THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 59 



papers, whereas we at every climatic mishap burst 

 hysterically into print, and see to it that our moans 

 resound through the halls of civilization. Naturally 

 our climate has its drawbacks and will continue to 

 have until Paradise opens its doors, but to the ex- 

 perienced traveler — or rather to the observant trav- 

 eler, the latter being in the minority — it has not a 

 rival here below; or not, that is, in these United 

 States. 



There are many portions of this vast country 

 which should be shunned by those yearning for the 

 dubious joys of fires and blankets in summertime, 

 as there are many persons mentally and physically 

 unfitted for warm and sunlit days. Mentally, be- 

 cause they fuss and fret and fume themselves into a 

 semi-boiling condition long ere the heated term ar- 

 rives, for the reason that it should have arrived; 

 physically, because they consult an unreliable ther- 

 mometer every few minutes and if it reads 90 in- 

 stead of the desired 80, groan and fan and borrow 

 trouble generally, 80 as a matter of fact being a 

 pleasant temperature at this altitude and 90 not so 

 bad; such persons neither eat, dress nor live ac- 

 cording to the dictates of common sense. They per- 

 sist in their heavy winter diet, clasp winter clothing 

 to melting bosoms, and imagine that open doors and 

 windows in abundance during the heat of the day 

 will keep the house cool. In New Mexico one can 

 keep cool indoors if one will; in much traveling 

 elsewhere in summer I have often been unable to 

 achieve this desired consummation. Our rainy sea- 

 son to the contrary notwithstanding, the humid 



