16 THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 



seemly and necessary in their place but altogether 

 ludicrous when acquired by the plain citizen. When 

 affected by women it is in very truth worse than 

 grotesque ! 



Indians were sequestered 'in reservations and 

 raids things of the past when the home question 

 for this writer was finally decided. Not only so, but 

 it can be proved that for many, many years exist- 

 ence in Southern New Mexico has been more peace- 

 ful, serene and secure than in many an eastern 

 community, and this despite occasional alarms in 

 recent times of border raids — alarms which so far 

 have never materialized. And what was it that de- 

 cided the home question? Must it be confessed 

 that it was not wholly the rich if neglected land, 

 the fruit trees in bearing, a magnificent cottonwood 

 spreading sheltering arms over a spacious, solidly 

 built adobe dwelling, the admirable possibilities of 

 the ranch from a farming point of view that turned 

 the scales? What was it, then? 



An attractive drive bordered with china, poplar 

 and paradise trees, rose bushes before the door — 

 and bounding the horizon, a perpetual yet variable 

 vision of beauty, the soaring heights of the Organ 

 Mountains. Poor reasoning this, no doubt, for a 

 prospective farmer, and yet not without its proven 

 worth. 



Many contingencies, otherwise unbearable, if 

 there be such a word in Life's merciless dictionary, 

 can be endured when the eyes may be lifted to the 

 Eternal Hills. 



