Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-08-02
LETTER FROM
NEW MEXICO
Well Known Former Maine Mstho.
dist Pastor Writes Of Life Thsrs.

Wet Fooho' syt'sSs Os Lire mere
New Mexicos a land Of contrasts,
Land OF roses and of cactus,
Sagebrush wastes-and mighty forests
Land where in the sunset splendor
Angels paint most wondrous pictures,
Utilize the smoke of sand storms %
TO portray the art of God"
1t is fine to be out in the noun
tains of New Mexico, twenty miles
from Albuquerque. and to look out on
scenes like the Sandy River valley in
Maine. and Scotland combined. We
miss the beautiful lakes and rivers.
but our camp is near a spring of
good water. Near US too is San
Lorenzo Falls, small but enchanting
in loneliness as if it were the abode
of fairies.
This is dry climate, good for lung
troubles. but we had ten showers in
as many days and one was a food
We have cool nights but our after
moons drive US to the shade. The
camp has merry party of young
people who seek new life and cheer
US with wit and song.
Mexican farmers in the valley use
the Spanish language. They live in
adobe houses and raise corn and
beans. Some take loads of wood to
the city and spend a night on the
road in picnic style. Recently they
had festival day at the little church,
and the priest led a procession with
banners to bless the spring of water
and the farms. After a service in
the church. they had sports. dancing
and rafting. Romantic and poetic a
part of the festival seemed, but the
Mexican has not a vision of the best
ideals of life and often lacks honor.
The Yankee in Maine is not always
honorable but he knows the right
path.
My friends had a good laugh over
some police work A Mexican family
picked up an auto tire which be-
longed to the camp. and refused to
give it to our driver. The superin-
tendent asked me to go after our
property. so you can picture this
Methodist preacher mounted ON
horse and riding to the yard of the
family. told my errand and to add
dignity made use of my Phi Beta
Kappa badge and quickly received the
tire. The Mexican is sensitive to law
and authority.
Recently l had a wonderful moon
light ride fifteen miles on a Ford
truck to the ranch of Mr.. Darrah.
We passed the adobe houses of some
Mexican Penitentes. who hold the
hard faith, to beat their bare bodies
on Good Friday until blood flows
freely. 1t has been the custom to
Learly cruelty one person. but this
cruel treatment Is mostly over. 1
had two happy days in the home. of
my fried. end he showed m in the
pasture traces Of the old Santa Fe
trail made by oxen long ago. 1t
made me think of old roads in Maine
and Roman roads in England. Then
was the guest one day Of the par.
ents Of Mr.. Darrah, who came from
Columbus, Kansas. They have a
good home on the side Of a mountain
which overlooks the vast Estancia
valley for sixty miles. a great
prairie. At night they see the light
of locomotive fifty miles distant.
They see another railroad line twenty
miles distant, so it is not easy to run
and catch a train! Some of the
ranches depend on rain water from
the roofs or haul water four miles.
and in winter melt snow, but they do
have plenty Of rattlesnakes! Mr..
Darrah's father came for the climate,
but he misses good water. He has a
fine orchard of apples, cherries and
peaches. which he says is the first
dry farm orchard in New Mexico.
On the return trip we had a
chance to see other ranches and can
send to Maine farmers who have
good homes and water the advice to
stay contented. Life seems to have
hard problems in every location.
We hear that the sick in the city
are having a hard time these hot
days. so we are thankful to be in the
mountains. On a rainy evening we
gather about the open fire in the
dining room and enjoy music and
stories. Our member from Scotland
sings funny song Of drinking man
who makes safe passage home il he
can say: IT'S a Draw BRIGHT moon
LIGHT NIGHT thae nicht,!" 1t is in
teresting to see the fight for health
and the effort to look on the bright
side. Many die far from home and
others return home after they lose
hope Of benefit.
Our camp has had the old puzzle of
the man who looks at a picture and
says: Brothers and sisters have
none. but that mans father was nv
fathers son." My solution is that he
looks at the picture Of his son. Now
what do you say?
Do the church bells still ring in
Maine? We need their music and
help down in this great state. and vet
great progress has been made. They
are building better roads, improving
the schools and seeking best meth
DDS of farming.
On recent Sunday night we had a
camp fire under the stars and some
young ladies came from a near camp
to eat candy and sing for two hours,
They had some popular songs, 'Old
Kentucky Home" odd Black Joe,"
and then they sang, Count Your
Blessings" Shall We Gather at the
River" God be with You til We
Meet Again"
1t is hard to tell when we shall
meet, but the writer sends cordial
good wishes to all friends in the be.
loved State of Maine. =.
HOWARD A. CLIFFORD,
Ttjeras, New Mexico.
An important eouit,, .,,,. -. 49,.