The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PAGE SIX Those Who Ride Among Hills By G. H. Lash In The OC. N. R. Magazine) Evidence has been accumulating during the past two years to prove that visitors to the national parks of Canada, particularly those in the Rocky Mountain area, are mot all content to make a two or three day stay and then hasten breathlessly off serene in the belief they have seen all that is to be seen. In such instances ignorance is indeed bliss. By dressing in a fur coat and sit- ting on a block of manufactured ice some people may get a thrill--and certainly a chill--but by no étretch of the imagination can they be con- sidered Arctic explorers. It is as rational to suppose that eating a clam chowder constitutes an expe- rience in deep sea fishing. It is be- ing equally as uncomplimentary to one's intelligence to presume that by breezing through the atmosphere in a swift automobile one may, in a day or two, see all there is to be seen in a great national park like Jasper, Alberta, for instance, which has an area of more than 5,000 square mriles. Many people who come to the mountain playgrounds are discovering this fact, They are learning that the only way to see the best that is to be seen in a Rocky Mountain park, is from the back of what the cross word puz- glers describe as an equine. quad- ruped which, in plain language, is a horse. And that also explains why, out in the Canadian Rockles for the past two summers, larger numbers of visitors have been put- ting ridipg breeches to the use for which they were designed. This mode of travel is called trail riding and, like most other things in life, it has its ups and dawns, especially for the heginner, The person who conceived the idea of applying the term 'tenderfoot' tn one who undertakes to go trail riding for the first time was either singularly lacking in imagination or exceedingly tactful Out in the Canadian Rockies the heginner is not so designated. True, the nomenclature is often varied and picturesque hut that which is audible is' usually "tourist" our "dude." But he is never high- hatted and his period of probation is not prolonged. If he can stick with his horse, either on it, ahead of it, or behind it for fifty miles he can, if he wishes, be admitted to the fellowship of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and be presented with a medal to prove his claim, Theré are bronze medals, silver medals, and gold medals. They vary in design and value and are awarded for heing valorous, persevering or just thick-skinned from fifty up to 2,600 miles. What is given after that I don't know, but T have an idea it may he an equestrian statue. To go tral] riding--I am speak- ing of the bheginner--the first thing to do is to find an outfitter. The next is to find a trail. For this purpose the outfitter will produce a map that looks like a cross he- hetween a table cloth in a Chinese restaurant and the surface of an an- cient oil painting. The mass of lines running hither and yon, that are chasing themselves in circles like a kitten after its tafl, are con- tours and the grayy spots are the tops of mountains. There are splot- ches of anaemic blue to represent lakes and dirty grey patches indi- cating ice fields. 'Meanwhile the stubby finger of the outfitter has heen wandering about with an ut- ter disregard of ice, water or un- scaled heights and--the moving fin- ger having writ--he rolls up the map and the candidate awakes somewhere outside to the fact he 1s going trail riding but is still with- out any exact knowledge of where. Horses are the most essential thing next to a trail. These, early, oh' so early, in the morning are found standing placidly in the cor- ral with a group of gum-chewing, innocent-eyed cowboys beside them. The pariy having assembl: ed, the introduction of riders to fiery steeds comrmences. The most influential looking member will probably be hoisted on to the broad back of a Napoleonic beast of no- ble proportions and a moderately comfortable gait. Others will fare according to their status which is sot always according to their de- serts. Let no one harbor any {illusions 2s to the looks of a mountain pony, He pever was meant for the ring at the Royal Winter Fair. The chances are he will appear to be a beast which in 2 prenatal state had evidently intended to be a camel apd bad changed his mind on the way. He may have no definite color. He may seem to have been carelessly sprayed with ochre on a surface not altogether clean and his knees may be baggy as 2 news- paper man's trousers. No fault may be found with his ears but his back will probably be a masterpiece of irregularity. Not even a mattress in a country hotel eould achieve its magnificent contours. Two cu- pola-shaped domes are its outstand- ing features, one fore and ome aft, and in between thenr a deep valley ale of the shadow wherein rests the saddle. No doubt