegetation has an enemy
in the insect, and the insect is in turn
devoured by the higher ANIMALS. But
man of all creatures delights in the
slaughter of his kind.
There are other and greater canyons
than the Royal Gorge, but none So
awe-inspiring. The sublimity of the
scene fills one with reverence. 1t car
ries one back through countless ages
to the beginning of the unequal strug-
gle, when nature was at peace with the
universe. The history of the conflict
) is written on the walls of the canyon.
1t is there for those who wish to read
; it. Here we find record dated cen.
; turies back, of how the water in seek.
ing an outlet followed small crevice
in the rock. In time this crevice be.
came yawning chasm. Thus it is as
we see it today. Man has since util.
lied this natural gateway for CONNER
cial purposes by constructing a railway
through it, thereby making it possible
for thousands to enjoy this scene
Taking the trail at Salida, Colorado
we start down the steep grade tt
Canon City. AS we pass along we
catch fleeting glimpses of distant
mountain peaks. We thunder over
bridges, plunge through tunnels, anc
at each turn Of the track new an(
different scene bursts on our vision
Gradually the hills on either side ap
proach each other. Now and then WI
are compelled to look up in order tt
see the SUBMITS. A little further, wha
q were gentle, sloping mountains, become
f perpendicular walls of solid rock
t They look down upon us with darl
y threatening mien. Their aspect fright
b ems us, but as if to reassure us that the,
s mean no harm, their arms are extend
: ed in blessing. We pass over tn
hanging bridge, where the canyon is to-
f narrow to admit of both tracks ant
g river. One has to give the right-o
j. way to the other, the river has pre-
|. cedence; its power is not to be resisted
v Man is baffled; he casts about for som
s weapon with which to combat the all
b conquering demon and he builds
|. wall of masonry only to see it disaI
J. pear down the throat of the insatiabl
= monster. 1t is contest betwee
q mind and matter. The resource
IA of the mind are drawn upon wit
!. the result that steel is called into pla!
it ''V" shaped girders, which exten
t. across the canyon, are placed in pos
If tien, and from these the bridge is SUI
Ia pended. Thus the impossible
Nd accomplished, and commerce is mad
d. to flow in steady streams over tn
If field of conquest.
at Leaving the hanging bridge benin
le we whirl around innumerable shar
lg curves with a speed that threatens d.
ID struction, we pass lone watchman an
W his shanty. By imperceptible degret
to the walls of the canyon fall apart
8! few miles more and complete tran
Of formation takes place. The trai