Arizona Sketches

verything that he sees is different from the familiar objects of his home, and he is filled with wonder and amazement at the many curious things that are brought to his notice. Judging the country

st glance it presents the appearance of a desert, but to one who is acquainted with its peculiarities it is by no means desolate. It furnishes a strong contrast to the rolling woodlands of the far east, and to the boundless prairies of the middle we

ila monster, tarantula, centipede, scorpion and horned toad are specimens of its strange animal life; and, the numerous species of cacti, yucca, maguey, palo verde and mistl

the railroad, the influx of capital and population, and the suppression of the once dreaded and troublesome Apache, a new life has been a

ficient evidence of an extinct race to prove that the land was once densely populated by an agricultural and prosperous people. When or how the inhabitants disappeared is u

aimed that what the white man saw was the work of Montezuma. All that is known of this ancient people is what the ruins show, as they left no written record or even tradition of their life, unless it be some inscriptions consisting of various hieroglyphics and pic

in modern progress. In natural wonders it boasts of the Grand Canon of Arizona, the painted desert, petrified forest, meteorite mountain, natural bridge, Montezuma's well and many other marvels of nature. There are also ruins galore, the cave and cliff dwellings, crumbled pueblos, extensive acequias, p

nstant surprises, where unusual conditions p

n ranges stretch from the northwest to the southeast. Through the middle of the Territory from east to west, flows the Gila river to its confluence with the Colorado. This stream marks the

s before him as he advances. He is never clear of the encircling mountains for, as often as he passes out of one enclosure through a gap in the mountains, he finds himself hemmed in again by a new one. The peculiarity of always being in the midst of mountains and yet never

the lover of nature. It presents a strangely fascinating view, that once seen, wi

ape is presented to view. Though hard and rugged, the picture, as seen at a distan

d blue, which mingle harmoniously in various combinations with almost every other color that is known. The most brilliant lights, sombre shadows, exquisite tints a

The gramma grass of the and region grows quickly and turns gray instead of brown, as grasses usually do when they mature. I

, which is composed of a variety of desert plants that are native to the soil and can live on very little water. It consists o

ray disappears almost entirely, and the young grass springs up as by magic, covering the whole country with a carpet of living green. In t

ighty subterranean force, the tumultuous sea was rolled back from its pristine bed and, in its stead, lofty mountains lifted their bald beads above the surrounding desolation, and stand to-day as they have stood in massive grandeur ever since the ancient days of their upheaval. Rugged and bleak they tower high, or take t

o the body. Over all the landscape hangs a veil of soft, purple haze that is bewitching. It gives to the s

ght near and made to glow in a halo of mellow light. Manifold ocular illusions appear in the mirage and

d Italy cannot surpass it. The nights are invariably clear and the moon and stars appear unusually bright. The

marvels of beauty. In the mellow afterglow of the sunset, on the western sky, strea

like Pisa's leaning tower, or are beat at various angles, but always retaining the columnar form. They rise to great heights and vanish in space. These spectral forms

n a droughty land the clouds always attract attention viewed either from an artistic or utilitarian standpoint. When out on parade they float lazily acros

rtone is surprising. The soft soughing of the wind in the trees; the gentle rustle of the grass as it is swayed by the passing breeze; the musical ripple of water as it gurgles from the spring; the piping of

you are in some such familiar but neglected haunt, and instinctively you look about expecting to see the old house that was once called home and hear the welcome voice and footfall of cherished memory. It is no little disappointment to be rouse