the amazing shape of this back will have earned for him the appropriate sobriguet "Peanuts." Around his eyes may be two wide vision popular, and the eyes may be a watery blue. But-and this is the redeeming 'quality of all mountain ponies--those eyes will look at you with a wisdom o'der than the pyramids and befgre them your soul will wilt and curl up like a strip of bacon in a hot pan. In one glance that horse will know more about you than your wife or your closest friend can learn in years of intimacy. Having been properly introduced by a cowboy with a jaw like the prow of a ferry boat and the eyes of a cherub, who drawls, "I guess this here one will do for you," thus proving there is altogether too much guessing about this business, even though you are not sure whether he is 'looking: at you or the horse, you proceed to mount. Now mounting a horse properly, with an easy nonchalance of the cowboys, is an art, Like slipping gracefully into a dress shirt or eat- ing asparagus tips, it is something which can be acquired only by ex. perience plus agility. For a nrod- erately long-legged man it can be performed without any particular loss of prestige after a few at- tempts but for a short-legged man it is another matter, Being of the latter variety myself I have often wondered why the pictures of Na- poleon never showed the rope lad: der. The theory is simple. You stand on the left of the horse close to the neck with your face towards its stern, which is the end with the tail attachment, With your left hand you grasp the reins and the pommel firmly, place your left foot in the stirrup and vault grace- fully into the saddle. If you are shortlegged you will discover that when your left hand is on the poms mel your left foot won't reach the stirrup. If you put your foot in THE OSHAWA DAILY TIMES, TUESDAY, MAY. 22, 1928 way among the tangle of upturned roots. He will not think twice about climbing the side of a bank which, it would seem, only a goat could climb. He will choose an un- faltering path through great jum. bles of rocks and he has been known to cross a river on one log like a lumber-jack. The chances are he will always succeed, even in this,' unless he is a packhorse with a motion picture camera om his back. Motion picture cameras are the Jonahs of the trail. No matter how much care is exercised in choosing the horse"to carry 'one of these or how safe «the trall may be, somve- thing always seems to occur to put the camera out of commission. Two summers ago a motion picture op- erator rode over a trall as wide and as smooth as a city pavement to filmean Alpine club. Everything went well until the pack horse de- cided to scratch his back. He cai- ried out his idea by rolling around on the ground, scattering tha con- tents of the pack far and wide with such dire results to the camera thar every foot of film exposed proved to be fogged. There was another who wanted to pluck a daisy just below the outer edge of a trail on a bench several hundred feet above a river. It happened the spot was undercut so that mow instead of picking daisies, he's growing them and the camera was rescued oaly with difficulty from a watery grave. There was a third who essayed two cross a stream on one slippery 12%. He landed on his back into the lenses of the camera so that it could not be used." These, however, are exceptions to the general rule and do not ap- ply to the saddle ponies. "Chey are long suffering, patient beasis and can be trusted in the face of any- thing except a wasp's nest and a porcupine. Before these two they are as bereft of all reason as a woman in the presence of a mouse. Especially is this so of a porcupine, even though Porky has not the power to transform himself into a sort of animated machine gun and scatter quills over the land- scape at will as seems to be a ra- ther popular conception. What Porky does'is to blink his little red eyes, back up towards his en- emy and begin swishing a tail that is the original distributor of sou- venirs. One look at Porky.is suff cient to make "Peanuts", perform a dance in comparison with whien the Charleston is as simple as Ring- Around-Rosey. Another thing "Peanuts" dislikes is a slicker. This is a garment designed as a protection against rain and it is tied to the back of the saddle when the weather is fine. It has no particular shape, is always made to fit a seven-foot man and contains about twenty- five yards of oil skin sewn care. lessly around a hole. You put your head through this hole, when you find it, drape the rest of the bell tent aronud yourself and the saddle and then the weather clears up. Getting into it is quite a trick, es- pecially on a saddle. The hole is never where it ought to be and 'Pea- nuts" is sure to object to the rust!