The Detroit times., 1915-04-07
SEEING AMERICA FIRST.
RY FRED C. KELLY
Copyright. 1915. BY Fred C. Kelly


The railroad publicity men have been putting
out so many descriptive folders this spring
about the Grand Canyon OF the Colorado in Ar
mona. that ! would not attempt 20 describe Il
even IL the thing We're possible
But / shall do what Theodore Roosevelt AMI
a number OF other persons have done, according
10 two pages OF testimonials in folder l have
before me. | shall endorse H. The Grand Can
yon has my entire approval | am free 70 say
that ! regard II as one OF the best chasms We
have Any one who goes in for gigantic chasms
cannot do better than stick 10 the Grand Can
you OF the Colorado. The thing Is. the rail
road folders have frequently stated here OF late.
10 miles across. a mile deep. and a couple OF
hundred miles long Any hole in the earth that
big. filled with vast castles and cafhedrals. and
its insi6es all painted up with every color on
the colorcards. cannot be regarded as anything
short OF a success The Grand Canyon is ali
right
beard remark that about sums up It's stu.
pendousness
-Um." grunted an awe struck visitor. II would
hate TO live with that thing regularly"
That is the way IL must strike great many
people Il Is TOO big too fearful. too far beyond
human grasp. to BE- companionabe. In its sub
Unity II is awful
| overheard young girl say: 1t is terribly
fascinating"
what she meant vas that it is fascina,ingIy
.errible
Numerous Indian bazaars and White peoples
bazaars 10 be found near the leading hotel
az the canyon. In none OF these Is IL any trou-
bic TO show goods. nor II there any urging 20
buy. Every one IL Just pleasant and happy.
apparently. whether shopper buys or not. X
is as II the shops are here as form Of hospi-
tally rather than for commercial purposes.
] spoke OF this 10 a man who has been living
near the canyon for a great many years
Yes be observed. with an understanding
nod, people are not usually petty out here. It's
not easy for fellow TO be small and live aIonz.
of hat hfo iTrv urAa
And he pointed with his thumb at the Grand
Canyon.
/ visitor az the canyon is supposed 70 hire a
\ guide and a sad-eyed burro. and make a trip
down prectptous trail 10 the edge OF the Colo
RADIO River, distance OF seven miles partly
along passage that looks over sheer drops into
( space Of few thousand feet
! frankly did not make this Journey for a
number of reasons. One was thai Mr. BIZ Kett
ner. congressman from San Diego Cal with
whom | am travelling agreed TO 20 down in
person az my proxy. and let me know exactly
ho" everything looked Bill has good powers OF
description and narration, and I saw no reason
for firing out extra mule 10 carry me dowr
along those precipices when ! could get tbs
facts all from Bin
Besides, ! walked over and had a good hear
to-heart look Al the burrOs from which I wouIa
have 10 make selection II I went Inasmucf
as the eHigencies OF the jaunt require one n
place more confidence IN one OF these mule.
lhdh one ~ Ordinarily expected 70 have In hil
parents, his church. the constitution OF the Tnif
! ed States, and the future Of the Republican ape
Democratic parties. thought II only fair that
should become acquainted with my mule IN ad
vance. Now, ] made this inspection with Ar
open mind and without prejudice but in III.
face OF each mule there Was a look that dis
not altogether like There was a certain ouief
halfhidden Jauntness OF expression tina, did no
seem TO me 10 bode any good Not one Of m.
mules heads had that development about IN,
bump OF caution which demand in an anima
that ] am going 10 ride along the edge OF ;
precipice. In some Of the mules I could detec.
a spirit that was almost alecky am sure rbes.
mules would have walked invariably along IN,
outside edge OF the trail and thought Il was rar,
good fun.
So appointed Bill Kettner a. my official reu
resentAtiye He returned tired and rather fire.,
from bis usual bubbling good humor
Nov, BILL said. tell mo In detail all abou
H. so that I can 20 home and lie about the tril
. and have all the local color"
Twas hulluva ride he remarked with .
, yawn.
And that was practically all was able 4
earn from him.
Eve invented temptation. but forgot to pa,