40 OUR NATIONAL PARKS 



resort, — a gathering-place for travelers from 

 all the world. 



The national parks are not only withdrawn 

 from sale and entry like the forest reservations, 

 but are efficiently managed and guarded by small 

 troops of United States cavalry, directed by the 

 Secretary of the Interior. Under this care the 

 forests are flourishing, protected from both axe 

 and fire ; and so, of course, are the shaggy beds 

 of underbrush and the herbaceous vegetation. 

 The so-called curiosities, also, are preserved, and 

 the furred and feathered tribes, many of which, 

 in danger of extinction a short time ago, are 

 now increasing in numbers, — a refreshing thing 

 to see amid the blind, ruthless destruction that is 

 going on in the adjacent regions. In pleasing 

 contrast to the noisy, ever changing manage- 

 ment, or mismanagement, of blundering, plun- 

 dering, money-making vote-sellers who receive 

 their places from boss politicians as purchased 

 goods, the soldiers do their duty so quietly that 

 the traveler is scarce aware of their presence. 



This is the coolest and highest of the parks. 

 Frosts occur every month of the year. Neverthe- 

 less, the tenderest tourist finds it warm enough 

 in summer. The air is electric and full of ozone, 

 healing, reviving, exhilarating, kept pure by frost 

 and fire, while the scenery is wild enough to 

 awaken the dead. It is a glorious place to grow 

 in and rest in; camping on the shores of the 