- ing of the garment while you are looking for it. My advice 1s to dis- mount, hide behind a tree and to put on the slicker out of sight or to leave it on the back of the saddle and get wet. I remember ome venturesome soul who refused to heed this ad- vice. He remained aloft and he also made the mistake of putting the slicker over his head before he definitely" chartered the hole. He was in that position when his horse turned its head and saw him. With a leap and a frightened squeal the horse dashed along the trail with a bouncing shrouded figure om his back, emitting muffled cries for help, until the sympathetic sweep of an overhanging bough brought the mad procession to an undra- matic close. . But these are the things which add zest to life on the trail. These and the wondrous beauty all about; the snow-clad hills and the water- falls that hang like vagrant silver threads to the side of them; the rip- pling brooks and the polished lakes and the, sense of satisfying compan- ionship. And late at night when the hills have vanished into the purple mist and "Peanuts" has wandered off to graze in the beaver meadows; when you-have gathered about the camp fire's fragrant warmth, you will find your heart is no longer filled with a want that can't be mret and your soul no longer craves for the things that cannot be. For these things are, and the things of man and a man-made world seem far away indeed. Only the stars swing- ing low in the blue-black vault of sky seem near. Se -------- TIMES TIMES TIMES TUCRER NO-MORE-WAR INVITATION NOT RECEIVED AT OTTAWA Ottawa, May 21---Canada has not yet received an iavitation from Secretary of State Frank B. Kel- 10gg, of the United States to join in the League to dutlaw war. In- quiry at the Department of Exter- nal Affairs here this morning was met with the response that the situation has not changed. Prem- fer Mackenzie King has already in- timated that the Dominion will look with favor upon such an fine vitation. DRAPER PAYS VISIT TO MONTREAL CHIEF Montreal, May 321.--Brig.-Gen. Draper, newly appointed Chief of Police of Toronto, visited Chief Belanger, Montreal's police head, here Saturday. General Draper inspected the Montreal police signal system,' which has now been installed in all parts of the city, and by which it is possible for Headquafters to keep in touch with all constables on their beats. It is also possible for any officer on duty to get in touch with Headquarters. Chief Draper pointed out that To- ronoto had not this system, and he wanted to see how it worked, with a possibility of the Ontario city adopting it. Horseshoe clubs are becoming popular all over the Province. May be this will revive an industry that' has suffered because of the motor car.~Guelph Mercury. y Clothing 1** ANNIVERSARY the stirrup first you can only grasp a handful of mane to which | any horse--even a mountain pony | --will take exception. | So there you will be, gravely | hopping from one foot to another like a cat making up its mind to cross a puddle, until a solemn-faced cowboy suddenly heaves you into the air and leaves you suspended there with the ground miles away and nothing between you and it ex- cept a restless insecurity. Before you have collected your wits your attention will probably he jolted to hear upon more imemdiate dan- gers. You will discover your horse has wheeled suddenly and, when your heart has stopped kissing your Adam's apple, you will he ahle to offer silent thanksgiving to the memory of the soul who invented a saddle with a pommel and to learn, to your astonishment that the trail ride has begun. Trail riding is an excellent level; ler of castes. It founds compan- fonships more quickly than perhaps any other form of exercise and that may be one of the reasons for its growing popularity. Within a mile or two, hetween humps, you will discover a lot that is likeahle in the chap ahead of you and the one behind you, just as you are also finding out that there appear to he numerous mysterious knobs on parts of your person which, hither- to, you had considered to be smoothly surfaced. This latter dis- covery, no doubt, will cause you to determine that if ever again you go trail riding you will ask for a side saddle so that you may ride out on one side apd back on the other. Perhaps, it is true that he- tween fellow sufferers there exists an affinity, as witness the relish with which women chatter of af- flictiong horne and the male of the species of golf. Whatever the rea- son may be, it is true that within an hour, as far as the vagaries of your steed will permit, you are con- versing with your fellows like bo- som friends apd into your heart there hegins to creep a genuine lik- ing for what you are doing. You may even deign to look with a little' more favor upon that model if im- perfection, *'Peanuts," and to cred- it him with having a few wits. You are entering' that matchless brotherhood, the fraternity of those who ride among the hills. It .is well you should begin to trust "Peanuts." For trails, like human pature, are of variable