The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-08
A VIRGINIA MAN
ACTS TENDERFO0T
AS Such He Secs Far Famed
Rocky Mountains and Tells
About 1t.
VISIT TO A SICK FRIEND
A Hint at a Charming Romance,
With Cupid III the
Ring.
VISIT TO A SICK FRIEND
~ s. %. nIcnAnpsoN.

-.
Leaving dear old Richmond via G. g
q. r. r., / proceed West. Passing
through magnificent scenery. we
reached the foothillsof the Blue Ridge.
thence to the fertile Valley of virginia,
where the golden wheat fields are seen
waving in the sunlight. and where me
cattle are seen grazing In the clover
fields. This section of old virginia
seems strangely favored by Dame Ma
turc. who has blessed 1t with suen rich
soil and adorned It's borders by the
lovely Blue Ridge and Allegheny
ranges, which seems to hold the Valley
in loving embrace. Night oVertakes
us at Clifton Forge, prosperous town
almost surrounded by mountain peaks.
Here we set our watches back one
hour for we arc going West. on
reaching Cincinnati, we change cars
and take the Big -Four, which taxes
US at one minute rate across the
beautiful farm lands of Indiana and
Illinois. We pass through many small
but prosperous towns, thence through
Missouri, stopping ut Kansas City, a
lovely town perched on many hills.
and noted for It's stock yards and
packing houses. Here we chanBe
again and take tho ROCK Island ROAD
for Colorado Springs Here also we
set our watches back another hour for
we arc still going with the sun. Lea'-
ing Kansas City we reach the State OF
Kansas, and travel for hundreds OF
miles through most prosperous Sec
ton dotted with large fields OF alfalfa,
corn and wheat. Here we find the
busy farmer harvesting the golden
grain and moving the hay for the
markets of the East. Here also may
be seen fine orchards and almost all
kinds OF truck, all evidencing state
Of prosperity second to no State In
the West. Truly Kansas is favored
land. After day and a half of travel
we reach Colorado. the land of gold
and snow" Here we find the home OF
the cowboy and rancher. Thousands
OF sheen are feeding on the mountain
side not far away. with the cowboy,
dressed in true cowboy style. with
rifle hung at his side, watching MS
herd feed in the valley and keeping
watch on the mountain lion, which Is
lurking in the trees not far away, wait
ing for an opportunity to carry OH
young calf for dainty meal
The weather begins getting cool, al
though it is July. for we are now
nearing the foothills OF the mighty
Rockies The porter In the dining-c car
sings out the last call for supper" A
good supper is served, and after
| pleasant chat among fiends we retire
| for the night, to wake in the morning
| with Pixies Peak, snow-capped and
| grim, in full view. This peak Is I'M
| rtyaled among American mountains
and has a more prominent place In the
| story of the exploration or the great
| West than any other name Ihou-
| sands of eager pioneers, moving TO
the mysterious west, chose this noun
| tain as their guide and goal ON
reaching Colorado Springs, lovely
] town resting at the foot of the huge
mountains, as IL in obeisance to moun-
| tain majesty, we took the cog-wheel
| railroad to the top OF this snoW-cappen
/ peak, a trip never to be forgotten. On
/ our way up we. reach timber line,
which is eleven thousand feet from
the tides. The weather becomes very
Ecold--so cold that nothing will live IN
the way Of vegetation. The summit is
reached and we have a genuine snow
| balltnE in July. The scenery from this
peak Is beyond description; 1t must DO
seen to be appreciated.
on reaching the Springs we take the
short lire railroad 10 Cripple Creek
and Victor. On this short line the
scenery Is simply beyond description.
The railway line to Cripple Creek is
regarded as one OF the most Wonder-
| full pieces of civil engineering to pc
| found on the american COutlAcH1. w
reaching Cripple Creek, the greatest
gold camp on earth, we pass the old
trail where so many hold-ups took
place In the early days of that great
gold camp, when many prospector
was robbed by the daring highway
man.
The snow-capped range of the Sangre
de Cristo spreads out as far as the eye
can reach beyond Cripple Creek, and
/ is perpetually snow covered. VICTOR
Is noted for It's great mines.
j I met an old Virginia gentleman at
! Colorado Springs, DR.. Garnctt. formerly
\ from Essex county, who gave me q
j hearty welcome and entertained US IN
true old Virginia style.
My trip to the Rockies was occa-
i stoned by the illness Of dear friend,
a bachelor. but not old, II you please,
however. Judging from the number of
post cards, folders and souvenirs mailed
at each stopping place, 1t appears that
tho willy little Cupid has taken trus
I alma fair young maid In the dear
I old Southland has won the affections
of my dear bachelor friend. Some day
in tho sweet bye and bye two hearts
will beat as one, and the charming
!. maid from the dear old Southland will
take a$trlp to the Rockies as the bride
OF the Tenderfoots friend.
]. Chester, Va. 1907.
NJ . so = .