September Days at Madison Lake. 



feast for the eye of a nature-lover. This year we were a little 

 too early to see the picture complete. October is the artist that 

 touches each forest leaf and branch with the dyes which the 

 summer flowers were fain to use. The deft finger of the hoar 

 frost traces out the line and blends them, and the gentle breath 

 of the Indian summer kindles them into a universal glow, 

 which vies with the tints of gorgeous sunset. Until I beheld 

 the Minnesota landscape, I had no conception of the intensity 

 of autumn colors. On a hot September morning, Mrs. Steele 

 and I packed our trunks and fishing tackle and boarded the 

 train for Madison Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Barclay of Point Pleas- 

 ant had invited us to spend our. vacation with them at their 

 ideal resort on "The Point," and we accepted, thankful to leave 

 the city, sweltering in the rays of a September sun, for that 

 cool retreat on Madison Lake. Next morning, at break of day, 

 found us at Randolph, Minnesota, where we changed cars to 

 the Minneapolis & Mankato line of the Great Western. After 

 a run of fifty miles through that beautiful canyon valley, one of 

 the loveliest sections of the park region, we arrived at our 

 destination in time for one of Mrs. Barclay's inviting midday 

 lunches. Saturday afternoon was passed quietly at The Point, 

 visiting with old friends and making new ones, feasting our 

 eyes on the beauties of lake and wood. And what a feast for the 

 eyes of dwellers of a prairie country ! The whole landscape was 

 aglow with verdure just taking on the first autumn tints. As 

 we strolled along the shore of the lake, the squirrels chattered 

 overhead, and the waters of the lake glistened between the 

 overhanging branches of the trees, filling the view with con- 

 stantly recurring surprises, such as metropolitan treasuries 

 have spent millions to reproduce in city parks. Sunday morn- 

 ing we attended services at the little mission church in the 

 village. Monday morning was very cool and a light fog hung 

 over the lake. A light wind stirred up a ripple on the water 

 just right for fishing. After lunch Mrs. Steele, Major Mc- 

 Kusick, of Minneapolis, and I loaded ourselves and tackle into 

 a boat and pulled away for the fishing ground. As we rowed 



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