quality. They weave and wind among the trees where the shad- ows flit and dance, They cross the swift green streams: all splashed with milk and the water purls against your boots, held loose be- side the stirrpus while "Peanuts." like an awakened scow, forges his relentless course across the ford. They cling like frightened fingers to the edge of fearsome bluffs. with a yawning chasm below and *Pea- nuts" (God rest his noble soul) al- ways walks unconcernedly along the outer edge, occasionally lean- ing over to nip a clump of zrass from its precarious bed. They stumble over slides with a shud- dering mass of rocks above and be- low. They creep beside ereat gla- rs, older than the oldest man- made thing and climb to the wind- swept heights where even the trees can't grow, but where brave patch- es of forget-met-nots, all uncon- scious of their heroism, bloom like little bits of fallen sky in hollows right beside the snow. They fling themselves into the valleys where the deep shadow of the mountain broods forever and they sweep mer- rily by lakes of emerald and jade and others where the fire of opal lies imprisoned. Trails are wilful things. True nomads, these, wandering where and how they please and the rea- son is soon plain why good looks '| have been sacrificed for strength, agility and intelligence in the se- lection and breeding of mountain ponies. At any moment "Peanuts" and his kin may be called upon to Ado the most surprising things and the wise rider soon learns to let™his ' | mount go about these things in his | own way. With all the slow care of an elephant stepping across the body of his trainer, he will pick his Boys' Suits with short and long pants or bloomers, Ranging from $10 to $15. teed for $1.95 $1295 | Men's Clothing See our Men's Suits, We have one of the nicest as- sortments to pick from in serges, tweeds, worsteds, single and double breasted. The very latest in styles, ranging from $25, $35 and $40. Every one of our Suits are reduced, Special, $19.95 $24.95 $29.50 $32.50 Use Our Credit System Here Fine Cuptaining jin white and cream color, to go 7 for, Yard, - Cc Men's heavy blue and black Overalls. Reg. £2.00 value, to go for A line of Ladies' _ Corsets to go at pany 98¢ from ...- Men's Fine Caps in all $1 patterns. Reg. $1.75 for SALE SPECIAL Only 12 Men's Suits left with 2 pair pants. clear for To It is now 21 years since we started i in Oshawa, and we wish to thank our many customers for the way they have co-operated with us during that time and hope that in the future we will try and do our best as in the past years. We intend making the com- ing year a bigger year than ever. We have reduced everything in the store for 15 days. Now is the time to save on your needs. Clothing for the family. Pick 'em out! Quick Action Here -- A lot of Ladies' Hats in different styles. This is an absolute clearing, Pick 'em out for, We have left from our other store some odd: and ends which we wish to clear, We need more space. In order to get it, we are forced to clear out as much as possible of the balance of our stock of 21 BOND S. | Ladies' Dresses Address: West our other store. Articles such as men's socks, over- alls, shirts, pants, children's hose, ladies' hose, cor- . s=ts, bloomers, underwear, chintz, curtaining, win- dow shades, sweaters and many other articles. We need more room so here goes. The profit is all yours here. FOR 15 DAYS WATCH OUR WINDOW DISPLAY BELOW SPECIALS ARE CASH---NO CREDIT Striped Curtaining. Regular 35¢, to clear for Yard, Men's Kbaki Combination Overalls, Big B Brand Men's Fine Shirts, separate and attached collars. Regu- E lar up to $2. To $1.00 | Children's black ribbed Cot ton Hose, all sizes. | Reg. 30c, to go for pr. 19¢ Window Blinds, guaranteed hartshorne springs, white and cream, to go for 59¢ ..a 75¢c Men's Khaki Work Coats. ue m1. » 21.98 Boys' Dress Shirts separate collars, ach, with Boys' Heasy Ribbed Hose, sizes up to 107%. Reg. 50c, to go for, pr. 35¢ Large Size Flanuclette Blankets, blue and pink $2.50 to clear pr. Painters' White Smocks to clear for 59¢ ' Men's Reg. $6.50, now going for Rubberized $4.95 Children's Cotton Bloomers in all shades, "we 2c ENGEL I N SALE STARTS MAY 23 Boys' Pants. Reg. $3.50. to clear, Men's Heavy Regular $2 value, | to clear for . Men's Blue Chambray Work Shirts, heavy Long All kinds of Ladies' Silk Dresses. Reg. $12 to $20, To go for $7.95 $10.95 $12.95 The best silks obtainable, Ladies' Coats in light and navy blue Tricoteens, Charmalenes, trimmed with mole-skin collars and some with tiss. Regular $25, $35 and $40. Now going for $19.95 $29.50 Use Our Credit System Here Light Work Pants. MILLINERY An assortment of Ladies' Hats in very snappy styles, Reg $5, Boys' Tweed Bloomers, goy= ernor fasteners, Regular $1.75, to clear Children's Summer all sizes up tg 14 ars, Vests, 19¢ Men's Arrow Linen Collars. Regular 25¢, to clear 15 c OSHAWA. 21 Bond St. W.