The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-09-09

clientele. Times grew better and the
Benson prospered. Finally it became
one of the most remunerative property
| investments in Portland and old Mr.
Benson again felt that pride in obstin.
acy that he so often had felt before
when his projects blossomed out of
unpromisng sterility into unbounded
| success.
! With the attainment of unquestioned
success, Mr.. Benson did with the hotel
what he had done before with other
| properties he had builded from poverty
INTO prosperity-sold out. He sold the
hotel for big, round sum to ex-Gov-
ernor Hanna, of North Dakota, who
now owns it and gets a handsome re-
turn on his investment.
But in the sale Benson did not forget
Henri, to whose sart in catering and
charging he felt the hotel owed so
much of its material prosperity.
Henri" he said, "let me know
whensyou are ready to start in busi-
ness, and if it looks good to me III
back you.
Mr.. Benson, of course, expected
Henri to establish a restaurant in
Portland. and chuckled over the pros
pect of building up an eating establish
ment that would give the Rose City an
international reputation among epi-
cures. But Henri had ideas of his
own. Like Mr.. Benson when he took
hold of the good roads movement,
Henri S eyes turned away from the
city to the great outdoors of Oregon.
For years Henri had quietly slipped
along on excursions and hikes of the
Trails Club, the Progressive Business
Mems Club and other reasonably mod |
est organizations which have enthused |
over the tourist possibilities of Oregon. |
He was a delightful companion, and |
was happy when permitted to super
wise the culinary preparations for a |
trip into the forest. These lunches
m the open, prepared under his artistic
touch. were triumphs, and the club and |
association members worshiped at his
gustatory shrine. Ii was in the course
Of these trips that Henri kept his eyes
open for location for the establish
ment that Mr.. Benson was to back.
The eve of his enthusiasm was towards
the scenic beauty of Oregon wonder
.and-it was not riveted to the walled
lavements of the city. In his pros
1ecting he finally located Wau GUM
iuin.
mir. Benson have found the spot. :"
'onhded Henri, with accent on "the "
The old chief was amazed at the radi
mt chef when he learned ''the spot"
vas not in Portland but on the banks
# the Columbia he loved 50 well, out
N the Highway, only two miles from
Hood River.
IAN right. IN look it over, =" re-
ponded the big chief. Then he drove
ut and looked over the falls of Wau-
iuin-Guin from the Rand porch where
am writing, and drank in the evening
eauties Of the Columbia gorge from
be Point-those beatueis ! have feebly
tempted to describe with a pen that
as helpless as il Is eager.
Yes, the location is all right, said
erson. The property was purchased
rom the Rands, the deal was closed.
nd ere long will begin construction
en- enthusiastically appropriate tour
{ hotel, cottages. a few more trails
Iat are needed TO admit visitors to
.gry part Of the enchanted tract, and
3 equipment that will enable Henri 20
tier in manner befitting the idealitv
the location.
Hood River is rejoicing over the
1spect. The tourist hotel project il
IS needed and lonCed for has been
dpped in its lap. All who visit Nau-
lln-Guln viii rejoice that his en-
artment Is 20 be opened up % them.
7d the pace set by this, the first great
lrist hotel Of interior Oregon. will
an inspiration 10 others to capitalize =